Where Does Derek Jeter Rank Among the Best Shortstops Ever?

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is making his slow, albeit historic crawl towards 3,000 hits. But what’s the significance of 3,000 hits, really? Sure, it’s a nice round number and considering the relatively small number of ball players to accomplish this feat, how special is it?

Well, many of the game’s greatest players aren’t a member of the 3,000 Hit Club. Ruth, Mantle, DiMaggio, Bonds, Griffey, Gehrig, Foxx, Banks, Morgan, Fisk, Schmidt and hundreds more never accomplished the feat. When Jeter finally collects that 3,000th hit, he’ll be the 23rd player to join the ‘Club’ and be tied for 22nd for most all-time with Pittsburgh Pirates legend Roberto Clemente.

(Check out our 3,000 Hit Club Photo Gallery)

For those that appreciate math, think of it like this: If a Player A plays for 15 full seasons, never misses a game, plays 162 games in each of those seasons, averages four at-bats per game, and hits .300 for his entire career… He would still need 84 more hits to reach 3,000.

There’s the rub: Health, longevity and talent all have to come together. Consider Rickey Henderson, arguably the greatest leadoff hitter of all-time. Rickey played for 25 seasons and yet, he ‘only’ has 3,055 hits. Everyone knows how great Albert Pujols has been in his career and he’s played relatively injury-free (well, he’s hurt now! I know that!) throughout his 11-year career. Pujols ‘only’ has 1,978 hits. At this rate, he would need to play six more uninterrupted, great seasons to reach 3,000.

And here we are with Jeter, only a handful of hits away at the time of this article’s publishing (2,994 career hits). How good has Jeter been in his career? Well, the Hall of Fame will surely be in his future, but can he hold his own among the game’s legends?

The easiest modern-day comparison is Barry Larkin. Both players won a World Series (Larkin 1, Jeter 5), each had 10-plus All-Star Game appearances (both with 12), Gold Gloves (Larkin 3, Jeter 5), Silver Sluggers (Larkin 9, Jeter 5), decent power (Larkin 198 HRs, Jeter 236), could steal bases (Larkin 379, Jeter 330), and strong OBP (Larkin .371, Jeter .383). Now, Larkin has yet to make the Hall of Fame in his first two years of eligibility but he did win the 1995 NL MVP (which should have gone to Greg Maddux but that’s another discussion) and Jeter has never won a MVP. But, he is of course one of the most popular players in the game and an icon in the biggest baseball city in America (sorry Boston).

The bottom line being, Larkin is easily one of the best modern-day shortstops when considering his all-around game. But, Jeter is better and the career WAR numbers solidify that point (WAR: Larkin: 68.9, Jeter: 70.1 & Offensive WAR: Larkin: 66.6, Jeter 83.5).

So then, where does Jeter rank among the best shortstops of all-time? Well, he’s a solid third on my list and I can understand the argument for possibly putting him at No. 2.

1. Honus Wagner
2. Cal Ripken Jr.
3. Jeter
4. Robin Yount
5. Ozzie Smith
6. Luke Appling
7. Arky Vaughan
8. Lou Boudreau
9. Barry Larkin
10. Joe Cronin

I don’t count Alex Rodriguez or Ernie Banks since both players switched positions about halfway through their careers. Although to give proper respect here, Banks was way ahead of his time for power-hitting shortstops. Other names to consider are Luis Aparicio, Joe Sewell, Omar Vizquel, Alan Trammell, Phil Rizzuto, Pee Wee Reese, and Dave Concepcion.

Where does Jeter rank on your all-time list? Do you think Banks and A-Rod deserve to be listed in the Top 10? Voice your opinion in the comments below.

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2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

The Dugout Doctors present their 2011 Fantasy Baseball rankings. Every position is included here. The rankings are a mixture current and projected performance. Enjoy!

(Note: I highly recommend using the free Pickemfirst app while browsing this page. The app allows you to upload your Fantasy league’s information and displays a tiny icon beside every player’s name that tells you which players are unavailable, owned by you or available in your league. When you click the icon, it also provides relevant news, stats, charts and blogs for each player from trusted Fantasy sites across the web. It works for MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL and college football. Click here to sign up now!)

Updated: June 19, 2011 – 10:22AM eastern

Ranking the Bullpens in Baseball

We’ve ranked the top guys at every position in the game. With the season kicking off today, it’s time to examine an underrated part of a team: The Bullpen. Your team’s bullpen can make or break your season. The starting pitchers may be great, the offense powerful, but if your bullpen has to give you two to three innings every night, they better be good. Otherwise, a five run lead will be gone before you know it.

