Best of the Best All-Around Players

A friend of mine asked me last night who I thought was the best overall player in Major League Baseball right now. I pondered the question for a bit and then revealed my choice. He tried to persuade me to another guy…but I asked him a few questions of my own to qualify his question.

1) Are you looking for somebody that hits for power?
2) Would that somebody hit for a high average also?
3) Is he clutch and drive in a bunch of runs?
4) Can he swipe bases and tally extra base hits often?
5) Is he considered a very good defensive player at his position?

He said YES to all five questions. At which point I gave him my top five guys…

#5 – Derrek Lee…This season he’d probably win most votes but I’m going to want to see him do it for several years. He stole 21 bases two years ago in Florida but has never driven in 100 runs or hit more than 32 HR’s in a season (last year). He’s a .275 career hitter who’s been incredible so far this season…we’ll see if he maintains that.

#4 – Miguel Tejada (who was his choice)…but I explained the Miggy is great at all of these, but his career high in stolen bases is just 11, has only four right now and only 57 steals for his career to date. If I wanted a guy up with the bases loaded and two outs it would be Tejada or Manny Ramirez…he’s great.

#3 – Bobby Abreu…Yes, I’ve always thought that Bobby Abreu was GREAT. I’ve been telling my Dad (a season ticket holder for the Phillies and die-hard fan) that the Phillies are stupid for A) not playing Abreu in CF and B) Promoting him as one of the top all-around players in the game. His average season consists of 25 HR (getting more and more as he gets older), 30 SB and a .305 career batting average. He also racks up extra base hits and is a very under appreciated defensive outfielder. He’s got 231 career stolen bases and is well on his way to his third 30-30 season. One other thing to note – Bobby’s On Base Percentage is always ridiculously good.

#2 - Alex Rodgriguez…A-Rod has 404 career HR already. He’s 29 years old. If Barry Bonds doesn’t break Hank Aaron’s record, it’s cool because A-Rod’s going to crush both of their marks. He’s a career .306 hitter who hit .358 in his first full season in the bigs. He’s been a 40-40 guy and has 214 steals for his career. The one thing that I think brings him to the #2 spot is his defense at third base. If he was still playing SS with the Gold Glove grace that he was he’d be my #1…but he’s not playing the ‘hot corner’ too good these days. This was a very close race between Alex and my #1, but I’m confident that I’ve made the right choice.

And…

#1 – Vladimir Guerrero…An absolute BEAST. Hits for power, average, extra bases, drives in tons of runs, steals bases when he needs to and is a very good defensive outfielder with a cannon for a right arm. In six of his seven full seasons in the big leagues he’s driven in over 100 runs…in 2003 he was hurt and missed 50 games. HR totals since 1998…38, 42, 44, 34, 39, 25 (hurt), and 39 last season. Already has 16 this year with 51 RBI’s and a .335 batting average – while being on the DL for almost 20 days. He has stolen 144 bases in his young career and has a career .325 batting average. He’s the total package and is only getting bigger, stronger and better.


Close but no cigar…Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Beltran and Gary Sheffield.