Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Was watching MLB Network yesterday and they were talking about some of the most underrated or under the radar players in the game. So who you guys got? Name 5 and only 5. Any position, including relievers, qualifies. Here's my top 5: 5: Josh Johnson. Yes, we know about Halladay, Lincecum, Sabathia, ect. We hear about those guys every day. But JJ just doesn't get anywhere near the pub that his sick performance warrants. How good is this guy? 33-12, 2.94 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 3.41 K/BB. These are the numbers Johnson has sported the last three years. The verdict: Dude is sick. 4: Ryan Zimmerman. Evan Longoria, who I love, has pretty much become the most popular and well-known 3rd baseman over the last few years. And he certainly deserves all the acclaim. But there's a guy in Washington by the name of Zimmerman who's every bit as good and gets nowhere near the pub. Over the last two years, Zimmerman has been an elite-level 14 WAR. That's a mere second behind Longoria [14.2] for all 3B and third overall in all of baseball. He's arguably the best defensive player at his position and gives you a near .900 OPS to boot. 3: Brian McCann. Like with Longoria/Zimmerman, Joe Mauer is the more well known [and 'hot as hell' guy according to most females that I know that know of him]. But you could replace McCann with Mauer and not lose much, if anything, at all. McCann has put up a slash line of .290/.361/.496/.856 the last five years. He's been a 23 WAR replacement level player during those five years [only Mauer at 28 WAR has been worth more]. Not bad value to get a f***ing catcher of this caliber in the SECOND round of the draft. Man can the Braves f***ing scout. 2: Shin-soo Choo. White Sox fans should know how good this guys is as much as anybody. A slash line of .302/.397/.500/.897 the last three years. He's a very good defensive RF and has been worth 10.6 WAR replacement the last two years. That's second in baseball only behind Ben Zobrist [11.5] for right fielders. 1: Joakim Soria. Yes, the undisputed, IMO, most underrated player in baseball. Ask any non-hardcore or even semi-hardcore fan who Soria is and most won't have a clue of whom you're talking about. You want some numbers? How about a 1.84 ERA, 1.005 WHIP, 10.0 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 4.04 K/BB the last three years. He's recorded 115 saves during those same three years for a team that routinely struggles to hit the 70-win mark. Outside of you know who, and it's just barely, there hasn't been a better closer in the sport than Mr. Soria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flavum Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Pretty nice list. Good call on McCann. I think he may be quietly building a Hall of Fame career, and nobody knows it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 10:15 AM) Pretty nice list. Good call on McCann. I think he may be quietly building a Hall of Fame career, and nobody knows it yet. I dunno, I feel like most people do know McCann and how good he is. I would put Josh Johnson at #1, but a lot of that is due to me giving a friend of mine advice years ago to stock up on his cards/signatures on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiSox_Sonix Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Carlos Gonzalez? But seriously, I'd put Adrian Gonzalez there. People know he's good, but people on the east coast have no clue just how good he is. I'd toss out Aaron Hill and Kendry Morales as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleHurt05 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 10:12 AM) Carlos Gonzalez? Why in green? There is no rating high enough to describe how good he is, so he will be forever underrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 11:12 AM) But seriously, I'd put Adrian Gonzalez there. People know he's good, but people on the east coast have no clue just how good he is. He's on Boston now, if that hasn't changed, it will by May 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleHurt05 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 10:21 AM) He's on Boston now, if that hasn't changed, it will by May 1. And because of that Red Sox jersey, he will probably become overrated by August 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I'll go with Josh Johnson at #1, he gets talked about on MLBN and ESPN a little, but to me he and King Felix are the best pitchers in their respective leagues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthsideDon48 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Here's my top 5 underrated players, in no particular order... 5. Ty Wigginton 4. Aubrey Huff 3. Jason Vargas 2. Anibal Sanchez 1. Adam Dunn I'd also add Edwin Jackson to the list if I were to subtract someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiSox_Sonix Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 11:21 AM) He's on Boston now, if that hasn't changed, it will by May 1. But i'm talking about as of right now. It's amazing how many of my friends are just oblivious to how good he is. They aren't really worried about what the Red Sox did there yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klaus kinski Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Alexei would be on my list somewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeynach Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 If you play fantasy baseball non of these guys are underrated. The only way they can be underrated is you only follow a team and not the MLB (looking at you yankee fans) or are just a casual baseball fan at best. For the rest of us these are common names and we know how good these guys are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChrisSamsa Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 10:37 AM) I'll go with Josh Johnson at #1, he gets talked about on MLBN and ESPN a little, but to me he and King Felix are the best pitchers in their respective leagues. ESPN was ready to hand a co-cy young award to Johnson and Ubaldo in the first half of the 2010 season. Johnson's a perfectly well known commodity. McCann too, he's regarded as one of the best offensive catchers in the majors. I'd be on the fence to say Zimmerman is underrated, he doesn't get the credit he deserves because he plays on terrible teams, but I think he's a known threat by most baseball fans. Choo and Soria are certainly underrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChrisSamsa Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 10:54 AM) Here's my top 5 underrated players, in no particular order... 