The links to every other position’s ranking can be found here:
1B, 2B, SS, 3B, C, NL OF, AL OF, AL SP, NL SP.

Now, let’s see how every team’s bullpen stacks up.

The Great

1. OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Closer: Andrew Bailey
Others of note: LHP Brian Fuentes, RHP Grant Balfour, LHP Craig Breslow, RHP Michael Wuertz
Breakdown: Bailey will start the season on the DL, but this is the deepest bullpen in the league. Anybody they call on can dominate the other team. When Joey Devine gets full arm strength back and is called back up to the majors, this pitching staff won’t even seem fair.

2. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer:Brian Wilson
Others of note: RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Santiago Casilla, LHP Javier Lopez
Breakdown: Wilson is going to miss the first week of the season because of strained muscle in his side, but not to worry, he’ll be back to his dominant self in no time. Even without him, the Giants have three of the best set up men in the league.

3. TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Neftali Feliz
Others of note: LHP Arthur Rhodes, RHP Darren O’Day, LHP Darren Oliver
Breakdown: The Rangers almost moved Feliz to the rotation but balked at the end of the spring. That decision leaves them with one of the best bullpens in baseball. O’Day is considered death to right handers, holding them to a .542 OPS in 2010.

4. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Jonathan Broxton
Others of note: LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, RHP Matt Gurrier, RHP Kenley Jansen
Breakdown: This all hinges of the return of Broxton. Last year, after the All-Star break, Broxton broke down and lost practically all of his ability. If he’s back to his regular form, he’ll be backed up by three (or more) fantastic relievers. If not, the bullpen loses its anchor. I’m putting my money on a comeback.

5. COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Huston Street
Others of note: LHP Matt Reynolds, RHP Rafael Betancourt, RHP Matt Belisle
Breakdown: Street is an effective closer who minimizes damage and gets the job done. The guys behind him can really rack up the strikeouts. When you play half your games at Coors Field, strikeouts are a great thing.

6. BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Jonathan Papelbon
Others of note: RHP Bobby Jenks, RHP Daniel Bard, RHP Dan Wheeler
Breakdown: Papelbon may not be the elite closer he was once thought to be, but he’s good. And the supporting cast behind him is fantastic. Wheeler and Jenks came over as free agents, and Bard is one of the top five 8th inning guys in the league. Most importantly, they have a wealth of depth waiting in the minors.

7. SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Heath Bell
Others of note: RHP Mike Adams, LHP Luke Gregerson
Breakdown: Already a great bullpen with a dominant closer, they’ll be even better if Chad Qualls can bounce back and Ernesto Frieri can keep up last season’s great work. If the Padres struggle in the season’s first half, look for Bell to be shopped to contenders.

The Good

8. CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Carlos Marmol
Others of note: RHP Kerry Wood, LHP Sean Marshall
Breakdown: Marmol is dominant, Wood and Marhsall can shut down righties and lefties respectively, and the Cubs can throw two other lefties (John Grabow and James Russell) at you. Unfortunately Jeff Smardjiza (20 BBs vs. 9 Ks in 2010) is still there.

9. NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Mariano Rivera
Others of note: RHP Rafael Soriano, RHP Joba Chamberlain
Breakdown: While Chamberlain might not be elite, he’s quite strong in that 7th inning role, and when you add him to the lights-out Soriano in the 8th, and the mutant that is Rivera in the 9th, it has to count for something, right? Hint: The answer is it counts for a lot. When lefty set-up man Damaso Marte comes of the DL in the season’s second half, this bullpen will turn filthy.

10. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Matt Thornton
Others of note: RHP Jesse Crain, LHP Chris Sale
Breakdown: For now it’s just a six man pen, but each guy can bring it. Thornton won the closer role following last year’s all-star game bid, while Ozzie Guillen can use both his left and right arm to call on fantastic set up men.

11. DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Jose Valverde
Others of note: RHP Joaquin Benoit, RHP Ryan Perry
Breakdown: Valverde is a fantastic closer, and Benoit is coming off an insane season in which he posted an unheard of 0.68 WHIP in 60+ innings. If Zumaya ever gets his arm right, he’ll be a welcome addition to a strong group.

12. FLORIDA MARLINS
Closer: Leo Nunez
Others of note: RHP Clay Hensley, LHP Michael Dunn, RHP Edward Mujica
Breakdown: A major weakness in 2010, the Marlins set out to improve their pen for 2011, and succeeded for the most part. Dunn came over from the Braves in the Dan Uggla trade, while Mujica was the major piece of the Cameron Maybin deal. Those two should anchor the seventh inning. While Nunez is pretty good, they’d be better off letting Hensley close games. Still, a much improved bullpen.

13. TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Frank Francisco
Others of note: RHP Jon Rauch, RHP Jason Frasor, LHP David Purcey
Breakdown: The pen is filled with good arms, yet nobody is truly dominant. Manager John Farrell should feel safe that the whole pen is capable, but it’s just like the rest of the team: pretty good.

14. ATLANTA BRAVES
Closers: LHP Johnny Venters, RHP Craig Kimbrel
Others of note: RHP Peter Moylan, LHP Eric O’Flaherty
Breakdown: Venters lit up the league in his rookie season last year, and Kimbrel is receiving praise from everyone who’s faced him. The two of them will be sharing closing duties. If they could pitch in every game (and last year Venters practically did) the Braves would be safe. Fans should be somewhat concerned, however, about the aging George Sherill and Scott Linebrink.

The Okay

15. TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Kyle Farnsworth
Others of note: RHP Joel Peralta, LHP Jake McGee, LHP J.P. Howell
Breakdown: A major strength in 2010, the Rays lost virtually their entire pen to free agency. The closer-by-committee system, which Manager Joe Maddon claims he’ll use, never seems to be successful so expect some early bumps. Especially with Howell not expected back until late May, guys are going to step up. McGee, a rookie, could really carry this pen if he’s up to the challenge. If not, expect fans to get tired of Farnsworth by July.

16. MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Joe Nathan
Others of note: RHP Matt Capps, LHP Jose Mijares, RHP Kevin Slowey
Breakdown: Nathan is coming back from Tommy-John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2010 season, and the team’s still not quite sure how much they can expect from him. I like Slowey in the long-relief role (though he belongs in the rotation) and Matt Capps has great ability. The fifth through seventh arms in the pen are a major weakness for a bullpen that thrived the year before.

17. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Tyler Clippard
Others of note: RHP Drew Storen, LHP Sean Burnett
Breakdown: There’s some confusion over who will be the closer, but after a weak spring from Storen, it appears Clippard will start the year in that role. Make no mistake though, Storen is going to be great, and surrounded by Clippard and Burnett, this is an okay bullpen that’s going to get better.

18. CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Francisco Cordero
Others of note: LHP Aroldis Chapman, RHP Nick Masset
Breakdown: Cordero is a good closer, but not great. Masset generally gets the job done, though he had a rough second half. Chapman is the exciting arm coming out of the pen, and should shut down left handed bats in the seventh or eighth innings. To some it up, the pen in Cinci is neither a weakness nor a strength.

19. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: John Axford
Others of note: RHP Takashi Saito, RHP Kameron Loe, RHP Sergio Mitre
Breakdown: Axford came out of the blue and dominated the league last year. Mitre will be effective in the long-man role, and Saito is still a successful set-up man, but his age is catching up. He can’t be relied on for back-to-back games, and the options past him aren’t thrilling.

20. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Franklin
Others of note: RHP Jason Motte, RHP Mitchell Boggs
Breakdown: Due to Adam Wainwright’s season-ending surgery, Kyle McClellan was moved to the rotation and the bullpen left its best set-up man. Jason Motte gets the job done, but there’s no dominant arm for those late innings. Also, the lack of a dominant lefty is a major weakness.

21. BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Kevin Gregg
Others of note: LHP Mike Gonzalez, RHP Koji Uehara
Breakdown: The strength of this pen is the lefty/righty set-up tandem of Gonzalez and Uehara. Gregg is a capable closer, but not the ideal. After those three the drop-off is severe. Keeping in mind the Orioles will be relying on a young starting staff, this bullpen is going to take some lumps.

The Bad

22. CLEVELAND INDIANS
Closer: Chris Perez
Others of note: RHP Vinnie Pestano, LHP Tony Sipp
Breakdown: Perez is fantastic in the closer role, but after him there seem to be tons of question marks. Sipp can load on the strikeouts, but he’s also prone to giving up home runs. Pestano was a late season call-up with some good results. If those continue, he’ll find himself pitching in the eighth inning on a good number of occasions.

23. LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Fernando Rodney
Others of note: LHP Hisanori Takahashi, LHP Scott Downs
Breakdown: Rodney has no business closing games, and yet he’s beginning the season in that role. His leash will be short. When Downs comes back from the DL in late April, he’ll have a legitimate shot at the job. Takahashi had nice numbers for the Mets last season and was a good pickup. In the end, it’s a below-average bullpen on a lackluster team.

24. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Brad Lidge
Others of note: RHP Ryan Madson, RHP Kyle Kendrick
Breakdown: Lidge is going to miss at least a month, and I have a feeling a month will turn to two or three. Jose Contreras is going to fill in as the closer until then. Without Lidge, Madsen is really the only strength in the Phillies bullpen. Luckily for them, they have four starters who can go eight innings a game. If anything, the bullpen will get a ton of rest. That’s probably for the best.

25. NEW YORK METS
Closer: Francisco Rodriguez
Others of note: RHP Bobby Parnell, RHP D.J. Carrasco
Breakdown: Forget the fallout from 2010, things seem to be better between Rodriguez and the team, so let’s all remember: the guy’s a great closer. After him there aren’t any fantastic options. Parnell and Carrasco can get outs, and will likely be used as the primary set-up options–but in the end, Rodriguez is the only reliever to fear.

26. HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Brandon Lyon
Others of note: RHP Wilton Lopez, LHP Fernando Abad
Breakdown: Lead by below-average closer Brandon Lyon, this bullpen is below average. Lopez is a great set-up man who throws nothing but strikes. Abad has some strong potential, and RHP Mark Melancon could serve a purpose in the seventh inning. It’s not the bottom of the league, but it’s nothing to get excited about.

The Ugly

27. PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Joel Hanrahan
Others of note: RHP Evan Meek, RHP Chris Resop
Breakdown: Hanrahan, a strikeout machine, is a serviceable closer–as is Meek who could fill the role. Resop caught what was likely lightening in a bottle at the end of the season, though that remains to be seen. The Pirates have an offense with potential, but their downfall will be the pitching (both the bullpen and starters). Hey, at least their closer can pitch.

28. KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Joakim Soria
Others of note: LHP Tim Collins, RHP Robinson Tejada
Breakdown: What a waste. The Royals have one of the top closers in the league, and the rest of the team is far below average. Hopefully Soria is still around when the Royals prospects flood onto the team in 2013, so he can enjoy some team success. Until then, he’ll hope youngsters like Tim Collins can live up to their minimal hype.

29. SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: David Aardsma
Others of note: RHP Brandon League
Breakdown: Aardsma, a strong closer, will start the season on the DL. Filling in is League, a great set-up man. After them? Boy oh boy. The best pitcher not named Aardsma or League is the once dominant Chris Ray, who is nothing close to the pitcher he used to be. Make no mistake, this bullpen is bad. The only time you’ll hear about them is when they’re blowing yet another win for Felix Hernandez.

30. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Closer: J.J. Putz
Others of note: Uhhh…
Breakdown: At one time, Putz was a dominant closer, and while he’ll be the closer in Arizona, his better days may be behind him. After him, there is nothing. New GM Kevin Towers made the bullpen a priority in his remodeling. It appears the help is yet to arrive. It will be interesting to see the guys who are called upon from this bullpen in 2011.

Check us out on Twitter @DugoutDoctors

Top Ten AL Outfielders

On Friday we got to take a look at the best Outfielders in the National League, and now it’s time to examine that other league. While there are some fantastic players patrolling American League outfields, the talent seems to drop off in the second half of the list. Take a look:

1. Josh Hamilton, TEX – I was hesitant to rank him #1 on the list due to his injury-prone ways — Hamilton has played 222 over the last two seasons– but his numbers are just too good to ignore. Last season’s AL MVP led the league in batting average (.359) and OPS (1.044).

2. Shin-Soo Choo, CLE – Playing in Cleveland has left Choo (pictured right) unnoticed by many fans, but the Right Fielder is a fantastic player. Last season his OPS+ was 148. And this guy didn’t just come out of the blue, his career OBP is a fantastic .391.

3. Carl Crawford, BOS – Crawford impressed the league the last few seasons while playing with the Rays. His ability to hit for power and average, all with great speed (409 career SBs) earned him a massive contract this off-season with the rival Red Sox.

4. Nelson Cruz, TEX – Cruz doesn’t get enough credit, despite last seasons 5.1 WAR in just 108 Games played. And perhaps that’s the problem. Just like his teammate Hamilton, Nelson Cruz seems to have trouble staying healthy. If he can stay on the field, he’s certainly a force in the AL West.

5. Magglio Ordonez, DET – And this is where we begin to realize the talent pool of the AL Outfield is not all that deep. Before injuring his ankle, Ordonez was having a fantastic 2010. In fact, he’s had an amazing career. Problem is, he’s thirty-seven years old. Still, those numbers are good enough for the fifth best Outfielder in the American League.

6. Ichiro Suzuki, SEA – He’s not the same player he was when he arrived in the league in 2001–but he’s not far from it. Talk about consistency–Ichiro has led the league in hits the past five seasons.

