Who is the best MLB player from each state?

Sep 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) smiles to the bench after hitting a triple and driving in a run during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

44 of 50

Apr 11, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Baseball fans line up to enter Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Utah: Bruce Hurst

What is there to say about the state of Utah and baseball? Well, not much. Including Utah on this list feels very much like a participation trophy. There have only been 39 players in the history of the game from the state, and none of them are very noteworthy.

Combined, Utah hitters have 2,034 hits and a .224/.295/.327 slash line with zero trips to the All-Star Game. The pitchers have a 4.33 ERA, but a losing record. There isn’t even a single active player in the league from Utah.

Because someone has to represent the state, let’s go with pitcher Bruce Hurst. He claimed the only All-Star nod ever for Utah in 1987 while pitching for the Red Sox. Over 15 years in the league, he won 145 games and once led the NL in shutouts. His best years came after leaving the Red Sox and joining the San Diego Padres. With the Pods, Hurst went 55-38 with a 3.27 ERA in 131 starts.

Early in his career with the Red Sox, Hurst was an important part of the hard-luck 1986 team that came up just shy of the World Series title. He started three games in the series and went 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA. Hurst was actually the Game 7 starter, and pitched well enough to keep his team in the game before the bullpen came unhinged.

Home/MLB