Player ratings revisited

By Ryan Wilkins Sports Central Columnist

Well, here we go again.

For those of you not "in the know," approximately two weeks ago in this space, yours truly evaluated a list of baseball players -- originally published by ESPN.com -- that were said to be the "Most Underrated" in the game.

Surprisingly enough, over the following week, that said list created quite a stir within the confines of my usually dormant Inbox -- with a number of ornery readers asking: "Well, if Garret Anderson -- of all people -- isn't underrated, then who is Mr. Smarty Man?"

Now, in the beginning, I responded to most queries with a name or two that I found to be intriguing -- hoping that such a reply could help me drop this topic once and for all. Nevertheless, the e-mails refused to subside, and yours truly pretty much just gave up toward the end -- realizing that, after all, he would have to pursue this topic in column form.

So, without further ado, I present to you a list of the five most legitimately underrated baseball players today -- something that, hopefully, can settle this discussion once and for all:

1. Magglio Ordonez, Chicago White Sox

A very strong case can be made for Magglio Ordonez as the best right fielder in baseball today, yet, as Doug Padilla of the Chicago Sun-Times recently wrote: "Ask a non-Rotisserie geek in Anaheim, Seattle, Baltimore, or Boston who Ordonez is and don't be surprised if they can't place him on the Sox."

Now, as horribly incorrect as that statement might be, that still does not mean that Magglio is a player who has been recognized for his greatness over the past three seasons. Since joining the Sox full-time in 1998, Ordonez has averaged nearly 27 homeruns and 34 doubles a season -- while increasing his walk-rate every year. In 2000, Ordonez finished 12th in the AL MVP voting after posting an impressive .315/.371/.546 at the age of 26.

In 2001, Ordonez set career-highs in doubles, walks, and stolen-bases -- and enters 2002 still in the prime of his career. Simply put, Ordonez is Garret Anderson, if Anderson learned not to swing at everything within spitting distance of the batter's box.

2. Bobby Abreu, Philadelphia Phillies

Is there anything that this guy doesn't do well? The only 30/30 man in the National League in 2001, Abreu is one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball -- yet, because he is mired in "boo"-ridden Philadelphia, nary a recognition comes his way. Instead, writers focus on players like players like Vinny Castilla who haven't been productive since 1998 (and that's not even adjusting for Coors Field).

Are there too many players who you could name that, by posting .289/.393/.522 in 2001, were actually having a "down year"? If you answered "no", don't feel bad. The reason why is because there just aren't too many.

3. Brian Giles. Pittsburgh Pirates

Yeah, yeah, I know, he was on the last list. However, Giles' inclusion a second time should go to show everyone how good he really is, and how unrecognized his efforts have been. Career numbers of .303/.409/.560 actually outdo the likes of Ken Griffey, Jr. -- believe it or not -- and have been accumulated in equal or tougher conditions than where Griffey has played.

4. Javier Vazquez, Montreal Expos

Only 25, Vazquez has just begun to establish himself as one of the elite pitchers in the game -- with many people talking about him as possibly becoming the "Best Pitcher of the Aughts."

Though his career numbers look unimpressive at this point (41-43 W/L, 4.51 ERA), his second half of 2001 was arguably the best of any pitcher in the major leagues -- going 9-2 with a 1.60 ERA, and only 15 walks as compared to 94 strikeouts. Nevertheless, until Vazquez is able to find himself outside the city of Montreal, it is doubtful that he will become the household name he deserves to be -- but then again, given Montreal's potential contraction at the end of 2002, that might not be as far off as some people think.

5. Mike Piazza, New York Mets

Yes, Mike Piazza. Though it may seem that Piazza has spent his entire career in the spotlight, it would be an understatement to say that he has been undervalued as a player -- and thus underrated by many of his critics.

Though many debates rage on throughout the country as to who is the best catcher in baseball, Ivan Rodriguez or Piazza, there really shouldn't even be a discussion. Though Pudge is great in his own right -- and no one is trying to take that away from him -- Piazza is the best offensive catcher in the history of the game, whereas Pudge just might -- barely -- rank in the top seven or ten.

But, what is that, you say? Pudge's defense makes up for the difference? Well, somewhat, but not quite. You see, while Rodriguez's ability to throw out runners and "handle a pitching staff" might certainly outmatch Piazza's ability to do so -- the difference between the best offensive player and the worst offensive player is much greater than the difference between the worst defensive player and the best defensive player.

Granted, Rodriguez might very well prevent 25 runs a year with his arm alone -- with Piazza being slightly below average -- but that does not make up for the fact that Piazza creates close to 50 more runs with his bat, per year, than Rodriguez does.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.