Sharpest Tools In The Shed

Image credit: The Cubs' Javier Baez won Most Exciting Player and Beset Infield Arm. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Every year Baseball America polls managers, scouts and executives to identify the best players in a variety of categories. Here are the results for 2018.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Best Hitter
1. Mike Trout, Angels
2. Mookie Betts, Red Sox
3. Jose Altuve, Astros

Best Power
1. Aaron Judge, Yankees
2. Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees
3. Mike Trout, Angels

Best Bunter
1. Dee Gordon, Mariners
2. Brett Gardner, Yankees
3. Delino DeShields Jr., Rangers

Best Strike-Zone Judgment
1. Mike Trout, Angels
2. Mookie Betts, Red Sox
3. Jose Ramirez, Indians

Best Hit-And-Run Artist
1. Jose Altuve, Astros
2. Jean Segura, Mariners
3. Andrelton Simmons, Angels

Best Baserunner
1. Dee Gordon, Mariners
2. Mookie Betts, Red Sox
3. Jose Altuve, Astros

Fastest Baserunner
1. Dee Gordon, Mariners
2. Byron Buxton, Twins
3. Delino DeShields Jr., Rangers

Most Exciting Player
1. Mike Trout, Angels
2. Mookie Betts, Red Sox 
3. Jose Altuve, Astros

Best Pitcher
1. Chris Sale, Red Sox
2. Corey Kluber, Indians
3. Justin Verlander, Astros

Best Fastball
1. Chris Sale, Red Sox
2. Luis Severino, Yankees
3. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees

Best Curveball
1. Corey Kluber, Indians
2. Charlie Morton, Astros
3. Blake Snell, Rays

Best Slider
1. Chris Sale, Red Sox
2. Trevor Bauer, Indians
3. Luis Severino, Yankees

Best Changeup
1. Chris Devenski, Astros
2. Chris Sale, Red Sox
3. Fernando Rodney, Twins

Best Control
1. Corey Kluber, Indians
2. Justin Verlander, Astros
3. Chris Sale, Red Sox

Best Pickoff Move
1. Marco Gonzales, Mariners
2. James Shields, White Sox
3. Dallas Keuchel, Astros

Best Reliever
1. Edwin Diaz, Mariners
2. Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox
3. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees

Best Defensive C
1. Martin Maldonado, Angels
2. Salvador Perez, Royals
3. Mike Zunino, Mariners

Best Defensive 1B
1. Mitch Moreland, Red Sox
2. Matt Olson, Athletics
3. Justin Smoak, Blue Jays

Best Defensive 2B
1. Jose Altuve, Astros
2. Ian Kinsler, Angels
3. Whit Merrifield, Royals

Best Defensive 3B
1. Matt Chapman, Athletics
2. Adrian Beltre, Rangers
3. Kyle Seager, Mariners

Best Defensive SS
1. Andrelton Simmons, Angels
2. Francisco Lindor, Indians
3. Jose Iglesias, Tigers

Best Infield Arm
1. Matt Chapman, Athletics
2. Carlos Correa, Astros
3. Manny Machado, Orioles

Best Defensive OF
1. Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox
2. Mookie Betts, Red Sox
3. Mike Trout, Angels

Best Outfield Arm
1. Aaron Judge, Yankees
2. Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox
3. Aaron Hicks, Yankees

Best Manager
1. Terry Francona, Indians
2. A.J. Hinch, Astros
3. Alex Cora, Red Sox

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Best Hitter
1. Freddie Freeman, Braves
2. Joey Votto, Reds
3. Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs

Best Power
1. Bryce Harper, Nationals
2. Nolan Arenado, Rockies
3. Jesus Aguilar, Brewers

Best Bunter
1. Cesar Hernandez, Phillies
2. Ender Inciarte, Braves
3. Jose Peraza, Reds

Best Strike-Zone Judgment
1. Joey Votto, Reds
2. Freddie Freeman, Braves
3. Carlos Santana, Phillies

Best Hit-And-Run Artist
1. D.J. LeMahieu, Rockies
2. Jose Peraza, Reds
3. Cesar Hernandez, Phillies

Best Baserunner
1. Trea Turner, Nationals
2. Billy Hamilton, Reds
3. Javier Baez, Cubs

Fastest Baserunner
1. Billy Hamilton, Reds
2. Trea Turner, Nationals
3. Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves

Most Exciting Player
1. Javier Baez, Cubs
2. Ozzie Albies, Braves
3. Nolan Arenado, Rockies

Best Pitcher
1. Max Scherzer, Nationals
2. Jacob deGrom, Mets
3. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

Best Fastball
1. Jordan Hicks, Cardinals
2. Noah Syndergaard, Mets
3. Max Scherzer, Nationals

Best Curveball
1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
2. Ross Stripling, Dodgers
3. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals

Best Slider
1. Max Scherzer, Nationals
2. Patrick Corbin, D-backs
3. Jacob deGrom, Mets

Best Changeup
1. Kyle Hendricks, Cubs
2. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
3. Max Scherzer, Nationals

Best Control
1. Zack Greinke, D-backs
2. Jacob deGrom, Mets
3. Miles Mikolas, Cardinals

Best Pickoff Move
1. Eric Lauer, Padres
2. Julio Teheran, Braves
3. Clayton Richard, Padres

Best Reliever
1. Josh Hader, Brewers
2. Sean Doolittle, Nationals
3. Kenley Jansen, Dodgers

Best Defensive C
1. Buster Posey, Giants
2. Austin Hedges, Padres
3. Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers

Best Defensive 1B
1. Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
2. Freddie Freeman, Braves
3. Anthony Rizzo, Cubs

Best Defensive 2B
1. D.J. LeMahieu, Rockies
2. Javier Baez, Cubs
3. Ozzie Albies, Braves

Best Defensive 3B
1. Nolan Arenado, Rockies
2. Anthony Rendon, Nationals
3. Johan Camargo, Braves

Best Defensive SS
1. Brandon Crawford, Giants
2. Nick Ahmed, D-backs
3. Trea Turner, Nationals

Best Infield Arm
1. Javier Baez, Cubs
2. Nolan Arenado, Rockies
3. Brandon Crawford, Giants

Best Defensive OF
1. Ender Inciarte, Braves
2. Lorenzo Cain, Brewers
3. Billy Hamilton, Reds

Best Outfield Arm
1. Jason Heyward, Cubs
2. Yasiel Puig, Dodgers
3. Hunter Renfroe, Padres

Best Manager
1. Craig Counsell, Brewers
2. Joe Maddon, Cubs
3. Dave Roberts, Dodgers