If You Were To Start A Franchise....

[Ryanwb]

You are starting your own franchise....

and you can choose any one player from any major league team or farm system to start your franchise. The only limitation is the player must be 24 years old or under and be major league ready. Who do you choose? Here are my selections in the order I would choose them:

1. Mark Prior
2. Carl Crawford
3. Josh Beckett
4. B.J. Upton
5. Joe Mauer
6. Hank Blalock
7. Miguel Cabrera
8. Rich Harden
9. Mark Teixeira
10. Dallas McPherson

 

[Phill11]

2. Carl Crawford

#2! Wow.

 

[Ryanwb]

#2! Wow.

I think he barely beats Scott Podsednik as the best lead off hitter in 10 years

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

and you can choose any one player from any major league team or farm system to start your franchise. The only limitation is the player must be 24 years old or under and be major league ready. Who do you choose? Here are my selections in the order I would choose them:

1. Mark Prior
2. Carl Crawford
3. Josh Beckett
4. B.J. Upton
5. Joe Mauer
6. Hank Blalock
7. Miguel Cabrera
8. Rich Harden
9. Mark Teixeira
10. Dallas McPherson

All good choices and potential perennial All-Stars. I love the Carl Crawford choice because it seems you'd be a GM who loves speed. I'd put Zack Greinke, C.C. Sabathia, and Jose Reyes in there somewhere also.

 

[nathan]

Albert Pujols is still only 24. I think Carlos Zambrano would also belong on that list.

 

[Phill11]

I think he barely beats Scott Podsednik as the best lead off hitter in 10 years

Ricky Henderson? (In the early 90's he was the best)
Roberto Alomar (In his Prime)
Barry Larkin

Over the past 10 years those guys are atop the list of best leadoff men.

Pods and Crawford are still young, they time to show what they can do before they're called the best.

 

[NJYAJ09]

Prior, Pujols, Upton, all good choices.

 

[Djaughe]

For some silly reason...I have no statistical support on this...but I would go for this guy....Hank Blalock.

excerpt fro espn....
It was 1:50 a.m. Rangers manager Buck Showalter was leaving the ballpark when he looked in the clubhouse and saw Hank Blalock sitting at his locker, drinking a beer and talking baseball with Laynce Nix and Brad Fullmer. "It brought a tear to my eye,'' said Showalter.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I am wondering... if you were to start a franchise.. which active player would you draft first?

This isnt meant to be an actual poll since I wouldnt want to limit the choices to just the players I would consider beginning a franchise with.....

I cannot honestly narrow my choices down to one player, however, my favorites in this scenario would be either Albert Pujols or Ichiro.....

Pujols of course has accomplished so much statistically throughout his brief career.. has remained extremely healthy.. has an excellent off-the-field personality and still has many productive years ahead w/out much slowing down.....

Ichiro.. because he is the most complete player (especially hitter) in the league since Rod Carew.... If you need a HR... Ichiro can just go flat out and hit one... I know he isnt too young, but he still has some high quality years ahead...

What is/are your choice(s)?

Edit: I didnt realize a thread had already existed on this topic, however, the stipulation of the player being 24 or younger need no longer apply.....

 

[devilfan02]

My franchise (age doesn't matter)-

Although this is regardless of age, I would go with a younger player.

Postion Player (I would have to pick one of the four):

A Rod- Obvious reasons, versatile player, still young

Miguel Cabrera- Very young yet experienced. Can play 3rd and RF. Unbelievable upside.

Pujols- Freak, enough said

Crawford- All around great talent




Pitchers (Would have to pick one three also assuming that I didn't pick a position player):

Jake Peavy- Would most likely be my pick if selecting a SP. He is only 24, is an inning eater, and has nasty stuff

Johan Santana- Obvious reasons, still like Peavy though.

Felix Hernandez- Extremely young and has very nasty stuff. Mid- 90's FB, Nasty curve and slider to go along with an unbelievable change up

 

[abomb]

Albert Pujols is still only 24.

26. Born January of 1980. I looked because he'd be my #1 if eligible.

A-Bomb

 

[Djaughe]

26. Born January of 1980. I looked because he'd be my #1 if eligible.

A-Bomb

lol...he was 24 when this thread started 2-years ago.

 

[JS22]

lol...he was 24 when this thread started 2-years ago.

Haha. I was wondering, Mark Prior at #1?!

The guy is good but I don't recall him EVER being healthy.