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 /

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Jul 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame member Larry Bowa (left) and Mike Schmidt (middle) and Steve Carlton (right) during the Pat Burrell (not pictured) induction ceremony before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida: Steve Carlton

For a state that consistently produces 95 percent of the five-star college-football recruits, Florida lags behind in sending baseball stars to the big leagues. That is likely changing, with more players from Florida being drafted every year. Right now, there are over 100 active players from the state, over a fifth of its all-time production.

Florida gave us two of the most prolific speedsters of the 1980s — Tim Raines and Andre Dawson. After years of being left out, Raines will finally get to join Dawson in the Hall of Fame this year. Chipper Jones and Gary Sheffield were also born in Florida. Jones is a lock for Cooperstown, and Sheffield might eventually get in.

Do you need a Carlton signed ball? Of course you do.

The clear number-one for Florida, however, is Steve Carlton. Over 24 years in the big leagues, Lefty won 324 games and four Cy Youngs. He led the league in wins four times, strikeouts five times, and ERA once. Carlton was a workhorse who also pitched for two World Series winners. When he retired, he held the record for strikeouts by a left-hander, which has since been broken by Randy Johnson. He also had one of the best pickoff moves in baseball history, and caught 144 runners napping in his career. The second-highest total in that category is 82.

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