Which player(s) attains superstar status this year and why?

[justwar]

wrong topic

 

[teachervido]

David Wright - MVP
AVG: .320
HR: 36
RBIs: 135
Doubles: 45
SB: 31
HBP: 4

 

[aminors]

Ian Kinsler put up MONSTER numbers last year despite being on the DL part of the season. I believe firmly that he will have another awesome season, barring injury, and will win the batting title if not MVP..


Anthony

 

[Topnotchsy]

I guess I have a different opinion on what "superstar" means than most people. In my mind, a player like Jay Bruce, Evan Longoria, Ryan Braun etc. could not possibly become a superstar, regardless of what they do. They just haven't played enough. I look at guys like Hanley and realize that until a player has played 3-4 great years (and even more in some people's book) they are still "great young players" and not "great players." The superstars that come to mind for me are Pujols, Manny, A-Rod, Ichiro, Chipper Jones etc. I think players like Hanley Ramirez, David Wright, Jose Reyes and Grady Sizemore are a season or two away from becoming the next generation of superstars. I think that Miggy Cabrera is also on the precipice. Probably a superstar in many people's books, but still a young star for some.

 

[HoustonTeams4Me]

I guess I have a different opinion on what "superstar" means than most people. In my mind, a player like Jay Bruce, Evan Longoria, Ryan Braun etc. could not possibly become a superstar, regardless of what they do. They just haven't played enough. I look at guys like Hanley and realize that until a player has played 3-4 great years (and even more in some people's book) they are still "great young players" and not "great players." The superstars that come to mind for me are Pujols, Manny, A-Rod, Ichiro, Chipper Jones etc. I think players like Hanley Ramirez, David Wright, Jose Reyes and Grady Sizemore are a season or two away from becoming the next generation of superstars. I think that Miggy Cabrera is also on the precipice. Probably a superstar in many people's books, but still a young star for some.

Oh alright, now that you've elaborated on what you were initially looking for I agree with your selection's. As you just stated, our interpretation's of "superstar" were of two different meaning's (mine has more to do with being a household name, making it so big that you've become iconic; while your's is not necessarily up to that level in term's of stardom). So given your meaning of "superstar", could Matt Holiday qualify for it if he has a big year this year (& Josh Hamilton would not be an option yet)?

 

[darocker80]

David Wright - MVP
AVG: .320
HR: 36
RBIs: 135
Doubles: 45
SB: 31
HBP: 4

All numbers seen to make sense but SB, i can't see him being a 30-30 guy

 

[ThoseBackPages]

David Wright - MVP
AVG: .320
HR: 36
RBIs: 135
Doubles: 45
SB: 31
HBP: 4

All numbers seen to make sense but SB, i can't see him being a 30-30 guy

did it in 2007 already

 

[bigalexx]

Ervin Santana-Will miss atleast most of April and will still lead the AL in Ks, and win the Cy Young.

 

[FortyFour]

Ervin Santana-Will miss atleast most of April and will still lead the AL in Ks, and win the Cy Young.

You say that every year alex haha

 

[bigalexx]

Ervin Santana-Will miss atleast most of April and will still lead the AL in Ks, and win the Cy Young.

You say that every year alex haha

I was going for Comeback PLayer of the Year Last Year. A Cy Young is coming in '09 or '10.

 

[darocker80]

David Wright - MVP
AVG: .320
HR: 36
RBIs: 135
Doubles: 45
SB: 31
HBP: 4

All numbers seen to make sense but SB, i can't see him being a 30-30 guy

did it in 2007 already

and that will be his last.

 

[beefycheddar]

Josh Hamilton is the closest to the national cusp. You have to add Ortiz to the list of superstars too, he is one of like 3 players that are featured in National Ad campaigns. I'd wager that he is better known nationally than Pujols by a wide margin.

Pujols is great, but he is not a national superstar like there are in other sports. Everyone knows who Peyton Manning, Lebron, Kobe, or Tom Brady are. Derek Jeter, Manny, A Rod, Griffey, and Ortiz are the closest to that level then Pujols is a distant amount away. Pedroia probably is closer to the top tier than Pujols right now. My statements are all solely made on nationally known and marketing level, not Baseball skills wise. My family is all pretty heavily in to Baseball, and I know most of them do not even know who Albert is.

 

[MOFNY]

Pujols is a relatively quiet superstar, I agree. He is the best player in baseball, but is not in the national scope as much as A-Rod, Jeter, etc. I think few realize just how good his stats are. He doesn't put up the gaudy stats like 50+ homeruns which casual fans would deem amazing. However, he dominates in the important stats that most casual fans just aren't aware of. Plus of course he isn't on the East Coast, and there really isn't any controversy surrounding him.

 

[nborton]

First I'm not saying Sizemore is not good, he is, but he's always on these lists. It's like the cubs, it's always next year. He's an AS no doubt, but I wonder if he will ever get to superstar level now. That's nothing against him at all, most players never reach that level. It's a huge mix of factors outside of just playing well (market, media appeal, marketing appeal, etc.).

Sizemore took a huge jump in production last season, and was one of the very best in baseball. He improved across the board and posted career high power numbers and stolen bases. His improved BB/K ratio also means his batting average should keep moving north. He's already one of the very best in the game.

Yeah, I'm not saying he isn't one of the very best in the game. He is. It's just that I don't see him reaching superstar status like everyone sees coming every year. It has nothing to do with how good he is and everything to do with how he, so far, hasn't been marketed at all as a star of the league.

I guess I am seeing this based off the average non-baseball person knowing who he is. If it's based off stats, which is basically what fantasy baseball drafts are like. He is no doubt a superstar now, and has been. He's one of the top 10 guys in pure stats already.

It's just that to me it takes more than just stats to be a superstar. Also, a guy can definitely become a superstar in a smaller market. Griffey became one while in Seattle, and LeBron is an example in basketball. Playing in a large market helps, but it's not 100% necessary.

Something else I just thought about that I think really factors in is exposure in the World Series. That's when your average person tunes in to baseball. That's a prime time to become a superstar.