AL East: 5 players who mean more than you think

 Pos: RF (2B/SS, as well)2012 Notable Statistics:.377 OBP, .848 OPS, 138 OPS+, 20 HR, 74 RBI, 14 SBThe term underrated is overused, but it truly does define the value that Ben Zobrist brings the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization. It took Zobrist three seasons until he really broke out into an all-star 2009 campaign hitting 27 homers and driving in 91 runs. He has always been known for his defensive versatility (has played every position except P and C), but that is just the beginning for him. Baseball sabermetricians love him because he does things that do not appear on a normal stat-line. Things such as his walk rate (14.5 % in 2012), effectiveness stealing bases (around 20 each of the last four seasons) and WAR [wins above replacement] (5.9 in 2012, MVP-caliber) are things that show just how valuable he is. A patient hitter with a great eye, Zobrist even once had a 10 RBI game, something that is just unheard of in today’s game. He may be viewed as a great player to many, but there are still many who just do not know how valuable he has been to the Rays’ success over the past few years.Sources: Baseball-Reference.com, Fangraphs.com Pos: RPRole: Middle-reliever/Left-handed specialist2012 Notable Statistics:80 G, 3.74 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 11.1 K/9The 6’5 Yankee lefty’s role really increased this past season, largely in part to the injuries and inconsistencies in the New York bullpen. Appearing in a career-high 80 games, Logan’s numbers really took a hit (80 baserunners allowed in 55 1/3 IP). The numbers may not have been there, but he was still effective enough to help contribute to the Yankees AL East championship run. Logan’s best seasons came in 2010 and 2011 in New York, really solidifying himself as a staple in the organization’s bullpen. He may not be the most valuable reliever in the division, but if he is able to successfully and effectively hand the ball over to David Robertson in the 8th inning and the now-healthy Mariano Rivera in the 9th, the Yankees will likely find themselves in the thick of the postseason race once again.Source: Baseball-Reference.comPos: RPRole: Middle-reliever/Set-up2012 Notable Statistics:37 G, 1.75 ERADo not stress over how to say his name, it is still struggling for fans even though Uehara (WAY-HARA, OO-E-HAH-RAH, or OO-E-HAH-LAH) has been around for four seasons. Although it was limited action for Uehara in 2012, he was dominant when he did appear. Allowing 23 baserunners in 36 innings of work is an impressive feat and his season overall was good enough to land him on MLB Network’s top 10 relief pitchers right now. Uehara signed with the Red Sox in the offseason and if he can produce the way he did before being traded to Texas in 2011 and capitalize off of what he did for the Rangers in 2012, he will play a significant role in Boston’s bullpen in 2013.Source: Baseball-Reference.comView the list ยป
 Pos: RPRole: Middle-reliever2012 Notable Statistics:69 G, 2.28 ERA, 185 ERA+, 0.94 WHIPKnown for his submarine-style delivery (nearly underhand), O’Day played an extremely vital part in the success of the Orioles’ bullpen in 2012. Allowing only a total of 66 baserunners in 67 innings, O’Day became a real go-to-guy for manager Buck Showalter down the stretch in September as a true weapon in getting guys out. He has seen his fair share of success in previous seasons, most recently with Texas in 2011. He is not overpowering by any means, but his off-speed pitches leave hitters off-balance, never being able to quite time him.Source: Baseball-Reference.com

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Over the next week, all 6 divisions of MLB will be examined to find one player from each team who may be overlooked, or not given enough credit for just how much they mean to their respective team's success. Some of these players are well-known, others likely are near the bottom of the popularity list. It does not mean that they are disliked, it just goes to show that they need to start being recognized.

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This list will focus on five players from the American League East.

