It seems like that in every year in Major League Baseball, various players for a number of reasons go through a slump unlike any they have ever experienced in their careers.

In 2011, Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox slumbered through a campaign in which he hit just .159, and would have broken the modern MLB record for futility had he qualified for the batting title. Vernon Wells also suffered through a miserable season, hitting just .218 in his first year with the Los Angeles Angels.

Who are likely candidates to suffer through similar slumps in 2012? Let’s take a look.

1. Albert Pujols: Los Angeles Angels

After signing a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, first baseman Albert Pujols has indeed started slowly for his new team in 2012, with no home runs and just four RBI in the first 13 games of the season.

The weight of his lofty contract may be causing Pujols to press in order to show his team the contract was worth the investment. However, the results thus far have been far less than stellar.

2. Jose Reyes: Miami Marlins

Shortstop Jose Reyes also took the money and left for greener pastures after spending nine seasons with the New York Mets, signing a six-year, $106 million contract with the Miami Marlins.

Reyes, the 2011 National League batting champion, is hitting just .227 thus far in the first 13 games of the season, and his .288 on-base percentage thus far is certainly not what the Marlins had in mind for their leadoff hitter.

3. Ryan Vogelsong: San Francisco Giants

Last year, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelson won 13 games with a stellar 2.71 ERA. What’s even more remarkable about that achievement is the fact that Vogelsong hadn’t even won a game in the majors since 2005.

While Vogelsong’s 2011 campaign was indeed stellar, he is ripe for a letdown. Relegated to fifth-starter role in San Francisco behind Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Barry Zito, Vogelsong could very well see his numbers drastically decline in 2012.

4. Kevin Youkilis: Boston Red Sox

For many years now, Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis has lived and breathed in the majors with his uncanny ability to draw walks and get on base. His production has been terrific as well.

However, after two injury-filled seasons in which Youkilis’ numbers took a nosedive, 2012 could very well see more of the same. Youkilis is hitting just .184 thus far in his first 10 games of 2012, a full 104 points below his career average.

5. Mark Reynolds: Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds is the classic home run hitter, but that also comes with a ton of strikeouts. Reynolds has led the league with the most strikeouts in four straight seasons, and that trend seems destined to continue.

Reynolds is hitting just .154 thus far in the first two weeks of the 2012 season, with 17 strikeouts in 39 at-bats, nearly once every two times to the plate.

In addition, Reynolds’ defense is less than stellar, so Orioles manager Buck Showalter may have some decisions to make if Reynolds continues his current rate of play.

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This is a guest post submitted by Mike Wright. Mike played all kinds of sports growing up and adamantly follows everything sports. He works with Phoenix Bats, a company that creates world-class wood bats, such as their premier composite wood bats, for amateur and professional ball players around the world. Mike loves writing on different sports topics and is honored to contribute here.

Article source: 5 MLB Players Most Likely to Experience Disastrous Season

This is a guest post submitted by Jeff Herbst. Jeff has had a passion for sports ever since he could first walk and enjoys writing in his spare time. He works with Phoenix Bats, a company that creates world-class wooden baseball bats such as their fungo bats for amateur and professional ball players around the world.

Baseball is unique in that, even though it’s a team sport, some perennially mediocre teams can produce amazing players.

Take the San Diego Padres, for example. Sure, they flirted with World Series glory in 1998, but they’ve had more downs than ups over the years. Yet that doesn’t change the fact that they’ve produced some legendary players. Here are my top seven Padres of all time – in random order.

Keep in mind that service with the team is a factor. The likes of Gary Sheffield, Fred McGriff and Roberto Alomar had stellar careers but did most of their damage with other teams, so you won’t find them on this list. Let’s begin!

Trevor Hoffman (1993-2008)

Never again will baseball fans hear the AC/DC song “Hells Bells” without thinking of Trevor Hoffman. Between him and Mariano Rivera, it’s a tossup as to who deserves the title of baseball’s greatest-ever closer. For now, Hoffman has a leg up. He’s baseball’s all-time saves leader at 601, he’s a seven-time All-Star (six with the Padres) and he leads San Diego in all-time ERA, WHIP and strikeouts per nine innings.

