Who Would Your First Pick Be?
October 12, 2006 by Geoff Young
Filed under Odds and Ends
I’m in a question-asking mood. Yesterday we checked in on baseball’s “unwritten rules” (and if you were among the shy ones who didn’t speak up, get over there and do so — go on, we’ll wait). Today’s question is this: If you were starting a major league baseball team and could pick any one player in the world, who would it be?
I’m interested not only in names but also in reasons behind your choices. And also, maybe give me your second and third options. I suspect that most folks will list the same two players first, but when we get to #3, paths may diverge a bit. I won’t give you my choices just yet, but I can tell you that all three made the playoffs and two of them are on teams that haven’t yet been eliminated. Hmmm…
So, who do you like and why? Leave your ideas in the comments or drop me a line.
Is there anyone who wouldn’t pick Albert Pujols #1? The guy has been remarkably consistent, he’s never had an off year and has done well in the post season. Like Bonds at his best, you always have a sense of impending doom when Pujols is facing your team with the game on the line. Johann Santana would be my #2, clearly the best pitcher in baseball. He’s the closest thing we’ve seen to Pedro in his prime.
My third pick would be Miguel Cabrera because he’s still so young. Also in the mix would be Vlad Guerrero, Chase Utley, David Wright and Carlos Beltran. I’d also want Ichiro because he’s fun to watch and Chris Young because he’s got a shot at a no hitter any time he takes the mound.
I gotta go with Albert as my #1. I don’t think there’s a more “complete” player in the bigs today.
The Mariner fan in my pops Ichiro into the #2 spot. Gets on base, steals, scores…yada yada yada. Also terrific in the outfield.
Have to have a pitcher for #3. Hard choice there. I do like Johann Santana, but the guy I think I have to go with is his teammate, Liriano. When he’s back from the injury, of course!
Interesting, I’m already seeing a little more divergence at the very top than I’d expected. Ichiro and Cabrera are intriguing names. I hadn’t seriously considered the former, but in addition to his on-field abilities, he’s a good draw. As for Cabrera, I need to look at him more closely; right now he’s definitely in my top 5, but that might be underestimating him. Dude is a stud.
Other thoughts?
Is this an expansion draft rule?
I doubt that Albert Pujols would be posted for that.
However, on my MVP Baseball team, I’d take Pujols for all the reasons you’ve all mentioned.
For #2, I’d take Hanley Ramirez right now. I think the kid is very good, plays SS, can improve on his defense over time, got speed and good instinct on the base path. Somebody got to get on in front of Pujols.
For pitchers, I’ll take Johan from the left and Josh Johnson from the right. Santana seems to have things figured out as a pitcher and Josh looks like a good young arm with nice arsenal who would take a leap if learning from the best.
Of course, there’s not learning on my MVP Baseball game. Too bad, wouldn’t that be a good feature for a game, the chemistry of a team.
Thanks, Didi, for the comment. Hanley Ramirez is a fascinating name; I’m not sure I see enough difference between him and Jose Reyes to take either one at #2 but it’s not an unreasonable suggestion. I’m probably too risk averse to go that route.