This is the Part Two of the two post series MLB's All-Division Team. The first part was published on September 17th, and the reason for the delay of this post is the huge time commitment it takes and the postseason has been a busy one. For this post I profiled 160 National League players, including even situational stats as you will read. The National League was tougher to decide than the American League because there are more teams in the NL and there were also more competitive teams. The team below won't disappoint, though, with a few surprises in there, too. The same rules stand as the AL edition, where 'best' is defined as most important to his team. There is also an extra incentive to being consistent for an entire season, and although not every player here was exactly a model of consistency in 2010, this is the reason Troy Tulowitzki, for example, didn't make the team. Tulowitzki had "video game stats" for September going on an unbelievable tear but the fact is his power was missing for five out of six months of the baseball season, and Jose Reyes was more important to the Mets. Again, this is not at all a popularity contest like the All-Star team is. My goal in this series to get past that, and actually establish a foundation for the best players in baseball.
National League East
C Brian McCann, ATL
Too bad the Braves weren't able to take advantage of his biggest hit of the season, a go-ahead three-run double in the All-Star Game that gave the National League a win securing home field advantage in the World Series. McCann, though, picked up plenty of other big hits for the NL Wild Card Champion Atlanta Braves. One of the National League's best hitting catchers, he has hit 18 or more homers and 77 or more RBI each of the past five seasons. He is a durable and able catcher, catching in 136 games and setting a career high at 30% baserunners caught stealing against him. Opponents: Josh Thole (NYM), Carlos Ruiz (PHI), Ivan Rodriguez (WAS), and Ronny Paulino (FLA).
1B Adam Dunn, WAS
During a down year from Ryan Howard, Dunn walks away with the hardware this time. Hitting a team-high 38 HR and 103 RBI, Dunn remained to be a glue piece to the Nationals' rebuilding efforts. Washington slipped to 69-93 but were a winner early on and much of that had to do with Dunn. All positive reviews from his two year stay on the Beltway, Dunn completed his initially surprising contract with a lasting effect on the young players who look up to him. Opponents: Ike Davis (NYM), Ryan Howard (PHI), Gaby Sanchez (FLA), and Troy Glaus (ATL).
2B Dan Uggla, FLA
Okay, let's get the screaming negative out of the way. He can't field for crap. Glad to get that over with. Okay, so now lets stare at his 33 homers, 105 RBI and 100 runs, which helps him get the win in a very tight race with Atlanta's Martin Prado. Uggla is just another one of those guys to come out of the Marlins' system who owns. He is their main power threat especially after Jorge Cantu got traded to Texas. The offensive leader of this young team (sorry, Hanley Ramirez) deserves this spot. Opponents: Adam Kennedy (WAS), Luis Castillo (NYM), Martin Prado (ATL), and Chase Utley (PHI)
3B David Wright, NYM
Wright quietly had a great year in the power department (29 homers) not having lost his speed quite yet (19 steals). His strikeout rate badly increased for a season total of 161 and his batting average was a career worst .283 (which isn't saying much), but the fact is he is a franchise player and he needed a good year this season to prove his continued longevity as a Met, not just a product who had a few great years. The Mets faded at the end there, but their run in first for a while later than most expected wouldn't have been possible without Wright. Opponents: Chipper Jones (ATL), Ryan Zimmerman (WAS), Placido Polanco (PHI), and Wes Helms (FLA).
SS Jose Reyes, NYM
Much said about Wright can also be said about Reyes, who needed to prove he could steal use the speed that gave him 258 steals between 2005 and 2008. He needs some more work on regaining plate discipline, but Reyes took 30 bases in 40 tries in nearly a full season. Also now the Mets won't have to play him conservatively and will let him run free. Reyes gave the Mets that spark, the energy, that completely escaped them in the nightmare that was 2009 Mets baseball. Opponents: Jimmy Rollins (PHI), Hanley Ramirez (FLA), Ian Desmond (WAS), and Alex Gonzalez (ATL).
LF Raul Ibanez, PHI
In a weak running in this division, Ibanez still wins despite being a shadow of his 2009 self. It took him a long time to come around to hitting like he does and his Phillies were incapable of getting on a roll until he started contributing. Sure enough, the Phillies started winning consistently and Ibanez was doing what he does best: driving in runs. Opponents: Josh Willingham (WAS), Melky Cabrera (ATL), Jason Bay (NYM), and Chris Coghlan (FLA).
