Top 5 players in the MLB (Part 3)

Today's ranking of the Major League Baseball's best will probably be just as difficult as yesterday's, if not harder. The first base position of baseball is stacked with talent and there are many possible candidates for this list.

5. Paul Konerko (Chicago White Sox)/Joey Votto (Cincinnati Reds)- Deciding between these two players was like debating to eat either a red or pink Starburst; it was just too tough to pick one of these players because both are great and deserve this recognition.

Konerko

   Konerko is on pace to have another stellar season. Currently, he has 94 hits, 61 RBIs, with an outstanding batting average of .322. If he continues to bat the way he has, Kornerko would have his highest batting average he has had in his career. He also has 21 home runs this year, and if he could at least match that total in the second part of the season, he would beat his 2004 best when he hit 41 homers.  I also like the fact that he has only struck out 47 times this season along with 35 walks. This shows he is a very disciplined hitter. Konerko is also having a nice year defensively with 608 putouts, 37 assists, and has a fielding percentage of .995. Konerko has been a monster in both aspects of the game which makes it too hard not to put him on this list.

Votto

  Votto is having a respectable season following his 2010 NL MVP season. He has 95 hits (18 of those being doubles and even two triples) with a batting average of .319. Other positives of his offensive season has been that he has stolen six bases, which is the second best for an MLB first baseman this season, along with 62 walks, which leads all first basemen. The fact that Votto can get on base whether its via a hit or a walk makes him extremely deadly. However, some of his offensive numbers have been disappointing. Last year, Votto hit 37 home runs with 113 RBIs, this year Votto only has 11 home runs with 50 RBIs. Votto has to get that home run total up and his strikeout total down (65) for the Reds to be more of a threat in the NL Central and he has to bring in more runs because Cincinnati is depending on it. Defensively, Votto has been a stud. He has 759 put-outs, along with 85 assists (leads all first basemen) and a fielding percentage of .997. Votto is a great all-around first basemen, but if he improves his numbers, he could be in the top three of this list at the end of the year.

Teixeira

4. Mark Teixeira (New York Yankees)-Hopefully the "anonymous" (he's not really anonymous) Yankee commenter enjoys this one. Teixeira has had a great offensive season and if it continues, it could be his best. He has 70 hits, 62 RBIs, and a so-so batting average of .243. It would be nice if Teixeira could improve his average or at least get it to above .250. However, he has been hammering the ball with 25 home runs and leads all of the MLB in that category. This certainly makes up for that somewhat low batting average. I also like that he has walked 42 times, which is in the top-half for first basemen. Teixeira is like Votto when it comes to defense, he is very good. He has 645 put-outs, 37 assists, and a fielding percentage of .997. Teixeira is playing great, and if continues to do so, the Yankees have a chance to win the AL East.

Pujols

3. Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals) Based on his entire career, he still can be considered the best player in baseball, but for this season he is not even the best first basemen. Pujols did not have a very strong start in the beginning of the season, but it picked it up tremendously until he sprained wrist on June 19 which has put him on the DL for four to six weeks. He currently has 78 hits, 17 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a batting average of .279. Pujols' home run number and RBI number are respectable, but not "Pujols" worthy numbers. If he had a better start to the season, I am sure his numbers would be great, but at the time, at least to me, they're just average. Pujols has solid defensive numbers with 622 put-outs, 82 assists, and a fielding percentage of .992, but due to his slow start in the beginning of the season, and being injury prone this year, I cannot put him any higher on this list.

Fielder

2. Prince Fielder (Miluakee Brewers)- Fielder is having a monster year offensively. He has 86 hits (19 of those doubles), 21 home runs, and 69 RBIs. If those numbers stay consitient throughout the year, Fielder will definitely have the best season of his career. Another number of his that I like is that he has more walks (52) than strikeouts (44). Who would not rather have some get on base with a walk than strike-out? that just means that Fielder is well disciplined and an electrifying offensive threat. He has 680 put-outs, 36 assists, with a fielding percentage of .994. If Fielder stays healthy (which he has done for his whole career) he will easily be a candidate for the NL MVP, and have a good chance to lead the Brewers to NL Central Championship.

Gonzalez

1. Adrian Gonzalez-(Boston Red Sox) Gonzalez has been on a terror this season. Moving to Boston was the best decision he ever could have made. He currently has 115 hits, 71 RBIs and 16 home runs which are the best offensive numbers of any first baseman If these numbers stay consitient throughout the rest of the year, this will easily be Gozalez's best season in his career. The fact that he has struck out 55 times but still has a whopping batting average of .356 is insane. This easily beats his career best .304 in 2006. Defensivly, Gonzalez has also played great; with 617 put-outs, 61 assists, and a fielding percentage of .997. Gonzalez is the best-allround first baseman in the MLB and my prediction is that he will the Red Sox to an AL East Championship. He is also my early pick to win the AL MVP Award.