PECOTA's Top 50

[Yoda]

Fantasy-wise no but 25 year old catchers with .373 career OBP don't grow on trees. Plus he is solid defensively and hits for a little pop.

Well, then I guess McCann and Mauer should be top 25 as well since they are just as young and better than Martin.

[J35J]

Do keep in mind this is for REAL baseball not fantasy. With that said, I'm not too impressed with the list so far. #1 for me would be a staff ace as far as real baseball goes. I think all the top pitchers should be toward the top of this list when it comes out.

[Yoda]

Do keep in mind this is for REAL baseball not fantasy. With that said, I'm not too impressed with the list so far. #1 for me would be a staff ace as far as real baseball goes. I think all the top pitchers should be toward the top of this list when it comes out.

I realize that this is for real baseball. However, catchers tend to have a lot shorter shelf life on average. Mauer is arguably the best overall catcher in MLB. McCann is a much better hitter than Martin and plays solid defense as well. I would argue all day that Mauer/McCann are better than Martin.

I agree with you that most, if not all the top spots should be near the top.

[Pogotheostrich]

Well, then I guess McCann and Mauer should be top 25 as well since they are just as young and better than Martin.

They will both be in the top 25 cause they weren't mentioned yet. Mauer is better but I'm not so sure about McCann. He'll hit for more power than Martin but I don't think he can get on base as often plus his defense is pretty bad.

[clevername]

any list that has a player who hasn't even stepped onto a Major League field as the 32nd best player in the game is worthless.

[Pogotheostrich]

any list that has a player who hasn't even stepped onto a Major League field as the 32nd best player in the game is worthless.

The question isn't "Who are the best players?". The question is "Who are the best players to build a team around?" That gives youngers players a huge boost.

[thedude]

The list is not choosing the 50 best players today. It is listing the best players to build around for next seven years based on VORP. VORP is heavily dependent upon position, so of course a young second baseman who had a rookie WARP of 7.1 (and will have a WARP over 7.5 in his second year) will be highly rated. That is also why the young catchers are so highly rated. the replacement level offense of a corner OF or 1b/3b is so much higher the replacement level for middle infielders and catchers, that is going to effect the list.

[thedude]

Here is the second half of the list:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/artic ... cleid=7976

[Yoda]

It is still severely flawed. No Kershaw? The youngest pitcher in MLB by far today and more than holding his own is not even an honorable mention? Please.

[J35J]

First pitcher is #9.....I don't like that. I'm absolutely building my team around a young stud arm...Lincecum, Hamels, etc