I like lists. I make lists all the time. Recently, I made a list of players I don't believe get enough recognition in the American League. Certainly the list isn't exhaustive. Let's look at some of them:

Scott Feldman-SP Rangers. Who knew? Who knew this guy would be this good? I saw tons of his games in the minor leagues. He had nowhere near the command or the confidence he has shown. He has excellent stuff and it's all coming together.

Adam Lind-OF Blue Jays. It's wonderful that the world is now seeing what scouts and fantasy players have seen for a while. What a year he is having. With much more to come. For years, all we heard in Toronto was Vernon Wells and Alex Rios. The real deal is Adam Lind.

Placido Polanco-2B Tigers. Year after year, season after season, all he does is hit and play well in the field. Yet, Polanco is not discussed all that much in baseball circles when good second basemen are mentioned. He isn't flashy. He's just good. Very good.

Scott Podsednik-OF White Sox. Lots of people had given up on Podsednik. He had a few down years. The White Sox brought him back and he has energized his career. He still runs, steals bases and scores runs. Granted, he's been caught stealing, but I still like his game and I don't think he gets recognized with other base stealers in the game.

Miguel Cabrera-1B Tigers. Miguel Cabrera, Bernie? Are you kidding? No, I don't think he gets enough love. He's an unbelievable hitter. Consistent and lethal. We hear about Manny and Tex, but what about Miguel? He's a younger Manny with the ability to sustain his career on an all star level.

Kendry Morales-!B Angels. All he needed was a chance. The same thing Brandon Wood needs. The Angels gave Morales a chance and he didn't disappoint. Wow, what a season. And he gets better every day. Playing time and seeing major league pitchers day in and day out is the only way to improve. The rough times are over for Morales. To me, he's the Most Valuable Player in the AL. Very quietly.

Jason Kubel-OF Twins. He was projected to be a big hitter for the past few years. He has had some very big, meaningful hits for the Twins this year. He, like Morales, is getting more opportunities at the plate. He's going to get even better. There are people who don't think he will ever realize his potential. I think he's getting closer.

Robby Cano-2B Yankees- Don't you know! He had a very rough first half last season. This year he has come back with some major hits for the Yanks. He's young and he's getting better. He has to learn not to waste any at-bats or take plays off in the field. If he plays with energy and heart, his results will continue. I don't think we hear enough about him in a game loaded with good second basemen.

Jason Bartlett-SS Rays. What a player. I like him at the leadoff position for the Rays. He makes things happen and has some pop in his bat. We don't hear enough about Bartlett. He plays good defense and he can hit. He has stabilized the middle infield in Tampa and should be a fixture for a while.

Billy Butler-1B/DH Royals. All we've ever heard about Butler is that he can hit. Well, he can hit. Playing in a market for a team that doesn't get much publicity, Butler doesn't get the pub other players get. He is steady and he'll get even better. He has a ton of extra base hits. Impressive for a slow guy.

Alfredo Aceves-RP Yankees. He's been roughed up a little lately and he gives up some home runs, but only true baseball fans like us even know he exists. And he plays in New York. He's a good pitcher. He has helped a great deal and he'll do even better. He shouldn't be forgotten. He's helped a lot.

Asdrubal Cabrera-2B Indians. He was so bad at the plate he was sent down last season. He kept his head up, didn't complain and he made himself into a very good hitter. He can run and he puts the bat on the ball. The improvement has really come since his switch to shortstop from second. He has upside remaining and he is one tough out.

Kevin Youkilis-1B/3B Red Sox. He is probably the player I think gets the least publicity for his skill and impact. Sure, the Red Sox Nation knows about Youkilis and probably everyone who lives on the East Coast hears about him. But he is almost a secret West of the Mississippi. He's such a great clutch player. He is such a tough out. He is such a grinder. I just love to watch him and Pedroia at the plate and in the field. Pedroia seems to get the ink, but not so much for Youkilis. He and Miguel Cabrera are both superstars with little publicity. Well, in my opinion at least.

There are certainly others like Franklin Gutierrez, Ricky Romero, Aaron Hill, and Marc Rzepczynski.

That's my American League list. I'd like to read about guys you don't think get enough recognition in the American League. Comment below or contact me by email
at thebigstrawhat@ aol.com