List of top 100 performers in the game – MLB 2012 Update - Part 34
67. Carlos Beltran
Staying healthy in baseball is easier said than done. Many of us thought that Carlos Beltran will not be able to rediscover his form after he suffered from various injury and fitness problems. However, he proved everyone wrong by playing in 142 games this past season.
Beltran busted on to the scene in 2004, when he nearly carried the Astros to the World Series win. While, it’s pretty clear that he no longer is the same player, when healthy and in good shape, he can be an asset to any Major League Baseball team.
Beltran displayed some high quality hitting skills in his tenure with the Mets. Hitting 15 home runs with 66 RBI’s and an impressive .904 On-base slugging, he made a name for himself.
He earned a huge pay day when he was traded to San Francisco Giants. However, he failed to live up the expectations as he posted a poor batting average despite hitting 20 home runs in the season.
At the end of 2011, Beltran agreed to a two year full no-trade clause deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. He will be hoping to make the most of available opportunities in his tenure with the Cardinals.
If he bats well, he will have a great chance to cement his place in the NL Central team. Cardinals, on the other hand, will be trying to take complete advantage of an All Star calibre player in their line-up.
“I just need to come to the park every day thinking something good is going to happen to me and hoping today is going to be the day, ... This was a good one. I felt good at the plate, I was able to put the ball in play, ... My goal is to win. It doesn't matter how I do. I want to do well, but I just want the team to win. 'm doing everything possible, and everything right. It's just a matter of time. We just need to continue to play hard and finish the season strong,” said Carlos Beltran.
68. Jay Bruce
Jay Bruce, who was once a part of Cincinnati’s farm system, made his Major League Baseball debut in 2008. Immediately, he made an impact as went on to hit 21 home runs with 52 RBI’s in that season.
Even though he has now become a regular part of Reds’ line up, the talented out-fielder is still just 24 and it will not be wrong to say that he hasn’t fully realised his true potential as yet.
While his OPS dropped 31 points in 2011, the right handed striker posted his career best stats in 32 home runs and 97 RBI’s. It is an amazing achievement by someone who is still very fresh to MLB.
However, since joining the Majors, the Reds’ outfielder has not been able to prove his value in the field as his Fld is something he would like to change. Bruce will be in the Reds until 2006 and while he is here in the Queen City, he will be looking to be more consistent with the bat to help his team reach the playoffs.
Continued in Part 35
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