Baseball America’s annual Best Tools survey, which has been gauging major‑league managers since 1988, is the industry’s barometer for spotting the game’s most versatile talents.
Bill James, the father of modern baseball analytics, once noted that players who shine in several categories without dominating any single one are often undervalued, a pattern that repeats year after year.
Take Ryan Jeffers, a catcher whose bat produces strong offensive numbers but whose defensive metrics lag, leaving him on the periphery of the Best Tools conversation despite his all‑round contributions.
Josh Naylor, the first‑base stalwart, offers a balanced mix of power and contact, yet he has never surged ahead in any one statistical niche, keeping him out of the top tier of the voting.
Gleyber Torres, a second‑base mainstay, posts solid offensive stats while lacking the baserunning speed and defensive flair that typically catch a manager’s eye for the accolade.
Isaac Paredes brings a potent bat to the hot corner, but his limited defensive range and modest baserunning keep him from being recognized as a true all‑tool player.
CJ Abrams is enjoying a career‑best season, but his ascent will likely hinge on a breakout offensive performance to translate into Best Tools nods.
Randy Arozarena’s rookie‑of‑the‑year award and multiple All‑Star selections underscore his impact, yet his all‑around skill set still flies under the radar of the Best Tools panel.
Brandon Nimmo’s high on‑base percentage is a hidden gem, but a lack of elite baserunning and recent positional shifts have dimmed his visibility in the voting.
George Springer, with a career 126 OPS+ and a $150 million contract, has earned All‑Star honors repeatedly, but he has never cracked the top three in any Best Tools category.
Bryan Reynolds, a designated hitter, delivers consistent production without a standout statistic, making him a textbook example of the multi‑tool player who slips through the cracks.
The Pitching Perspective
On the mound, Ranger Suarez has posted a 3.34 ERA over nine seasons, yet his steady excellence has not translated into Best Tools recognition.
Logan Gilbert, a durable arm with a 3.56 career ERA and a 1.05 WHIP, exemplifies reliability, but his lack of a signature pitch has kept him out of the spotlight.
Jesus Luzardo’s devastating slider promises elite potential, though an inconsistent track record has limited his accolades thus far.
Brady Singer’s durability shines through his streak of at least 20 starts in each of the past six seasons, a testament to his dependable presence in the rotation.
Mitch Keller’s 200‑strikeout season showcases his strike‑out prowess, but an elevated ERA and a perception of being a No. 4 starter have relegated him to the background.
Drew Rasmussen, a reliever with top‑10 marks in ERA, WHIP and home‑run rate among multi‑year pitchers, remains overlooked despite his statistical footprint.
David Bednar, a closer posting a 3.06 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, continues to be ignored by the Best Tools voters, despite his closing credentials.
Bryan Abreu, a setup man with a 2.88 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, and Alex Vesia, a left‑handed setup specialist posting a 2.88 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, both illustrate how high‑level relief work can be undervalued.
Tyler Rogers, a submariner whose 2.63 ERA and 1.10 WHIP rank among the best for pitchers with 500 innings in the 2020s, rounds out a list of underrated arms.
The common thread among these players is their proficiency across multiple facets of the game, a trait that Bill James identified as a predictor of underrated talent. While specialization often garners headlines, the unsung versatility of these athletes deserves a louder voice in the conversation.