List of top 100 performers in the game – MLB 2012 Update - Part 24
45. Victor Martinez
In addition to being a superb catcher, Victor Martinez has sensational hitting abilities as 2011 saw him shift mostly to DH duties. Although he managed to hit only 12 home-runs in the past season, he nonetheless had a great year as he tied his career best
stats with 103 RBI’s and a .330 BA.
His .330 was the fourth best in the American League and he posted a substantial .850 OPS. Rising to the occasion, Martinez helped the Detroit Tigers win their first AL Central title in almost 24 years.
On field, the former Indians and Red Sox striker doesn’t walk too much but he compensates for it by rarely striking-out. Martinez was originally signed by the Tigers for C, 1B and DH duties. However, seeing how good he is with the bat, he will be moved to
the DH position full time in 2012.
While it is understandable why some people think his value will be greater if he caught part time, Detroit will do almost everything to save their most dynamic hitter for the batting job.
V-Mart, on the other hand, will be looking to continue his impressive form in the season starting in a couple of months. He is a very down to earth guy and he will definitely try to bring more consistency into his game play. If Martinez can please his team
manager, he can earn another huge pay day at the end of this season.
“I just go out and have fun and try to do the best I can to help my team win games.”
“In my mind, I don’t see myself as a power hitter. But once in a while you put the ball in the air and it keeps going. They say it’s easy to get here, but hard to stay—that’s so true. A big key for me is going to the plate and not trying to do too much.
Any spot in the lineup is okay with me. As long as I’m in the lineup, I’m going to feel good.”
46. Paul Konerko
When Paul Konerko was 34-years-old on Opening Day 2010, many of us thought that slugging first baseman’s best days were behind him. But he proved his critics wrong by achieving arguably his career best records in the season.
Hitting 39 home-runs with 111 RBI’s, he looked in commanding form in 2010. He also posted his career best .977 OPS, which helped Chicago White Sox secure memorable wins in Major League Baseball.
The right handed striker continued his heroic run in 2011 as well as he topped 30 home-runs and 100 RBI’s again. Jerry Reinsdorf, who is captain of their team and arguably the best player in franchise history, decided to keep Konerko on the South Side for
another three years last winter.
Showing no signs of slowing down, Konerko displayed some high quality hitting in 2011 as he recorded yet another great season in the American League to finish seventh in OPS (.907).
In addition to being a dynamic player, Konerko has incredible defensive skills. In 2005, Konerko produced match winning performances to let the White Sox defeat the Angels in American League Championship Series. He will be looking to maintain his form to
lead Chicago to another World Series victory.
Continued in Part 25
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