Every baseball player is evaluated by a team of scouts who look for five critical tools. These include power, speed, hitting for average, fielding, and arm strength. If a player has these five skills at the major league level, he is on his way to becoming a star. Unfortunately, not all major league players have these tools. Having all these skills is very rare for a player, and watching him play on the field becomes more exciting when he has a complete set of abilities.
During the past two decades, there have been many complete five-tool players. One of these was Ken Griffey Jr., an exciting and talented player who brought fans into the game. He was an outfielder who won numerous batting titles and gold gloves and brought excitement to the field. Nowadays there are only a small number of players in Major League Baseball who have all of these skills.
- Power
One of the most critical plays in Major League Baseball is the home run. A powerful player in the middle of a lineup can carry an offense. These players rely on their power and can help their teams win. One of the most talented players in the league is Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton.
Currently leading the league in home runs, Stanton is a freak of nature. Not only does he hit a lot of long balls, but he also hits them incredibly far. One of his most significant home runs this season was a 484-foot blast. He has also had several other long balls that were over 450 feet. Stanton’s power is entirety, and he consistently hits balls a mile long.
- The Hitting Average
An important skill a position player can develop is hitting for average. This is the hardest of the five skills that a player can learn, and it is essential that a player can hit a high average. If a player can hit a high standard, they can be a tremendous asset to their team. Miguel Cabrera is the biggest asset that the Detroit Tigers have.
Since Carl Yastrzemski won the Triple Crown in 1967, Miguel has been the first player to do so. He is a complete hitter who can hit for average and power. He can also hit any pitch that comes his way, no matter the speed or location. With a career batting average of .321, Miguel has become one of the best all-around players in the history of baseball.
- Speed
Speed is another one of the important skills for them to have. Major League Baseball’s rate is best used on the base paths and in the field to catch fly balls. The player who has had the most consistent and impressive showing of this skill is Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury. If he is healthy, he can become one of the best players in the league and have 50 stolen bases in a year.
- Arm Strength
One of the most underrated skills a position player can develop is his arm strength. Players with this ability can make a huge difference in their team’s direction by throwing the ball hard from the infield and the outfield. Yoenis Céspedes and Manny Machado are two of the best examples of this type of player.
- Fielding
A position player can consider one of the most important factors when winning championships is having a solid defensive backbone. Having an excellent shortstop is very important to a team’s success. A player has to be very athletic and consistent to give their team a chance to win. One of the best examples of this type of player is Atlanta’s, Andrelton Simmons.