| By Jason A. Churchill |  | By 02-29-2012 |
In an interesting polling of big league scouts -- an exercise that started out as a cross checking of mine and Chris Crawford's best assessment -- I believe we'll learn a few things from the results below.
All I wanted to do was make sure we weren't overlooking anything significant in putting tools grades on the top bat and top pitcher on the other 29 clubs in Major League Baseball, but the responses forced me to make adjustments I did not expect.
This is just a fun snapshot of some of the best players in baseball. The grades are a combination of actual production and the raw physical capabilities of the players in question. It's not based solely on performance, statistics or crude abilities.
| Arizona Diamondbacks |
Bat: Justin Upton
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 55+
Hitting for Power | 60
Speed/Baserunning | 60
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 60
Arm: Ian Kennedy
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 50+
Curveball | 55
Slider | 50
Changeup | 45
Control/Command | 55
Delivery/Mechanics | 55
| Atlanta Braves |
Bat: Brian McCann
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 55
Hitting for Power | 55
Speed/Baserunning | 40
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 55
Arm: Tim Hudson
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 55
Slider | 50
Changeup | 40
Control/Command | 60
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Baltimore Orioles |
Bat: Nick Markakis
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 55
Hitting for Power | 55
Speed/Baserunning | 55
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 60
Arm: Zach Britton
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 55
Slider | 45
Changeup | 50
Control/Command | 50
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Boston Red Sox |
Bat: Adrian Gonzalez
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 65
Hitting for Power | 60+
Speed/Baserunning | 45
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 55
Arm: Jon Lester
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 60
Curveball | 55
Changeup | 50
Control/Command | 50+
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Chicago Cubs |
Bat: Starling Castro
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 55
Hitting for Power | 55
Speed/Baserunning | 55
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 60
Arm: Matt Garza
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 65
Curveball | 50
Slider | 45
Changeup | 50
Control/Command | 55
Delivery/Mechanics | 55
| Chicago White Sox |
Bat: Paul Konerko
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 55
Hitting for Power | 60
Speed/Baserunning | 35
Defensive Range | 40
Throwing Arm | 50
Arm: John Danks
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 55
Slider | 55
Changeup | 50
Control/Command | 50
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Cincinnati Reds |
Bat: Joey Votto
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 65
Hitting for Power | 65
Speed/Baserunning | 45+
Defensive Range | 60
Throwing Arm | 55
Arm: Matt Latos
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 65
Curveball | 45
Slider | 60
Changeup | 40
Control/Command | 50
Delivery/Mechanics | 55
| Cleveland Indians |
Bat: Grady Sizemore
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 55
Hitting for Power | 55
Speed/Baserunning | 55
Defensive Range | 50
Throwing Arm | 50+
Arm: Ubaldo Jimenez
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 60+
Curveball | 45
Slider | 50
Changeup | 40
Control/Command | 45
Delivery/Mechanics | 45
| Colorado Rockies |
Bat: Troy Tulowitzki
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 60
Hitting for Power | 60
Speed/Baserunning | 55
Defensive Range | 60
Throwing Arm | 65
Arm: Jhoulys Chacin
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 55
Curveball | 45
Slider | 50
Changeup | 45
Control/Command | 50
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Detroit Tigers |
Bat: Miguel Cabrera
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 70
Hitting for Power | 70
Speed/Baserunning | 35
Defensive Range | 40
Throwing Arm | 50
Arm: Justin Verlander
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 80
Curveball | 70
Slider | 50
Changeup | 55
Control/Command | 55
Delivery/Mechanics | 55
| Houston Astros |
Bat: Carlos Lee
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 45
Hitting for Power | 60
Speed/Baserunning | 40
Defensive Range | 35
Throwing Arm | 50
Arm: Wandy Rodriguez
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 55
Slider | 55
Changeup | 50
Control/Command | 45
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Kansas City Royals |
Bat: Eric Hosmer
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 50+
Hitting for Power | 65
Speed/Baserunning | 40
Defensive Range | 50
Throwing Arm | 55
Arm: Felipe Paulino
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 70
Curveball | 45
Slider | 45
Changeup | 40
Control/Command | 40
Delivery/Mechanics | 45
| Los Angeles Angels |
Bat: Albert Pujols
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 70
Hitting for Power | 70
Speed/Baserunning | 40
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 55
Arm: Dan Haren
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 65
Curveball | 55
Changeup | 45
Control/Command | 55
Delivery/Mechanics | 55
| Los Angeles Dodgers |
Bat: Matt Kemp
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 60
Hitting for Power | 65
Speed/Baserunning | 60
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 60
Arm: Clayton Kershaw
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 70
Curveball | 50
Slider | 70
Changeup | 40
Control/Command | 45
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Milwaukee Brewers |
Bat: Ryan Braun
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 65
Hitting for Power | 65
Speed/Baserunning | 50
Defensive Range | 45
Throwing Arm | 55
Arm: Yovanni Gallardo
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 60
Curveball | 55
Slider | 50
Changeup | 40
Control/Command | 55
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Miami Marlins |
Bat: Jose Reyes
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 60
Hitting for Power | 50+
Speed/Baserunning | 75
Defensive Range | 60
Throwing Arm | 55+
Arm: Josh Johnson
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 70
Slider | 55
Changeup | 45
