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Buster Olney
Most MLB players gave a preview of our Top 100 players ranking They were polite, and some were even deferential, suggesting that they did not feel qualified to assess the relative strengths of players in a wide range of baseball Major League.
It is a fair concern – for players and for us as writers and Rankers. We are not perfect, so we have introduced our list to current players in the last few weeks. We work daily to evaluate the work of players and in this case we want to know what they think – to provide unknown opinions on how we have included the best players in sports.
And as soon as the gaps have been canceled – AS some players feel more comfortable to talk about the state of anonymity – it was clear that many of them believe that the ESPN rating is built too strongly on the hype than a real success.
“You have (Yeari) Sasaki“ – The Los Angeles Dodgers“A work pitcher that has a number 60 -” Jt realmuto“He asked a single player who pointed out the nearly ten -year position of Realmuta as one of the best catchers.” In what world does it make sense? “
Considering possibilities over production seemed to be the biggest problem across the album when we talked to 15 MLB players about our ranking.
“I won’t call anyone on behalf, but there are boys on this list who had good two months over players who had good years” Pittsburgh Pirates Outfielder veteran Tommy Pham said. “You set up (ranking) in two months? I can’t get on board with it.”
Long -term relief Adam Ottavino was also surprised by this fact, pointed out Francisco Lindor and Elly de la Cruz Be included in the back-to-back on the 16th and 17th. Respectively.
“I feel that there is a huge separation between Lindor and De La Cruz,” he said. “I know the ceiling (de la cruz) is crazy and it’s so funny to watch, but it’s not near Lindora in my mind.”
The tangible production of the main league was a desire for players, as well as positions.
“Paul scene He has amazing things, “said another player about the fifth jug of young Pirates.” But is there before Francisco Lindor? Like, a shortstop that plays every day and just finished second in the NL MVP race? ”
Andrew McCutchenHe played in his 17th year in large leagues with Pittsburgh this season, believe that you cannot quite evaluate players and jugs on the same list, because the requirements of their work are completely different.
“Shohei (ohoani) Hits and he pampens and you have it on No. 1, “McCutchen said. It distorts the list for me. … For me, it’s like an offensive and defensive (NFL) players on the same list. It doesn’t work.”
Ottavino, now back with New York YankeesShe considered it interesting that you do not see so many jugs mixed at the top of the List-Mimo era, which is expected to return to a two-way role this season. There are only three start -ups in the TOP 20.
“Position players are out there every day,” Ottavino said. “But you see Chris Sale on No. 32 and you see it behind you Brent RookerDH. Rooker is a great player, but I feel that a real ace has so much impact. ”
Veteran Infielder Manny Machado felt similarly, made a case for Pull (No. 10) and Zack Wheeler (No. 9) Be higher on the list and said, “Zack is a jug No. 1 in the league right now, by far.”
Ottavino also noted how the evaluation of players on our list does not correspond to how the positions of free agents are appreciated.
“The first Baseman, the first Baseman, the first Baseman,” he said, remarking the players near the top of the list. “And yet the market does not mean the first Baseman.”
MaxNo. 27 on our list, just signed an agreement with Yankees for $ 218 million this winter. Long -term New York Mets First bass Pete AlonsoHe ranked only a few places behind the fried, he got a third of it after trying to deal with all offseason.
When he looked at the positions of the players and where they should come in handy, Ottavino favored those who carry a wider range of skills and said, “I should have Gunnar (Henderson) higher than some of these others because of the overall impact. ”
Perhaps no main league player has as much impact as Aaron judgewhich ranked fourth on our list. Several players were surprised that Star Slugger was not No. 1 or No. 2.
“I like Bobby Witt (Jr.)‘With skills and last year did some great things, “McCutchen said about young KANSAS CITY ROYALS A star that ensured the second overall ranking. “But what the judge has done for several years is hard for me to give (Witt) over him.”
“Do you have a judge as the fourth best player?” Pham shouted. “I’m going to trip here?”
McCutchen, who heard his teammate, added: “People who have compiled these lists think this game is easy.”
I replied, I made a bat over 0.300 in the junior varsity and He sat down with my slow shift with my slow ball in Little League. (No, actually I didn’t tell the two players who have almost three decades in large companies.)
“Look at the judge’s numbers,” Pham continued. “Judge I can’t be so low. With all respect, everyone is on the list of a great player – Mookie (Betts)Bobby, the calf is a unicorn. But the judge had a Barry Bonds season last year. ”
And Pham is not wrong – judge’s modified OPS+ Z 223 in 2024 is the highest at all For Hitter with the right hand.
“See?” Pham said. “I can’t work with that.”
Machado agreed that “it should be 1, 4, 2, 3” Translated: Flying, Judge, Witt and then Betts.
“Around Paula (Schenes) there are a lot of hype,” San Diego Padres The third Baseman continued and looked at the list. “But he is ugly. I’m glad we missed him last year. ”
See your former teammate Corey Seager On No. 21 Machado said, “I don’t know why Seager is so low. I love Seager.”
There were many big stars whose ranking players were surprised.
Atlanta Braves infielders Matt Olson and Austin Riley They looked at the list together outside the Braves Cluber when they saw teammates Ronald Acuña Jr.. It was 20.
“That’s a little hard,” Riley said about the ranking.
Los Angeles Angels Star Outfielder Mike Trout was someone who the players we talked to last year about our list The idea was in 19. The place too low. Similarly, he was surprised by his ranking of 33. This year’s order.
“I also said it last year, but the trout is too low,” Olson said. “And the sale is too low.”
Riley got married to a problem Teoscar hernandez“Rating for No. 53, after the season in which he won the home run of Derby and helped Dodgers win the World Series.You are Too low. ”
“I think once you get around No. 30, it’s free for everyone,” he said.
Their teammate Marcell Ozunawho carried Atlanta’s crime last season, when he was engaged in injuries, pushed no. 78 on our list, which made no sense for Olson.
“If it is so low, you say it’s a discount that it’s DH and you’re not playing the field,” he said. “But if this is the case, Jordan (Alvarez) cannot be on (No. 7). ”
And yes, Juan SotoPlacing one place down on No. 8 caught the attention of several players.
“Are you kidding?” one asked one.
Please tell us how you are really feel.
