I have crunched and compared the numbers, and compiled my starting lineup of MLB players based on their statistics and accomplishments since the calendar hit the year 2000. The lineup is set with one player from each position, no DH, five starting pitchers, and one closer.
Do you agree with the lineup?
Catcher
Joe Mauer
Mr. Minnesota himself, Joe Mauer, was a stud for the Twins from 2004 until 2018. Among catchers since 2000, Mauer ranks first in runs scored (while having more than 100 more than second place), first in batting average, first in on-base percentage, and is in the top five for wOBA and wRC+. From his slightly below average base-running abilities and only above average defending, Mauer ranks fifth overall in catchers’ WAR during this time. However, he is the best offensive catcher by a landslide:
This century, Mauer was voted to six All-Star games, won three Gold Gloves, five Silver Sluggers, three batting titles, as well as one MVP in 2009.
First Base
Albert Pujols
This was one of the easier, ‘no-brainer’ selections. Though pictured in his current uniform, Pujols has spent the bulk of the 21st century terrorizing pitchers as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. Albert has amassed all of 656 career home runs in this time frame, 106 more than any other player, and almost 200 more than the next closest first baseman, Miguel Cabrera. He has the most runs scored and runs batted in by any player, and almost 400 more in each category than the next closest first baseman, whom again is Miguel Cabrera. As well, Pujols ranks first in offense, and first in first baseman WAR, 17 more wins than the next closest one-bagger; if it weren’t for his metrically below-average defending, he would undoubtedly have the highest WAR out of any positional player, as he sits a mere 0.5 wins behind Alex Rodriguez. Here’s what his absurd stat line during the 21st century looks like:
Conveniently for Pujols, the start of his career coincided almost exactly with the turn of the century. He has been voted to 10 All-Star games, awarded two Gold Gloves, and six Silver Sluggers, won a batting title, the Rookie of the Year award in the NL and three MVP’s.
Second Base
Robinson Cano
This was one of the more difficult decisions as Chase Utley and Jose Altuve both made strong cases to be my second baseman. However, despite an 80 game PED ban, Cano deserves entry into the lineup (with help from a Mariners bias).
His best seasons came in the mid-2000’s in a different shade of pinstripes; it saw Cano accumulate the most runs batted in, the second most home runs, runs scored and WAR, as well as top five rankings in wOBA and wRC+ as far as second baseman are concerned. He has been voted to eight All-Star games, won two Gold Gloves, and five Silver Sluggers.
Being statistically close to the others at his position, it was his swagger and attitude which gave him the leg up. Cano possesses a certain ‘coolness’ in the field, making every play look effortless – which it probably is for a man of that talent. Also, who can resist one of the sweetest swings you’ll see in the game of baseball?
Third Base
Alex Rodriguez
If Albert Pujols was a no-brainer as my first baseman, I’d consider A-Rod as something beyond that. Rodriguez is not only offensively speaking the best third baseman of all-time, but he’s also the best shortstop of all-time – that’s how talented he was. Since the year 2000 is the starting point for my team, Alex slides in at the hot corner as he played the majority of the 21st century at third base.
Rodriguez ranks first in WAR, home runs, runs scored, isolated slugging percentage, slugging percentage and wOBA among third baseman. He is also second in runs batted in, stolen bases and wRC. He was voted to a ludicrous 11 All-Star games (included nine in a row from 2000-2008), won two Gold Gloves, seven Silver Sluggers, and three MVP’s.
It also wouldn’t be my All-21st Century Team if a few of my players weren’t mired in steroid scandals. Rodriguez was subsequently suspended for 211 games for using PED’s and was continually booed around the league (though he was booed for as long as I can remember before that). A-Rod was public enemy #1 in the MLB; most memorably in a nationally broadcast game versus the Red Sox. On this night, A-Rod provided one of the my favourite moments of him:
Shortstop
Derek Jeter
Jeter’s selection speaks for itself: he’s Mr. November, the Captain, Captain Clutch. Though he didn’t tear the cover off the ball with power, Jeter had an uncanny ability to rack up hits – leading to a sparkling .307 career batting average. From 2000 onward he leads all shortstops in WAR (excluding A-Rod), as well as ranking second in batting average, and on-base percentage, and in the top five in runs scored and runs batted in. He was voted to a cool 12 All-Star games in a span of 14 years (even though his last was a courtesy), won five Gold Gloves, and five Silver Sluggers. Playing arguably the most important position on the diamond, Jeter excelled – though I’m sure you don’t need me to convince you of that.
