Top 5 BACKSTOPS in MLB for 2014 in order:
1. Yadier Molina #Redbirds @YadiMolina04
The best Back Stop in the Show and nit by much as he has had three straight seasons with an OPS over .800. He undoubtedly calls the best Balls and Strikes in the game and anchors one of the best Staffs in the Show. His Ash, Maple, or Bamboo has been tops as in 2013 after missing time with injuries still managed to put up a .319 average and 44 two-baggers. Molina also managed to knock in a career-high 80 runs. He along with Allen Craig, Matt Carpenter, and Matt Holliday made "El Hombre" Albert Pujols expendable in that Cards Line Up.
2. Buster Posey #Gigantes @BusterPosey
Some will tell you if Yadier Molina is ahead of Mr. Posey it is by missing in the Hitting Zone by an inch. At the ripe age of 26 years old the former FSU Noles Star is the truth behind the dish. In 148 games in 2013 he hit .294 and had 15 bombs with 72 Ribbies and that as way off his 20-12 NL M.V.P. Season of a robust .336 with 24 bombs and 103 ribbies. That also maybe a product of getting nothing to hit and who protects Buster in the Line Up. One would have to think after being the #1 Backstop in 2012 that Buster might reclaim that #1 Slot in 2014.
3. Salvador Perez #RoyalPain @SalvadorPerez15
Yes if you didn't know now you know as he is the nest in line as the best Backstop in the Show. Just 24 years of age he doesn't quite yet carry the Big Bat like Molina and Posey but he calls a great game like a seasoned vet behind the dish. He still hit .292 with 13 bombs and 79 RBIs. He only scored 48 runs but a more than solid OPS of .757 as the Royals made a huge power surge in the4 AL Central as these are not the same Royals of the last two decades.
4. Carlos Santana #Tribe
His leather isn't as good as the three above him but h is not far off. Though his Hitting Numbers are slightly better with more production that Perez. Santana hits in the middle of that Tribe Line Up with Indians Star Jason Kipnis. 75 runs scored and 39 doubles with an OPS of .832 and 72 Ribbies with 20 Big Flies....this the reason Skip Francona and the Tribe will be doing big things in 2014.
5A. Wilin Rosario #Rocks @WilinRosario
At 25 years of age he along with Perez are the future as they will only get better with the Ash, Maple, or Bamboo. Rosario calls a great game and those Power Numbers playing 81 in Coors Field will only get better. He hit .292 in 2013 with 21 Big Flies and 79 Ribbies scoring 63 runs. He hits in the 5-hole behind 2-3-4 "Car-Go", "Tulo", and Mr. Cuddyer as the Rockies try to create an Avalanche in the NL West. Rosario's Numbers mentioning them three "Monsters at the Dish" are even more impressive.
5B. Brian McCann #BronxBombers
He finally left the nest where it all started in the Chop Shop 404 in ATL. He has had some more than impressive years and one would think he is Mid-30s in Age...only 29 entering his first season with the Bombers. A seven-time All-Star only played in 103 games in 2013 but still had 20 Taters and 57 Ribbies with an OPS of .796. He will be a huge plus for the Yanks with their famous "Short Porch in Right Field that should elevate McCann's Power Numbers ever so slightly.
Best of the Rest...
Jonathan LuCroy #BrewCrew
A.J. Pierzynski #RedSox
Matt Wieters #Os
Jason Castro #Stros
Miguel Montero #DBacks
0 comments:
Post a Comment