Oakland Park Baseball

I wanted people’s takes on the most underrated players in the MLB. Who are they?

Now, I don’t want people saying shit like, “Gee, Tom Glavine isn’t getting the attention he deserves” or “Wow, Manny Ramirez’s defense isn’t that bad!” I want real, true, underrated players who never get the right attention.

Oh, and avoid individuals who play on your favorite team. Lets dig deep.

So, how exactly do you mean underrated? People who have good stats and just don't get recognition, or people who are just valuable to a team because of their presence, ect?

Tayster wrote:So, how exactly do you mean underrated? People who have good stats and just don't get recognition, or people who are just valuable to a team because of their presence, ect?

A bit of both.

I wish I could comment here, but I really don't know enough yet, so I'll keep my limey mouth shut.

I know this doesn't follow the guidelines you set, but how about the entire A's team except for Harden and Zito?

Felipe Lopez (CIN - SS):

• 2005 - 148 G, .291 AVG (169/580), 34 2B, 23 HR, 85 RBI, 15 SB
  2006 - 69 G, .277 AVG (77/278), 12 2B, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 38 BB, 56 K, 20 SB

Reed Johnson (TOR - OF):

• 2005 - 142 G, .269 AVG (107/398), .332 OBP, .990 Fielding %, 5 OFA
  2006 - 50 G, .359 AVG (52/145), .443 OBP, .987 Fielding %, 3 OFA

Freddy Sanchez (PIT -2B):

• 2005 - 132 G, .291 AVG (132/453), .336 OBP, 26 2B, 27 BB, 36 K, .986 Fielding %
  2006 - 67 G, .350 AVG (77/220), .387 OBP, 18 2B, 12 BB, 16 K, .976 Fielding %

Nick Swisher (OAK - OF):

• 2005 - 131 G, .236 AVG (109/462), .322 OBP, 32 2B, 21 HR, 55 BB, 110 K, .990 Fielding %, 6 OFA
  2006 - 68 G, .286 AVG (71/248), .389 OBP, 13 2B, 17 HR, 40 BB, 55 K, .988 Fielding %, 2 OFA

Baseball=Life wrote:I know this doesn't follow the guidelines you set, but how about the entire A's team except for Harden and Zito?

This is when my head blows up! But, yes, I see where you are coming from.

Nick, I agree, but I am not so sure about Felipe Lopez. Last year until the all-start game he was awesom, but I am not so sure anymore.

Pedro Feliz is totally underrated---I didn't feel this way until this season. Yes, I was wrong in the past about this.

Matt Holliday (though not so much anymore) and Brad Hawpe

Southpaw Slim wrote:Matt Holliday (though not so much anymore) and Brad Hawpe

How do you factor Coors Field into that?

I believe you don't have to anymore as teh humidor has helped to level Coors off and last time I checked the park is actually at or below league average in runs/homers per game.

Chad Tracy, Jhonny Estrada and Alexis Rios (I know he's always been hyped and dismissed for not living up to it but at his current pace he is top 3 contenders for MVP).

Chad Tracy, absolutely. Scott was showing me the stats recently, and he's one of the most --if not THE most-- underrated players in the past decade.

Past decade? I agree he's good, but he has all of two full seasons under his belt.

What about Seattle's Raul Ibanez?

Yeah, I think you may be confusing him with someone else Nick.

Peter, great call on Ibanez.

Paul Byrd???

My fault. I think it was Mark Grace I was referring to. Those damn D'Backs all look the same to me.

I agree that Ibañez is often overlooked, but I'm not sure he's underrated.

As for Byrd... I'm not too certain about that one. In my opinion, he gets the moderate amount of respect that he deserves. He's not exactly overpowering.

If we're talking about recent Braves pitchers, I think Horatio Ramirez is WAAAAAY more underrated than Byrd.