Top 50 by BP

[elconq05]

You guys don't think Lee should be ranked higher? He could have been MVP last year, but only #13 on this list?

 

I thought he'd be a little higher than #13.

 

And I think Zambrano is a tad high at #11.

 

I wouldn't have minded seeing Lee a spot or two higher, but I think Z was that high because of his ability to stay healthy, which is invaluable for a pitcher.

 

You're not considered the 11th best player in the league because you can stay healthy.

He's the 3rd highest ranked pitcher on the list.

 

All of these pitchers come before Zambrano if I am starting a team:

- Jo. Santana

- C. Carpenter

- J. Peavy

- R. Oswalt

- D. Willis

- J. Beckett

 

Ben Sheets would have been on my list, but he just can't stay healthy. And I'll gamble with Beckett.

 

Santana, maybe. Peavy and Oswalt are about equal to Z. I wouldn't pick any of the rest though. Carp and Beckett have bad injury history.

 

Carp is the reigning Cy Young winner...he's on the list. The injury thing may be a concern for some...fair enough, but I'll take my chances...same with Beckett. And just because Zambrano hasn't gotten hurt yet, he's overweight and more susceptible to injury...so you could figure that in as well.

 

On a side note, Zambrano could cost you a handfull of games each year due to meltdowns. If you figure injuries into the equation (missing a handfull of games a season), meltdowns could be figured in too.

 

I'm not saying I wouldn't want him on my team, but man...3rd most valuable pitcher in the majors right now? I don't see that at all.

[mhuber92211]

Dunn can't be considered for being the bester hitter in baseball until he shys away from setting the single season strikeout record.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Dunn can't be considered for being the bester hitter in baseball until he shys away from setting the single season strikeout record.

 

He already has the record and strikeouts don't take away much from his overall production. The year-by-year leaderboard of strikeouts constantly is filled by productive hitters.

[srbin84]

You guys don't think Lee should be ranked higher? He could have been MVP last year, but only #13 on this list?

 

I thought he'd be a little higher than #13.

 

And I think Zambrano is a tad high at #11.

 

I wouldn't have minded seeing Lee a spot or two higher, but I think Z was that high because of his ability to stay healthy, which is invaluable for a pitcher.

 

You're not considered the 11th best player in the league because you can stay healthy.

He's the 3rd highest ranked pitcher on the list.

 

All of these pitchers come before Zambrano if I am starting a team:

- Jo. Santana

- C. Carpenter

- J. Peavy

- R. Oswalt

- D. Willis

- J. Beckett

 

Ben Sheets would have been on my list, but he just can't stay healthy. And I'll gamble with Beckett.

 

Santana, maybe. Peavy and Oswalt are about equal to Z. I wouldn't pick any of the rest though. Carp and Beckett have bad injury history.

 

Carp is the reigning Cy Young winner...he's on the list. The injury thing may be a concern for some...fair enough, but I'll take my chances...same with Beckett. And just because Zambrano hasn't gotten hurt yet, he's overweight and more susceptible to injury...so you could figure that in as well.

 

On a side note, Zambrano could cost you a handfull of games each year due to meltdowns. If you figure injuries into the equation (missing a handfull of games a season), meltdowns could be figured in too.

 

I'm not saying I wouldn't want him on my team, but man...3rd most valuable pitcher in the majors right now? I don't see that at all.

 

Zambrano is 24 years old, Oswalt is 28 (and said he will retire early), Carpenter is 30 and just started being good 2 years ago, Beckett is similar age at 25 but he has never even pitched 180 innings. Z goes over 220 no problem, no injuries.

[soccer10k]

You guys don't think Lee should be ranked higher? He could have been MVP last year, but only #13 on this list?

 

I thought he'd be a little higher than #13.

 

And I think Zambrano is a tad high at #11.

 

I wouldn't have minded seeing Lee a spot or two higher, but I think Z was that high because of his ability to stay healthy, which is invaluable for a pitcher.

 

You're not considered the 11th best player in the league because you can stay healthy.

He's the 3rd highest ranked pitcher on the list.

