“An excellent list”, “This is a popularity contest”
Each year, MLB Network ranks the top players at each position and places them in a top 10 list. It’s fun to see the various lists of analysts and the reasoning behind why they put this player there. This year, MLB Network is letting fans vote.
Lists are fun, especially in the off-season. Since baseball isn’t happening, it allows fans to debate, but more importantly, talk about baseball.
This list is solid, especially because it’s a fan-voted list. There aren’t many names that have been let off of it. But you could argue that Christian Walker is in it too.
However, there is no denying that Paul Goldschmidt does not belong at the top of this list. He comes off a year in which he won the National League MVP award. He led all of baseball in slugging, OPS, and OPS+.
“An excellent list. You can flip Goldschmidt and Freeman but these guys are the best,” explained one fan.
“The fans vote with their hearts without understanding the numbers. It’s a popularity contest,” said another.
Obviously anything voted by fans will be a popularity contest. You can’t expect fans to think logically when it comes to their favorite teams or players.
Some fans argue that Anthony Rizzo is overrated, but he’s incredibly popular since he plays for the New York Yankees. Others believe Christian Walker should be up there, but it can be argued that many in the league don’t know him all that well. The Arizona Diamondbacks aren’t the most popular team in MLB.
MLB is in good hands with the talent across the board
Baseball has never seen so much talent. Most starting pitchers are in the upper 90s and have wipeout off-speed stuff. Hitters hit the ball harder and further than ever. The fielders all have big guns and it will only move in that direction.
The game has never been as exciting as it is now. This is especially true as we see the new rule changes coming next season. We’ll see a pitch timer, larger bases, and no defensive shifts. Play is accelerated, safer for players, and allows infielders to make more outstanding plays.
The 2023 MLB season could be one of the most competitive and exciting we’ve seen in a while. There are many teams that are good enough on paper to win the World Series.
If you’re a baseball fan, next season will be a must-watch on TV.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-mlb-twitter-reacts-fan-voted-top-10-first-baseman-list-an-excellent-list-this-popularity-contest?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sportskeeda “An excellent list”, “This is a popularity contest”
