10: Ryan Ludwick
Though he has been in the big leagues since 2002, the Cardinals outfielder makes this list based on one season alone: 2008. Last season Ludwick was phenomenal, finishing with a nearly .300 batting average, 104 runs scored and 80 extra-base hits (40 doubles, 37 homers and three three-baggers). Do that again Ryan and we promise you won’t be in double-digits on next years list.
9: Edinson Volquez
2008 was the first in the National League for Volquez, and what a debut it was. The Reds righty went 17-6 and finished second in the NL in strikeouts with 206. He’s off to a rough start in ’09, but with a changeup as nasty as his, it’s only a matter of time until he’s back making professional hitters look like Little League scrubs.
8: Carlos Zambrano
Any given time Zambrano’s on the bump, he could throw a no-hitter or be shelled for eight runs in less than two innings of work. In fact, he actually did both those in consecutive starts last September. Talent-wise, there aren’t many hurlers better than Big Z. But even though he’s been in the Majors for nearly a decade, he still hasn’t put all the pieces of his self-control puzzle in place.
7: Lance Berkman
Berkamn’s a switch-hitter, can play multiple positions and hits for both power and average. So then why is he only number seven on this list? Well his stats are much better in the first half of seasons than second, and his right handed hitting is far worse than when he’s a lefty. Also, I think his nickname- The Big Puma- is really stupid.
6: Roy Oswalt
Though he’s never actually won it, Oswalt has finished in the top five of the Cy Young voting five times since 2001. That’s impressive for anybody, but especially for a pitcher who plays half their games at one of the best hitters ballparks in the Majors. Oswalt’s production has tailed off the last few seasons, but even his off-years (17-10, 3.54 ERA, 3.5 strikeouts/walks in 2008) are still really good.
5: Prince Fielder
Prince fell off a bit last season after his incredible 2007, but his stats- .278 BA, 34 HR, 102 RBI- still were good enough to carry his team to the playoffs. Now the question is, after the Brew Crew lost CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, can Fielder elevate his game and carry even more of the burden to bring Milwaukee back to the post-season in ‘09?
4: Alfonso Soriano
Yes, he strikes out a bunch and he is injured often. No, he won’t take walks or hustle every time on the basepaths. But talent-wise, there aren’t many players that can match the Cubs left fielder. It may be sometimes aggravating to watch, but Soriano is one of the few players in all of baseball that can carry a team for a week or two at a time with his hot bat.
3: Aramis Ramirez
In each of his five full seasons as the Cubs third basemen, Ramirez has hit .289 or better with at least 26 home runs and 92 RBI. Add to that his defense has greatly improved over the years (he still won’t be mistaken for Brooks Robinson, but at least he’s no Dan Uggla in the ’08 All-Star game) and he’s the definition of (regular season) clutch, meaning it won’t be a shock to see #16 on this list for years to come.
2: Ryan Braun
Brewers fans may know this one, but here’s some Jeopardy-style trivia for you to explain how impressive the 26 year old Milwaukee left fielder is:
Answer: Joe DiMaggio, Ralph Kiner, Eddie Mathews and the #1 player on this list.
Question: Who are the only four players ever to hit more home runs than Ryan Braun’s 71 in their first two Major League seasons?
1: Albert Pujols
Want to know how good this Cardinal is? In his entire career, the lowest King Albert ever finished in the NL MVP voting was 2007, when he was ninth. That season, the St. Louis first basemen hit .327, had an on-base percentage of .429, slugged 32 homers and drove in 103 runs. That means Pujols’ worst-ever campaign would qualify as a career year for 99% of players and most likely earn somebody a plaque in Cooperstown if they averaged those stats over a 12-year career. Insane.
4 comments:
I agree with the players, for the most part, but not the Order. Soriano should be ahead of Aramis, and Oswalt and Berkman should both be ahead of Prince Fielder.
Just my two cents. Nothing more, nothing less.
Ramirez is right where he should be, if not a little more toward Pooh-Holes on the list.
Braun = OVER-RATED, doesn't belong on the list. Nuff said.
I am curious as to how back-to-back 30+ homer, .285 average., 97 RBI in your first two years in the bigs makes a guy overrated. Being a Sox fan while somewhat respecting the Cubs, I would think it's safe to say that he is significantly a more desirable player than anybody in the city of Chicago.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
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