Orioles in Baseball America's Best Tools Survey

I recently asked Orioles manager Buck Showalter to fill out Baseball America's Best Tools Survey, which he did without complaint. At least, while I was still in the room. And he got it back to me before the deadline. Each manager was asked to vote for players in his own league. The Orioles were well-represented in the survey, including Chris Davis, who finished first in the AL for "best power" and third for "most exciting player." Adam Jones finished first for "best outfield arm" and second for "best defensive outfielder." J.J. Hardy placed first for "best defensive shortstop." Matt Wieters was second for "best defensive catcher" and Manny Machado was second for "best defensive third baseman." Nick Markakis was third for "best hit-and-run artist." Showalter finished tied for second with Oakland's Bob Melvin for "best manager." I tweeted a link to the list, which appears below, and fans immediately jumped on Machado finishing second to the Rangers' Adrian Beltre. Machado has been tremendous this season, but Beltre owns four Gold Gloves. He's hardly a bad choice. And Machado did finish ahead of Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria. BEST HITTER 1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers 2. Mike Trout, Angels 3. Joe Mauer, Twins BEST POWER 1. Chris Davis, Orioles 2. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers 3. Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays BEST BUNTER 1. Brett Gardner, Yankees 2 (tie) Elvis Andrus, Rangers 2 (tie) Erick Aybar, Angels BEST STRIKE-ZONE JUDGMENT 1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers 2. Joe Mauer, Twins 3. David Ortiz, Red Sox BEST HIT-AND-RUN ARTIST 1. Erick Aybar, Angels 2. Jamey Carroll, Twins 3. Nick Markakis, Orioles BEST BASERUNNER 1. Mike Trout, Angels 2. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox 3. Rajai Davis, Blue Jays FASTEST BASERUNNER 1. Mike Trout, Angels 2. Rajai Davis, Blue Jays 3. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox MOST EXCITING PLAYER 1. Mike Trout, Angels 2. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers 3. Chris Davis, Orioles BEST PITCHER 1. Max Scherzer, Tigers 2. Felix Hernandez, Mariners 3. Matt Moore, Rays BEST FASTBALL 1. Max Scherzer, Tigers 2. Justin Verlander, Tigers 3. Kelvin Herrera, Royals BEST CURVEBALL 1. Clay Buchholz, Red Sox 2. Justin Verlander, Tigers 3. Felix Hernandez, Mariners BEST SLIDER 1. Chris Sale, White Sox 2. Max Scherzer, Tigers 3. Yu Darvish, Rangers BEST CHANGEUP 1. James Shields, Royals 2. Felix Hernandez, Mariners 3. Fernando Rodney, Rays BEST CONTROL 1. Bartolo Colon, Athletics 2. Hisashi Iwakuma, Mariners 3. Felix Hernandez, Mariners BEST PICKOFF MOVE 1. Andy Pettitte, Yankees 2. James Shields, Royals 3. Mark Buehrle, Blue Jays BEST RELIEVER 1. Mariano Rivera, Yankees 2. Jesse Crain, White Sox 3. Greg Holland, Royals BEST DEFENSIVE CATCHER 1. Salvador Perez, Royals 2. Matt Wieters, Orioles 3. Joe Mauer, Twins BEST DEFENSIVE 1B 1. Eric Hosmer, Royals 2. James Loney, Rays 3. Justin Smoak, Mariners BEST DEFENSIVE 2B 1. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 2. Robinson Cano, Yankees 3. Gordon Beckham, White Sox BEST DEFENSIVE 3B 1. Adrian Beltre, Rangers 2. Manny Machado, Orioles 3. Evan Longoria, Rays BEST DEFENSIVE SS 1. J.J. Hardy, Orioles 2. Yunel Escobar, Rays 3. Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians BEST INFIELD ARM 1. Adrian Beltre, Rangers 2. Manny Machado, Orioles 3. Jose Reyes, Blue Jays BEST DEFENSIVE OUTFIELDER 1. Mike Trout, Angels 2. Adam Jones, Orioles 3. Austin Jackson, Tigers BEST OUTFIELD ARM 1. Adam Jones, Orioles 2. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays 3. Josh Reddick, Athletics BEST MANAGER 1. Jim Leyland, Tigers 2 (tie) Bob Melvin, Athletics 2 (tie) Buck Showalter, Orioles