 

All of these pitchers come before Zambrano if I am starting a team:

- Jo. Santana

- C. Carpenter

- J. Peavy

- R. Oswalt

- D. Willis

- J. Beckett

 

Ben Sheets would have been on my list, but he just can't stay healthy. And I'll gamble with Beckett.

 

Part of what BP factored in was age, which is why the Upton brothers were on the list.

[Holy Cow]

You guys don't think Lee should be ranked higher? He could have been MVP last year, but only #13 on this list?

 

I thought he'd be a little higher than #13.

 

And I think Zambrano is a tad high at #11.

 

I wouldn't have minded seeing Lee a spot or two higher, but I think Z was that high because of his ability to stay healthy, which is invaluable for a pitcher.

 

You're not considered the 11th best player in the league because you can stay healthy.

He's the 3rd highest ranked pitcher on the list.

 

All of these pitchers come before Zambrano if I am starting a team:

- Jo. Santana

- C. Carpenter

- J. Peavy

- R. Oswalt

- D. Willis

- J. Beckett

 

Ben Sheets would have been on my list, but he just can't stay healthy. And I'll gamble with Beckett.

 

Santana, maybe. Peavy and Oswalt are about equal to Z. I wouldn't pick any of the rest though. Carp and Beckett have bad injury history.

 

Carp is the reigning Cy Young winner...he's on the list.

 

.

 

Where's Colon on your list :lol:

 

The fact is, the Cards would never turn down a Z for Carpenter trade. Zambrano is one of the most valuable players in the game due to his stuff, statistical history, age and projectability. And as for the Dunn debate, if best "hitter" refers to something other than offensive production, then who cares a about "hitting"? A hitter's job is to produce runs, not hits.

[SouthSideRyan]

I think we're all being homers. I know I'd take the 31 year old pitcher with an injury history coming off of a career year over the 25 year old with no injury history. Cause you know he's emotional and stuff.

[srbin84]

I'd rather have the young guy, even if it was the other way around and we had Carp.

[Diffusion]

If the 32 year old Derek Jeter and 35 year old Pedro Martinez are on the list, why on earth not Manny Ramirez, Todd Helton, Bobby Abreu etc? It's clearly not a case of them being too old. Not good enough? Who are you kidding.

 

The omissions of Prior and Aramis Ramirez in particular are pretty ridiculous, and I'm not just saying that as a Cub fan. Both are legitimate top 25 material, how they miss the entire 50 is insane. Prior's hardly too much of an injury risk when Pedro's on there. I'd have Beckett on there as well. Liriano too. Carl Crawford has a case. Chase Utley.

 

On the whole, the list is too obsessed with upside and doesn't involve enough proven commodities. Upside's great but most stud prospects don't develop into stud major leaguers. Quite a lot are busts, others are merely decent major league players. The only prospects I'd have on the list are Felix Hernandez, Delmon Young, Justin Upton, BJ Upton and Francisco Liriano. The rest - Kendrick, Wood, Zimmerman, Chris Young, Hermida, Verlander - they've got no place on a list like this. Look at the top prospect list from years gone by and it's littered with would-be superstars that now would have absolutely no place on a list like this. I'm not saying that Kendrick etc. won't become very good major league players, but the chances aren't as high as they may seem, and the risk is too great to justify taking them over one of today's superstars, or even someone with similar talent that's already succeeded to some extent in the majors.

[Jehrico]

You guys don't think Lee should be ranked higher? He could have been MVP last year, but only #13 on this list?

 

I thought he'd be a little higher than #13.

 

And I think Zambrano is a tad high at #11.

 

I wouldn't have minded seeing Lee a spot or two higher, but I think Z was that high because of his ability to stay healthy, which is invaluable for a pitcher.

 

You're not considered the 11th best player in the league because you can stay healthy.

He's the 3rd highest ranked pitcher on the list.

 

All of these pitchers come before Zambrano if I am starting a team:

- Jo. Santana

- C. Carpenter

- J. Peavy

- R. Oswalt

- D. Willis

- J. Beckett

 

Ben Sheets would have been on my list, but he just can't stay healthy. And I'll gamble with Beckett.

