The Official Site of Hanley Ramirez

Wed, Jul 23rd 2008, 16:22

Cornerstones

In this month’s issue of Sports Illustrated 20 general managers, assistant gm’s and scouting directors were surveyed to find out who they would pick if they had the chance to pick one player in all of baseball to build a team around. The runaway winner was Hanley Ramirez. 5 points were awarded for each 1st place vote, 4 points for a second place vote, and so on. Hanley received 40 total points, including 5 first place votes, while the next closest competitors were Alex Rodriguez at 29 points and Chase Utley with 27 points.

“[Hanley]‘s got all the ability in the world – he can hit and he can run,” one AL executive told SI. “He makes errors, but he’s going to get better in the field. He’s an exciting player both ways.”

Rounding out the top 8 vote getters were Felix Hernandez of the Mariners (23 points), Joe Mauer of the Twins (21 points), Grady Sizemore of the Indians(18 points), Josh Beckett of the Red Sox (15 points), and Albert Pujols of the Cardinals (11 points).

Last year’s winner of the survey, Met’s shortstop Jose Reyes, finished 24th in balloting receiving 2 points.