Major League Best Tools

Baseball America asked the men with the best seats in the house to voice their opinions. From the American League to the South Atlantic, we asked every full-season manager, often with input from his coaching staff, to break down the best players in a variety of categories.

2016 BEST TOOLS
Triple-A	Double-A	High Class A	Low Class A

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American League	National League
Best …
Hitter
1. Mike Trout, Angels	1. Daniel Murphy, Nationals
2. Jose Altuve, Astros	2. Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
3. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers	3. Nolan Arenado, Rockies
Power
1. Mark Trumbo, Orioles	1. Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
2. Chris Davis, Orioles	2. Kris Bryant, Cubs
3. Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays	3. Nolan Arenado, Rockies
Bunter
1. Adam Eaton, White Sox	1. Dee Gordon, Marlins
2. Billy Burns, Athletics/Royals	2. Billy Hamilton, Reds
3. Elvis Andrus, Rangers	3. Starling Marte, Pirates
Strike-Zone Judgment
1. Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays	1. Joey Votto, Reds
2. David Ortiz, Red Sox	2. Ben Zobrist, Cubs
3. Mike Trout, Angels	3. Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
Hit-And-Run Artist
1. Alcides Escobar, Royals	1. Martin Prado, Marlins
2. Jose Altuve, Astros	2. Yadier Molina, Cardinals
3. Elvis Andrus, Rangers	3. D.J. LeMahieu, Rockies
Baserunner
1. Jose Altuve, Astros	1. Starling Marte, Pirates
2. Mookie Betts, Red Sox	2. Billy Hamilton, Reds
3. Mike Trout, Angels	3. Dee Gordon, Marlins
Speed
1. Jarrod Dyson, Royals	1. Billy Hamilton, Reds
2. Byron Buxton, Twins	2. Dee Gordon, Marlins
3. Rajai Davis, Indians	3. Starling Marte, Pirates
Most Exciting Player
1. Mike Trout, Angels	1. Bryce Harper, Nationals
2. Jose Altuve, Astros	2. Nolan Arenado, Rockies
3. David Ortiz, Red Sox	3. Kris Bryant, Cubs
Pitcher
1. Chris Sale, White Sox	1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
2. Danny Salazar, Indians	2. Madison Bumgarner, Giants
3. Cole Hamels, Rangers	3. Jake Arrieta, Cubs
Fastball
1. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees/Cubs	1. Noah Syndergaard, Mets
2. Zach Britton, Orioles	2. Max Scherzer, Nationals
3. Chris Sale, White Sox	3. Jeurys Familia, Mets
Curveball
1. Dellin Betances, Yankees	1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
2. David Robertson, White Sox	2. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
3. Sonny Gray, Athletics	3. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
Slider
1. Andrew Miller, Yankees/Indians	1. Jose Fernandez, Marlins
2. Chris Sale, White Sox	2. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
3. Michael Fulmer, Tigers	3. Max Scherzer, Nationals
Changeup
1. Marco Estrada, Blue Jays	1. Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks
2. Dallas Keuchel, Astros	2. Kyle Hendricks, Cubs
3. Danny Salazar, Indians	3. Fernando Rodney, Marlins
Control
1. Marco Estrada, Blue Jays	1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
2. Josh Tomlin, Indians	2. Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks
3. Dallas Keuchel, Astros	3. Johnny Cueto, Giants
Pickoff Move
1. R.A. Dickey, Blue Jays	1. Julio Teheran, Braves
2. Nick Tropeano, Angels	2. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
3. Justin Verlander, Tigers	3. Johnny Cueto, Giants
Reliever
1. Zach Britton, Orioles	1. Jeurys Familia, Mets
2. Andrew Miller, Yankees/Indians	2. Kenley Jansen, Dodgers
3. Dellin Betances, Yankees	3. Mark Melancon, Pirates/Nationals
Defensive Catcher
1. Salvador Perez, Royals	1. Yadier Molina, Cardinals
2. Yan Gomes, Indians	2. Buster Posey, Giants
3. Russell Martin, Blue Jays	3. Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers/Rangers
Defensive 1B
1. Eric Hosmer, Royals	1. Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
2. Mitch Moreland, Rangers	2. Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
3. Mark Teixeira, Yankees	3. Brandon Belt, Giants
Defensive 2B
1. Jose Altuve, Astros	1. D.J. LeMahieu, Rockies
2. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox	2. Brandon Phillips, Reds
3. Jason Kipnis, Indians	3. Joe Panik, Giants
Defensive 3B
1. Manny Machado, Orioles	1. Nolan Arenado, Rockies
2. Adrian Beltre, Rangers	2. Anthony Rendon, Nationals
3. Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays	3. Matt Duffy, Giants/Rays
Defensive SS
1. Andrelton Simmons, Angels	1. Brandon Crawford, Giants
2. Francisco Lindor, Indians	2. Adeiny Hechavarria, Marlins
3. Jose Iglesias, Tigers	3. Zack Cozart, Reds
Infield Arm
1. Manny Machado, Orioles	1. Brandon Crawford, Giants
2. Andrelton Simmons, Angels	2. Nolan Arenado, Rockies
3. Didi Gregorius, Yankees	3. Danny Espinosa, Nationals
Defensive OF
1. Jackie Bradley, Red Sox	1. Starling Marte, Pirates
2. Kevin Kiermaier, Rays	2. Jason Heyward, Cubs
3. Kevin Pillar, Blue Jays	3. Billy Hamilton, Reds
Outfield Arm
1. Kole Calhoun, Angels	1. Yasiel Puig, Dodgers
2. Aaron Hicks, Yankees	2. Yoenis Cespedes, Mets
3. Byron Buxton, Twins	3. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
Manager
1. Terry Francona, Indians	1. Bruce Bochy, Giants
2. Buck Showalter, Orioles	2. Joe Maddon, Cubs
3. John Gibbons, Blue Jays	3. Mike Matheny, Cardinals