With the elite eight teams set for the postseason, The Post ranked all the key players at all the key spots in order to see which stars — and which teams — rank on top.
Evan Longoria or Adrian Beltre at third base? Who gets the edge in center, Josh Hamilton or Curtis Granderson? Is Derek Jeter the best shortstop in the playoffs? And which team leads the postseason power rankings?
Who is the best of the best? That’s what The Post has determined. Here’s a look:
CATCHER
1-Alex Avila, Tigers
(.295, 19 HR, 82 RBI)
2-Mike Napoli, Rangers
(.320, 30 HR, .414 OBP)
3-Yadier Molina, Cardinals
(.305, 14 HR, 29% caught stealing)
4-Miguel Montero, D’backs
(.282, 18 HR, 40% caught stealing)
5-Russell Martin, Yankees
(.237, 18 HR, 65 RBI)
6-Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
(.283, 6 HR, .371 OBP)
7-Kelly Shoppach, Rays
(.176, 11 HR, 41% caught stealing)
8-Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers
(.265, 12 HR, 59 RBI)
Tough to not tab Napoli, but Avila has caught way more games and has fifth-best caught-stealing mark (32 percent) in MLB. Molina has the biggest postseason moment of anyone here.
FIRST BASE
1-Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
(.344, 30 HR, .448 OBP)
2-Albert Pujols, Cardinals
(.299, 37 HR, 99 RBI)
3-Prince Fielder, Brewers
(.299, 38 HR, 120 RBI)
4-Mark Teixeira, Yankees
(.248, 39 HR, 111 RBI)
5-Ryan Howard, Phillies
(.253, 33, 116 RBI)
6-Casey Kotchman, Rays
(.306, 10 HR, .378 OBP)
7-Mitch Moreland, Rangers
(.259, 16 HR, 51 RBI)
8-Paul Goldschmidt, D’backs
(.250, 8 HR, 156 AB)
Loaded crop, even without Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez. Tough to beat Cabrera, AL batting title winner and anchor of entire lineup. Teixeira’s low average and OBP (.341) drop him to the middle.
SECOND BASE
1-Robinson Cano, Yankees
(.302, 28 HR, 118 RBI)
2-Ian Kinsler, Rangers
(.255, 32 HR, 30 SB)
3-Ben Zobrist, Rays
(.259, 20 HR, 91 RBI)
4-Rickie Weeks, Brewers
(.269, 20 HR, .350 OBP)
5-Chase Utley, Phillies
(.259, 11 HR, 398 AB)
6-Ryan Raburn, Tigers
(.256, 14 HR, 49 RBI)
7-Aaron Hill, D’backs
(.246, 8 HR, 21 SB)
8-Skip Schumaker, Cardinals
(.283, 2 HR, 38 RBI)
Strong 30-30 year for Kinsler, but this isn’t close. Cano, an MVP candidate, is one of baseball’s best overall players offensively and defensively. Utley, once the best at second base, has fallen off.
SHORTSTOP
1-Derek Jeter, Yankees
(.298, 6 HR, .356 OBP)
2-Jhonny Peralta, Tigers
(.298, 20 HR, 84 RBI)
3-Elvis Andrus, Rangers
(.281, 36 SB, 96 R)
4-Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
(.270, 16 HR, 30 SB)
5-Yuniesky Betancourt, Brewers
(.254, 13 HR, 68 RBI)
6-Rafael Furcal, Cardinals
(.231, 8 HR, 9 SB)
7-Sean Rodriguez, Rays
(.222, 8 HR, 11 SB)
8-Willie Bloomquist, D’backs
(.265, 4 HR, 19 SB)
Worst group of any position. Amazingly, Jeter takes crown, thanks to superb second half (.331) and postseason experience. Tiger fans won’t be happy that Peralta’s behind him.
THIRD BASE
1-Evan Longoria, Rays
(.244, 31 HR, 99 RBI)
2-Adrian Beltre, Rangers
(.296, 32 HR, 105 RBI)
3-Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
(.276, 16 HR, 62 RBI)
4-Ryan Roberts, D’backs
(.249, 19 HR, 18 SB)
5-Placido Polanco, Phillies
(.277, 5 HR, 50 RBI)
6-David Freese, Cardinals
(.297, 10 HR, 333 AB)
7-Wilson Betemit, Tigers
(.285, 8 HR, 46 RBI)
8-Jerry Hairston Jr., Brewers
(.266, 5 HR, 335 AB)
This was Beltre’s spot before the Rays got in. Longoria, just a superb player, edges him out. A diminished A-Rod still third in a surprisingly weak crop.
LEFT FIELD
1-Ryan Braun, Brewers
(.332, 33 HR, 33 SB)
2-Matt Holliday, Cardinals
(.296, 22 HR, .388 OBP)
3-David Murphy, Rangers
(.275, 11 HR, 404 AB)
4-Brett Gardner, Yankees
(.259, 7 HR, 49 SB)
5-Desmond Jennings, Rays
(.259, 10 HR, 247 AB)
6-Raul Ibanez, Phillies
(.245, 20 HR, 84 RBI)
7-Delmon Young, Tigers
(.268, 12 HR, 64 RBI)
8-Gerardo Parra, D’backs
(.292, 8 HR, 15 SB)
Braun’s the clear winner here, and may be NL MVP. Murphy has ability vs. righties (.809 OPS) and strong 2nd half (.818 OPS). Love Gardner’s defense but he hit .175 in his final 40 games.
