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2017 MLB Best Tools



By BA Staff
on August 7, 2017

Baseball America asked major league managers, coaches, scouts and executives to identify the best players in their league in a variety of categories.

Best Hitter
1. Mike Trout, Angels1. Joey Votto, Reds
2. Jose Altuve, Astros2. Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
3. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers3. Daniel Murphy, Nationals
Best Power
1. Aaron Judge, Yankees1. Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
2. Joey Gallo, Rangers2. Bryce Harper, Nationals
3. Miguel Sano, Twins3. Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
Best Bunter
1. Jarrod Dyson, Mariners1. Dee Gordon, Marlins
2. Elvis Andrus, Rangers2. Ender Inciarte, Braves
3. Delino DeShields Jr., Rangers3. Cesar Hernandez, Phillies
Best Strike-Zone Judgment
1. Joe Mauer, Twins1. Joey Votto, Reds
2. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers2. Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
3. Mookie Betts, Red Sox3. Buster Posey, Giants
Best Hit-And-Run Artist
1. Jose Altuve, Astros1. Martin Prado, Marlins
2. Elvis Andrus, Rangers2. D.J. LeMahieu, Rockies
3. Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox3. Daniel Murphy, Nationals
Best Baserunner
1. Mookie Betts, Red Sox1. Billy Hamilton, Reds
2. Jarrod Dyson, Mariners2. Trea Turner, Nationals
3. Mike Trout, Angels3. Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
Fastest Baserunner
1. Byron Buxton, Twins1. Billy Hamilton, Reds
2. Jarrod Dyson, Mariners2. Trea Turner, Nationals
3. Delino DeShields Jr., Rangers3. Dee Gordon, Marlins
Most Exciting Player
1. Mike Trout, Angels1. Bryce Harper, Nationals
2. Aaron Judge, Yankees2. Nolan Arenado, Rockies
3. Mookie Betts, Red Sox3. Kris Bryant, Cubs
Best Pitcher
1. Chris Sale, Red Sox1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
2. Corey Kluber, Indians2. Max Scherzer, Nationals
3. Dallas Keuchel, Astros3. Zack Greinke, D-backs
Best Fastball
1. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees1. Carlos Martinez, Cardinals
2. Chris Sale, Red Sox2. Noah Syndergaard, Mets
3. Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox3. Max Scherzer, Nationals
Best Curveball
1. Lance McCullers Jr., Astros1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
2. Dellin Betances, Yankees2. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
3. Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox3. Gio Gonzalez, Nationals
Best Slider
1. Chris Sale, Red Sox1. Max Scherzer, Nationals
2. Chris Archer, Rays2. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
3. Corey Kluber, Indians3. Noah Syndergaard, Mets
Best Changeup
1. Marco Estrada, Blue Jays1. Zack Greinke, D-backs
2. Dallas Keuchel, Astros2. Max Scherzer, Nationals
3. Chris Sale, Red Sox3. Kyle Hendricks, Cubs
Best Control
1. Josh Tomlin, Indians1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
2. Chris Sale, Red Sox2. Zack Greinke, D-backs
3. Dallas Keuchel, Astros3. Kenley Jansen, Dodgers
Best Pickoff Move
1. Alex Cobb, Rays1. Julio Teheran, Braves
2. Wade Miley, Orioles2. Johnny Cueto, Reds
3. James Shields, White Sox3. Clayton Richard, Padres
Best Reliever
1. Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox1. Kenley Jansen, Dodgers
2. Andrew Miller, Indians2. Greg Holland, Rockies
3. Dellin Betances, Yankees3. Wade Davis, Cubs
Best Defensive C
1. Salvador Perez, Royals1. Buster Posey, Giants
2. Martin Maldonado, Angels2. Yadier Molina, Cardinals
3. Christian Vazquez, Red Sox3. Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers
Best Defensive 1B
1. Eric Hosmer, Royals1. Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
2. Mitch Moreland, Red Sox2. Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
3. Logan Morrison, Rays3. Brandon Belt, Giants
Evan Carter (Photo By Ben Ludeman Texas Rangers Getty Images)

Baseball America Kyle Glaser Subscriber Chat (6/1/23)

Kyle Glaser hosted a subscriber chat and discussed Kristian Robinson's return to pro ball, Endy Rodriguez's slow start and more. You can read the transcript here.

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