The most feared hitter in MLB

by crw89 on Apr 25, 2008 10:37 AM CDT

As my first post, I'd like to say that this is BY FAR the best place to go in search of news, rumors, and general opinions of all things Cubs-related. In reading the latest Rumblings by Jayson Stark, he discusses the most feared hitter in MLB, now that Barry Bonds is unemployed :)

The consensus among all various club execs and scouts have Albert Pujols as the most feared when the game is on the line. I agree, even though he is with the hated Cards, you walk him (if possible). I was also glad to see DLee mentioned in this group as he is the complete professional in terms of using the whole field with plus power.

Here's the link:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

Out of all the players mentioned, here is how I would rank the top 5:

1. Pujols (remember the moon shot he hit off of Lidge in the 2005 NLCS to extend the series)

2. Manny or Ortiz (either would suffice here)

3. Vlad Guerrero (the guy can take one out regardless of pitch location)

4. DLee (extremely hot right now)

5. Chase Utley (leading with 10 HRs, IMO reminds me of my fav, Ryno)

How would you rank them with the game on the line?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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With the game on the line

I send Ortiz to the plate.

"I don't want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me." Frank Costello

by kalamazoo_cubs_fan on Apr 25, 2008 10:43 AM CDT reply actions

Cool post

I interpret “Most Feared Hitter” as the batter that you would not want to have to pitch to, in any situation. So, my list:

1. Pujols (Obvious reasons)
2. Ortiz (He just looks intimidating up there)
3. Manny (Maybe the best RH RBI guy I’ve seen)
4. ARod (No explanation needed)
5. Vlad (He can beat you in so many different ways)

So nobody has to see the scroll bar on my posts!!!!

by McRipper on Apr 25, 2008 10:51 AM CDT reply actions

Good Diary..

I’d say:

1) Pooholes
2) ManRam
3) Jeter
4) Ortiz
5) ARod

Just off the top of my head..

The journey is the reward!

by wicubfan on Apr 25, 2008 11:40 AM CDT reply actions

Jeter?

are you serious? don’t get me wrong, i’m not knocking the guy’s talent, but he’s not much of a power threat.

by Petrie000 on Apr 26, 2008 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Power isn't necessarily the reason..

.... someone would make this list. Fearing a hitter in a critical situation doesn’t mean the guy would hit a HR; you’re talking about clutch hitting, not specifically power hitting.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 26, 2008 4:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Jeter still shouldn't be in the top 5

and certainly not ahead of A-Rod. Interesting how baseball people have A-rod as one of the most feared hitters, wheras if you were to ask the fans and the media, Jeter would probably be in first or close to the top (sigh).

VORPy

by VS on Apr 26, 2008 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions

In 2 out/RISP situations...

... Jeter is .317/.417/.448 in his career (950 PA). 18 HR.

A-Rod is .272/.398/.486 in his career (1012 PA). 47 HR.

Pretty darn close, actually. A-Rod hits more HR in those situations—but Jeter’s probably the better hitter.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 26, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions

That's very arbitrary, Al

Jeter is a great hitter, so of course he is going to hit well in all situations, just like A-Rod. But even in 2 out/RISP situations, A-rod hits for much more power and has better plate discipline. Jeter hits for more contact, but that is easily canceled by A-rod’s power.

VORPy

by VS on Apr 26, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions

But what helps you win games in those situations?

Could be ANY of the above, right?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 26, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

The most feared hitter in the MLB

RYAN THERIOT

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Apr 25, 2008 11:47 AM CDT reply actions

LMAO

Of the players mentioned, the one I’d least like to face with the game on the line is Ortiz. He always, ALWAYS seems to get the big hit at the most important moment.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 25, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Of the Cubs...

...I would give Aramis the title of “most feared” hitter. Sure, DLee is great, and Dome has been unstoppable in terms of getting on base and extending innings. But Aramis is the guy who will put a ball in the bleachers at the absolutely ideal time. Recent case in point: Wednesday night’s game.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by daver on Apr 25, 2008 11:52 AM CDT reply actions

Best. Walkoff. Ever.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 25, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

that might be one the greatest "moment in time" Cub photographs...

...of all time.

Rarely in baseball do you capture the emotion of so many different players in one photograph.

Felix Pie must play everyday!

by JB 23 on Apr 25, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

It's my personal fave

Here’s another view

"It makes sense it really does" -Lou on Soriano hitting 3-4-5

by TheRamZamDLEE on Apr 25, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice pics

That guys has some really nice pics. Esp. of the Lee fight unfolding last year. Check them out.

I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Apr 25, 2008 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions

That photo looks oddly familiar...

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 25, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

OH NO SORIANO

DONT HOP!!!!!!

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Apr 25, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 25, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Awesome. I'm LOL at this ROFLcopter.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by daver on Apr 25, 2008 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

You're not ROFL at it?

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 25, 2008 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

No, but I might LMAO if I stare at it long enough.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by daver on Apr 25, 2008 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Hilarious...

I wonder if this guy is in there:

You ARE freaking out MAN!

by crw89 on Apr 25, 2008 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Apr 25, 2008 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Ahhh Beat me to it!

Sori should watch out for Izturis when he spreads that wide though.

"In all the categories that you pay the most attention to, except the loss column, we're doing very well" - Jim Hendry

by Jayo525 on Apr 25, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Depends on the situation, but here I go...

ALL MLB…
1. Ortiz
2. Pujols
3. Utley
4. Ichiro (as long its not Spring Training!)
5. D.Lee

CUBS…
1. D.Lee
2. A.Ram
3. Dome
4. ONEDEC (I know, I know)
5. Ward (give ‘em a little time, slow start)

by socalicubsfan on Apr 25, 2008 12:23 PM CDT reply actions

cubs...

I wonder if Geo will make a push for the Cubs top 5 this year.
If Big Z reads this, you know he’ll try to hit every pitch out of the park(rather than 9 out of 10).

by gx4 on Apr 25, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions