Best NL Tools

[Cardinals]

from BA

The following results were all compiled from surveys of National League managers.

BEST HITTER
1. Matt Holliday, Rockies
2. Albert Pujols, Cardinals
3. Miguel Cabrera, Marlins

BEST POWER
1. Prince Fielder, Brewers
2. Ryan Howard, Phillies
3. Adam Dunn, Reds

BEST BUNTER
1. Juan Pierre, Dodgers
2. Willy Taveras, Rockies
3. Omar Vizquel, Giants

BEST STRIKE-ZONE JUDGMENT
1. Barry Bonds, Giants
2. Todd Helton, Rockies
3. Albert Pujols, Cardinals

BEST HIT-AND-RUN ARTIST
1. Paul Lo Duca, Mets
2. Mark Loretta, Astros
3. David Eckstein, Cardinals

BEST BASERUNNER
1. Jose Reyes, Mets
2. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
3. Juan Pierre, Dodgers

FASTEST BASERUNNER
1. Jose Reyes, Mets
2. Willy Taveras, Rockies
3. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers

MOST EXCITING PLAYER
1. Jose Reyes, Mets
2. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
3. Matt Holliday, Rockies

BEST PITCHER
1. Jake Peavy, Padres
2. Brad Penny, Dodgers
3. John Smoltz, Braves

BEST FASTBALL
1. Billy Wagner, Mets
2. Brad Penny, Dodgers
3. Derrick Turnbow, Brewers

BEST CURVEBALL
1. Ben Sheets, Brewers
2. Roy Oswalt, Astros
3. Cole Hamels, Phillies

BEST SLIDER
1. John Smoltz, Braves
2. Jake Peavy, Padres
3. Carlos Zambrano, Cubs

BEST CHANGEUP
1. Trevor Hoffman, Padres
2. Tom Glavine, Mets
3. Cole Hamels, Phillies

BEST CONTROL
1. Greg Maddux, Padres
2. John Smoltz, Braves
3. Ben Sheets, Brewers

BEST PICKOFF MOVE
1. Chris Capuano, Brewers
2. Doug Davis, Diamondbacks
3. Jason Simontacchi, Nationals

BEST RELIEVER
1. Trevor Hoffman, Padres
2. Takashi Saito, Dodgers
3. Francisco Cordero, Brewers

BEST DEFENSIVE CATCHER
1. Russell Martin, Dodgers
2. Yadier Molina, Cardinals
3. Brad Ausmus, Astros

BEST DEFENSIVE FIRST BASEMAN
1. Derrek Lee, Cubs
2. Adrian Gonzalez, Padres
3. Albert Pujols, Cardinals

BEST DEFENSIVE SECOND BASEMAN
1. Orlando Hudson, Diamondbacks
2. Chase Utley, Phillies
3. Freddy Sanchez, Pirates

BEST DEFENSIVE THIRD BASEMAN
1. Scott Rolen, Cardinals
2. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
3. David Wright, Mets

BEST DEFENSIVE SHORTSTOP
1. Jose Reyes, Mets
2. Omar Vizquel, Giants
3. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies

BEST INFIELD ARM
1. Jose Reyes, Mets
2. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers
3. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies

BEST DEFENSIVE OUTFIELDER
1. Andruw Jones, Braves
2. Carlos Beltran, Mets
3. Mike Cameron, Padres

BEST OUTFIELD ARM
1. Jeff Francoeur, Braves
2. Carlos Beltran, Mets
3. Shane Victorino, Phillies

BEST MANAGER
1. Bobby Cox, Braves
2. Tony La Russa, Cardinals
3. Ned Yost, Brewers

[Royals]

Matt Holliday as best hitter really makes me question the sanity of these managers

[Giants]

And love him or hate him Barry Bonds is the most exciting player in baseball.

[Royals]

yeah, i get real excited seeing him work a good walk... *yawn*

[Giants]

I actually almost prefer the intentional walks to the home runs, because of the celebration at AT&T when it happens. The home runs we've seen, based on the average age of this league I'd bet that all of us have seen more home runs from Barry Bonds than any other player (since I don't think anyone's old enough to have caught most of Hank Aaron's career), but the sight of 30,000 tech nerds and finance executives who make up the crowds in San Francisco all doing the chicken dance together? That's entertainment.