Every decade a new batch of talent graces the world of Major League Baseball. Fans from every generation believe that the athletes from their decade are the greatest to ever play the game. Regardless on your stance, there is one thing that’s for sure, baseball is progressing. Players are getting bigger, faster and stronger along with developing skills at younger ages.
When it comes to the talent in the league today it’s pretty clear who the best players are at each position. You will have debate on some players but the overall consensus is clear when picking out who the blatantly greatest players are.
This article will feature the best players at each position in both leagues. In the American League, the Detroit Tigers led the way with three players making the list. The Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels had two players make the list as well. The National League was represented by the Cincinnati Reds having two men crack the tops. Other than those two athletes in Cincinnati, the National League was spread out very evenly.
Here you have it, the best players in the league.
American League
Catcher: Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles
Although Wieters is only a career .260 hitter, he has proved to be extremely valuable to the Orioles. He had his career high in home runs, walks and total bases. It is clear to see that he is continuing to improve his game and for being the fifth overall pick this is almost what you expect. Wieters has also won back to back gold gloves which is a very impressive feat.
First Base: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers
Fielder had another great season last year, penciling himself in as the best first basemen in the entire American League. He put up very impressive numbers in 2012, batting .313 with 30 home runs along with 108 RBI’s and a stellar OBP of .412. He has been the model of consistency missing no more than five games per season throughout his entire career.
Second Base: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
When you look at Cano’s numbers you will see some interesting stuff. Every single year his home run numbers have improved. He started his career in 2005 with 14 home runs and chalked up 33 last season. At 30-years-old Cano is in his prime and looking to be the heart and soul of the Yankees. It’s clear to see Cano is the best second basemen in all of baseball. He produces the most runs of any second basemen if the numbers above didn’t impress you enough. Don’t look for that to change anytime soon.
Third Base: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
This might be the most obvious pick of all. Last season this guy did something no one has seen in 47 years wining the Triple Crown. His numbers are insane; batting .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBI’s last season. When talking about the best players in all of baseball Cabrera will be one of the first names that come up in conversation.
Shortstop: Jose Reyes, Toronto Blue Jays
Regardless of him being in the NL or AL, Reyes would have made this list. He’s been moved around a lot as of late but Toronto seems to be his home for the time being. Reyes won a batting title in 2011 and followed that up with a .287 average last year. He has a cannon arm and arguably the best range in baseball. 40 stolen bases in 2012 doesn’t hurt his resume either.
Left Field: Josh Hamilton, Los Angeles Angels
Same face new place here again with Hamilton. He had a rough end to his Rangers career with fans booing him after his crucial dropped pop fly. I don’t suspect any Angels' fans will be booing Hamilton any time soon. The guy is a RBI machine, driving in 128 runs last season alone. His average dipped a bit but look from him to bat .280-.300 range.
Center Field: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Trout had the greatest rookie year in recent memory. He looks to come back and do it again this season. Watching Trout is one of the most exciting events you can view in baseball. Not only does he dazzle at the plate, he robs people of home run after home run. For those of you who remember Torii Hunter, Trout is doing exactly what Hunter did in the field but at a younger age. Look for Trout to be one of the main faces in baseball for years to come.
Right Field: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
Bautista had an injury riddled season last year and didn’t put up the numbers we are accustomed to. Look for him to bounce back and go back to hitting his normal 40 home runs. The fact that Toronto has added so many new pieces to their team gives Bautista more chances for RBI’s. The big bat of Bautista will be back and he will bounce back to his old ways.
Starting Pitcher: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
When you think of the best pitchers in baseball today Verlander is the first name that comes to mind. If you haven’t seen this guy pitch before you need to! He has the filthiest stuff in the game. He also gets stronger as the game goes along, not many starters can say that. 239 strikeouts last season is one thing, add in his 2.64 ERA and you are looking at the best starter in the American League.
Closer: Jim Johnson, Baltimore Orioles
When a guy drops 51 saves in one season it’s hard to not name him as the best closer in the American League. He was lights out last season, blowing only three saves. His 2.49 ERA was one of the top 10 of closers in the league. Look for Johnson to continue his reign of saves once again this season.
National League
Catcher: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
Molina had arguably his best season last year batting .315 with 22 home runs and 76 RBIs. He only struck out 55 times last season and had 159 hits. He had 88 putouts last season and has the strongest arm of any catcher in the National League. He catches one of the best games of any catcher in the league as well.
First Base: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
The beast from the middle east (of America) was injured at the end of last season but still managed to put up a whopping .337 along with 14 home runs. Look for his home run total to go up from last year as he is capable of hitting 30. Votto also has a beautiful OBP of .474. He also won an MVP award in 2010 along with a gold glove in 2011. This guy is the real deal.
Second Base: Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds
Phillips is one of my favorite players in all of baseball. He has shown progression with his bat and gets on base about 4 out of 10 times. Phillips is more known for his dazzling plays from the field, flashing the leather night in and night out. He’s accumulated three gold gloves in the past five years.
Third Base: David Wright, New York Mets
Wright was injured in 2011 and there were many questions as to what he would do in 2012. He answered all doubters by having an MVP caliber season; batting .306, hitting 21 home runs and 93 RBIs. His first half of 2012 was stunning and he shows great leadership. The Mets are going to have a very down year but Wright will bring in fans single handedly.
Shortstop: Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are looking dismal but their one bright spot is Castro. Scouts believe he has an attitude problem and think he needs to be traded. He is one of the greatest fielders in the league and shows signs of stealing big base numbers. Look for Castro to sign some big bucks in his next contract year. The only questions here are if he can keep his attitude in check.
Left Field: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
Braun does it all. From hitting over .300 with 30 home runs and he can steal bases too. Braun is a general managers dream and don’t look for him to slow down any time soon. He is just getting started. He has never shown signs of injury and if he keeps up at this rate could start shattering records. Braun is not only the best left fielder in baseball, but potentially the best player in all of baseball.
Center Field: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been one of the worst teams in baseball over the past 20 years. That all could change if the Pirates could get a few more pieces to surround this guy. McCutchen has been good for a few years but last season was his real staple to let people know he’s here. A .327 batting average, with 31 homers and 96 RBIs was his to own in 2012. For the second straight season he joined the 20/20 club.
Right Field: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
The star of the Miami Marlins isn’t too happy with Miami’s front office that cleared house this offseason. Still, this won’t affect him from being that beast that he is. Last year he hit 37 dingers and even broke a scoreboard panel on one of his moon shot bombs! This kid has major pop and is going to be a very popular player in the bigs for many years to come.
Starting Pitcher: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Kershaw jumped on the scene in 2008, improving year after year. Now he is the best pitcher in the National League, on a tough Dodgers squad. Last season he struck out 229 batters and frustrated team after team. In 227 innings pitched Kershaw only gave up 170 hits. Oh, and did I mention he is only 25 years old? His ERA was 2.53 as a 24 year old in the majors. He is simply unhittable.
Closer: Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
In Kimbrels first season in the MLB he won the rookie of the year award. This record came in main part due to him breaking the rookie saves record. If that wasn’t already enough, Kimbrel came out last year and blew away the competition. He became the 1st pitcher in the live ball era to strikeout 50 percent of the batters he faced. His 42 saves led to only seven runs allowed all season, which is the fewest ever for a pitcher who recorded 21 or more saves. He also had the best ERA in the National League with a 1.01. Is it even a question who the best closer in the NL is?