This piece was originally published on SportsReelBoston.com.
Baseball is a game of stars. The likes of Derek Jeter and
David Ortiz, who make their mark in the flashiest of ways have a knack of
sticking around the limelight throughout their careers. While they may get the
bulk of the attention, there are certainly many underrated players who can be
just as valuable, yet toil away in relative obscurity.
Although there are many worthy candidates, here are my picks
for the 2014 MLB all-underrated team.
Catcher- Jonathan
Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers (.338, 8 Home Runs, 38 RBIs): The 28-year-old can
flat out hit, and is quite possibly the best hitting catcher in the game today.
Since the start of the 2012 season, he has hit a combined .306 and seen a spike
in his power numbers. He doesn’t have the strongest arm (25 percent career
caught stealing) behind the plate but is overall a solid defensive receiver.
First Base- Brandon
Moss, Oakland A’s (.259, 17 Home Runs, 55 RBIs): A classic pick-up from the
scrap heap, he was a prospect of moderate expectations who showed little in
stints with three teams prior to arriving in Oakland in 2012. His calling card
is his power, which has resulted in 51 home runs his previous two seasons
combined. His ability to play the outfield and first base, and more than hold
his own against southpaw pitchers (.847 OPS in 2014) as a left-handed batter
only adds to his value.
Second Base- Daniel
Murphy, New York Mets (.300, 5 Home Runs, 26 RBIs): The 29-year-old
left-handed hitter is a jack of many trades and a master of none. He can hit a
little (.291 career), has a little pop (.758 career OPS but never more than 13
home runs in any one season) and can swipe a bag when needed (double digits in
steals the past three seasons). Not the strongest defensive player, his 110
career OPS+ on a generally weak Mets’ lineup during his six year career is what
makes him particularly underrated.
Shortstop- Alexei
Ramirez, Chicago White Sox (.304, 7 Home Runs, 36 RBIs): Perhaps overrated
during the first six years of his major league career, he is now well under the
radar despite being in the midst of a career season. He remains an effective
and flashy defender, and his 12 stolen bases to date indicate he still has
game-changing speed even as he enters his mid-30s.
Third Base- Adrian
Beltre, Texas Rangers (.307, 8 Home Runs, 35 RBIs): Now in his 17th MLB
season, and looking like a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame, it’s funny to
think he is underrated. However, it is an unfortunate truth. He is still a plus
defender at the age of 35, and as long as he stays healthy should surpass big
career milestones like 2,500 hits and 400 home runs this year. He already went
past the 500 double mark, and his career WAR of 72.4
is the best of any third baseman of all-time who is not in the Hall of Fame
(except for Chipper Jones who is a mortal lock for enshrinement as soon as he
is eligible in 2017).
Outfield- Alex
Gordon, Kansas City Royals (.290, 8 Home Runs, 39 RBIs): A converted third
baseman, the 30-year-old is now one of the strongest defensive outfielders in
the game, with 73 assists in five seasons. With a career .784 OPS and 111 OPS+,
he can also hit a little. Although he was the second overall pick in the 2005
draft and has never become a superstar, he is far from being a bust.
Outfield- Michael
Brantley, Cleveland Indians (.326, 11 Home Runs, 46 RBIs): The 27-year-old
has already surpassed the career of his father, former outfielder Mickey
Brantley. Now in his sixth season in the majors, he has gotten better with each
passing year and has been at his best in 2014, already surpassing his previous
best in home runs. The left-handed hitter has just a .664 OPS against lefties
in his career but has seen that figure skyrocket to .872 this season.
Outfield- Angel
Pagan, San Francisco Giants (.307, 3 Home Runs, 19 RBIs): He has made a
career on doing the little things, as evidenced by his .283 batting average,
144 stolen bases and strong defense over nine major league seasons. The
32-year-old switch hitter hasn’t lost a step and is having a prototypical year
for the National League West front-running Giants. Pagan may not get a lot of
attention but he is often in the thick of the action for his team.
Starting Pitcher-
Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros (8-4, 2.63 ERA): After posting an ERA of
over 5.00 his first two major league seasons, the southpaw has made a huge leap
in 2014. He has significantly cut his walks while allowing fewer hits and home
runs, and posting the best strikeout
rate of his career. Just 24, he was never a major prospect but appears to have
made himself into a frontline starting pitcher. He doesn’t throw especially
hard but has a varied arsenal that allows him to keep hitters off balance. His
steady results on a rebuilding team have been invaluable, as he has pitched at
least five innings in every one of his starts this year.
Relief Pitcher- Wade
Davis, Kansas City Royals (5-1, 1.11 ERA in 29 Games): Once a highly
regarded prospect, the big right-hander had several decent seasons in Tampa Bay
before coming over to the Royals in the James Shields/Wil Myers trade in 2012.
A miserable 8-11 record and 5.32 ERA last year pitching primarily as a starter
was erased by his triumphant move to the bullpen this year. Now used
exclusively in relief, he has become a shutdown option, striking out 54 while
permitting just 13 hits in 32.1 innings. Now that he is pitching in shorter stints,
his velocity is up (averaging a career-high
95.2 MPH on his fastball). If the team ever decided to trade All-Star closer
Greg Holland, Davis would be the logical choice as successor.
********************************
You can check me out on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @historianandrew
No comments:
Post a Comment