 

Santana, maybe. Peavy and Oswalt are about equal to Z. I wouldn't pick any of the rest though. Carp and Beckett have bad injury history.

 

Carp is the reigning Cy Young winner...he's on the list. The injury thing may be a concern for some...fair enough, but I'll take my chances...same with Beckett. And just because Zambrano hasn't gotten hurt yet, he's overweight and more susceptible to injury...so you could figure that in as well.

 

On a side note, Zambrano could cost you a handfull of games each year due to meltdowns. If you figure injuries into the equation (missing a handfull of games a season), meltdowns could be figured in too.

 

I'm not saying I wouldn't want him on my team, but man...3rd most valuable pitcher in the majors right now? I don't see that at all.

That list isn't of the most valuable players in the majors though. Justin Upton is in there (which totally kills any credibility this list had to begin with). Age and potential are big factors in this list. Zs only 24 and has already proven to be a workhorse, hence, the high rating.

[Diffusion]

Justin Upton is in there (which totally kills any credibility this list had to begin with).

 

Why?

[K-Town]

If I wanted to win for the next 2 or 3 years, I'd probably take Carpenter over Zambrano, but if I was guessing who would end up having the better career, I'd definitely go with Zambrano.

[Gunned]

Prior's hardly too much of an injury risk when Pedro's on there.

 

Pedro has only thrown fewer than 186 innings once since the mid-1990s. He's always a little dinged up, but he pitches through it and definitely produces, no matter the circumstances.

 

We certainly can't say the same thing about Prior.

[Jehrico]

Justin Upton is in there (which totally kills any credibility this list had to begin with).

 

Why?

 

Top prospect? Yes. One of the most 50 valuable players in baseball? No way any 18 year old right out of high school just getting his first sniff of the minors qualifies to be listed as one of the most valuable players in the game. That's absurd.

 

Upton is the only one I listed, but that was only he was the most extreme case, as he's had the least professional experience. His rating is based purely on ceiling and not at all on past performance or current ability. We all know how rarely someone like that pans out. To be fair, I could have put in the time to throw all of the prospects out there, my excluding them shouldn't imply that I think Upton is a future flop or overrated.

[K-Town]

Justin Upton is in there (which totally kills any credibility this list had to begin with).

 

Why?

 

Top prospect? Yes. One of the most 50 valuable players in baseball? No way any 18 year old right out of high school just getting his first sniff of the minors qualifies to be listed as one of the most valuable players in the game. That's absurd.

 

Upton is the only one I listed, but that was only he was the most extreme case, as he's had the least professional experience. His rating is based purely on ceiling and not at all on past performance or current ability. We all know how rarely someone like that pans out. To be fair, I could have put in the time to throw all of the prospects out there, my excluding them shouldn't imply that I think Upton is a future flop or overrated.

 

The title of the article is a little misleading. If you read the intro., it stipulates that this is a list of players that you would want to "draft", if all slates were wiped clean and you were starting a franchise. It's not really a list of "Most Valuable Players", per se.

[XZero771679666304]

I think we're all being homers. I know I'd take the 31 year old pitcher with an injury history coming off of a career year over the 25 year old with no injury history. Cause you know he's emotional and stuff.

 

You're clearly right. Or maybe it's just because we're jealous.

[Diffusion]

Prior's hardly too much of an injury risk when Pedro's on there.

 

Pedro has only thrown fewer than 186 innings once since the mid-1990s. He's always a little dinged up, but he pitches through it and definitely produces, no matter the circumstances.

 

We certainly can't say the same thing about Prior.

 

Yes, and Pedro Martinez is 34, has a 90% torn labrum in his pitching shoulder and is throwing in the mid- to high-eighties.

 

Prior when healthy is one of the best three pitchers in all of baseball period, and he's 25. However big the supposed injury risk with him, there aren't 50 players in the game that should be owned over him.

[Diffusion]

Justin Upton is in there (which totally kills any credibility this list had to begin with).

 

Why?

