The Best Nine
November 04, 2019 | Sports,
By Ethan Salm
As the 2019 MLB season winds down, it is time to look at the best performers of the season at every position. In this series of columns, I will run through all of the best players at positions 1-9, along with the DH and relief pitchers. Without further ado, I give you my All-MLB team, or The Best Nine.
7/Left Field: Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
If you are thinking, “Cody Bellinger played right field this year” you would be right. He did play right field, but Cody Bellinger is one of those players that can thrive really anywhere on the baseball field. He can play first base, any outfield spot, and I might even try him at third base if the team really had a need for a third baseman. Belli should probably win National League MVP this season. He had a WAR of 9, had 115 RBI, kept up in the homerun race with 47 bombs, and batted .305. This is very good year. He has been in the MVP conversation for most of his young 3-year career, and this is the year he should secure the award. Although the Dodgers season didn’t end the way they hoped, Bellinger was a huge part in securing them the best record in the National League once again.
Honorable Mention: Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
The MLB’s slogan this season was “Let the kids play.” The postseason slogan was “We play loud.” Juan Soto exemplifies what the MLB is trying to promote. He plays loud. He plays with fire and emotion. While some of the older, more traditional MLB players (cc: Carlos “Mr. Respect the Game” Martinez) dislike the way Soto and some of the other young players play the game, I think it is fantastic. The entire season, especially the postseason has been more entertaining and exciting due to the energy that players like Soto bring every single day. Soto doesn’t just bring energy to the team though. After finishing second in rookie of the year voting in 2018, the Childish Bambino just got better. This year he slashed .282/.401/.548 along with 110 RBI’s. Those numbers along with the way he plays make him one of the best outfielders and one of the most fun players to
View the team here
Edited by Emma Moloney | ehm3gd@mail.missouri.edu