CF Angel Pagan, NYM
Hmm. Imagine if he were still on the Cubs. Lead off issues solved. Pagan had his finest season yet thanks to the injury to Carlos Beltran. Pagan stole 37 bases and batted .290, playing his first full season in the majors. He also saw time at each outfield position, and durability is key in today's game. Opponents: Nyjer Morgan (WAS), Cameron Maybin (FLA), Nate McLouth (ATL), and Shane Victorino (PHI)
RF Mike Stanton, FLA
Wake up. You're drooling on your keyboard. Stanton's huge power cranked 22 homers in a bit less than a full season after getting the call-up in early June. He led National League rookies in homers and other offensive categories. He only batted .259 but has time to improve. Fans came out to see this guy because of his track record. He is a gamer, future face of the franchise. He had a terrific rookie campaign of 2010, but for now he is stuck staring at Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla before the team truly becomes his. Opponents: Mike Morse (WAS), Jeff Francoeur (NYM), Jason Heyward (ATL), and Jayson Werth (PHI).
SP Josh Johnson, FLA
'JJ', as he's known to Marlins fans, cooled off slighly towards the end of the 2010 season. He didn't start after September 4th after the Marlins shut him down which caused him to fall short of 200 innings at 183.2. However, he averaged more than 6.1 IP per start and carried a ridiculous 1.72 ERA heading into August before having a rough month and finishing at 2.30. He was in control all season, being yanked in the middle of an inning only three times out of 28 starts. Oh, and he also struck out 186 and walked only 48. Opponents: Johan Santana (NYM), Livan Hernandez (WAS), Tim Hudson (ATL), and Roy Halladay (PHI).
RP Billy Wagner, ATL
Wagner's career is now over after retiring at age 38, but it's a darn shame because he hasn't lost anything at all on his stuff and is still one of the most exciting closers to watch. He finished with a 1.43 ERA and 37 saves in 71 games and 69.1 IP. He struck out a ridiculous 104 batters while walking only 22! His fastball consistently hit 98 like it has his entire career and his 2010 performance highlighted one of the best bullpens in baseball on the Atlanta Braves. He retires 5th on the all-time saves list with 422, the Astros all-time saves leader, 4th on the Mets all-time saves list, tied for 9th on the Phillies all-time saves list, 6th on the Braves single season saves list, and struck out 1196 in 903 career innings. Wow. Opponents: Francisco Rodriguez (NYM), Brad Lidge (PHI), Leo Nunez (FLA), and Matt Capps (WAS).
National League Central
C Geovany Soto, CHC
'Geo' went under the radar in 2010 and had a great year although injuries still got to him. Playing only 105 games still got him the hardware. He really worked hard on losing weight and increasing mobility behind the plate, and it showed although he only threw out 22% of baserunners. Soto was on pace to hit more than 23 homers, his output in his rookie year but finished with 17 and also 53 RBI, batting .280. Soto showed a newfound patience especially early in the season when his walks outnumbered his strikeouts, a stat no one saw coming. Opponents: Yadier Molina (STL), Ramon Hernandez (CIN), Ryan Doumit (PIT), Humberto Quintero (HOU), and Jonathan Lucroy (MIL).
1B Joey Votto, CIN
As Reds TV play-by-play announcer would tell you in a second, Votto was one of the best hitters in the National League and will get many MVP votes. He tore up the league smashing 37 homers and 113 RBI, batting .324 with an OBP of .424 due to his 91 walks. He could not be kept off the basepaths in 2010, and although Albert Pujols had a fine season of his own, Votto was a better all around player this season. Votto threw in 16 steals too. Opponents: Albert Pujols (STL), Derrek Lee (CHC), Garrett Jones (PIT), Lance Berkman (HOU), and Prince Fielder (MIL).
2B Jeff Keppinger, HOU
Before you tell yourself that the writer of this blog is crazy, consider this stat: 36 strikeouts in 575 at-bats. Keppinger was statiscally the hardest batter to strike out in the National League. He led all full season Astros players with a .288 batting average, and was a great veteran presence for a rebuilding team. He was the guy that kept the offense moving in Houston and was reliable all season for a team that saw lots of young players come and go. Opponents: Skip Schumaker (STL), Ryan Theriot (CHC), Neil Walker (PIT), Rickie Weeks (MIL), and Brandon Phillips (CIN).
3B Scott Rolen, CIN
One of the best comeback stories in baseball, Rolen suffered through two injury-filled seasons with the Blue Jays before being dealt to Cincinnati midseason 2009. Rolen cooled off at the end but still hit 20 homers and 83 RBI in 133 games, batting a surprising .285. As always, Rolen played just superb defense. He was an influential veteran on this young Reds team. Opponents: Aramis Ramirez (CHC), David Freese (STL), Casey McGehee (MIL), Pedro Alvarez (PIT), and Chris Johnson (HOU).
