As we roll out MLBRank's tiers of top players this week, where some players (and types of players) landed seemed significant.
From within the group of players ranked 80-61, we saw a group of rotation aces whose positions this low (relatively speaking) seemed like a surprise, because pitchers such as David Price, Justin Verlander and Jake Arrieta have traditionally rated much higher. We also saw two young talents whose futures all 30 teams would like a piece of. In addition, the presence of two of the game's leading stars behind the plate led us to ask four of our Insiders for their thoughts about these players and the questions inspired by their positions in our rankings.
1. Which fading ace has the most left in the tank?
David Schoenfield: I'm not sure why everyone in Boston is so eager to write off David Price. The guy led the league in innings pitched just last season while striking out 228 batters. OK, his return from a spring training elbow injury has been a little slow, and then he battled a blister, and he's allowed seven home runs in 34 innings and uncharacteristically walked four batters twice in a game. Still, he is three years younger than Justin Verlander, still throwing 94 mph, and once he gets the rust out, he'll be fine.