The Launch Angle's All-Decade Team of the 2010's is as follows:
SP: Max Scherzer
RP: Craig Kimbrel
C: Yadier Molina
1B: Miguel Cabrera
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Adrian Beltre
SS: Troy Tulowitzki
LF: J.D. Martinez
CF: Mike Trout
RF: Jose Bautista
DH: Edwin Encarnacion
Here is our rationale for each choice:
Scherzer: While there are other notable pitchers of the decade that have had better statistics, such as Verlander and Kershaw, Scherzer performance in the decade certainly holds. With seven All-Star appearnaces, three Cy Youngs, and a 2019 World Series ring, his resume decade is highly impressive. While this is a difficult choice, it all depends on preference.
Kimbrel: During the decade, Kimbrel had the 4th highest SO/9 (14.61), 4th highest LOB% (84.4%), the 3rd lowest ERA, and the 2nd lowest FIP (2.19) amongst relievers in the 2010's. These numbers led to seven All-Star appearances, two Reliever of the Year awards (A.L. and N.L.), and a World Series victory in 2018.
Molina: Yadier Molina is the best defensive catcher of the decade, winning seven Gold Gloves and four Platinum Gloves, en route to two World Series appearances, winning a ring in 2011. Aside from his defense, Molina was also effective offensively, posting the 3rd lowest SO% of the decade (11.2%), tying for 11th in wOBA (0.329), and ranking 8th in home runs (121) amongst catchers in this time frame.
Cabrera: Miguel Cabrera was the most prolific offensive player at his position in the 2010's, as he won both an M.V.P. and a Triple Crown in 2012, and then followed that year with another M.V.P. award in 2013. In the decade, Cabrera led the Majors four times in batting average and OBP%, and twice in SLG% and OPS. Amongst the advanced sabermetrics, he ranked 2nd in wOBA (0.398) and is tied for 1st in wRC+ (153) amongst first basemen. In totality, his prowess as an offensive player in this decade is unquestionable.
Cano: No one will deny Cano's offensive production in the 2010's, as he had the most home runs (237), tied for 3rd in OBP% (0.359), and ranked 2nd in wOBA (0.364) and wRC+ (131) amongst second basemen in the decade. However, his defense was also highly underrated, as he ranks 2nd in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) with 41 and in Double Play Runs Saved (rGDP) with 14 in his position group. Regarding accolades, his play garnered seven All-Star selections, four Silver Sluggers, and two Gold Gloves.
Beltre: Adrian Beltre had as great of a career as any third basemen in the history of Major League Baseball, spanning twenty-one years. In the context of the 2010's, one could argue that was when he was at his apex. All of Beltre's All-Star selections came in the decade, along with three Silver Sluggers, three Gold Gloves, and two Platinum Gloves in 2011 and 2012. From a numbers perspective, Beltre ranked 9th in OBP% (0.358), 4th in SLG% (0.514), and tied for 3rd in wRC+ (130) amongst third basemen.
Tulowitzki: One of the most productive offensive players at shortstop, Tulowitzki was a versatile offensive force in the 2010's. He finished in the top five of home runs hit and top ten in BB% amongst the position. He also ranks 1st in OBP% (0.363), 3rd in SLG% (0.506), 1st in wOBA (0.373) and 3rd in wRC+ (125) amongst shortstops in the decade.
Martinez: The only player to win two Silver Sluggers in the same year, at two different positions, J.D. Martinez's offensive output in this decade was elite amongst leftfielders. In the 2010's, he hit the 3rd most home runs (231), ranked 7th in ISO (0.243), 2nd in BABIP (0.346), 1st in SLG% (0.537), and tied for 2nd in wOBA (0.376) and wRC+ (137) amongst the position group.
Trout: The $430 million dollar man for the Los Angeles Angels, Mike Trout is making his case as not only the best player in M.L.B., but also as the greatest player ever. He has won three M.V.P. awards in the decade, along with eight All-Star selections and seven Silver Sluggers. He has also led Major League Baseball in OBP% and OPS four times, and in SLG% three times. For the decade, Trout's OPS is an impressive 1.000. He ranks first amongst centerfielders in Home Runs, Runs, BB%, ISO, Batting Average, OBP%, SLG%, wOBA and wRC+.
Bautista: Jose Bautista, also known as "Joey Bats," had one of the most productive decades amongst rightfielders. With six All-Star appearances and three Silver Sluggers, Bautista ranks in the top ten in general power measures in baseball amongst his position group, such as Home Runs, SLG%, ISO, and OPS. However, his on-base abilities are equally as great, ranking 2nd in BB% (15.6%), 7th in OBP% (0.373), and 4th in wOBA (0.378) amongst his position group.
Encarnacion: While there may be some debate with this choice, Edwin Encarnacion had one of the best, and most powerful, bats in the 2010's. Amongst all qualified DH's, he ranks 2nd in Home Runs hit (335), tied for 3rd in ISO (0.255), third in SLG% (0.519), and 3rd in OPS (0.875). He is one of three DH's in the decade to have a SLG% above 0.500 (David Ortiz and Nelson Cruz are the others). While there are other DH's that received more accolades, Encarnacion was an underrated offensive player at this position.
Comments