When looking at the Diamonbacks yesterday, I said that Ian Kennedy was under appreciated. I decided to look through some numbers and put together a team of players who i feel aren't getting enough recognition for the years that they are having. I started to compile this list by going to fangraphs.com, and sort by WAR. I thought that this was the best starting point because it includes offense, defense, and baserunning. I then checked wOBA for offensive players, because i feel someone having a good offensive season who isn't recognized would fit on this list. wOBA is weighted on base average, and is a rate stat the combines overall offensive production and is meant to be viewed on the same scale of on base percentage. So here's the team I came up with,
Catcher - Carlos Santana - Slight homer pick, but I think Santana gets overlooked because of the high expectations of being a top prospect, but only batting .230. When called up, he was immediately tasked with handling a young pitching staff, and hitting in the middle of the order for an offensively challenged team. He is still hitting for power, and has an OBP of .350, and while his defense hasn't been great, is has been better than expected.
First Base - Todd Helton - At age 37, Helton isn't putting up monstrous power numbers anymore, but it still getting on base at nearly a .400 clip. He still plays great defense, and when the Rockies decided to put the struggling Carlos Gonzalez in the leadoff spot, Helton took over the third spot in the order. After a down year last season, he has come back in 2011 and showed he's not done yet, even if the Rockies as a whole aren't living up to expectations.
Second Base - Ben Zobrist - The definition of a utility man, Zobrist has the ability to play all over the field. This year however, Zobrist has spent the majority of his time at second due to the struggles of Sean Rodriguez and Reid Brignac. Zobrist broke out two years ago, but then fell off last year, leading a lot of people to reguard him as a one year wonder. Zobrist however is back this year, getting on base at a .375 clip with a slugging percentage of.500.
Third Base - Chase Headley - A good prospect while coming up, Headley hasn't enjoyed his first few years in Petco Park. This year he has flown under the radar in his age 27 season. He's not hitting for power, but he has been getting on base all year. Going through a slight slump right now, his OBP is down from around .400 to .380 at this point. The Padres moved him around a little when he was younger, but he's now entrenched at third base, and playing average defense.
Shortstop - Jhonny Peralta - Largely written in the offseason, Peralta has been great this year, but i don't think people realize how great. His OPS is .886, the highest it's ever been, including his breakout season in 2005. he's getting on base, and hitting for power, and doing a nice job hitting behind Cabrera, Martinez, and Boesch. Fangraphs also credits Perlata with being an above average defender, which is a pleasant surprise for anyone interested in that sort of thing.
Left Field - Brennan Boesch - Hey, Brennan Boesch, we were just talking about you. I think a lot of people who are looking at Boesch's 2010, and see the second half of 2010 and are weary of the Tiger's left fielder. But as lucky as Boesch got in the first half last year, he was equally unlucky in the second half. I think Boesch has shown what he is in 2011, which is a near .290 hitter who can take a walk, and put a charge behind the ball. There will be ups and downs, but he is still young, and that is to be expected. He leaves something to be desired in the field, but Detriot has proved that they're not really concerned with that sort of thing.
Center Field - Cameron Maybin - Wow, two padres hitters? Yes. Maybin is now on his third team and is only 24 years old. After Detroit rushed him to the big leagues, and he floundered there, he and Andrew Miller were the centerpieces that brought Miguel Cabrera to Detroit. After Florida got sick of him, he was jettisoned to San Diego. Maybin is now blossoming into a speedy leadoff hitter who can hit for a serviceable average. His BABIP is a little high, but he has enough speed that a slightly inflated BABIP could be sustained. His primary asset at this point is his defense, which has been great while paroling the spacious outfield of Petco Park.
Right Field - Michael Cuddyer - Always overlooked, I view Cuddyer as the glue that holds the Twins together. As an Indians fan, I've seen a fair amount of Cuddyer over the years, and while not spectacular, he seems to do everything right. This year, Cuddyer has filled in at first for Morneau, second for Niskioka, but spends the most of his time in right field. The major change I've noticed this year in Cuddyer's game is his increases on base percentage. His career on base percentage before this year was .342, but this year he's raised it to .370. He's not sacrificing any power either, as he's also increased his slugging percentage by about 30 points this year. He's really the poster boy for this list.
Starting Pitcher - Ian Kennedy - Amazing what getting into the NL West can do for a player. His career with the Yankees ended with an ERA above 6, but has been 3.52 during his time in Arizona. He's striking out 3.27 batters for every one that he walks, but isn't getting as many groundballs as I would like to see for a pitcher in Chase field, but with a WHIP of only 1.107, he's not allowing a lot of baserunners.
Starting Pitcher - Chris Narveson - This choice is more about the value he's bringing to his team. The brewers defense is horrendous. Their two best defenders, Carlos Gomez and Rickie Weeks, are both out. On the left side of the infield, Betancourt and McGehee are essentially posts in the ground, and Prince Fielder isn't exactly Albert Pujols defensively. As a fifth starter, Narveson's strikeout rate is 7.44 K/9 rate helps hide the defense, and with an average defense behind him, xFIP says his era should be 3.66, almost a run lower than his ERA currently sits. Narveson will continue to be very important as the Brewers try to fend off the Cardinals in the NL central.
Starting Pitcher - Jordan Zimmermann - The soon to be shutdown Nationals pitcher has been phenomenal in his return season from Tommy John season. The Nationals view Zimmermann as being their future #2 starter behind Stephen Strasburg. Zimmermann's K/BB rate is 4.45. His WHIP has been 1.1 while keeping a BABIP which is right in line with the league average. This year he is not striking out as many batters as before the surgery, but I think that will return in coming seasons. His season is almost over, as the Nationals have recently announced that he will make only 4 more starts this year.
Releif Pitchers - Relievers are too volatile year to year to go that in depth about, but here are some relievers that are flying under the radar this year. Glen Perkins (Twins), Vinnie Pestano (Indians), Bill Bray (Reds), Sean Marshall (Cubs), and Tyler Clippard (Nationals).
Around the League:
The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants again last night and have now tied the Giants for the lead in the NL West. Through two games, the Diamondbacks have beaten the #1 and #2 starters of the Gaints in Lincecum and Cain. In the series finale this afternoon, Ryan Vogelsong takes on Arizona's new acquisition Jason Marquis. This series could prove to major swing in the NL West, especially if Arizona sweeps and goes on to win the division.
Yadier Molina went mildly insane last night night, and got kicked out of the game. I'm a Yadier Molina fan because i enjoy watching his defense. He manages to everything, while shutting down opposing baseunners. He's also not afraid to throw behind the runner after a pitch, and while the only time I think that play has worked was when Manny Ramirez got picked off first base in the 1997 World Series, I still like the play. When he ultimately gets suspended, Gerald Laird will take over the duties behind the plate. He's a capable backup, and this move shouldn't cost the Cardinals anything in the standings. However, I hope it doesn't turn into a Roberto Alomar moment for him.
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