While many of us are getting ready to or hopefully already enjoying the 2020 set, I always find myself scratching more itches on card ideas and concepts. I was comparing all the players over the last three years and looking at who had the highest averages of points per the 3 years. It got me thinking, because each season is different, what if I took all the players stats from the last three years and combined them together to have an even deeper data set to run our numbers against. A few trips to fangraphs and back, led me to a master sheet of how these guys would look. The ultra consistent players churned out the best cards as expected. The think that really stood out to me was the fluctuations between OB % for some of the players and seeing them drop to a lower OB and guys that stayed consistent maybe even going up an OB because of where they fell in the rankings. This also gives us a 58 more cards to add to our blind drafts and games so why not look at the great three years of showdown sets, combined into one big group.
49. Pete Alonso - Pete Alonso was a homer run monster in 2019, and this past season was a little weaker of a season. With the limited PAs it favored him in making this all or nothing card. While some may steer clear, if you build your team with some high ob speed in front of him, this is a fantastic middle of the order card.
48. Michael Brantley - Dr. Smooth, and the first guy to answer the question about players that were on multiple teams. Obviously because he played for Cleveland that is the team I choose for him to represent. Just kidding, players get cards for both their teams. Brantley is one of those guys that is consistent every year being a great hitter, very reminiscent of Justin Turner.
47. Aaron Hicks - Aaron Hicks is another all or nothing guy on a smaller scale, because his speed and single+ allow him to get to second more often than Alonso.
46. Rhys Hoskins - A player that is here for offense and not defense. He was on of the worst outfielders ratings wise in our calculations.
45. Shohei Ohtani - The Japanese star that pitches and hits. Lately it has been more hitting due to injuries the last couple seasons but he is a fantastic hitter.
44. Javy Baez - The only below 8 OB on the list, and he has made some tremendous charts in his showdown career. His 18-19 cards were a lot of fun if you got the chart and this card feels like it will cause panic if he gets that magic 1 pitch.
43. Kris Bryant - Not the 2016 MVP Kris Bryant but still a very productive player the last few seasons. Also a candidate to potentially be in a new uniform in the next coming months. Hot Stove edition look out.
42. Mark Canha - A player that had a 6 OB and a 10 OB in 18 and 19. His card is much like Hicks with no defense, but the low outs make him a nice player to have hitting in your order.
41. Carlos Santana - Now I said guys that were on multiple teams received multiple cards, but I forgot Carlos Santana was on the Phillies for a season, and the lockerroom playstation would also like to forget that Carlos Santana was there. If anyone wants the Phillies one I can do it.
40. Eugenio Suarez - A Power bat in the Reds middle of the order, with some of the other third basemen that we will see going forward he wouldn't be my top pick at third but once those options are gone, it is hard to pass up a 9OB HR at 17.
39. Joey Votto - Back to back Reds, and its the ageless wonder Joey Votto. While he is reaching more towards the end of his wonderful career, he keeps putting up a high on base percentage.
38. Michael Conforto - I haven't seen many Mets games, but the amount of offensive players they have in the top 50 (4) is impressive and shows fully in their charts they have the offensive fire power to score some runs.
37. Brandon Lowe - Another young Rays player with a really fun chart. As a offensive player when he gets his chart you can get any outcome, and if you happen to get out on your own chart, its only a strikeout and won't get your team into deeper trouble.
36. Ketel Marte - One of my favorite players in the league, versatility and an all around game.
35. Charlie Blackmon - It bad enough to be a bad defender in the corner OF positions, but he was terrible in center as well, the all around -1 OF defender. Once you get past that Charlie is one of the top hitters in the league.
34. Matt Chapman - From terrible defense, to one of the Defensive standards. The great thing about Chapman is while also a top level defender, he is a great hitter as will with tons of extra base pop in that bat.
33. Francisco Lindor - Speaking of top level defense, Lindor was the second best defensive SS the last 3 years, trailing only Andrelton Simmons by a very minimal margin. Also speaking of guys that may have their new cards in a Hot Stove Edition, heavily rumored to be traded, which makes me sad as he is so fun to watch play because of how much he loves being on the field.
32. Manny Machado - One of the prize free agents in this three year span, the fiery Manny Machado. He gives you good offense and some great glove work as well, looking to keep San Diego in the playoff hunt for many years to come.
31. George Springer - Could be the big free agent this summer, a very interesting leadoff hitting choice.
30. Mike Yasrzemski - Might be my favorite cut out in the collection. It reminds me of a Bonds or Griffey HR pose cutout.
29. Ben Zobrist - A consistent hitter for the cubbies, he won't do much explosive work wit hthe bat, but he will be on base for your team plenty.
28. Justin Turner - Mr. Consistent, during the World Series Peter and I were talking how impressive it is every year, you can basically mark him down for a 10 OB with 2 HRs.
27. The guy I wasn't expecting to be in this list. He doesn't get a lot of hype but a consistent hitter much like Zobrist that could be an early part of the order to get some runners on for the bashers.
26. Anthony Rizzo - Another always consistent player that will always be hovering around that 10 OB spot. Normally a defensive stud, but over a three year span none of the first basemen felt worthy of that +1.
25. Nolan Arenado - Much like Matt Chapman a defensive stalwart but this one carries a bigger stick at this point of their careers. I could see this being a very popular choice to stick at the corner of an infield.