 

Top prospect? Yes. One of the most 50 valuable players in baseball? No way any 18 year old right out of high school just getting his first sniff of the minors qualifies to be listed as one of the most valuable players in the game. That's absurd.

 

Upton is the only one I listed, but that was only he was the most extreme case, as he's had the least professional experience. His rating is based purely on ceiling and not at all on past performance or current ability. We all know how rarely someone like that pans out. To be fair, I could have put in the time to throw all of the prospects out there, my excluding them shouldn't imply that I think Upton is a future flop or overrated.

 

I think you'll find there's absolutely nothing wrong with his current ability whatsoever. And his rating is based as much on that as it is on his ceiling, which is superstar. Yes, he has very little professional experience, so he doesn't have the numbers to back up his talent right now, outside of his hugely impressive 16 PA stint with the Diamondbacks in major league spring training, as an 18 year old, in his first ever proper games, but the kid is something special right now. Right now. Not maybe five years down the line if this and that works out for him, but right now.

[Gunned]

Prior when healthy is one of the best three pitchers in all of baseball period

 

I completely disagree, but that's fine.

[Diffusion]

Prior when healthy is one of the best three pitchers in all of baseball period

 

I completely disagree, but that's fine.

 

Who's better?

[Jehrico]

Prior's hardly too much of an injury risk when Pedro's on there.

 

Pedro has only thrown fewer than 186 innings once since the mid-1990s. He's always a little dinged up, but he pitches through it and definitely produces, no matter the circumstances.

 

We certainly can't say the same thing about Prior.

 

Yes, and Pedro Martinez is 34, has a 90% torn labrum in his pitching shoulder and is throwing in the mid- to high-eighties.

 

Prior when healthy is one of the best three pitchers in all of baseball period, and he's 25. However big the supposed injury risk with him, there aren't 50 players in the game that should be owned over him unless the drafting GM is Ned Colleti or Jim Bowden.

fixed.

[Jehrico]

Justin Upton is in there (which totally kills any credibility this list had to begin with).

 

Why?

 

Top prospect? Yes. One of the most 50 valuable players in baseball? No way any 18 year old right out of high school just getting his first sniff of the minors qualifies to be listed as one of the most valuable players in the game. That's absurd.

 

Upton is the only one I listed, but that was only he was the most extreme case, as he's had the least professional experience. His rating is based purely on ceiling and not at all on past performance or current ability. We all know how rarely someone like that pans out. To be fair, I could have put in the time to throw all of the prospects out there, my excluding them shouldn't imply that I think Upton is a future flop or overrated.

 

I think you'll find there's absolutely nothing wrong with his current ability whatsoever. And his rating is based as much on that as it is on his ceiling, which is superstar. Yes, he has very little professional experience, so he doesn't have the numbers to back up his talent right now, outside of his hugely impressive 16 PA stint with the Diamondbacks in major league spring training, as an 18 year old, in his first ever proper games, but the kid is something special right now. Right now. Not maybe five years down the line if this and that works out for him, but right now.

There's no chance that the kid is going to do anything for any major league team this year. Nada. Right now, he's another superstar prospect with a loooong way to go before he reaches the bigs, and he's got just as much of a chance of flaming out as the myriads of others similar to him that have before. He's a great prospect, but again, not one of the 50 most valuable in the game.

[rocket]

Prior when healthy is one of the best three pitchers in all of baseball period

 

I completely disagree, but that's fine.

 

Who's better?

 

Who's your top 3, assuming perfect health?

 

Santana, Peavy, Prior?

[Jehrico]

Prior when healthy is one of the best three pitchers in all of baseball period

 

I completely disagree, but that's fine.

 

Who's better?

 

Who's your top 3, assuming perfect health?

 

Santana, Peavy, Prior?

 

Right now, Maddux is looking like he's bumping Prior down to the 4th spot... :wink:

[srbin84]

If you are just talking about who is the best in baseball right now, the following are all better than Prior:

 

Z

Clemens

Carpenter

Santana

Pedro

Buerhle

Halladay

Peavy

Pettitte

Willis

Oswalt