>> |
HKK
!h7MHU9L/Oo
3. Alex Rodriguez, NYY - 594 PA, .302 BA, .392 OBP, .573 SLG, 150 OPS+, 116 RC
We all know my problems with A-Rod and why I'm not as high on him as others but it doesn't change the fact he's an elite player. He came back to earth after his incredible 2007 season but this was to be expected. I have a hard time putting A-Rod this high because of how mediocre and sometimes terrible he preformed in the clutch (.264 BA with 2 outs, RISP, .790 OPS Late & Close, virtually no basic production in the 8th and 9th innings) but he did have a very good year as a whole. He only the lead the AL in one category, slugging percentage, but did finish in the top ten for several others. A-Rod actually had a better year than the last time he was coming off an MVP season, which shows he's starting to become more consistent year-to-year.
4. Josh Hamilton, TEX - 704 PA, .304 BA, .371 OBP, .530 SLG, 136 OPS+, 128 RC
If you think about it, this was basically Josh Hamilton's rookie year. It was his first season in the American League after making only 337 PA for the Reds last year. If this is the type of damage he was able to do in his first full season in Major League Baseball against unfamiliar pitchers in unfamiliar ballparks, I shudder to think what he'll be able to do in the long run. He's not an elite player like Pujols, Manny or A-Rod, yet. He lead the AL in RBI and Total Bases, and while I think those can be misleading stats, it's incredibly impressive for someone in his situation. He finished in the top ten for SLG, OPS, OPS+, Runs Created, Hits, Home Runs, Extra-Base Hits and Times On Base which again, for someone playing their first full season in MLB is outstanding. The sky's the limit for Josh Hamilton and he's going to have a lot of protection in that Rangers line-up over the next few years. Baseball has needed a hero and a face after the steroid cloud of Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, Josh Hamilton is going to be that guy.
|