Top 5 Players in the MLB (Part 4)

For the next part of my ranking the top players for each position in the MLB, it is time list the top five second basemen.

Utley

  5. Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies)- It was really hard for me not to put Ben Zobrist in this spot, but based on previous year performances, I had to give this to Utley. Although he has had to deal with a patellar tendinitis in his right knee for the last year and off (which has caused his numbers to drop off), Utley is still one of the best in the game. He is currently batting a .287 with 16 RBIs, and three home runs. Utley has 35 hits (six doubles, three triples) in 33 games, which means he is averaging a little more than a hit a game, which is awesome. I also like that he has more walks (15) than strikeouts (13). This means he will always be a tough out to make. I also like that Utley has six stolen bases which means he can still run even with fighting the pain in his knee. He is also strong defensively, having 68 put-outs, 88 assists, and a fielding percentage of .987. If Utley's knee heals soon, not only does his number skyrocket up, but the Phillies become more of a threat as the playoffs approach us.

Phillips

4. Brandon Phillips (Cincinnati Reds)- Phillips is having an all-star caliber year in both aspects of the game. If his numbers stay strong throughout the season, he will easily have the best season of his career. Phillips is batting a stellar .297. Do not be surprised if his average is up to .300 by the end of the year. He also has 95 hits (19 doubles), six home runs, and 43 RBIs. Phillips has also only struck out 33 times which is in the top half for all second basemen. Some of the defensive plays Phillips makes are just extraordinary, he is easily one of the best defensive players in all of baseball. He has 158 put-outs, 211 assists, just two errors, along with a fielding percentage of .995. Cincinnati needs a player who can be depended on day in and day out whose name is not Joey Votto, and a player like Brandon Phillips can be just that.

Pedroia

3. Dustin Pedroia (Boston Red Sox) After a short season in 2010 where Pedroia dealt with a broken foot, the 2008 AL MVP is putting his career back on track.  He has 82 hits (16 being doubles) with a batting average of .271. Pedroia also has seven home runs with 35 RBIs. He has never had a strong RBI number in his career, and surprisingly has never gotten over 100, it would be really nice for the Red Sox if Pedroia could increase that RBI total. What I really like about his offensive skills is that he is willing to steal bases. Pedroia is tied for most steals (15) out of all the second basemen in the lead. This stat shows that he does whatever it takes to lead his team to victory. Pedroia is also a talented defensive second baseman, with 129 put-outs, 215 assists, and a fielding percentage of .989. If Pedroia can contribute more when it comes to RBIs, the Red Sox have the AL East in the bag.

Weeks

2. Rickie Weeks (Milwaukee Brewers)- The 2003 second pick in the MLB Draft is finally living up to the hype he had coming into the majors. After a career best season in 2010, Weeks is having an all-star season in 2011. He has a batting average of .282, expect that to be over .300 by the end of the year, along with 93 hits (20 of those being doubles). Weeks has 14 home runs, but with a low RBI total of 33. He had 83 RBIs last season, so he has to pick that number up for sure. Weeks also has a sickening 78 strikeouts. No player this good should ever strike out that much. Defensively, Weeks is not bad, but not great. He is just good; having 124 put-outs, 213 assists, and a fielding percentage of .977. Weeks has 8 errors, which needs to be improved upon as well. Weeks is a very talented second baseman, but he can get better and if he does in the second part of the season, by the end of year he could easily be the best second baseman.

Cano

1. Robinson Cano (New York Yankees)- Cano is having another monster year in an amazing career. It is easy to say that he might be one of the most underrated Yankees who truly deserves the whole New York spotlight based on his performances because he certainly deserves it. Cano has 90 hits (18 being doubles) and 52 RBIs. These are both the highest among all second basemen. He also has 14 home runs along with a respectable batting average of .292. Cano has 43 strikeouts which is one of the best among all second basemen and make him even more of an offensive threat. Cano is playing really well defensively, with 187 put-outs, 226 assists, and a fielding percentage of .986. Cano is the best second baseman in all of baseball and if his numbers stay strong throughout the rest of his career, that could easily stay that way.