7. Nick Swisher, NYY – Before doing my research I would not have expected to include Swisher on this list, but the truth is, the guy has been a force in NYC the past two seasons. Since the start of the 2009 season, his .870 OPS and 58 HRs are hard to ignore.

8. Vernon Wells, LAA – Everyone ripped on the Angels for trading for Wells, and with good cause — he’ll make over $20 million for each of the next four seasons. The criticism sometimes makes us forget that Wells is in fact a good player, just overpaid. He may not be worth the cost, but the 32-year-old will help the Angels.

9. Delmon Young, MIN – After years of hype, the youngster finally put it all together last season and helped lead the injured Twins to the playoffs. Young set career marks in HRs (21), RBIs (112) and OPS (.826). Things are looking up for the one time top-prospect.

10. Nick Markakis, BAL – Markakis might not have the power everyone expected him to showcase, but his career .368 OBP should not be overlooked. If Buck Showalter puts him early in the Orioles’ lineup, he’ll be getting a lot out of the Right Fielder.

Top 10 NL Outfielders

With three starting Outfielders per team, I thought it best to split up the rankings by league. That way I could focus on some great players who really deserved the attention. Even so, you’ll notice some excellent players like Colby Rasmus and Corey Hart are missing. Too bad. There’s just too much talent in the National League Outfield.

1. Ryan Braun, MIL – Braun entered the league as a Third Baseman at age 23. In that rookie season he lead his league in slugging (.634) while taking home ROY honors. He has since moved to Left Field where he continues to put up excellent numbers for a powerful offense.

2. Matt Holliday, STL – He’s seen to it that Albert Pujols isn’t the only hitter we talk about in St. Louis. With Holliday, fantastic on-base abilities (career .388 OBP) meet power (28 HRs last year). That would explain the 7 yr/$120 Million contract.

3. Carlos Gonzalez, COL – CarGo had a breakout year in 2010, finishing 3rd in the NL MVP voting while he lead the league in batting and total bases. The 25-year-old proved how insanely good he can be, but two questions still remain. 1 – Was it a flash in the pan season, or can he maintain. And 2 – How much of his numbers are a product of playing at Coors (his OPS dipped to .775 on the road).

4. Jason Heyward, ATL – Still just 21, it’s a safe bet that Heyward will be at the top of this list in two years time. He cracked the big league roster last season, and homered on his first at bat of Opening Day. While he struggled with a thumb injury for the second half of the season, he still managed to put up an OBP of .393 while hitting 18 HRs. Once he figures out the whole league, this guy is going to be crazy good.

5. Jayson Werth, WAS – The Nationals signed Werth to a 7 yr/ $127 Million contract this off-season, not because he looks like the lead singer of Puddle of Mud, but because he has proven to be an excellent right-handed power option. After the Phillies made him a regular starter in 2008, he’s put up an OPS+ of 132, while also swiping 53 bases.

6. Andrew McCutchen, PIT – He plays good defense in CF, hits for average with some power, has speed, and most importantly — he’s only 24. There’s a lot of hype around McCutchen, and he deserves every bit of it. Take a close look at the Pirates’ roster. They can hit, it’s the pitching that’s a problem.

7. Andre Ethier, LAD – Some people in the Dodgers organization worry that Ethier has a bit of a temper. Others say he just plays the game with a lot of passion. Whatever you want to call it, it’s working. He’s a 30 HR threat with the ability to walk and reach base. He belongs hitting third for his team.

8. Justin Upton, ARI – Upton is probably only ranked this high due to hype, as last year was a bit of a down year. But we have to remember he’s only 23 (the dude has been in the league since age 19), and in 2009 his OPS sat at .899. If and when he puts it all together, he’ll climb this list a steady rate.

9. Matt Kemp, LAD – Though he clubbed 28 HRs last season, it was a major down year for the CFer. After a strong 2009 in which he posted an .842 OPS, he saw that same stat dip all the way to .760 in 2010. It was a huge step back for the guy many consider to be a future superstar. Some in the Dodgers organization are worried he’s not focused. 2011 will be a major make or break year.

10. Jay Bruce, CIN – Perhaps the Reds rushed Bruce to the Majors 2008, though his numbers were not all that bad at first. Now, he looks fantastic. 2010 was an excellent season for the youngster who put up an OPS+ of 127. I really think this is the season he truly breaks out for 30+ homers and an OPS in the .900s.

