Switch-hitting First Baseman Mark Teixeira was the fifth overall selection in the 2001 MLB Draft, chosen by the Texas Rangers. He played just one season in the minors and debuted with the Rangers in 2003. In his first full season in the majors Teixeira blasted 26 homers while playing the outfield, third base and first base. In 2004, Mark jumped his season home run total to 38 and was named the A.L. Silver Slugger at First Base. In 2005
"Tex" had an award sweep, winning another Silver Slugger, his first Gold Glove and was an A.L. All-Star selection. Also in 2005 Teixeira became just the third switch-hitter in MLB history to homer 20 or more times in each of his first three seasons. In 2007 Mark was traded to the Atlanta Braves and in 2008 was traded to the Angels. He joined the Yankees as a free agent in 2009 and led the A.L. in home runs with 39 and RBI's with 122. Teixeira currently has 4 Gold Glove Awards to go along with 3 Silver Slugger trophies.
Brandon Phillips was a Montreal Expo draft choice in 1999. A highly regarded Expo prospect Phillips was involved in a major trade to the Cleveland Indians. Phillips along with Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee and Lee Stevens were sent to Cleveland in exchange for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew! Brandon never could gain a full-time job for the Indians and the Reds dealt for him at the start of the 2006 season. Phillips has been the Reds ever day second baseman since that trade. Noted as a fine glove man, Brandon has won two Gold Glove awards ('08, '10) and has a career fielding percentage of .987 at Second Base. At the plate Phillips is a mixed bag. He can supply power with a career high of 30 homers in 2007 and a high of 98 RBI's in 2009. Brandon also has speed with a career high of 32 steals in 2007 and also has scored over 100 runs two times. Phillips is not your typical contact hitting second baseman as he is normally up there swinging and his .332 OBP in 2010 is his career high in that category.
To quote Casey Stengel "The catching position is very important because without it the ball just rolls to the backstop". Geovany Soto was taken in the 11th round of the 2001 MLB Amatuer Draft. 4 years later Soto made his debut for the Cubs on Sept. 23, 2005. Not really being a Blue Chip prospect for the Cubs, Soto spent another two seasons in the minors with a few late season AB's in Chicago. After lighting up the minors in 2007, Geovany was called up and just continued his torrid hitting in the bigs. Soto earned the starting catcher nod in 2008 and proceeded to make the N.L. All-Star team and win the N.L. Rookie of the Year Award. 2009 was a down year for Soto as his conditioning was brought into question. 2010 Geovany reported in great shape and went on to a fine season with a career high OPS of .890 to go along with his 17 home runs.
Miguel Olivo was originally signed as a Free Agent by the Oakland A's in 1996. In 2000 Olivo was traded to the White Sox and his first MLB appearance was on September 15, 2002. Miguel was the White Sox primary Catcher in 2003 but in 2004 he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners. In 2005 Seattle traded Olivo to San Diego. In 2006 Olivo signed as a Free Agent with the Florida Marlins and for two seasons he was their starting Catcher. K.C. signed Miguel as a Free Agent and for 2008 and 2009 Olivo platooned as a backstop for the Royals. In 2010 the Colorado Rockies signed Olivo as a Free Agent and he appeared in 112 games for the Rockies. Miguel has a strong arm and in 2010 Olivo was second in the N.L. in Caught Stealing % throwing out 42 percent of the attempted steals. Olivo also has caught 2 no-hitters, Anibal Sanchez on September 6, 2006 and Ubaldo Jimenez on April 17, 2010.