Left Field
Barry Bonds
Love him or hate him, Barry Bonds was a cheat code. The 2000’s account for only eight of Bonds’ 22 big league seasons, but he still easily takes the starting left field position. Barring in mind these eight seasons spanned his 35th-42nd birthdays, the stats about to be put forth are video game-esque.
He leads all left fielders in WAR while appearing in more than 400 less games than any other player in the top 10. He is first in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, ISO, wOBA, and wRC+; if you know much about baseball statistics it’s not rocket-science to comprehend that his numbers are out of this world (pun intended). If you compare him to the next closest player in these categories you will understand what I’m getting at:
| Batting Average | |
| Bonds | .322 |
| Ramirez | .315 |
| On-Base Percentage | |
| Bonds | .517(!) |
| Ramirez | .417 |
| Slugging Percentage | |
| Bonds | .724(!) |
| Ramirez | .591 |
| Isolated Slugging | |
| Bonds | .402(!!) |
| Gallo | .304 |
| wOBA | |
| Bonds | .490(!!!) |
| Ramirez | .421 |
| wRC+ | |
| Bonds | 203(!!!) |
| Ramirez | 157 |
Bonds was voted to six All-Star games, won five Silver Sluggers, and four MVP’s… pardon me, four straight MVP’s from 2001 to 2004. Let’s just say he deserves to be here.
Center Field
Mike Trout
The current face of the MLB, Mike Trout, finds himself roaming center field on my team. Just as the man to his right, he has played in eight (full) seasons in the 21st century and amassed a full trophy case of awards – and he will continue to do so.
He leads all center fielders in WAR, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, wOBA, and wRC+. Unfortunately for Trout, he currently finds himself on the list of athletes who are having their talents wasted. He has been voted to eight All-Star games, won seven Silver Sluggers, the AL Rookie of the Year, and three MVP’s, as well as finishing in the top two of MVP voting every year except one (where he had an injury shortened campaign).
Just as an aside, being a Seattle Mariners fan I’ve seen A LOT of Trout… almost too much. He torches the M’s every time they play. He has 20 career home runs in Seattle in just 69 games. I think he’s the reason they changed the name from Safeco to T-Mobile.
Trout is a joy to watch, so let’s watch:
Right Field
Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro Suzuki is about as iconic as a baseball player can get. He entered the league in 2001 and lead the Seattle Mariners to the best record in MLB history, while winning the AL Rookie of the Year, a Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove, the batting title, the MVP, and earning an All-Star game selection all in that season (!).
He went on the accumulate two more Silver Sluggers, nine more Gold Gloves, nine more All-Star game selections, and one more batting title. He also broke George Sisler’s eon-old single-season hits record in 2004, and led the MLB in hits seven times (five straight time from 2006 through 2010). Ichiro also had a rocket of a throwing arm, something that is underappreciated in my opinion.
Here’s him showing it off to Terrence Long:
And breaking George Sisler’s record:
Pitching Rotation
Randy Johnson
Three Cy Young Awards (one runner up)
Two time ERA leader
Four time strikeout leader
Three time FIP leader
Four All-Star game selections
2002 Triple Crown
2004 Perfect Game
Was age 36-45 during this time period!
Justin Verlander
Two Cy Young Awards (runner up three times)
Rookie of the Year Award
One MVP Award
Five time strikeout leader
Eight All-Star game selections
Three no-hitters
First in WAR
Clayton Kershaw
Three Cy Young Awards (runner up twice)
Five time ERA leader
One MVP Award
Eight All-Star game selections
One Gold Glove
One no-hitter
2011 Triple Crown
Roy Halladay
Two Cy Young Awards (runner up twice)
19 shutouts (most by any pitcher in the 21st century)
Eight All-Star game selections
2010 post-season Perfect Game (second pitcher ever to do so)
One no-hitter (also in 2010)
Max Scherzer
Three Cy Young Awards (runner up once)
Three time strikeout leader
Four time wins leader
Seven All-Star game selections
Two no-hitters (both in 2015)
20 strikeout game in 2016
Closer
Mariano Rivera
First in Saves
First in WAR (among relievers)
11 All-Star game selections
Carter is a hockey player, formerly in the WHL for the Vancouver Giants, currently at the University of British Columbia. You can follow him on Twitter @carter_popoff.
You can follow Hit the Cut on Twitter @hitthecutblog.
Hit the Cut 
A lot of thought and effort. Can’t really disagree with all the selections