Player Profiles: Jose Bautista

After the 2010 season, Jose Bautista came into 2011 with something to prove. He had always been a reject of a player, dumped off by many teams, including the Rays, Pirates and Royals and Orioles. But John Farrell believed in him and gave him a shot. Well, he dropped 54 bombs on the American League, and suddenly everyone was talking about how he was on steroids. Joey Bats is not on steroids, and he is a flat out boss. He hit .302 this season while tallying the highest SLG and OPS in the league. He improved his walk rate dramatically, walking 132 times, most in the American League, in 28 less plate appearances than his 2010 campaign. He also became more versatile, showing critics that he can play third base and right field effectively. Though Bautista won't see anymore playing time at third (prospect Brett Lawrie was promoted mid-season), he is more than capable in right field, making a spectacular play in the All-Star Game.