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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players in the game today

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Paul Goldschmidt
TAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 06: Paul Goldschmidt #46 of the St. Louis Cardinals runs to third base in the third inning against the New York Yankees during the Grapefruit League spring training game at Steinbrenner Field on March 06, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

17. Paul Goldschmidt

Long one of MLB’s best-kept secrets playing in the desert for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Paul Goldschmidt is now playing in a major baseball market after being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. The pressure of playing in one of America’s most passionate baseball towns hasn’t seemed to phase the 31-year-old, who is hitting .281/.373/.594 with nine home runs and 19 RBI through his first 24 games. A brand-new $130-million extension probably doesn’t hurt matters, either. Goldschmidt had been playing out the final year of a $44.5-million contract that was one of the league’s biggest bargains.

If the power numbers hold, Goldschmidt will set new career highs across the board. If the Cardinals are able to keep their grip on the top of the NL Central, the six-time All-Star may finally be rewarded with the first MVP of his career. Goldschmidt has already notched two second-place MVP finishes to go along with three Silver Sluggers and three Gold Gloves.

They don’t make players more well-rounded than Goldschmidt, which makes him a modern sabermetrician’s dream. He is a career .297/.397/.533 hitter with 218 home runs and 124 stolen bases. He has come closer than any other first baseman to a 30-30 season since Jeff Bagwell in the 1990s. No longer forced to deal with Arizona’s humidors — he hit just .238/.363/.420 at home last year — Goldschmidt may be on the verge of putting up some very special seasons in St. Louis and cement his status as a future Hall of Famer.

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