MLB 2011: Top Players from each team in American League – Part 1
The 2011 season of Major League Baseball has been compelling, to say the least. The American League is experiencing a tough fight between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees for domination at the top of the League while the Philadelphia Phillies
have stamped their authority on the National League with a comfortable margin.
This season has experienced some of the players emerge out as heroes while seeing some of the big names crashing out due to injuries and surgeries. Following is an analysis of the best player from each team in MLB this season.
Josh Beckett has been of great advantage to the Boston Red Sox this season. The right-handed pitcher has been a sensation at the mound and his relentless hard work has paid off this season. Consistency has been the key to success for the 6ft 6in starting
pitcher.
Beckett is the backbone of Boston’s pitching rotation and has proved himself by his immaculate record this season. He has pitched at an earned-run average of less than 2.50 persistently this season and has struck-out batters at will. Beckett has exhibited
his arm strength with his complete-game shutout effort which was the fifth of his career. He has remained fit throughout the season and this is where the Red Sox gained advantage. Beckett’s fitness is the key to Boston’s success as the team prepares to enter
an intense battle in the postseason.
The New York Yankees do not have the most outstanding pitching staff in the Majors but dynamic CC Sabathia has stood out from the lot and has impressed everyone on the circuit. He has helped the Yankees to stay in contention for the top notch in the AL with
his spotless performance from the mound.
Sabathia has led the pitchers and currently has the most number of wins in the AL. His fitness will be vital for the Yankees as they vie for the top honours this season. Sabathia was voted the Most Valuable Player in the AL Championship Series 2009 and his
team will want him to replicate the performance this year. It will be interesting to see how Sabathia copes with the added responsibility of leading the pitching outfit along with maintaining his performance.
James Shields has impressed in the Majors for five years and he has replicated his feat into his sixth year as well. The right-handed starting pitcher has been by far the most relished player for the Tampa Bay Rays this season with outstanding statistics
to support his performance.
Although the Rays do not have a chance to qualify for the playoffs this season, they still have personal glory to play for. Shields is leading the Rays in this cause and is well in line to complete more than 200 strike-outs this season with a decent win-loss
record to his credit. James has displayed immense arm strength this season pitching eight complete-games including four shutouts.
The Rays have an excellent opportunity to build a strong rotation around their ace pitcher as they prepare for their next campaign. James is set to complete 1000 career-strike outs this season and it surely will be a day to bask in personal glory for the
29-year-old. It will be interesting to see how James strives to maintain his fitness as the competition intensifies.
Continued in Part 2
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