Control/Command | 55
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Minnesota Twins |
Bat: Joe Mauer
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 65
Hitting for Power | 50
Speed/Baserunning | 50
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 60
Arm: Scott Baker
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 55+
Slider | 50+
Changeup | 45
Control/Command | 60
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| New York Mets |
Bat: David Wright
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 55
Hitting for Power | 55
Speed/Baserunning | 55
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 60
Arm: Mike Pelfrey
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 60
Curveball | 50
Slider | 45
Changeup | 45
Control/Command | 45
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| New York Yankees |
Bat: Robinson Cano
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 60
Hitting for Power | 60
Speed/Baserunning | 55
Defensive Range | 60
Throwing Arm | 60
Arm: CC Sabathia
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 65
Slider | 60
Changeup | 45+
Control/Command | 60
Delivery/Mechanics | 55
| Oakland Athletics |
Bat: Jemile Weeks
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 50
Hitting for Power | 40
Speed/Baserunning | 60
Defensive Range | 50
Throwing Arm | 45+
Arm: Brandon McCarthy
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 55
Slider | 45
Changeup | 35+
Control/Command | 45
Delivery/Mechanics | 50+
| Philadelphia Phillies |
Bat: Chase Utley
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 55
Hitting for Power | 60
Speed/Baserunning | 55
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 55
Arm: Roy Halladay
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 65
Curveball | 65
Changeup | 55
Control/Command | 70
Delivery/Mechanics | 70
| Pittsburgh Pirates |
Bat: Andrew McCutchen
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 55
Hitting for Power | 55+
Speed/Baserunning | 60
Defensive Range | 55+
Throwing Arm | 50+
Arm: Erik Bedard
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 55+
Curveball | 55
Changeup | 35+
Control/Command | 45
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| San Diego Padres |
Bat: Cameron Maybin
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 40
Hitting for Power | 55
Speed/Baserunning | 70
Defensive Range | 65
Throwing Arm | 55
Arm: Edinson Volquez
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 60
Curveball | 50
Slider | 50
Changeup | 40
Control/Command | 45
Delivery/Mechanics | 45
| San Francisco Giants |
Bat: Buster Posey
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 60
Hitting for Power | 60
Speed/Baserunning | 50+
Defensive Range | 60
Throwing Arm | 60
Arm: Tim Lincecum
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 60+
Curveball | 55
Changeup | 65
Control/Command | 45
Delivery/Mechanics | 45
| St. Louis Cardinals |
Bat: Matt Holliday
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 60
Hitting for Power | 60
Speed/Baserunning | 55
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 55
Arm: Chris Carpenter
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 60
Curveball | 55
Changeup | 50+
Control/Command | 55+
Delivery/Mechanics | 60
| Tampa Bay Rays |
Bat: Evan Longoria
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 55
Hitting for Power | 60
Speed/Baserunning | 55
Defensive Range | 65
Throwing Arm | 60
Arm: David Price
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 70
Slider | 60
Changeup | 40
Control/Command | 45
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Texas Rangers |
Bat: Josh Hamilton
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 65
Hitting for Power | 65
Speed/Baserunning | 55
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 55
Arm: Yu Darvish
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 65
Slider | 55
Changeup | 55
Control/Command | 45
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Toronto Blue Jays |
Bat: Jose Bautista
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 60
Hitting for Power | 70
Speed/Baserunning | 50
Defensive Range | 55
Throwing Arm | 65
Arm: Ricky Romero
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 55+
Curveball | 50+
Changeup | 55
Control/Command | 50
Delivery/Mechanics | 50
| Washington Nationals |
Bat: Ryan Zimmerman
Tool | Grade
Hitting, On-Base Skills | 60
Hitting for Power | 60
Speed/Baserunning | 45+
Defensive Range | 65
Throwing Arm | 65
Arm: Stephen Strasburg
Tool | Grade
Fastball | 80
Curveball | 65
Changeup | 45
Control/Command | 55+
Delivery/Mechanics | 45
| Best Overall Tools (Votes only) |
Best Hitter for Average/On-Base Skills
Miguel Cabrera, 3B -- Detroit Tigers
Best Hitter for Power
Jose Bautista, RF -- Toronto Blue Jays
Note: Of the 11 voters -- nine of which are MLB scouts -- eight mentioned Mike Stanton will win this a year from now.
Fastest Baserunner
Carlos Gomez, CF -- Milwaukee Brewers
Best Defensive Corner Infielder
Adrian Beltre, 3B -- Texas Rangers
Best Defensive Middle Infielder
Alexei Ramirez, SS -- Chicago White Sox
Best Defensive Corner Outfielder
(tie) Brett Gardner, LF -- New York Yankees
(tie) Carl Crawford, LF -- Boston Red Sox
Best Defensive Centerfielder
Franklin Gutierrez -- Seattle Mariners
Best Defensive Catcher
Yadier Molina -- St. Louis Cardinals
Best Infield Arm
Adrian Beltre, 3B -- Texas Rangers
Best Outfield Arm
Shin-soo Choo, RF -- Cleveland Indians
Best Fastball (Starters only)
Justin Verlander, RHP -- Detroit Tigers
Best Curveball
(tie) Verlander
(tie) Gio Gonzalez, LHP -- Washington Nationals
Best Slider
(tie) Clayton Kershaw, LHP -- Los Angeles Dodgers
(tie) CC Sabathia, LHP -- New York Yankees
Best Changeup
(tie) Cole Hamels, LHP -- Philadelphia Phillies
(tie) James Shields, RHP -- Tampa Bay Rays
(tie) Tim Lincecum, RHP -- San Francisco Giants
Best Command/Control
(tie) Cliff Lee, LHP -- Philadelphia Phillies
(tie) Roy Hallday, RHP -- Philadelphia Phillies
mlb\'s-top-tools
Comments
The following 2 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: maqman on 02-29-2012 11:21:21 Some impressive numbers, hard to argue with them. I agree that Stanton will be the best power bat after this season. Thanks to you and your scouting assists for the effort this took. |
| 2. By: diderot on 02-29-2012 11:43:21 Wait--how do Felix and our best hitter (?) compare? |
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