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  •  Pos: RPRole: Middle-reliever2012 Notable Statistics:69 G, 2.28 ERA, 185 ERA+, 0.94 WHIPKnown for his submarine-style delivery (nearly underhand), O’Day played an extremely vital part in the success of the Orioles’ bullpen in 2012. Allowing only a total of 66 baserunners in 67 innings, O’Day became a real go-to-guy for manager Buck Showalter down the stretch in September as a true weapon in getting guys out. He has seen his fair share of success in previous seasons, most recently with Texas in 2011. He is not overpowering by any means, but his off-speed pitches leave hitters off-balance, never being able to quite time him.Source: Baseball-Reference.com
  • Pos: RPRole: Middle-reliever/Set-up2012 Notable Statistics:37 G, 1.75 ERADo not stress over how to say his name, it is still struggling for fans even though Uehara (WAY-HARA, OO-E-HAH-RAH, or OO-E-HAH-LAH) has been around for four seasons. Although it was limited action for Uehara in 2012, he was dominant when he did appear. Allowing 23 baserunners in 36 innings of work is an impressive feat and his season overall was good enough to land him on MLB Network’s top 10 relief pitchers right now. Uehara signed with the Red Sox in the offseason and if he can produce the way he did before being traded to Texas in 2011 and capitalize off of what he did for the Rangers in 2012, he will play a significant role in Boston’s bullpen in 2013.Source: Baseball-Reference.com
  •  Pos: RPRole: Middle-reliever/Left-handed specialist2012 Notable Statistics:80 G, 3.74 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 11.1 K/9The 6’5 Yankee lefty’s role really increased this past season, largely in part to the injuries and inconsistencies in the New York bullpen. Appearing in a career-high 80 games, Logan’s numbers really took a hit (80 baserunners allowed in 55 1/3 IP). The numbers may not have been there, but he was still effective enough to help contribute to the Yankees AL East championship run. Logan’s best seasons came in 2010 and 2011 in New York, really solidifying himself as a staple in the organization’s bullpen. He may not be the most valuable reliever in the division, but if he is able to successfully and effectively hand the ball over to David Robertson in the 8th inning and the now-healthy Mariano Rivera in the 9th, the Yankees will likely find themselves in the thick of the postseason race once again.Source: Baseball-Reference.com
  •  Pos: RF (2B/SS, as well)2012 Notable Statistics:.377 OBP, .848 OPS, 138 OPS+, 20 HR, 74 RBI, 14 SBThe term underrated is overused, but it truly does define the value that Ben Zobrist brings the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization. It took Zobrist three seasons until he really broke out into an all-star 2009 campaign hitting 27 homers and driving in 91 runs. He has always been known for his defensive versatility (has played every position except P and C), but that is just the beginning for him. Baseball sabermetricians love him because he does things that do not appear on a normal stat-line. Things such as his walk rate (14.5 % in 2012), effectiveness stealing bases (around 20 each of the last four seasons) and WAR [wins above replacement] (5.9 in 2012, MVP-caliber) are things that show just how valuable he is. A patient hitter with a great eye, Zobrist even once had a 10 RBI game, something that is just unheard of in today’s game. He may be viewed as a great player to many, but there are still many who just do not know how valuable he has been to the Rays’ success over the past few years.Sources: Baseball-Reference.com, Fangraphs.com
  • Pos: SP2012 Notable Statistics:21 GS, 124 2/3 IP, 2.96 ERA, 108 K, 144 ERA+Brandon Morrow has always been viewed as having great potential, but is labeled as a player who may not ever reach it. He may never be the ace that some thought he might be, but he has surely developed into a great pitcher ever since being traded to Toronto from Seattle in December of 2009. Setting career highs in starts (30), IP (179 1/3), and K (203) in 2011 led many to believe Morrow was a prime breakout candidate in 2012. Following up on a 2010 season that saw him nearly toss a no-hitter, 2011 had Morrow showing signs of maturity during his age 26 season. Unfortunately, injuries set him back in 2012, but he was still able to string together some great starts and is once again primed to play a big part in the 2013 Blue Jays success. The franchise was able to add major pieces to both the lineup and starting rotation in the offseason and Morrow will be leaned on to provide quality innings as the Blue Jays hope to reach the postseason for the first time since 1993.Source: Baseball-Reference.com
  • These 5 players may or may not be worthy of making this list in 2014, but there is no doubt they should be on fans' radars in 2013.What other AL East players do you think deserve to be on this list? Are there any players who you think should supplant the player representing their team on this list?
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, Dayton Baseball Examiner

Cody Woods is a recent graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in sport management. A former high school catcher and 3rd baseman, Cody has the knowledge of the game of baseball that dates back to the deadball era. He prides himself on the history of America's pastime. Whether it...

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