Top 10 Third Basemen in MLB

It’s only natural. Baseball players get older, and as they age they lose ability. Injuries hamper them, they lose speed and power, and before they know it, they’re not what they used to be. A-Rod is no longer the best Third Baseman in the game. And though Chipper Jones still has some talent, his inability to stay on the field has knocked him off our list. Yes, the times are changing–our 3B rankings are proof:

1. Evan Longoria, TB – Signed to an extremely team-friendly contract, Evan Longoria has been a fantastic player since he broke into the bigs in 2008. Longoria has improved with each season, and there’s no reason to expect that trend to end now.

2. Ryan Zimmerman, WAS – A close second in the rankings, Zimmerman is under-appreciated thanks to beginning his career in Washington. But as the Nationals improve, a larger fan base will witness the 26-year-old’s power, defense, and on-base skills.

3. Kevin Youkilis, BOS – Though he spent the last few season’s as the starting First Basemen for the Red Sox, Youkilis will be sliding to third to accommodate Adrian Gonzalez. With the change in position comes a rise in the rankings. The versatile Youk brings a lot to a talented team, as evidenced by his career .394 OBP.

4. Alex Rodriguez, NYY – A-Rod is the highest paid player in the history of the game, and at one time that made sense. While he’s still very good, the slugger’s skills have diminished. While last season’s .847 OPS is nothing to scoff at, it’s over 100 points below his career mark.

5. David Wright, NYM – Wright had a down year (power-wise) in the new Citi Field in 2009, and it’s as if everyone gave up on him. He bounced back last season with 29 HRs, reminding everyone that he’s a great player on an awful team.

6. Adrian Beltre, TEX – I can’t quite wrap my mind around Adrian Beltre. He goes from dominant season to mediocre with the drop of a hat. His OPS+ was a dismal 93 in 2009. In 2010 it jumped all the way to 143. One thing is for sure, he always plays fantastic defense–and if the Rangers get the 2010 version of Beltre, their offense will be tough to handle

7. Jose Bautista, TOR – While I’m not completely sold, that 2010 season had to count for something, right? Bautista’s league-leading 54 HRs came out of nowhere, and while he probably won’t reach that total again, his season warranted a place on this list.

8. Pedro Alvarez, PIT – He has just 95 games under his belt, but he has given Pirates fans (is anybody there?) a reason to cheer. Though he just turned 24, there’s reason to believe he could club 25-30 HRs in 2011.

9. Aramis Ramirez, CHC – The Cubs’ clean-up hitter struggled with injuries this past season while having a dismal first half. But before 2010 he was a consistently tremendous player, and it’s too early in his career to count him out. He just needs to limit the wear and tear on his body in order to stay healthy and help his team compete.

10. Casey McGehee, MIL – 2010 was McGehee’s first full season after earning the starting third base job in Milwaukee in 2009, and though he seems to blend into a fantastic offense, he’s a major player. In just his second year in the bigs, McGehee was able to hit 23 HRs while driving in 104.

You can also read our rankings for C, 1B, 2B and SS.

Check us out on Twitter @DugoutDoctors

Top 10 Shortstops in MLB

With the Regular Season fast approaching, we’re working to rank the players at each and every position. You’ve already seen C, 1B and 2B, and now it’s time for Shortstop. Generally reserved for strong defensive players, the Shortstops who can hit certainly stand out. Here they are:

1. Hanley Ramirez, FLA – He might not have the best personality in the game, but Hanley can flat out play — as evidenced by his career .905 OPS. He has a ROY award on his mantle, next to the 2009 NL Batting Title. The MVP will likely soon follow.

2. Troy Tulowitski, COL – Tulo has exploded in the last couple years, and the Rockies noticed, signing him through 2057 (or something like that). He had 15 HRs last season in the month of September alone. If he comes up to the plate against your team, you cringe.

3. Jose Reyes, NYM – One of the most exciting players in the game, he’s been hampered by injuries the last couple seasons. Still just 27, he’s lead the league in steals three times. Considering the Mets’ current financial situation, he’ll be an interesting mid-season trade candidate.

4. Alexei Ramirez, CHW – Ozzie Guillen is on a campaign to get Ramirez a Gold Glove and All-Star nod. The Cuban Missile deserves both. He packs a lot of power for a SS, with 54 HRs in his three-year career.

5. Stephen Drew, ARI – Probably the most overlooked Shortstop in the game, the younger brother of J.D. Drew is just now coming into his prime. Last season he posted a 113 OPS+ while playing for a bad team. He’s not a big guy, but he will hit for some power.

6. Derek Jeter, NYY – Overrated, overhyped, overpaid. Yes, Jeter is all of these things. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a good player. Let’s not forget he’s just one year removed from an .871 OPS. The Yankee captain still has a couple years left in the tank.