3. Jason Vargas Happy to see someone else around here is paying attention to him. His home/road splits leave something to be desired, but when he's in Seattle, he's a damn good pitcher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 Guys, this wasn't supposed to be a debate. These are MY top 5 underrated players in the game. Underrated to me is guys who are relatively unrecognized or that don't get the attention that other players do even though their production warrants it. Players that fit that description are generally from small market teams. Teams that unless you have the Extra Innings package you don't get to see unless they happen to be playing your favorite team. And how the hell is Edwin Jackson underrated? Did you mean overpaid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiliIrishHammock24 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Pretty good list, but I would take McCann off the list (he is pretty much known as the 2nd best catcher in baseball), and then put Alexei into the #5 slot. From other sports forums I'm on, you would be surprised how little people think of him and his "ok" defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justBLAZE Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 (edited) Coincidence or not Jayson Stark published his own underrated team: That all-underrated team: 1B Dunn 2B Kinsler SS Castro 3B Zimmerman LF Braun CF McCutchen RF Cuddyer C Ruiz SP Johnson Bullpen Soria/Adams LINKY: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stor...&id=6044419 Edited January 21, 2011 by justBLAZE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 01:36 PM) Coincidence or not Jayson Stark published his own underrated team: That all-underrated team: 1B Dunn 2B Kinsler SS Castro 3B Zimmerman LF Braun CF McCutchen RF Cuddyer C Ruiz SP Johnson Bullpen Soria/Adams LINKY: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stor...&id=6044419 Definitely a coincidence. And kinda spooky. I just thought to make this thread a couple days ago when I was watching the MLB Network. But I do feel justified, not that I needed justification, that Starks has 3 of my top 5 guys on his list. Very good calls on Ruiz and Adams on his part. Castro? I don't think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthsideDon48 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (ChrisLikesBaseball @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 11:52 AM) Happy to see someone else around here is paying attention to him. His home/road splits leave something to be desired, but when he's in Seattle, he's a damn good pitcher. Hell yea. I agree about his home/road splits and how he's better at home. He still puts up good numbers and I'm the only one out of all my friends that thinks he's a good pitcher. I feel that a lot of people gotta put down the Haterade on Vargas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 02:37 PM) Hell yea. I agree about his home/road splits and how he's better at home. He still puts up good numbers and I'm the only one out of all my friends that thinks he's a good pitcher. I feel that a lot of people gotta put down the Haterade on Vargas. I don't feel Vargas warrants the underrated tag. But he's definitely a quality #4ish type starter. I think he'd be exposed if he didn't have the luxury of pitching at Safeco. But he is where he is. Off-topic, could any human being on earth handle that girl in your avatar? I don't think I could last 5 minutes with that ass. Damn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthsideDon48 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 12:21 PM) Guys, this wasn't supposed to be a debate. These are MY top 5 underrated players in the game. Underrated to me is guys who are relatively unrecognized or that don't get the attention that other players do even though their production warrants it. Players that fit that description are generally from small market teams. Teams that unless you have the Extra Innings package you don't get to see unless they happen to be playing your favorite team. And how the hell is Edwin Jackson underrated? Did you mean overpaid? I love how you're quick to say that it ain't supposed to be a debate when other people pick at your underrated picks, yet you're quick to debate my statement that Edwin Jackson is underrated. You crack me up a lot, J4L. : I actually think Jackson is getting paid exactly what he should be getting paid. I think he's a pitcher that's the same caliber as pitchers such as Danks, Lester, Johnson, Sanchez, Wainwright, Haren, Greinke, and Jiminez. And the fact that a lot of people thinks he's overpaid makes me think he's really underrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 (edited) QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 02:46 PM) I love how you're quick to say that it ain't supposed to be a debate when other people pick at your underrated picks, yet you're quick to debate my statement that Edwin Jackson is underrated. You crack me up a lot, J4L. : I actually think Jackson is getting paid exactly what he should be getting paid. I think he's a pitcher that's the same caliber as pitchers such as Danks, Lester, Johnson, Sanchez, Wainwright, Haren, Greinke, and Jiminez. And the fact that a lot of people thinks he's overpaid makes me think he's really underrated. Wait, what? Are you drunk? PLEASEEEEEEE tell me you're drunk. Then I can let go of this. If you're really being serious then suicide is my only alternative [and when I say that I mean for me, not you]. I just can't accept this. You did not just compare Edwin Jackson to the likes of Lester, Johnson, Wainwright, Haren, Greinke and Ubaldo. You just didn't. Or at least you didn't mean to. Edited January 21, 2011 by Jordan4life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 Oh, yeah. You shocked me to such a degree with the bolded part of your post that I forgot to respond to your original point. Yes, this isn't a debate. I just don't think Vargas has enough body of proven work to warrant a true underrated tag. He's only really had one decent year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiliIrishHammock24 Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 03:57 PM) Wait, what? Are you drunk? PLEASEEEEEEE tell me you're drunk. Then I can let go of this. If you're really being serious then suicide is my only alternative [and when I say that I mean for me, not you]. I just can't accept this. You did not just compare Edwin Jackson to the likes of Lester, Johnson, Wainwright, Haren, Greinke and Ubaldo. You just didn't. Or at least you didn't mean to. Jackson is underrated, but not on the level of those guys yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxrwhite Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 1. Delmon Young 2.Alexi Ramirez 3.Sin Shoo Choo 4.Brandon Inge 5.Scott Downs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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