Bay Area Baseball

1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in baseball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in baseball?

Although Kent won the MVP with San Francisco, it has generally been the consensus that teammate Barry Bonds should have won the award.

2. Was he the best player on his team?

With San Francisco he was always overshadowed by Bonds, in Houston and Los Angeles he was perhaps their most dangerous hitter.

3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?

Kent has the strongest offensive numbers of any second baseman ever. He was the premier hitter at his position for the majority of his career.

4. Did he have an impact on a number of pennant races?

Kent was one of the driving forces behind the Giants 2002 World Series run as well as Houston’s run to the NLCS in 2005.

5. Was he a good enough player that he could continue to play regularly after passing his prime?

Kent still hit in the middle of the order for Los Angeles in his last years.

6. Is he the very best player in baseball history who is not in the Hall of Fame?

No.

7. Are most players who have comparable career statistics in the Hall of Fame?

Yes, when it comes to middle infielders.

8. Do the player’s numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?

Yes.

9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?

No.

10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame but not in?

Yes, although some may argue for Roberto Alomar or Craig Biggio.

11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?

Kent won one MVP and had several 100 RBI seasons.

12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the other players who played in this many go to the Hall of Fame?

Kent was an all star caliber player for each of his seasons in San Francisco and Houston. He had close to a decade of all star type seasons.

13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?

Yes.

14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way?

No on all four counts.

15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?

Kent was never a media darling or clubhouse leader but is considered by most to be a hard nosed player who always gave full effort.

Kent should be a hall of famer on the first ballot, he has the most compelling offensive statistics of a second baseman ever.

1. Andrew Lambo - OF - B+ ETA 2010
2. Ethan Martin - RHP - A - ETA 2012
3. James McDonald - RHP - B+ - ETA 2009
4. Scott Elbert - LHP - B - ETA 2009
5. Devaris Gordon - SS - B- - ETA 2012

Los Angeles graduated top prospect Clayton Kershaw to the major leagues in 2008. Lambo struck out 119 times in 508 at bats but also hit 18 home runs while still compiling a .295 average and reaching AA. He should be ready for a regular job soon - a process that could facilitate a trade of one of Los Angeles’ current outfielders.

Martin is a powerful right handed high schooler who reached 96 miles per hour. He should make his debut in Low A in 2009. Mcdonald and Elbert will contend for the fifth starter spot and big innings in relief for the Dodgers. Gordon is a young junior college shortstop who hit for high average and should also start in Low A.

Bard’s powerful right arm keeps him in the first round in our do-over.

Original Order:
26 Bryan Morris Los Angeles Dodgers
27 Jason Place Boston Red Sox
28 Daniel Bard Boston Red Sox
29 Kyle McCulloch Chicago White Sox
30 Adam Ottavino St. Louis Cardinals

Original Order:
26 Los Angeles Dodgers - Chris Marrero, OF - Slugger hasn’t had the greatest success, but is still young enough to develop.
27 Boston Red Sox - Wes Hodges, 3B - He went to the Indians but could be a solid 3B prospect for Boston, who is shallow at the position in their farm system.
28 Boston Red Sox - Chris Coghlan, 2B - Another strong infield bat would give Boston just another MLB ready bat with nowhere to put him in 2009.
29 Chicago White Sox - Daniel Bard, RHP - Flamethrower rediscovered himself as a reliever in 2008. He could make an impact in the major league bullpen in 2009.
30 St. Louis Cardinals - Manny Burriss, SS - Young speedster held his own at the plate with San Francisco, Cardinals don’t have much infield depth and he would be able to play a utility role in 09 and replace Khalil in 2010.