7. Jimmy Rollins, PHI – Yet another overrated player (check the numbers, he did not deserve his 2007 NL MVP), Rollins has regressed in each of the past three seasons. He is ranked here because we all know he’s capable of better, yet I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s off this list next season.

8. Rafael Furcal, LAD – When this former rookie-of-the-year stays healthy he truly is a great player. However, he’s played just 283 games over the last three seasons. The speed is still there, along with good defense. He’ll bat leadoff for the Dodgers this season.

9. Starlin Castro, CHC – Cubs fans have something to be excited about. The youngster had a strong spring in 2010 and forced the club’s hand. While he has some work to do on defense, he was fantastic at the plate. And oh yeah, he can’t legally drink for another three weeks.

10. Yunel Escobar, TOR – I almost had Elvis Andrus here, but it just wouldn’t be fair. Sure, Escobar had a down year. He struggled early, clashed with teammates and eventually was traded to the Blue Jays. But in the three years prior he had an OBP of .375 while playing excellent defense and hitting for moderate power. If he has a rebound year he belongs far higher on this list.

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Top 10 Second Basemen in MLB

We’ve ranked Catchers and First Basemen, now we’ll continue to move around the diamond. There are a ton of underrated players at second–a position that just doesn’t get enough credit. Props to the NL on its strong presence, as just three of the ten are AL players. Here’s the Top 10 Second Basemen in MLB:

1. Robinson Cano, NYY – After a fantastic 2010 that saw him finish third in the AL MVP race, the Yankee Second Baseman climbs to the top of our list. Just 28 this season, Cano is entering his prime.

2. Chase Utley, PHI – While it might be a surprise to see Utley anywhere but #1 on this list, a series of injuries have slowed this NL slugger. After back-to-back 30+ HR seasons, Utley played just 115 games last year. Now, this spring he’s already reporting tendinitis in his knee.

3. Dustin Pedroia, BOS – The 2008 AL MVP has an OPS+ of 127 last season. Problem is, he was only healthy enough to play 75 games. If he gets healthy, he’s going to be an on-base machine for the Red Sox.

4. Dan Uggla, ATL – Atlanta found the RH power hitter they needed by trading for Uggla, who has hit 30+ HRs in each of the last four seasons. The 30-year-old saw it all come together last year, when his average climbed to .287.

5. Ian Kinsler, TEX – Kinsler has some pop in his bat, but–excuse me if you’re tired of hearing this–he struggled with an ankle injury last season, and only played 103 games. When he’s healthy, he’s a deadly hitter in a strong lineup. His career .822 OPS is strong for a Second Baseman.

6. Rickie Weeks, MIL – Everyone knows he has had the skill set to be great, it was just a matter of time before it all came together. Well, last season it did. Weeks stayed healthy all year and ended with an OPS+ of 125. Milwaukee took note and signed him to a healthy extension.

7. Kelly Johnson, ARI – Always an intelligent hitter, his streaky nature never gelled in the Atlanta lineup. After a trade to the DBacks, Johnson was one of few bright spots on a bad team in 2010. His slash line (.284/.370/.496) was fantastic, and should continue to climb as he gains confidence.

8. Brandon Phillips, CIN – Full of intensity (remember his fight with Yadier Molina?), this Cincinnati All-Star doesn’t get on-base at a high rate, but he does pack a good deal of power for a middle infielder. Hitting in the same line-up as Joey Votto and Jay Bruce also gives him the chance to rack up a high Runs total.

9. Neil Walker, PIT – There’s no doubt in my mind this 25-year-old will climb the list at a rapid rate in the near future. In his 110-game rookie season last year, Walker had a strong debut OPS of .811. As he gets more comfortable with Major League pitching, that’s only going to get better.

10. Orlando Hudson, SD – Don’t let the fact that he’s playing for his fourth team in four years fool you, the O-Dog is a solid player. Though he doesn’t hit for much power, he’s great with his glove and has a .358 OBP over the last five seasons.

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Top 10 First Basemen in MLB

Last week we took at look at the Top 10 Catchers in Baseball, so today it’s only natural to move on to 1B. Some younger guys are climbing the list, while many familiar names remain. While Billy Butler likely belongs somewhere on here, Kansas City’s recent decision to move him to full-time DH makes him ineligible. So here they are, the Top Ten 1B for 2011:

1. Albert Pujols, STL – The best player of his generation, Pujols will be at the top of this list for some time. The three-time MVP has posted an OPS over 1.000 in all but two of his ten seasons in the majors.