SS Starlin Castro, CHC
While his offensive WAR (Wins Above Replacement, a sabermetric stat) was only 1.6, he did so much for the Cubs offensively. He loosened the pressure on the veterans, being the 20 year old high energy kid that he is. Castro should improve in the future because of his ability to hit everything. He goes to all fields and doesn't have a weakness in the strike zone, although he is least effective when jammed inside. He had serious trouble defensively and contributed to the Cubs ranking first in baseball in errors, but he has plenty of time to fix it. Without Castro, I don't see the Cubs winning more than 72 games in 2010. Opponents: Tommy Manzella (HOU), Ronny Cedeno (PIT), Alcides Escobar (MIL), Orlando Cabrera (CIN), and Brendan Ryan (STL).
LF Matt Holliday, STL
This guy was the only hope for a Cardinals team that forever struggles with lineup protection for Pujols. Holliday didn't disappoint, playing in 158 games hitting 28 homers, 103 RBI, and a great .312 batting average. He got on base at a .390 clip, exactly what the Cardinals want from the guy behind #5. Opponents: Alfonso Soriano (CHC), Jonny Gomes (CIN), Carlos Lee (HOU), Jose Tabata (PIT), and Ryan Braun (MIL).
CF Andrew McCutchen, PIT
'McClutchen' hit .286 but .315 with men on base, although only one of his 16 homers drove in more than himself. This guy right here is marketing the Pirates to Pittsburgh, putting fans in the seats with his exciting play. The fact that Pittsburgh still finished 15th in the NL in attendance tells you how bored the city is with this losing pandemic on the Pirates. McCutchen stole 33 bases and was fifth in defensive range factor in center field. Opponents: Marlon Byrd (CHC), Colby Rasmus (STL), Carlos Gomez (MIL), Drew Stubbs (CIN), and Michael Bourn (HOU).
RF Hunter Pence, HOU
The duck-footed kid had another fine year, consistent again for 25 homers, 91 RBI, and a .282 batting average. He nearly hit the 20-20 club with 18 steals and is pretty much the face of the franchise with Carlos Lee having seen better days. Pence was the heart of the offense and one of the formidable outfield trio in Houston with Lee, Bourn, and Pence. Opponents: Tyler Colvin (CHC), Jay Bruce (CIN), Ryan Ludwick (STL), Lastings Milledge (PIT), and Corey Hart (MIL).
SP Brett Myers, HOU
Surprise, I know. Shout out to Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, both did a great job but still don't get my award. Myers wasn't expected of much by the baseball public when he signed with Houston, but has made such an incredible change on the pitching philosophy. He was yanked from a start in the middle of an inning only four times in 33 starts, and had a streak of pitching at least six innings all the way until the last start of the season. The results: 223.2 IP, 3.14 ERA, 180 K to 66 BB, 14-8 record. And now he has the #3 starter, young J.A. Happ, to tutor. Opponents: Ryan Dempster (CHC), Adam Wainwright (STL), Bronson Arroyo (CIN), Yovani Gallardo (MIL), and Paul Maholm (PIT).
RP Carlos Marmol, CHC
Breaking Eric Gagne's record of K/9 IP, Marmol's 138 K in 77.2 IP topped all NL relievers by a long shot. He also came six short of Randy Wells' K total of 144, although Wells needed 116.2 IP more to do it. Marmol saved 38 games with an ERA of 2.55 and although he did walk 52, he only allowed 40 hits. Incredibly, he allowed one homer and even more incredibly, it was to Jeff Clement of the Pirates in May, an opposite field shot at Wrigley. Marmol is, without Cubs bias, the most dominant and intimidating reliever in the National League. Opponents: Francisco Cordero (CIN), Ryan Franklin (STL), John Axford (MIL), Brandon Lyon (HOU), and Octavio Dotel (PIT).
National League West
C Buster Posey, SF
In a very weak division for catchers, there may now be at least one star for a long time in the future. Bengie Molina, the incumbent catcher playing in his fourth season for San Francisco, was traded to make room for Posey. I didn't believe all the hype in Spring Training about this guy, but I'm a believer now. Posey whacked 18 homers and 67 RBI in 105 games, and what's really remarkable is that he's generating the power from a small 6-1 frame. Posey will be a fan favorite for the next decade. Opponents: Yorvit Torrealba (SD), Miguel Olivo (COL), Russell Martin (LAD), and Miguel Montero (ARI).
1B Adrian Gonzalez, SD
'A-Gon' has been the face of this franchise for at least four years, as if there was any competition. Gonzo's 31 homers led the Padres, ahead of the second place Will Venable by 18. The hispanic star has been thrown around in trade rumors and needed a winning team this season to avoid getting dealt, probably to Boston. It is good for the game of baseball, though, that his .298 batting average, 93 walks and 160 games played in 2010 stayed in San Diego. If the Padres could ever get him some support, he could be an even better player with more baserunners to drive in. Opponents: Aubrey Huff (SF), James Loney (LAD), Todd Helton (COL), Adam LaRoche (ARI).`
2B Kelly Johnson, ARI
Probably the biggest surprise on the offensively-exciting D-Backs, Johnson led the NL with 12 homers at one point. He fell way behind in that race, but still he had a great year of 26 homers and 71 RBI, batting .284. While Johnson set a career high with 13 steals, he needed this year to reinvigorate his career after really looking bad and getting kicked out of Atlanta. Opponents: Freddy Sanchez (SF), Blake DeWitt (LAD), David Eckstein (SD), and Clint Barmes (COL).
