Top 10 - Position lists

[GBPackersfan]

I posted this at two other forums, so I figured I'd post it here as well.

In an effort to create conversation, I've decided to compile a Top 10 list of each position in baseball. I start with the power hitters, the 1st basemen (doesn't include DH, that's a separate list).
1. Albert Pujols
- This guy's talent is scary. He has the potential to be the all-time homerun king, with 160 homeruns already at age 25. His power (46 homeruns, 2nd in the league) and his ability to get on base (3rd highest OBP among 1B; 2nd highest OPS among 1B) puts him at the top.

2. Todd Helton
- 1st in OBP and OPS among 1B last season. Aside from getting on base, he also has power, indicated by his 32 homeruns last year. Some people claim that his great stats are because he plays in Colorado, but his OPS away from home was .990, still impressive.

3. Jim Thome
- 2nd among 1B in homeruns (42), and had a .977 OPS (3rd among 1B). Had an off year with average (.274, 10 points below his career average), but should rebound this year, hitting somewhere in the .290 range. Playing at Citizens Bank Park will help add to his homerun total.

4. Mark Teixiera
- .929 OPS (4th in among 1B) and, as expected, also hits for power, knocking 38 homeruns last season. He is a rising star (26 years old in April) who has the talent to lead the AL in homeruns.

5. Sean Casey
- His .938 OPS was 6th among 1B and his .324 AVG was 3rd among 1B. Doesn't have the power numbers the other guys do (24 homeruns), but also didn't strike out as much as the other guys did (only 36 strikeouts, 1st among 1B).

The rest:

6. Derrek Lee
- Very underrated; 32 homeruns was 5th among 1B

7. Justin Morneau
- 35+ HR potential

8. Paul Konerko
- 41 homeruns was 3rd among 1B

9. Carlos Delgado
- Numbers could suffer a bit in Dolphins Stadium

10. Richie Sexson
- Look for a strong rebound year after being sidelined with a shoulder injury

So, what do you think?

[Shady45]

lol, I was on gamefaqs and I saw that topic, then I went here and saw it again.

Anyway, I like the list, and I pretty much agree with most of it.

[All-Night John]

Well, by VORP, the top 10 1bs in 2004 were:

1. Pujols, 103.5
2. Helton, 94.8
3. Casey, 66.2
4. Thome, 60.3
5. Overbay, 53.5
6. Teixeira, 52.6
7. Wilkerson, 48.2
8. Konerko, 48.1
9. Nevin, 46.9
10. Snow, 45.1

So, um, that looks good to me. Of course none of this takes into account defensive ability, and I'm too lazy to analyze that.

[GBPackersfan]

Part Two of my lists deals with the position most fantasy team owners seem to hate, second basemen.

1. Jeff Kent
- No, it's not Alfonso Soriano. Kent was second among 2B in homers (27, 1 less than Soriano) and in OPS (.880), and first in SLG% (.531).

Compared to Soriano over the past 3 years, he has had a higher OPS, as well as less strikeouts (282 as opposed to Soriano's 408,). Kent is also one of the better defensive 2B in the league.

2. Alfonso Soriano
- Among 2B, he was 1st in homeruns (28,) 5th in SLG% (.494), and 6th in steals (18,). While having a subpar OPS last season (.808 as opposed to .863 and .879 the previous two years), look for his numbers to improve in his second season in Texas, where he'll be helped by the hitter's park.

3. Mark Loretta
- Led 2B in OBP (.391) and OPS (.886). He also had a .335 AVG, tops among 2B, and was tied for 9th in homers with 16.

4. Marcus Giles
- His .378 OBP and .311 AVG were 2nd among 2B, and he stole 17 bases in just 379 AB's last year. He should flourish this year in Atlanta's lineup.

5. Bret Boone
- He hit 24 homeruns (3rd among 2B) and. His .251 AVG was his lowest since 2000, but he should rebound from his subpar season and he will benefit from the additions of Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson.


And the rest:


6. Ray Durham
- His .848 OPS ranked 3rd among 2B

7. Chase Utley
- He has 30+ homerun potential

8. Jose Vidro
- His .284 AVG was 6th among 2B

9. Luis Castillo
- Had a .291 AVG and stole 21 bases (3rd among 2B)

10. Tony Womack
- Hit .307 last year, stealing 26 bases (2nd among 2B). Should flourish in NY's loaded lineup

[All-Night John]

- No, it's not Alfonso Soriano
No, it's not.

Let's look at Win Shares for 2b. In 2004, the top 10 2b accoring to WS were:

1. Loretta, 33
2. Kent, 23
2. Jimenez, 23
4. Castillo, 22
5. Bellhorn, 21
6. Durham, 20
7. Belliard, 18
7. Giles, 18
7. Uribe, 18
7. Womack, 18

I find it odd that you leave Bellhorn off your list. He was the best 2b in the AL last year, and arguably 3rd best in the league. According to Bill James, Bellhorn created 95 runs last year, while making 397 outs. Soriano, by comparison, created 90 and made 457 outs.

[GBPackersfan]

I'm not exactly sure why I left Bellhron off, either. I either wasn't paying attention or just skipped over him due to his high K total. Due to that mistake, and just getting a glance at some of his other stats (OBP, HR, etc.), I'd probably put him at #6.

[All-Night John]

Don't let the K rates fool you. Based on average GIDP rates, Bellhorn actually saved the offense 0.5 runs by striking out. The K was a more efficient out from his place in the order.

[Pig]

Pujols is the best player in the world.

So, yes. Good list.