With last week’s re-ranking of the American League’s best offensive players completed, this week we go to the National League. Below are the best 10 offensive threats in the senior circuit and right below each player is who we projected at that spot before the season began. Statistics are through Sunday’s games.
10. Jason Kubel, Arizona Diamondbacks; 2012 Offensive stats: .300/.372/.585 (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging,) 21 home runs, 71 RBIs, 50 runs scored, 37/90 walks/strikeouts, 1/2 steals/attempts—Kubel has always had some power but is on pace to easily outdistance his previous best of 28 home runs in 2009. He’s especially been on fire of late with 17 home runs and 47 RBIs since June 5.
We had: Hunter Pence who is not too far off from this list, hitting at slightly above average .271 but with 17 home runs and 57 RBIs.
9. Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals; 2012 Offensive stats: .292/.371/.529, 21 home runs, 69 RBIs, 54 runs scored, 42/65 walks/strikeouts, 9/13 steals/attempts—Five-tool star Carlos Beltran, who signed with St. Louis after three-time MVP Albert Pujols bolted for Los Angeles, has been able to be a viable replacement, ranking third in home runs and second in RBIs. Beltran and Kubel have similar stats though Carlos gets the nod with his speed and prowess on the base paths, even at age 35.
We had: David Wright. See below at No. 2.
8. Melky Cabrera, San Francisco Giants; 2012 Offensive stats: .356/.400/.534, 10 home runs, 49 RBIs, 64 runs scored, 29/50 walks/strikeouts, 10/15 steals/attempts—Cabrera’s output this year proves last season in Kansas City (.305, 18 home runs, 87 RBIs) was no fluke. Though he has less power than Beltran his superior average as well as the fact that he hits in a pitcher’s park gives him the slight edge here.
We had: Pablo Sandoval who has missed 35 games this season, though has hit a respectable .296 with 8 home runs and 32 RBIs when he’s been in the lineup.
7. Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals; 2012 Offensive stats: .321/.402/.533, 16 home runs, 63 RBIs, 61 runs scored, 46/73 walks/strikeouts, 4/6 steals/attempts—Holliday was off this list entirely after hitting just .215 in April but has been on fire ever since with a .359 average since the beginning of May. The 32-year-old gets the slight edge over Cabrera here with only his recent hot streak projecting him to move up the list.
We had: Matt Holliday.
