Outfield: Adam Duvall
A journeyman outfielder is an understatement. Starting with the Giants, traded to the Reds, was shipped to Atlanta, on to Miami for 1 season, and settled back with Atlanta. All through his rookie season until 2019, he was just an underperforming outfielder that didn’t start many games. He did have some success in 2015 and 2016 where he hit 30 home runs but was a very little-known player. Then 2020 came, where he hit 16 home runs in 60 games, and famously hit 3 home runs in a game, and drove in 9 runs in a 29 run Braves massacre. But then he was DFA’d and picked up by the Miami Marlins. Somehow he was re-signed in the 2021 offseason by Atlanta, and he took it personally. In the regular season, Adam Duvall hit 38 home runs and has been an absolute monster in the postseason, his biggest moment being a grand slam in game 5 of the World Series. In a lineup loaded with sluggers such as Ronald Acuna Jr, Freddie Freeman, Jorge Soler, and Eddie Rosario, he is overshadowed by these superstars. Keep in mind he has hit the same amount of home runs as Joey Gallo and gets no credit, so we need to change that.
Outfielder: Eloy Jimenez
Although he has dealt with the shoulder injury during spring training, Eloy Jimenez is back better than ever. In 122 games…..he had 125 hits, 31 of them being home runs. He went on a streak where it was guaranteed he was gonna get a hit.
His biggest complaint is his defensive ability, he was a very sloppy defender in 2019 and 2020, and many considered letting him DH. But in the game he returned, he made some very good plays in the field and looked very good throughout the season. He worked very hard during recovery to clean up his defense and become the starting left fielder for Chicago, and he has done just that. With his combination of extreme power, solid defense, and an amazing personality fans should love this guy. He deserves more credit for what he does.
Outfielder: Juan Soto
Ah yes, the childish bambino. He is one of the top MVP candidates this season that I hear nobody talking about, put simply seems every single year he does the same thing. CRAZY OBP, with an extremely high BA. What’s terrifying is how many minor league games he’s played, which is 122. Not even a full season in the minor leagues and he’s already called up. This is his 4th season in a row where he has been an MVP candidate. Crazy good plate discipline who when swings hits the ball very hard and far. He hit 29 home runs this season and drove in 95 RBI’s on a struggling Nationals squad who traded away their 2nd best hitter in Kyle Schwarber. This kid is unbelievably good and deserves a lot more hype than he gets as of now.
Designated Hitter: Nelson Cruz
The man continues to defy father time and continues to take into his 40s. There was an interesting fact I found in Foolish Baseball’s video about a Twins/Yankees, specifically how good Nelson Cruz is through his old age. Watch the part where he talks about Nelson Cruz, and he will say some of the same stuff I say. What impresses me the most about the Boomstick is his approach at the plate, it’s quite perfect actually. With a guy of the stature of Nelson Cruz, he could easily hit 40 home runs each year, and he does, but he doesn’t try to hit homers. His approach is something you’ll find from some old head high school hitting coach. Throw in his size and strength and hand-eye coordination, and you have a near-perfect hitter. Due to his old age, he is restricted to DH’ing, and that’s all he does. He has embraced the role and has become, quite possibly, the greatest DH of all time. Yes, I said it. Nelson Cruz does not get as much credit as he should when you think about the best DH ever. Every player has peaks and valleys, Nelson Cruz stays flat. Unbelievable hitter and people have no clue how good he is.
