List of top 100 performers in the game – MLB 2012 Update - Part 29
56. Hunter Pence
Between 2008 and 2010, Hunter Pence produced match winning performances. He was a model of consistency and it will not be wrong to say that he was one of the bright spots for an awful Astros team. During that time frame, Pence displayed some high quality
hitting skills as he hit 25 home-runs in each season.
Driving in at least 72 runs and stealing at least 11 bases, he looked in supreme form during that period. When the right handed striker was traded to Philadelphia Phillies, he was a having career season with 11 home-runs, 62 RBI’s and an impressive .827
OPS.
A more hitter-friendly ballpark, a better batting line-up and perhaps a better team worked wonders for the outfielder as he registered one of finest seasons of his career. Hitting eleven home-runs with 35 RBI’s and an astonishing .954 OPS, he was the most
talked about player in the Phillies side. His ability to play at almost all positions in the field is what makes him an asset for the Phillies.
Pence will be looking to continue his impressive run in the 2012 season as well to give himself the chance to enter the Hall of Fame list. With some work on his technique, he can also win the batting Championship title. Considering he is still very young,
Pence can be placed a lot higher in the list of top performers in the years to come.
“What I'm getting out of it is a feeling that when I come out here, I'm not going to be overwhelmed by this. They kind of teach you what it takes to get here, but also when you get here, what to do and how to carry yourself,” said Pence.
“It’s remarkable how consistent he’s been, both in his performance and approach. He does all the things outstanding pitchers do. He gives us a chance to win, which is important. He competes like a maniac, which is important. How he handles a good game and
a not-so-good game is important,” Tony La Russa said in an interview.
Chris Carpenter
Former baseball player and pitching coach for St. Louis Cardinals, Dave Duncan has a lot of success stories to his name but Chris Carpenter is arguably the most impressive of all those stories. After ending his tenure at Toronto, Carpenter moved to St. Louis
Cardinals and immediately there was a huge improvement in his pitching.
Ever since he started to train under Duncan, he has achieved staggering results. His incredible 95-42 win-loss record with a sensational 3.06 ERA, 30.1 WAR and 1.13 3.66 K/BB helped the Cardinals win two World Series titles during his tenure.
Although Carpenter had his share of health and injury problems following the Cardinals 2006 World Series triumph, he had more luck staying healthy recently as he made at least 28 starts each of the last three seasons.
The right handed striker will be hoping to prolong his good form next season as well to register his name in the list of all time greats for the Cardinals. Turning 37 next April, Carpenter had a tremendous amount of success in the 2011 post-season. His 4-0,
3.25 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in the playoffs seasons goes on to suggest that he still has a lot left in the tank.
Continued in Part 30
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