Who are the best players in Major League Baseball heading into the 2012 season? ESPN formed a panel of MLB writers, analysts and contributors to rank the top 500. The countdown from No. 500 to No. 1 began March 20 and ends April 3.
The results are being announced on ESPN.com, on Facebook and Twitter (@ESPN_MLB). Fans can use the hashtag #ESPN500 to join the discussion or to follow along.
To compile a top-500 ranking, 34 ESPN experts started with a list of the top 600 players projected to play in the majors in 2012. Using a 0-to-10 scale, they evaluated only the quality of each player for the 2012 season. Players who are expected to miss 2012 with an injury, such as Victor Martinez, were not included. But Arodys Vizcaino (No. 376) was included because he was injured after the voting. Ages are listed as of July 1, 2012.
Panelists were polled over the final two weeks of February. Dan Szymborski's ZiPS system, which projects 2012 performance, was used to break ties to the fourth decimal point.
201
Francisco Cordero
RHP | @BlueJays | Age: 37 | Stats
5.48
202
Colby Rasmus
Center Field | @BlueJays | Age: 25 | Stats
5.47
203
Yunel Escobar
Shortstop | @BlueJays | Age: 29 | Stats
5.47
204
Cameron Maybin
@CamMaybin
Center Field | @Padres | Age: 25 | Stats
5.47
205
Mark Trumbo
@Mtrumbo44
Third Base | @Angels | Age: 26 | Stats
5.47
206
Kenley Jansen
RHP | @Dodgers | Age: 24 | Stats
5.45
207
Matt Thornton
LHP | @WhiteSox | Age: 35 | Stats
5.45
208
Huston Street
RHP | @Padres | Age: 28 | Stats
5.44
209
Danny Espinosa
@DannyEspinosa18
Second Base | @Nationals | Age: 25 | Stats
5.42
210
Torii Hunter
@toriihunter48
Center Field | @Angels | Age: 36 | Stats
5.41
211
Vance Worley
@VANIMAL_49
RHP | @Phillies | Age: 24 | Stats
5.41
212
Francisco Liriano
@liriano47
LHP | @Twins | Age: 28 | Stats
5.39
213
Jhoulys Chacin
RHP | @Rockies | Age: 24 | Stats
5.38
214
Ricky Nolasco
RHP | @Marlins | Age: 29 | Stats
5.38
215
Ryan Vogelsong
RHP | @Giants | Age: 34 | Stats
5.38
216
Denard Span
@thisisdspan
Center Field | @Twins | Age: 28 | Stats
5.38
217
Coco Crisp
@Coco_Crisp
Left Field | @Athletics | Age: 32 | Stats
5.38
218
Brandon Beachy
RHP | @Braves | Age: 25 | Stats
5.35
219
Gaby Sanchez
@GabySanchez15
First Base | @Marlins | Age: 28 | Stats
5.34
220
Johan Santana
@johansantana
LHP | @Mets | Age: 33 | Stats
5.34
221
Scott Rolen
Third Base | @Reds | Age: 37 | Stats
5.34
222
Jonathan Sanchez
LHP | @Royals | Age: 29 | Stats
5.34
223
Yoenis Cespedes
Center Field | @Athletics | Age: 26 | Stats
5.32
224
Matt Joyce
Right Field | @RaysBaseball | Age: 27 | Stats
5.31
225
Brett Anderson
@BrettAnderson49
LHP | @Athletics | Age: 24 | Stats
5.31
226
Mike Moustakas
Third Base | @Royals | Age: 23 | Stats
5.31
227
Ryan Dempster
RHP | @Cubs | Age: 35 | Stats
5.31
228
Todd Helton
First Base | @Rockies | Age: 38 | Stats
5.31
229
Josh Willingham
Left Field | @Twins | Age: 33 | Stats
5.29
230
Carlos Pena
First Base | @RaysBaseball | Age: 34 | Stats
5.28
231
Aroldis Chapman
LHP | @Reds | Age: 24 | Stats
5.28
232
Randy Wolf
LHP | @Brewers | Age: 35 | Stats
5.28
233
Rick Porcello
RHP | @Tigers | Age: 23 | Stats
5.28
234
Phil Hughes
@PhilHughes65
RHP | @Yankees | Age: 26 | Stats
5.28
235
Rafael Furcal
Shortstop | @Cardinals | Age: 34 | Stats
5.25
236
Kurt Suzuki
@kurtsuzuki
Catcher | @Athletics | Age: 28 | Stats
5.25
237
Jemile Weeks
@RealJemileWeeks
Second Base | @Athletics | Age: 25 | Stats
5.25
238
J.P. Arencibia
@jparencibia9
Catcher | @BlueJays | Age: 26 | Stats
5.23
239
Drew Stubbs
Center Field | @Reds | Age: 27 | Stats
5.23
240
Scott Downs
RHP | @Angels | Age: 36 | Stats
5.22
241
Jake Peavy
@JakePeavy_44
RHP | @WhiteSox | Age: 31 | Stats
5.22
242
Dexter Fowler
@DFowler24
Center Field | @Rockies | Age: 26 | Stats
5.22
243
Placido Polanco
Third Base | @Phillies | Age: 36 | Stats
5.22
244
Chris Sale
LHP | @WhiteSox | Age: 23 | Stats
5.19
245
Delmon Young
Left Field | @Tigers | Age: 26 | Stats
5.19
246
Ted Lilly
LHP | @Dodgers | Age: 36 | Stats
5.19
247
Rafael Betancourt
RHP | @Rockies | Age: 37 | Stats
5.16
248
Neil Walker
@NeilWalker18
Second Base | @Pirates | Age: 26 | Stats
5.16
249
Jonathon Niese
RHP | @Mets | Age: 25 | Stats
5.16
250
Takashi Saito
RHP | @Dbacks | Age: 42 | Stats
5.16