Toughest to throw out stealing
By White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski
1. Carl Crawford, Devil Rays. “He’s the fastest, and he’s a good baserunner.”
2. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners.
3. Orlando Cabrera, Angels. “He’s not the fastest, but he always seems to get a good jump.”
4. Derek Jeter, Yankees.
5. Corey Patterson, Orioles.
Sweetest lefty swings
By Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, a left-handed hitter with a career .333 average
1. Hank Blalock, Rangers. “I’m a big fan. I like the way he plays the game, and he has a great-looking swing. Very smooth.”
2. Prince Fielder, Brewers. “Violent. Compact and violent.”
3. Ken Griffey, Reds. “Sweet. So simple and pretty. He tends to get overlooked anymore, but what a player. What a natural.”
4. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners. “It’s amazing to see someone who’s able to run and swing at the same time.”
5. Lance Berkman, Astros. “I know he’s a switch-hitter, but I like the way when he hits a home run, he sets the bat down on the ground, then starts around the bases. Who else does that?”
Best right-handed swings
By Cardinals right-handed slugger Albert Pujols
1. Manny Ramirez, Red Sox. “I know he’s not hitting this year, but hey, neither am I.”
2. Vladimir Guerrero, Angels. “This guy can get a good swing on any pitch. He can hit anything.”
3. Gary Sheffield, Tigers. “When I watch these guys, I watch as both a fan and as a student of the game. You never know when you might learn something. These guys all have one thing in common: They stay inside and they stay on top of the ball. That’s what makes them great hitters.”
4. Derek Jeter, Yankees.
5. Miguel Cabrera, Marlins.
Pitchers I’d pay to see
By Brewers No. 1 starter Ben Sheets
1. Jake Peavy, Padres. “His stuff is just so nasty.”
2. Dontrelle Willis, Marlins. “He looks like he’s having fun out there, and I like that.”
3. Roy Oswalt, Astros. “Little in stature, but he brings big stuff.”
4. Johan Santana, Twins. “I like to watch him on TV. If I’m watching him live, it means he’s pitching against us.”
5. Felix Hernandez, Mariners. “Electric.”
Players I’d pay to see
By Twins center fielder Torii Hunter
1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees. “He comes to play every day. I don’t think people appreciate how good he is.”
2. Barry Bonds, LF, Giants. “I’m talking about Barry in the old days. When he used to steal, win Gold Gloves, when he did everything.”
3. Grady Sizemore, CF, Indians. “He plays hard, is left-handed. Has a good on-base percentage. He plays a good center.”
4. Jose Reyes, SS, Mets. “I like guys who can change the complexion of a game even when they don’t get a hit.”
5. Fausto Carmona, SP, Indians. “I could watch this guy pitch every day. His ball sinks like no other. He throws 93, 94 and can get it to 97. He’s right there with Francisco Liriano, talent-wise.”
Best players 40 and over
By Indians reliever Roberto Hernandez, 42
1. Barry Bonds, Giants. “Gotta be.”
2. John Smoltz, Braves. “His competitive nature is unbelievable.”
3. Omar Vizquel, Giants. “To be an everyday shortstop at 40 is impressive. He doesn’t look like he’s lost any speed or agility. If he has lost anything, he made up for it by gaining instincts.”
4. Moises Alou, Mets. “Still a very dangerous hitter.”
5. Tom Glavine, Mets.
NL’s smartest hitters
By Astros catcher and Dartmouth alum Brad Ausmus
1. Carlos Delgado, Mets. “He’s very in tune with what the pitcher is going to throw.”
2. Barry Bonds, Giants. “He understands how he might be attacked and how the situation changes that.”
3. Orlando Palmeiro, Astros. “It’s even more difficult for him because, as a guy who usually gets only one at-bat, he hasn’t had the benefit of seeing the pitcher for two or three at-bats.”
4. Chase Utley, Phillies.
5. Jeff Kent, Dodgers.
AL’s smartest hitters
By Tigers closer Todd Jones
1. Derek Jeter, Yankees. “He is the last guy in the league you want to face with a runner on third and less than two outs.”
2. Manny Ramirez, Red Sox. “Manny is known for sitting on a pitch for one at-bat, two at-bats or an entire game. So when the pitch he’s waiting on comes, he’s ready.”
3. Placido Polanco, Tigers. “Only a few guys can adjust to what a pitcher is trying to do during an at-bat. Jeter is one. Polanco is another.”
4. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox. “He is great for their lineup because they need professional hitters who can keep an inning going.”
5. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners. “He has the ability to change his approach depending on the situation. Late in a game, if you need a sacrifice fly, he can hit one. If you need a grounder to the right side, he can do that.”
Toughest to strike out
By Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina
1. Brian Roberts, Orioles. “I only see him from the left side (Roberts is a switch-hitter), but he’s someone who doesn’t mind taking his singles to left.”
2. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners. “He could hit more doubles and homers if he wanted to, but he’s more about putting the ball in play and using his speed.”
3. Orlando Cabrera, Angels. “Like all these guys who are looking to put the ball in play and run well, his approach is pretty much the same whether the count is 2-0 or 1-2.”
4. Frank Catalanotto, Rangers. “I have to put him on here because it seems like he always gets three hits against me.” (Pretty close. Catalanotto is hitting .441 against Mussina.)
5. Michael Young, Rangers. “For a guy who gets 200 hits every season, he doesn’t strike out much.”
Best players 22 and under
By Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, 22
1. Delmon Young, Devil Rays.
2. Felix Hernandez, Mariners. “I’ve only seen him on TV, but batting against him doesn’t look like a fun time.”
3. B.J. Upton, Devil Rays. “I played with him (in their amateur days in Virginia). His arm is almost too good. He’d get the ball and wait, wait, wait … then boom. The ball’s at first.”
4. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies. “We played together on Team USA. Good fielder. Can hit for power. Faster than you think. A really good athlete.”
5. Tim Lincecum, Giants.
Most underappreciated
By Pirates left fielder Jason Bay
1. J.J. Hardy, Brewers. “He’s been looked at as a great fielder and pretty good hitter, but I think his home runs and RBIs have caught people by surprise.”
2. Prince Fielder, Brewers.
3. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins. “When we played these guys, he was barreling everything. Fast, and he’s also big. Kind of sneaky-big. You don’t notice it until you stand beside him. Then it’s like, wow.”
4. Kelly Johnson, Braves. “On a team full of stars, a lot of their other guys get more pub. But he’s got good power numbers, and he does a good job of putting the bat on the ball.”
5. Oliver Perez, Mets. “Another guy on a team of superstars. He was with us, so I’ve seen him through the good and the bad. He’s always had the stuff. This year, he’s been putting it all together.”
