5 Most Disappointing Players In the National League

Aug 28, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) waits on deck in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

It is about that time of year again where we make our picks for the best and the worst of each league. This is where I come in. It is difficult to decide who has been worst but there are always those few that stick out. Ranking them from fifth-worst to the absolute worst in the National League is even harder. Here is my attempt…

5. Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants

Matt Cain is supposed to be the number one starter on the defending World Series Champions. Well, 2013 hasn’t gone as planned for the right handed starter. In 27 starts this season, Cain is 8-9 with a 4.37 ERA. Cain signed a new contract back before 2010 season, that has him locked down until 2017, and things haven’t gone his way since then. He had a great 2012 campaign, but it is all about consistency. He has yet to throw a complete game and has allowed his second most about of Home Runs in a season at 21. The Giants can play spoiler down the stretch but to do so, it all starts with the pitching and Matt Cain.

4. Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins

Giancarlo Stanton is undoubtedly the best player on the Miami Marlins roster. He is a little disappointed in the ownership for letting all of the players around him go in a trade with the Blue Jays this past winter. Well, he has let that get in the way of his play this season. He has only played in 96 games and has the worst average of his career at .249. He isn’t producing the Home Runs that the Marlins desperately need in the middle of their order.

Without him being a run producer like they though he would be, the Marlins have really struggled. His slugging percentage of .473 is also the worst it has been in his career. Three weeks remain in the regular season and he has yet to hit 20 Home Runs or drive in 50 runs. It has been a poor season for Stanton and he will need to turn it around next season as he is signed through the 2017 season.

3. Edwin Jackson, Chicago Cubs

Sep 3, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edwin Jackson (36) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Edwin Jackson was signed by the Cubs before this season and was expected to be a top of the rotation guy for them. He has been far from that, sporting a record of 7-15. I don’t know what it is, but when a pitcher ends up with the Cubs everything goes from bad to worse. Maybe it is the amount of day games that they play at home. We will never know the real issue, but Jackson has been pretty awful. He has an ERA just under 5.00 and has allowed 98 runs to score this season.

The one thing he is known for is his 149-pitch no-hitter with the Diamondbakcs, when he walked eight batters. The Cubs are looking to be a team on the move in the next few seasons and Jackson will have to be one of the top guys in their rotation for that to happen.

2. Ike Davis, New York Mets

 Ike Davis is coming off a 2012 campaign where he hit 32 Home Runs for the struggling New York Mets. This season the Mets had the pitching to make some noise but the bats just aren’t there for them to be contenders. After having such a good year last season, Ike Davis was demoted earlier this season for his lack of production. If he can figure it out, him and David Wright are solid corner infielders. In 2013 he is hitting .205 with only nine Home Runs. A long way off from last seasons production but, like every Mets season, there is always next year.

1. B. J. Upton, Atlanta Braves

B. J. Upton signed a $75 million contract this offseason to join his brother Justin in Atlanta. This was the largest free-agent contract in Atlanta Braves history. Well, ever since then things have gone down hill and he hasn’t lived up to expectations. He is hitting .192 with a whopping 140 strikeouts. He was projected to be there two-hole hitter and solidify their lineup but he has done nothing but hurt the team. He has yet to collect 100 hits on the season as the season will come to a close later this month. The Braves will be rethinking things this offseason, and the number thing on their list will be B.J. Upton.