Who's the most under-rated position player in the game today?

[GiambiJuice]

My vote goes to Chase Headley.

Despite playing half his games in a terrible park for hitters and being in a bad lineup, he's got 28 HR and 104 RBI.

Check out his home/away splits!

Home .265/.350/.434.
Away .303/.394/.542.

If he played in a good hitter's park, he'd be a superstar.

[Ben Grimm]

I was livid during that '05 draft. After the whole debacle here in Philly with Rolen, and the Phillies without a 3B anywhere in their system, he was my #1 prized position player coming out considering where he was likely to be picked. All I kept reading was how he had good footwork and solid enough arm to be able to play 3B at the ML level. Bat-wise he was a gap-hitter with glimpses of occasional power to put up 20 HRs once in a while. To me, he was a "cheaper" version of Alex Gordon - who went #2 that same season.

It came to the Phils pick and Headley was waiting to be had. The Phillies did draft a 3B that day. Unfortunately, it was a slow-footed guy slated to play 1B or LF at the ML level with some big ol' holes in his swing. That player was Mike Costanzo, basically the ceiling of Mark Reynolds - and he's proven to not even be nearly that good.

Total bust pick made for the wrong reasons IMO. Costanzo grew up and went to HS in the Philadelphia area. Back then the Phillies weren't concerned with putting the best product on the field - actually it was the opposite. They were selling out the spectacle that is CBP with a ballgame going on in the background. And because the general fanbase doesn't follow drafts or even the minor leagues for the most part, they actually got approval for picking up a local kid.

Nothing's been more glaring from that mistake more than simply looking at the production (or lack of it) from the Phillies' 3B position the past few years. And next year doesn't look any more promising.

[9RoyHobbsRF]

Marco Scutaro has 72 hits and is batting .353 in the50 games since he joined the Giants

the Giants announcers think his contributions to the team including defense, clubhouse leadership (especially among the latin players) and clutch hitting is by far the best of any of the traded players since July

the Giants are 32-19 since Scutaro joined the club (.627) and 23-10 (.697) since losing Melky Cabrera

[ol' aches and pains]

Paul Konerko.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Marco Scutaro has 72 hits and is batting .353 in the50 games since he joined the Giants

the Giants announcers think his contributions to the team including defense, clubhouse leadership (especially among the latin players) and clutch hitting is by far the best of any of the traded players since July

the Giants are 32-19 since Scutaro joined the club (.627) and 23-10 (.697) since losing Melky Cabrera

Scutaro has been HUGE for the Giants! So many key hits and solid defense. Hopefully he'll play the "Cody Ross role" in the postseason! I like the Giants chances against any NL team in the postseason.

[rsuriyop]

Josh Willingham, who didn't even make the AS game this year.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Josh Willingham, who didn't even make the AS game this year.

He's got my vote.

[GiambiJuice]

Josh Willingham, who didn't even make the AS game this year.

Good call. Willingham's been a solid hitter for a long time now.

He's one of 26 players with a 125 OPS+ or better over the last 7 seasons combined. (min. 3,500 PA). The other 25 players on the list have been All-Stars - and most of them multiple times. Only Willingham has not made an All-Star team.

[Dude Paskert]

You don't hear much about Ben Zobrist and Allen Craig, although Craig probably shouldn't be playing the OF.

[Bothrops Atrox]

You don't hear much about Ben Zobrist and Allen Craig, although Craig probably shouldn't be playing the OF.

He doesn't when Beltran is healthy.

[BondsOverBabe]

Joe Mauer doesn't get the respect he deserves as being the 3rd best player of the last 10 years and should have 3 MVPs

[SamtheBravesFan]

Joe Mauer doesn't get the respect he deserves as being the 3rd best player of the last 10 years and should have 3 MVPs

He's certainly not "underrated", though. If anything, you're grossly overrating him here.

[GiambiJuice]

Joe Mauer doesn't get the respect he deserves as being the 3rd best player of the last 10 years and should have 3 MVPs

Hard for someone with a $184 million contract and one 20-HR season to his name to be underrated.

[dgarza]

Good call. Willingham's been a solid hitter for a long time now.

He's one of 26 players with a 125 OPS+ or better over the last 7 seasons combined. (min. 3,500 PA). The other 25 players on the list have been All-Stars - and most of them multiple times. Only Willingham has not made an All-Star team.

I agree. Willingham may be the most under the radar player today.

[dgarza]

He's getting some talk this year, but still probably less than he should get... Johnny Cueto.

2010-2012
11.3 pWAR - best in majors
39 - 21 = .650 - best in majors (500+ IPs)
2.96 ERA - best in majors
136 ERA+ - best in majors
544.2 IPs
1.192 WHIP