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.
RANK
PLAYER
SCORE
151
Roy Oswalt
@royoswalt44net
RHP | Free Agent | Age: 34 | Stats
5.88
152
B.J. Upton
@BJUPTON2
Center Field | @RaysBaseball | Age: 27 | Stats
5.88
153
Alexei Ramirez
Shortstop | @whitesox | Age: 30 | Stats
5.88
154
Jesus Montero
Catcher/DH | @Mariners | Age: 22 | Stats
5.87
155
Kendrys Morales
Designated Hitter | @Angels | Age: 29 | Stats
5.85
156
Sergio Romo
@SergioRomo54
RHP | @SFGiants | Age: 29 | Stats
5.84
157
Tyler Clippard
@TylerClippard
RHP | @Nationals | Age: 27 | Stats
5.84
158
Desmond Jennings
@d_jennings8
Left Field | @RaysBaseball | Age: 25 | Stats
5.84
159
Stephen Drew
Shortstop | @Dbacks | Age: 29 | Stats
5.84
160
Sean Marshall
LHP | @Reds | Age: 29 | Stats
5.81
161
Anibal Sanchez
RHP | @Marlins | Age: 28 | Stats
5.81
162
Mike Trout
@Trouty20
Outfield | @Angels | Age: 20 | Stats
5.81
163
Jordan Walden
@JWal51
RHP | @Angels | Age: 24 | Stats
5.78
164
Chipper Jones
Third base | @Braves | Age: 40 | Stats
5.78
165
Colby Lewis
RHP | @Rangers | Age: 32 | Stats
5.78
166
Wandy Rodriguez
LHP | @Astros | Age: 33 | Stats
5.78
167
Ichiro Suzuki
Right Field | @Mariners | Age: 38 | Stats
5.78
168
Drew Storen
@DrewStoren
RHP | @Nationals | Age: 24 | Stats
5.75
169
J.J. Hardy
Shortstop | @Orioles | Age: 29 | Stats
5.75
170
Carlos Ruiz
Catcher | @Phillies | Age: 33 | Stats
5.75
171
Ivan Nova
RHP | @Yankees | Age: 25 | Stats
5.75
172
Sergio Santos
RHP | @BlueJays | Age: 28 | Stats
5.72
173
Francisco Rodriguez
@El_kid_rod57
RHP | @Brewers | Age: 30 | Stats
5.72
174
Chad Billingsley
RHP | @Dodgers | Age: 28 | Stats
5.72
175
J.J. Putz
@jjp2012
RHP | @Dbacks | Age: 35 | Stats
5.69
176
Billy Butler
@BillyButlerKC
Designated Hitter | @Royals | Age: 26 | Stats
5.69
177
Brandon Morrow
@2Morrow23
RHP | @BlueJays | Age: 27 | Stats
5.68
178
Daniel Bard
RHP | @RedSox | Age: 27 | Stats
5.66
179
Rafael Soriano
RHP | @Yankees | Age: 32 | Stats
5.66
180
Jason Motte
RHP | @Cardinals | Age: 30 | Stats
5.66
181
Chris Perez
@ChrisPerez54
RHP | @Indians | Age: 27 | Stats
5.66
182
Martin Prado
Utility | @Braves | Age: 28 | Stats
5.66
183
Brandon League
@BrandonLeague43
RHP | @Mariners | Age: 29 | Stats
5.65
184
Carlos Quentin
Left Field | @Padres | Age: 29 | Stats
5.63
185
Edwin Jackson
@EJ36
RHP | @Nationals | Age: 28 | Stats
5.63
186
Jhonny Peralta
Shortstop | @Tigers | Age: 30 | Stats
5.63
187
Erick Aybar
Shortstop | @Angels | Age: 28 | Stats
5.63
188
Jayson Werth
Right Field | @Nationals | Age: 33 | Stats
5.61
189
Joaquin Benoit
RHP | @Tigers | Age: 34 | Stats
5.58
190
Bryce Harper
Outfield | @Nationals | Age: 19 | Stats
5.58
191
Logan Morrison
@LoMoMarlins
Left Field | @Marlins | Age: 24 | Stats
5.56
192
Gavin Floyd
RHP | @whitesox | Age: 29 | Stats
5.56
193
Russell Martin
@russellmartin55
Catcher | @Yankees | Age: 29 | Stats
5.56
194
Austin Jackson
Center Field | @Tigers | Age: 25 | Stats
5.56
195
Matt Harrison
LHP | @Rangers | Age: 26 | Stats
5.55
196
Justin Morneau
@JustinMorneau
First Base | @Twins | Age: 31 | Stats
5.53
197
Ike Davis
First Base | @Mets | Age: 25 | Stats
5.53
198
Wilson Ramos
Catcher | @Nationals | Age: 24 | Stats
5.53
199
Joe Nathan
@JoeNathan36
RHP | @Rangers | Age: 37 | Stats
5.50
200
Geovany Soto
Catcher | @Cubs | Age: 29 | Stats
5.50