MLB: Building the Most Overrated Team in Baseball

Cole Hamels & Francisco Rodriguez

Nothing personal against Hamels or Rodriguez, they are just often time overrated in the baseball world. With ten all-star appearances between the two men, they both have their fair share of accolades. It’s not that Hamels or Rodriguez are bad, they actually both had good 2016 seasons and contributed nicely to their teams. Hamels posted a 15-5 record, and Rodriguez recorded 44 saves. However, I think it is these stats that cause us to only scratch the surface with how good they really are.

Despite Hamels’ good record, his stat line didn’t ring out greatness. Hamels posted a 3.32 ERA and posted an all-time high HR/FB ratio. Hitters took Hamels’ fastball deep 14% of the time, which is pretty high for a pitcher of his caliber. He did have a low walk rate and high strike out rate, which are all great. However, his 3.0 WAR was pretty good, not great. His numbers have regressed each season since his break out year in 2011 as well. Hamels owned the 34th best WAR in baseball. While it is unfair to judge on one season, Hamels has shown that he is a great pitcher, but not on the elite status that many make him out to be.

Rodriguez was one of the MLB’s best in getting saves in 2016. However, like with Hamels his statistics show otherwise. First, Rodriguez’ war was only 0.6, accounting for the 67th best for relievers. His ERA wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either at 3.24. His walk rate has always been conceivably high, with his career average being 3.58 walks per nine innings. With only 5 blown saves Rodriguez seems like a stellar closer, however we must let go off his allure from the past and recognize he isn’t the same K-Rod he use to be.