Tony Gwynn (1982-2001)

When you ask Padre fans about the team’s greatest player, the debate usually comes down to Hoffman and this man. Gwynn was the definition of a professional hitter, batting a whopping .338 over 20 Hall-of-Fame seasons. The 15-time All-Star leads the Padres in average, hits, runs, RBI and even stolen bases. The only thing missing from his amazing resume is that elusive World Series ring. Not enough baseball fans talk about the absurd stretch from 1993 to 1997 in which he batted at least .353 five seasons in a row and hit .394 over 110 games in the strike-shortened 1994 campaign.

Dave Winfield (1973-1980)

After Hoffman and Gwynn, Dave Winfield is arguably the only other Padre that deserves No. 1 consideration. One of the greatest athletes, let alone baseball players, to ever live, Winfield was drafted to the NBA and NFL as well as Major League Baseball. He’ll always be remembered for his combination of power and superb outfield defense. Winfield was the first player to enter Cooperstown wearing a Padres cap.

Randy Jones (1973-1980)

Jones was never an overpowering pitcher but he posted some great seasons for San Diego in the mid-1970s. His crowning achievement as a Padre came in 1975, when he won 22 games, went the distance 25 times and captured the National League Cy Young award.

Adrian Gonzalez (2006-2010)

A-Gone’s time with the Padres was painfully short but anyone who watched him agrees that he’s among the most talented hitters ever to wear the San Diego uniform. He smashed 30-plus homers in each of his last four seasons with the team and matched his hitting with outstanding defense at first base. Exactly 0.0 Padre fans are surprised at Gonzalez’s monster numbers in his first season with the Boston Red Sox.

Jake Peavy (2002-2009)

Whereas the sky’s the limit for Gonzalez, whose offense was suppressed by PETCO Park, Jake Peavy probably left his best years behind him when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 2009. The Padres’ all-time strikeout leader delivered on his considerable hype throughout the 2000s. He won the pitching Triple Crown in 2007, leading the NL in wins (19), ERA (2.54) and strikeouts (240) en route to NL Cy Young honors.

Benito Santiago (1986-1992)

No Ryan Klesko or Phi Nevin? I chose Benito Santiago for this list because, arguably, he had a greater impact on the game when he was in his prime. The All Star catcher made his biggest splash as a rookie in 1987, batting .300 with 18 homers, 79 RBI and 21 steals to win the NL Rookie of the Year.

Do you agree with our list of top Padres? Who would make your top 7?

Article source: The Top Seven San Diego Padres of All Time

In his first year of eligibility for the Baseball Hall of Fame, Bonds was denied the recognition and honor as one of the greatest players in modern baseball history. Whether one is for or against electing Bonds to the Hall of Fame, it is an undeniable fact that Bonds has accumulated a long list of statistics that are worthy of the Hall of Fame.

Barry Bonds Statistical Highlights

• Career Leader in Home Runs – 762
• Career Leader in Walks – 2558
• Career Leader in Intentional Walks – 688
• 14 Time All-Star
• 7 Time League MVP
• Only Player to Have 500 Home Runs and 500 Steals
• 12 Time Silver Slugger Winner
• 1990, 2001 & 2004 Sporting News Player of the Year Award
• 2001, 2002, 2004 NL Hank Aaron Award
• 8 Time Gold Glove Winner

Barry Bonds was at the center of baseball’s worst scandal since Pete Rose was found guilty of gambling on baseball and subsequently denied entry into baseball’s Hall of Fame. While he certainly was not alone in the scandal, he along with Roger Clemens and several other prominent players became the symbol of all that is wrong with America’s favorite past time.

When former Major League slugger Jose Canseco came out with his very revealing book that brought illegal performance enhancing substance use out into very public view, there was a profound effect on the sport. The integrity of the game was in serious jeopardy. In a sport that lends itself to compiling and comparing statistics to measure a player’s skills and performance, there can be no doubt that the achievements of individuals and teams were fairly gained.

The sentiment today seems to be against Bonds making it to the Hall of Fame in 2013. The sport betting parlors will offer better than even-money odds for anyone that is willing to wager that Bonds will be voted in to Cooperstown next year. While anything is possible, the Las Vegas odds makers usually are good at predicting the chances of future events occurring.

Allowing Barry Bonds to become a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame would in some ways be a tacit admission that it is okay to circumvent the rules – even just a little bit, just to enhance one’s performance. No legitimate sport from the Olympics to the NFL can look the other way when their rules are broken. No player is bigger than the game. While Barry Bonds will always be remembered for his achievements on the field, he should not and will not ever be a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Article source: Will Barry Bonds Be Voted Into The Hall of Fame?