3B Ian Stewart, COL
This is not the division to look in for a good third baseman. That said, Stewart is at least consistent while Mark Reynolds, who hit 32 homers, batted .198. He provided his regular low average yet abundant power in 2010 with 18 homers in only 386 at-bats. He played only 121 games and the Rockies counted on him over the summer as Troy Tulowitzki wasn't getting the job done powerwise. His 18 homers was third on the Rockies. Opponents: Pablo Sandoval (SF), Chase Headley (SD), Mark Reynolds (ARI), Casey Blake (LAD).
SS Juan Uribe, SF
Who saw this coming? Uribe, after wearing out his welcome with the White Sox, was picked up by the Giants before 2009 and has been great since. Uribe set a new career high in homers with 24 and a new career high in RBI with 85, while being a huge part of a Giants team that relied on his pop. For only $3.25 million, he has been a huge steal for San Francisco. Opponents: Rafael Furcal (LAD), Troy Tulowitzki (COL), Everth Cabrera (SD), and Stephen Drew (ARI).
LF Carlos Gonzalez, COL
The Cubs certainly remember how good this guy is. Gonzalez hit for the cycle against the Cubs in August, the biggest highlight of his monster season. Gonzalez did it all batting .336 with 34 homers, 117 RBI, and 26 steals. There is no doubt Gonzalez was the best player on the 2010 Rockies and one of the best in the National League. He will get plenty of MVP votes. Opponents: Manny Ramirez (LAD), Pat Burrell (SF), Gerardo Parra (ARI), and Scott Hairston (SD).
CF Chris Young, ARI
Young nearly made the 30-30 club for the second time in his career, but arguably had the best season of his career. After disappointing many with such a low average in 2008 and 2009, it's good to see a guy with such great talent work his way back to where he needs to be. Young hit 27 homers and stole 28 bases, batting .257, not great but acceptable. The 26 year old also set a career high in walks for an Arizona team that struck out the most in baseball. Opponents: Dexter Fowler (COL), Matt Kemp (LAD), Tony Gwynn Jr. (SD), and Aaron Rowand (SF).
RF Andre Ethier, LAD
It was a down year for the Dodgers and a less exciting one for Ethier, but he still got the job done. Hitting .292 with 23 homers and 82 RBI, Ethier continued to become even more of a fan favorite. With Matt Kemp playing alongside Ethier in center, the two make make one of the best outfielder duos in baseball, and Los Angeles has fallen in love with the play of the two stars. Opponents: Justin Upton (ARI), Ryan Spilborghs (COL), Nate Schierholtz (SF), Will Venable (SD).
SP Mat Latos, SD
This 22 year old is a stud and a capable ace of the Padres. Going 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA in his first full season, Latos struck out 189 in 184.2 IP. He also walked only 2.4/9 IP, keeping his pitches under control especially his fastball which lights up the radar gun. Latos was vital to the Padres team that came a game from getting to the playoffs as the biggest surprise in baseball. Opponents: Tim Lincecum (SF), Ubaldo Jimenez (COL), Clayton Kershaw (LAD), and Ian Kennedy (ARI).
RP Heath Bell, SD
Bell's 47 saves were critical for a Padres team that needs to hold a lead when they get one, because it's unlikely the offense will get it back. Bell was second in baseball in saves only behind Brian Wilson. He was the old man of the bullpen at 32 and his 1.92 ERA was topped by a few guys in the best bullpen in baseball. Bell may be a big man with limited mobility, but he is a great pitcher with a lively fastball and he struck out 11.1 batters per 9 innings, more than good enough for a closer. Opponents: Brian Wilson (SF), Jonathan Broxton (LAD), Huston Street (COL), and Juan Gutierrez (ARI).
The amount of representatives is somewhat conducive to success of the team:
3 players: FLA, NYM, CHC, HOU, SD
2 players: ATL, CIN, SF, ARI, COL
1 player: WAS, PHI, STL, PIT, LAD
0 players: MIL
Interestingly, no National League team finished with more than three representatives; as opposed to the American League, where the Rangers topped it with six. This team is obviously in my opinion so it is a cumulative mix of stats and sabermetrics with opinion. I thank you for reading this post, I hope you enjoyed it.
NOTE: I'm currently working on a project to improve the blog. Coming soon is the ability to search a player by last name and get all the posts with that player in it, as I am tagging the posts. I will write when the project is completed.