CENTER FIELD
1-Josh Hamilton, Rangers
(.298, 25 HR, 94 RBI)
2-Curtis Granderson, Yankees
(.262, 41 HR, 119 RBI)
3-Shane Victorino, Phillies
(.279, 17 HR, 19 SB)
4-B.J. Upton, Rays
(.243, 23 HR, 36 SB)
5-Nyjer Morgan, Brewers
(.304, 13 SB, .357 OBP)
6-Chris Young, D’backs
(.236, 20 HR, 22 SB)
7-Austin Jackson, Tigers
(.249, 10 HR, 22 SB)
8-Jon Jay, Cardinals
(.297, 10 HR, 455 AB)
Yeah, Granderson has had terrific season. But Hamilton is still a monster and was ALCS MVP last year. Granderson ranks far higher than man he was traded for — Jackson – his ALDS counterpart.
RIGHT FIELD
1-Justin Upton, D’backs
(.289, 31 HR, 21 SB)
2-Lance Berkman, Cardinals
(.301, 31 HR, .412 OBP)
3-Hunter Pence, Phillies
(.314, 22 HR, 97 RBI)
4-Nelson Cruz, Rangers
(.263, 29 HR, 87 RBI)
5-Matt Joyce, Rays
(.277, 19 HR, 75 RBI)
6-Nick Swisher, Yankees
(.260, 23 HR, .374 OBP)
7-Corey Hart, Brewers
(.285, 26 HR, .356 OBP)
8-Magglio Ordonez, Tigers
(.255, 5 HR, 329 AB)
Upton’s speed and fact that he’s Arizona’s best hitter gives him slight edge. Position is stronger than you’d expect — very impressive top seven. Swisher’s horrible playoff history drops him below Joyce.
DESIGNATED HITTER
1-Michael Young, Rangers
(.338, 11 HR, 106 RBI)
2-Victor Martinez, Tigers
(.330, 12 HR, 103 RBI)
3-Johnny Damon, Rays
(.261, 16 HR, 19 SB)
4-Jorge Posada, Yankees
(.235, 14 HR, 44 RBI)
Statistically, can’t get much closer than the top two. With the Tigers starting four righties, Posada figures to be Yankees’ DH ahead of Jesus Montero. Sorry, but he’s not as good as Damon.
NL TOP BENCH BAT
1-John Mayberry Jr., Phillies
(.275, 15 HR, 262 AB)
2-Allen Craig, Cardinals
(.313, 10 HR, 195 AB)
3-Lyle Overbay, D’backs
(.234, 9 HR, 393 AB)
4-Mark Kotsay, Brewers
(.270, 3 HR, 233 AB)
Impressive production from the top pair here. Something to keep in mind if Phillies or Cards make the World Series and need a DH.
ROTATION
1-Phillies: Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt
2-Rays: James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, David Price
3-Brewers: Yovani Gallardo, Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum
4-Tigers: Justin Verlander, Doug Fister, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello
5-Yankees: CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia
6-Rangers: C.J. Wilson, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Colby Lewis
7- D’backs: Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Joe Saunders, Josh Collmenter
8-Cardinals: Chris Carpenter, Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse, Edwin Jackson
Along with Verlander, Halladay and Lee are two of the playoffs’ top three starters. Tough to have Kennedy-led D’backs and Carpenter/Dave Duncan-led Cards so low. Yankees slightly above the middle.
BULLPEN
1-Yankees: Mariano Rivera, David Robertson, Rafael Soriano
2-Tigers: Jose Valverde, Joaquin Benoit, Phil Coke
3-Brewers: John Axford, Francisco Rodriguez
4-Rangers: Neftali Feliz, Mike Adams, Koji Uehara
5-Phillies: Ryan Madson, Brad Lidge, Antonio Bastardo
6-D’backs: J.J. Putz, David Hernandez, Brad Ziegler
7-Rays: Kyle Farnsworth, Brandon Gomes, Joel Peralta
8-Cardinals: Jason Motte, Fernando Salas, Octavio Dotel
Rivera is still the majors’ best closer and obviously incredible in postseason, though Soriano bears watching. Valverde hasn’t blown a save this season. Axford and K-Rod make strong duo.
MANAGER
1-Tony La Russa, Cardinals
2-Joe Maddon, Rays
3-Charlie Manuel, Phillies
4-Jim Leyland, Tigers
5-Joe Girardi, Yankees
6-Ron Washington, Rangers
7-Kirk Gibson, D’backs
8-Ron Roenicke, Brewers
La Russa is probably the majors’ best manager, not just the best remaining one. Leyland vs. Girardi is a very good first-round matchup.
OVERALL
Rangers – 68 points
Yankees – 63 points
Phillies – 57 points
Tigers – 53 points
Rays – 52 points
Cards – 48 points
Brewers – 45 points
D’backs – 35 points
(scoring system: 8 points for first, 7 for second, etc.)