2. Joey Votto, CIN – Highly regarded in his first two full seasons, Votto exploded in 2010 and won the NL MVP. The slugger lead the league in OBP, SLUG and OPS+.

3. Miguel Cabrera, DET – Considered by many to be the second best right-handed hitter in baseball, Cabrera narrowly missed his first MVP last season. After a relapse in his continuing struggle with alcohol, it will be interesting to see what kind of numbers he can post in 2011.

4. Adrian Gonzalez, BOS – Gonzalez was able to average over 100 RBIs over the last four seasons while playing for a poor offensive team in San Diego. Now that he’s surrounded by talented hitters in Boston, there’s no telling what his production will look like. Just 28, the California native’s best years are ahead of him.

5. Mark Teixeira, NYY – Though he always seems to start slow, Tex’s numbers end up with the best in the league year in and year out. In addition, he’s one of the best defenders and smartest baserunners at his position.

6. Prince Fielder, MIL – Perhaps a slightly better hitter than Teixeira, Fielder’s weight causes issues with his fielding and mobility. Teams are willing to look past that, when you’re capable of clubbing over 50 HRs in a season, like the soon-to-be free agent Fielder is.

7. Justin Morneau, MIN – It could be argued that the Twins slugger belongs above Fielder on this list, but Morneau is older, and his recent concussion issues are a major concern. Still, his OPS+ of 184 in 2010′s first half was incredible.

8. Ryan Howard, PHI – This Phillies slugger has seen his offensive production regress slightly in the past couple seasons, but he’s still a constant threat at the plate, leading the league in RBIs in both 2008 and 2009.

9. Paul Konerko, CHW – After underperforming slightly from 2007-2009, Konerko had a masterful 2010, putting up a .977 OPS while clubbing 39 HRs. The White Sox took notice and signed him for three more years.

10. Kendry Morales – Assuming he’s able to bounce back from his humiliating 2010 injury caused by a team celebration, Morales belongs on this list. The 27-year-old plays solid defense, and in a full season at the position in 2009, Morales hit 34 HRs to accompany an OPS+ of 139.

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Top 10 Catchers in MLB

This is a different list than you would have seen last year. Jorge Posada, one of the best Catchers in the game was recently converted to full-time DH by the Yankees. There have also been a few highly talented young players that have worked their way into the rankings this year. Headed into the 2011 season, the Top Ten Catchers in the majors are as follows:

1. Joe Mauer, MIN – He’s been one of the best in the game since he entered the league in 2004. Only two Catchers have won the MVP award in the last 33 years, but Mauer did it in 2009, thanks in part to his league leading OPS+ of 170.

2. Brian McCann, ATL – Drastically overlooked by many fans and analysts, McCann is already a five-time All-Star at just age 26. McCann displays a good deal of power that contributes to his career .849 OPS

3. Victor Martinez, DET – Though he has regressed a bit in the last couple years, Martinez is still extremely valuable and will play a big part for his new club, the Tigers, this season. However, expect him to be off this list in the next couple years, as he continues his shift to a role as 1B/DH.

4. Buster Posey, SFG – If Posey, 2010′s NL Rookie-of-the-Year, puts up a full season similar to what he did last year, he’ll fly up to number two on this list. This youngster has a ton of talent, and was a major reason the Giants won the World Series in the fall.

5. Carlos Ruiz, PHI – Though he’s often overshadowed by lineup-mates Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and the since-departed Jayson Werth, Ruiz is a major factor for the Phillies’ successful offense. Though he doesn’t hit for much power, his ability to reach base coupled with his great defense put him high on our list.

6. Geovanny Soto, CHC – This 2008 NL Rookie-of-the-Year would receive more praise if he could simply stay healthy. When he’s able to take the field he’s exceptional, as evidenced by his .393 OBP in 387 plate appearances last season.

7. Carlos Santana, CLE – Before his season ended early due to a devastating knee injury, this youngster proved his future is bright. Like Posey, he’ll find himself quickly climbing the list if he’s able to duplicate what he offered in 2010.

8. Yadier Molina, STL – Not known for his offense (he’s still a capable hitter), Molina is instead on this list for being the best defender at an important and difficult position.

9. Mike Napoli, TEX – He’ll be splitting time between Catcher, 1B and DH with his new club, where he figures to accumulate 500 AB’s. The opposite of Molina, Napoli is considered a weak defender who can flat out crush the ball (66 HRs in the last three years).

10. Matt Wieters, BAL – Wieters is ranked here for two reasons. One: the league’s lack of Catching depth, and two: his huge potential. Scouts continue to predict he’ll break out, and if he does, he’ll be one of the best at the position.

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