2 years ago
via mlbquestions.com
If you were to pick the top 5 hitters overall in the American League, who would they be and why?
As an example I would pick Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers as my number 1. My reasoning being that he is probably the only player in the American League capable of winning the Triple Crown. He hits for power and has won a home run championship. He is a perennial .300 hitter and 100 RBI man and the way it looks now, he will be pitched to more often than in the past in key situations with either Carlos Guillen or Brennan Boesch batting behind him. He has also rededicated himself to the game. Then add the fact that he hits to all fields with power and viola; my number 1.
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M$3 Answers
I was thinking what constitutes the best hitter. Pure batting average, the ability to get on base, having a great eye and taking a walk, hitting for power? I realized it's really all of the above and is what I used to determine the top five hitters in the American League. I based this off of the 2009 season.
1. Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins. This is the obvious choice for me. He was first in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage and obs (on base plus slugging percentage)
2. Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers. Cabrera batted was in the top 5 in three of the four categories listed above and was sixth in on base percentage. He is one of the few players with a legitimate shot at winning the triple crown.
3. Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners. Some people might not like this selection but how can anyone argue the hits and batting average he has consistently put up over the past several years. He isn't the power hitter and maybe doesn't draw as many walks but as a pure hitter, has to be one of the best in the game.
4. Mark Teixeria of the New York Yankees. Yes he's struggling so far this season but hard to overlook the power, on base percentage and slugging percentage over the past few seasons. Plus, he's doing this as a switch hitter. I believe it's only a matter of time before he takes off this season.
5. Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. He's obviously a great power hitter, gets on base and always has the potential to hit well over .300. Not my favorite player in the world, but I'll give him credit for what he's done.
http://dubsism.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/joe-mauer-2.jpeg
1. Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins. This is the obvious choice for me. He was first in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage and obs (on base plus slugging percentage)
2. Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers. Cabrera batted was in the top 5 in three of the four categories listed above and was sixth in on base percentage. He is one of the few players with a legitimate shot at winning the triple crown.
3. Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners. Some people might not like this selection but how can anyone argue the hits and batting average he has consistently put up over the past several years. He isn't the power hitter and maybe doesn't draw as many walks but as a pure hitter, has to be one of the best in the game.
4. Mark Teixeria of the New York Yankees. Yes he's struggling so far this season but hard to overlook the power, on base percentage and slugging percentage over the past few seasons. Plus, he's doing this as a switch hitter. I believe it's only a matter of time before he takes off this season.
5. Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. He's obviously a great power hitter, gets on base and always has the potential to hit well over .300. Not my favorite player in the world, but I'll give him credit for what he's done.
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M$
My top five looks like this:
1. Miguel Cabrera-Detroit Tigers
2. Justin Morneau-Minnesota Twins
3. Evan Longoria-Tampa Bay Devil Rays
4. Dustin Pedroia-Boston Redsox
5. Joe Mauer - Minnesota Twins
As you said, Cabrera is an all-around great hitter; he is the American League’s Albert Pujols when he turns his full attention to playing baseball.
Justin Morneau is also turning into quite the complete player, he’s got enough pop to make opposing pitchers fear him, and more often than not he can hit for a good average as well.
Longoria is not just one of the best young hitters in the game, he is one of the best hitters period. If he can continue to hit for the kind of average he has so far this year, he’s going to be a hitter to be feared for years to come.
Pedroia has already won an MVP award, so explaining why he made my top five doesn’t seem to be that big a need. He’s been impressive both average wise and power wise, for his position, since coming to the bags.
Mauer is fifth on this list only because he doesn’t always demonstrate much power. Certainly he can hit for a good average, and is the best hitting catcher in the game right now. And #2 isn’t even close
1. Miguel Cabrera-Detroit Tigers
2. Justin Morneau-Minnesota Twins
3. Evan Longoria-Tampa Bay Devil Rays
4. Dustin Pedroia-Boston Redsox
5. Joe Mauer - Minnesota Twins
As you said, Cabrera is an all-around great hitter; he is the American League’s Albert Pujols when he turns his full attention to playing baseball.
Justin Morneau is also turning into quite the complete player, he’s got enough pop to make opposing pitchers fear him, and more often than not he can hit for a good average as well.
Longoria is not just one of the best young hitters in the game, he is one of the best hitters period. If he can continue to hit for the kind of average he has so far this year, he’s going to be a hitter to be feared for years to come.
Pedroia has already won an MVP award, so explaining why he made my top five doesn’t seem to be that big a need. He’s been impressive both average wise and power wise, for his position, since coming to the bags.
Mauer is fifth on this list only because he doesn’t always demonstrate much power. Certainly he can hit for a good average, and is the best hitting catcher in the game right now. And #2 isn’t even close
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M$
I just made a research for you maverick and I hope I have a good list here. Here are my picks and this is in no particular oder. :
1. Hank Aaron – This prolific hitter boasts of a career 3,771 hit, 755 home runs and a hitting average of 0.315, which is an equilibrium of power and average. Also called “Pork Chop,” this hard-hitting baseball player is a must in the top 10 lists of the fans and aficionados.
2. Ted Williams – Have an awesome 0.344 hitting average and also collected 1,839 career RBIs, triple crowns and an excellent 0.483 base percentage. He is indeed hero not only for the fans but also to the whole nation for he was once a soldier sent to the Korean War and the World War II.
3. Ty Cobb – Cobb is a Hall of Famer and had 4,191 hits and a career average of 0.367.
4. Babe Ruth – was perhaps the most versatile player in the sports for he started as a pitcher them blossomed into a very productive hitter. He had a decent 0.342 hitting average.
5. Pete Rose – here are some of the great numbers and achievements produced by Rose: most career hits 4,256, most career singles 3,215, most runs, doubles, and walks from a switch hitter. Adding to the awesome achievements already made are having the most career runs (2,165), named to 17 All Star Games, Rookie of the Year in the National League and the only player to play five various positions in 500 outings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S78SAwLUfS4
1. Hank Aaron – This prolific hitter boasts of a career 3,771 hit, 755 home runs and a hitting average of 0.315, which is an equilibrium of power and average. Also called “Pork Chop,” this hard-hitting baseball player is a must in the top 10 lists of the fans and aficionados.
2. Ted Williams – Have an awesome 0.344 hitting average and also collected 1,839 career RBIs, triple crowns and an excellent 0.483 base percentage. He is indeed hero not only for the fans but also to the whole nation for he was once a soldier sent to the Korean War and the World War II.
3. Ty Cobb – Cobb is a Hall of Famer and had 4,191 hits and a career average of 0.367.
4. Babe Ruth – was perhaps the most versatile player in the sports for he started as a pitcher them blossomed into a very productive hitter. He had a decent 0.342 hitting average.
5. Pete Rose – here are some of the great numbers and achievements produced by Rose: most career hits 4,256, most career singles 3,215, most runs, doubles, and walks from a switch hitter. Adding to the awesome achievements already made are having the most career runs (2,165), named to 17 All Star Games, Rookie of the Year in the National League and the only player to play five various positions in 500 outings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S78SAwLUfS4
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M$
I like your choices but Rodriguez bother me a little. Were his best years because of PEDS? Has he slowed down and been surpassed in recent years?
you make a good point about ARod, I don't even really like the guy because of the PED's. Probably shouldn't have had him on the list really