24. Cody Bellinger - One of the most electric swings in the league, looks like he is trying to murder the ball on every cut. I really like Bellinger, and as he continues to grow as a player I think there will be a lot more 400 point cards in his future.
23. JD Martinez - The Red Sox punishing outfielder who has one of the best offensive cards in the 2018 set, falls slightly but still a very good hitter.
22. Brandon Nimmo - Another Met with a spread around chart, can the new ownership team get some more pieces to help this team get competitive in the NL East.
21. Trea Turner - The shortstop of the Nationals brings a ton of speed and a ton of single+ to his chart. 90 steals over the last 3 seasons, and he can hit for power as well.
20. Paul Goldschmidt - Much like Joey Votto one of the best hitters of the decade, who may be in the decline and still is having a great stretch over the past three seasons.
19. Nelson Cruz - This guy has been so deadly the last few season DH'ing for the Twins and Mariners.
18. Josh Donaldson - He could realistically have an Indians card as well but I chose to leave it at the two teams he played full seasons with. The depth of good third basemen in this league is showing up again in the bringer of rain Josh Donaldson.
17. Bryce Harper - Another player in this string of 490 point players, and I think a fun debate can be had on which 490 point player would you rather have. Bryce Harper signed a massive deal in Philadelphia, and has been having a decent start in Philly. I think it has been better than decent, but the teams lack of success makes it not look as good as he is. Nothing better than a Bryce Harper Moon Shot!!!
16. Aaron Judge - All Rise, for the second best corner outfielder numerically according to our calculations. While his chart is limited in outcomes, his power, OB, and defense make him a top candidate for a team.
15. Jeff McNeil - A great utility player in the sense of he is an every day player, but he is so versatile that his team can play him anywhere. As a manager you have to love a guy like that and even in showdown form he gives a manager a couple extra choices in his pocket.
14. Juan Soto - In the Soto shuffle stance staring your pitchers down to let them know this isn't going to be an easy at bat. While being one of the best young hitters in the league his first three seasons have been remarkable. Sadly, he also rated as the dead last corner outfielder for those same three seasons. Judge, Harper, Soto you have 490 points, who are you taking?
13. Luke Voit - The Yankees slugger struck fear in pitchers the last three seasons, with his many home runs. Few options once you get your chart, but hopeful for the 17+.
12. Freddie Freeman - Much like Rizzo a stronghold at first base the last couple of year, and he has an absolutely incredible chart here. There isn't much he can't do, and may be the best first basemen in this collection.
11. Max Muncy - The thing I loved the most in the Dodgers team in the recent sets, is that almost every player can play multiple positions. In deep leagues with benches having a guy like Muncy that you can move around the field to adjust is absolutely awesome.
10. Ronald Acuna Jr - Honestly I am surprised that he is this low on the list, I credit that to his low defense. If you take out defensive points, he is probably a top 5 offensive chart. Speed, high OB and a chart that will drive teams mad.
9. Alex Bregman - One of only 4 players, ( Freeman, Bogaerts, and Castellanos) to have over 100 doubles the last three seasons, to go along with power and high ob. Bregman is a top pick for a team if you can get over the whole cheating thing.
8. Xander Bogaerts - As noted above he was a doubles machine, while playing a solid short stop position. Sorry to Win Dance Repeat as I know he hates 6 out players, but in this so many low OB% that received 10s they needed 6 outs to match that in their stats. I still think this guy would dominate.
7. Jose Ramirez - That A 23 stands out, but he had the best BSR over the last 3 seasons combined. Jose plays a good third base with his highlight throws, and on the bases is fun to watch as he seems to lose his helmet so much that the Indians broadcasters now count it as a stat.
6. Anthony Rendon - The big Free Agent signing for the Angels last season is probably the best third basemen in this collection. The Angels are a team I hope can find some success soon so we can see Trout in the playoffs but I would also like to see more of Rendon.
5. Trevor Story - Another staple of the best cards the last three seasons, I always enjoy charts that have every offensive outcome possible just for the fact that each roll can be anything.
4. Fernando Tatis Jr - This kid burst onto the scene in 2019 and isn't looking back, Seeing all the young players in the game right now making big impacts gives great hope for some fun seasons ahead. I look forward to the next 20 years of Tatis Jr cards.
3. Mookie Betts - This seasons post season really showcased the special player that Mookie Betts truly is. His defensive flashes were incredible, and couple with his bat he truly is an all around stud. Boston red and Dodger blue is well represented by this great player. I have a sneaky suspicion he would be my #1 pick out of the players in this collection.
2. Christian Yelich - Already making me rethink my #1 pick lol, Yeli has been such a stud in 2018 and 2019, his not Yelich type of 2020 season, didn't hurt him too much, but if he had a 18 or 19 type short season this card could be even more devastating.
1. Mike Trout - It was probably pretty easy to guess that Mike Trout was the best batter. They guy has been incredible in his career and this three year stretch was no different. In his 1449 plate appearances he has the most home runs with 101, but also lead the way in on base percentage.
There you have it, 50 awesome offensive players to incorporate into your collections. Stay tuned to the blog as Peter and I will be making an announcement soon about something fun that we will be up to over the next couple of months.
My questions for you guys are what are your favorite cards, and cutouts. What d oyou think of these combined season charts?
Great list! So fun to read. Wish I could pull these out of packs more than anything else. Ive taken to make myself a whole league too.
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