Major league baseball released the list of players that were the most popular this season since the all-star break, translating into jersey sales. The New York Yankees (Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Ichiro Suzuki) are the only team with three players in the top 10, as retirements (Chipper Jones) and rookie sensations made an impact (Bryce Harper, Mike Trout) made an impact on the sales charts.
10th – Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
The Yankees’ second baseman made his third consecutive all-star game in 2012, hitting a career high 33 home runs and also a career high OPS with .929. His WAR of 8.2 was 2n in the AL.
9th – Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
The MVP and Cy Young winner in 2011 had another fantastic season, leading the AL in complete games (6), innings pitched (238.1) and strikeouts, with 239. He made his fourth consecutive all-star games, also leading the American league in WAR for pitchers.
8th – Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
At 40, he was selected to his 8th all-star game, probably because it was his last regular season in Baseball, retiring (once the postseason is over for the Braves) after 19 seasons of playing for the same team.
7th – Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
A lot of excitement around Darvish in his debut MLB season, and for good reason. He finished with a 16-9, 3.90 ERA and 10.4 strikeouts per 9 innings, while making the all-star game. His strikeout ratio was good enough for 2nd in the AL.
6th – Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
The 25 year old center fielder made his second consecutive all-star in 2012, leading the National League in hits with 194. He batted a career high 31 home runs, 96 RBIs, .327 average and the additional .400/.553/.953 stat line.
5th – Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
The Angels’ rookie sensation is strong in the running for the AL MVP award, leading the league in runs scored (129), stolen bases (49) and OPS adjusted to the players ballpark. He hit a .326 with 30 home runs and 83 RBIs.
4th – Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Another rookie to make the all-star game, Harper was the youngest player in the National League this season, hitting 22 home runs with 59 RBIs on a .270 batting average.
3rd – Ichiro Suzuki, New York Yankees
Leaving Seattle for New York created a surge in Ichiro jeresys being sold. The 12 year veteran didn’t miss a single game for the fourth time in his career, rediscovering his bat during his 67 games for the Yankees, hitting a .322, 5 home runs and 27 RBIs.
2nd – Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
Contract years do this to a player, hitting a career high 43 home runs and 128 RBIs. He was second in the AL in slugging (.577), home runs, RBIs and AB per Home run (13.1).
1st – Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
A decreased salary for the 38 year old, but not decline in production. Jeter led the AL in hits (216) for the second time in his career, batting .316, his best since 2009 and 15 home runs.