2012 Top National League Players

Baseball Blogger’s Alliance members vote for a variety of post-season awards. Its Stan Musial Award is given to the top player in each league. In this blog post I will discuss my National League choices.

1. Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants. Buster Posey is a lock for the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award, and deservedly so. The starting National League All Star catcher had a good first half, but after the All-Star break, as July turned into the dog days of August and the team found itself in need of additional offense, Posey stepped up his performance to superstar proportions. His second half numbers include a .456 OBP, and a .385/.646/1.102 slash line. Posey is a quiet star, maintaining an even demeanor  regardless of the circumstances, traits that can be used to describe his hitting. His power comes from perfect mechanics, a keen eye and exceptional bat speed. It is that bat speed that enables him to see a pitch a split second longer than most, which is often enough for him to be more selective in the pitches he chooses to take a swing at, resulting in the gaudy numbers I listed above. He was also superb with the glove, giving the Giants outstanding defensive value whether catching or at first base. To the right, we see the MVP on his 2012 Topps card.

2. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers. Braun delivered an even better season than last year, when he was the N.L. MVP. He clubbed 41 home runs, had a .391 OBP, and put together a .319/.595/.987 slash line.

3. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals. Molina has always been a gifted defensive catcher, but this season, when several key Cardinal players were felled by injuries, he stepped up his offensive production. He hit 22 home runs, had a .373 OBP and a .315/.501/.874 slash line.

4. Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates. This was the year that Andrew McCutchen emerged as a bona-fide superstar. His spirited play and other worldly first-half production keyed a Pirates team that was a serious contender, until the strengths of better teams and the Buc’s own weaknesses became apparent in August and September. McCutchen’s first half stats included a .414 OBP, 18 home runs, and a .362/..625/1.039 slash line. Many people consider the twenty-five year old center fielder the best pure athlete in the league.

5. Chase Headley, San Diego Padres. How does a team that goes 76-86 get one of its players this high on the list? By having Chase Headley on its roster. Without him, the Padres may have threatened the Colorado Rockies for last place in the N.L. West Divison. In 161 games played, the third baseman hit 31 home runs, and after the All-Star break, had a .308/.592/.978 slash line.

6. David Wright, New York Mets. The longest tenured Mets player and face of its franchise had his best year ever with the leather (dWAR 2.1) and a sizzling first half with the bat. Even after a much cooler second half, Wright found himself in the top tier of National League players statistically for the entire season. All told, he had a .391 OBP, 21 home runs in a Citi Field that is still spacious even after last year’s tummy tuck, and a .306/.492/.883 slash line.

7. Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals. The first baseman hit 33 home runs, had a .343 OBP, and .271/.510/.853 slash line. He also lead the team with 155 games played.

8. Michael Bourne, Atlanta Braves. Bourne is one of the finest defensive players in the game today. On offense, the Braves leadoff hitter had 10 triples, a .348 OBP, stole 42 bases  and sparked his team with a .274/.391/.739 slash line.

9. Matt Holiday, St. Louis Cardinals. The left fielder led the team with 155 games, hit 27 home runs, got on base at a .379 clip, and put up a .295/.497/.877  slash line.

10. Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds. The durable right fielder smacked 34 home runs, took 62 walks, and had a .252/.514/.841 slash line.