Fastest active player

[Cyborg]

Who do you guys think is the fastest active player?

I've seen plenty of speed.

[EyeCandy]

Ichiro would be my guess.

But it's probably some fringe player who's speed is his only real tool.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

It would be nice if all players were timed from home to home or straight 60 yard dash sometime during the early part of the year, or even in spring training so we'd have something to go by. Gotta think Reyes, Crawford, or Ichiro would be among the top, but like EyeCandy said, its probably some more obscure fella.

[CanadianKid]

It would be nice if all players were timed from home to home or straight 60 yard dash sometime during the early part of the year, or even in spring training so we'd have something to go by. Gotta think Reyes, Crawford, or Ichiro would be among the top, but like EyeCandy said, its probably some more obscure fella.

Ya or even the same day as the homerun derby kind of like a skills competition.

[Mariano_Rivera]

It might be Bubba Crosby

[BoofBonser26]

I remember the Indians announcers talking about that last year, and they said the Indians scouts said Nook Logan of the Tigers was the fastest (and yep, fringe player). I have no idea if he's still in the majors or even with the Tigers.

[Cyborg]

Yeah, I once read in a book that had weird statistics (Barry Bonds was SECOND in walks/PAs) that had speed. It said Jose Reyes, then Chone Figgins and the Nook Logan. I was confused, because I had never heard of him. But I don't know how that book measured speed.

[KCGHOST]

Joey Gathright has to be in the mix somewhere. Course he's another fringe player.

[albertpujols]

Crawford, Ichiro, Figgins, Gathright, Roberts, Reyes, Pierre, Logan, Patterson, Podsednik, Furcal, Taveras...

[BoofBonser26]

I have no idea if [Nook Logan is] still in the majors or even with the Tigers.
I looked it up. He's currently in AA. Started the season at AAA, hit under the Mendoza line, and is tearing up AA right now...in a completely unfair and rash judgement, I'd say he had an attitude problem about not breaking camp with the big league team.

[Williamsburg2599]

The reason I assume that they don't have a skills competition is because they can be dangerous and bad for players. I once saw a LL kid round first on a race around the bases, fall and pop a rib right through his skin:eek:.

[Blowfly]

I haven't seen anybody mention Shane Victorino this can fly.

[Jose Reyes]

Jose's probably the fastest non-fringe player :cool:

[Zito75]

Curtis Granderson

[baseball junkie]

I'd bet a shining new nickle on Jose Reyes.

[jwkfs]

He's not a great basestealer, but Choo Freeman has wheels.

Of course there are the guys like Ichiro, Reyes, etc, but it's hard to say who's fastest without any sort of solid statistic.

[baseball junkie]

Break out the old stop-watch and let's start giving these guys 40-yard time speeds.

[Erik Bedard]

Herb Washington is the fastest ever. Today it's probably Tyrell Godwin in AAA New Orleans.

[E.Banks#14]

When Angel Pagan (currently with the Cubs) was on Jose Reyes' minor league team in the Mets system, Pagan beat Reyes in a 60 yard dash.

I doubt he could repeat if they did it again, because Pagan had a bad hamstring injury.

[Tylersarticles]

Joey Gathright is the fastest player in the MLB. He worked out at my college in this winter and I have never seen anyone close to as fast as him. When he was in high school he would jump over cars and he has consistenly ran the 60 yard dash in around 6.2 seconds. I know I wish I had his speed.

[Astro]

I looked it up. He's currently in AA. Started the season at AAA, hit under the Mendoza line, and is tearing up AA right now...in a completely unfair and rash judgement, I'd say he had an attitude problem about not breaking camp with the big league team.
Logan is Joey Gathright without the walks.... which is also like Peter Bergeron without the walks.... which translates into a .210 hitter, with an OBP of .260 and a SLG of .280....

But with that speed he may be in the majros for awhile just as a pinch runner

[Seattle1]

Ichiro sure beats out a lot of infield singles. Man o man I don't know if anyone else in the league does that as frequently as he does. Granted, I don't watch other teams & other players as much as the M's & Ichiro.

:atthepc

[ivylover]

Ichiro, Reyes, Crawford, Pierre
Fastest in the league

[E.Banks#14]

Ichiro is probably the fastest from home to first base. The way he swings has him about a step closer to first than other left handers.

[Senior skittles]

any cardinal fan will tell you hector luna is up there with reyes and pierre in the NL

[Astro]

any cardinal fan will tell you hector luna is up there with reyes and pierre in the NL
Willy Taveras is probably the fastest player in the NL... he had like 60 infield hits last season

[Tigersfan91]

Curtis GrandersonGranderson has exceptional speed once he gets into motion though. He can turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples, can score from 1st on a double or from 2nd on a single, but doesn't have a lot of pure speed that converts well into stolen bases. At 6'1 he's lanky too and a bit awkward, despite the athleticism. He could become a capable stolen base threat if he worked on it exclusively, but his game will never be modeled after an Ichiro type contact hitter. Granderson is eventually going to be a #3 hitter.

[Dodger_Ric]

You know who is really fast but doesn't look it, is Mike Cameron. Not the fastest, but deceptively quick.

Someone said Furcal back there, not anymore. His knee surgery cost him a step. He's slower than Lofton, who also has lost many steps. But with Lofton, you see it more in center, than on the bases.

Reyes, Crawford, and Suzuki would be my picks in no certain order.

Oh and, sorry I forgot to quote it, but the guy that said there should be a fastest man contest at the HR derby........brilliant!!! Email that sucker to Bud. That's a great idea. That would be great for the game. The contestents shouldn't be restricted to just All-Stars either. That way you could really have the fastest guys there to compete. (fringe guys)

[Outta Here]

Travis Hafner

No wait... Willy Taveras ;)

[BoofBonser26]

Travis Hafner
Actually, Pronk isn't the slowest on the Indians. That award would go to Victor Martinez.

[utterchaos jr.]

Jose Reyes
Ichiro Suzuki
Jaun Pierre
Carl Crawford
Joey Gathright
Chone Figgins
Tyrell Goodwin
Nook Logan
Rafael Furcal
Hanley Rameriz
Shayne Victorino
Scott Posednik
Ryan Freel
Wily Tavarez
Curtis Granderson
Brian Roberts
Cory Patterson
Grady Sizemore
Mike Cameron
Alfonso Soriano

**These guys are in no order at all**

[ARISTOCRAT]

Ichiro would be my guess.

But it's probably some fringe player who's speed is his only real tool.

Michael Bourn.

[yankeesfan8926]

Nick Markakis wouldn't be a bad call.

[NYMets523]

Carlos Gomez. Even Reyes has admitted he's not as fast as him.

[hudsonharden]

I've always heard it was Nook Logan, who is playing for the Nationals this year.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

And the answer is..................... we still don't know.

[natsnsoxfan]

Coco Crisp and Soriano are two of the fastest guys ive even seen in person. Clay Buchholz (not in the majors yet) is one of the fastest guys on the sea dogs and hes a pitcher.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

And the answer is..................... we still don't know.:applaud: Good comment.

Someone should sit down and use MLB.com to find a video of each of these guys beating out an infield single, and then time all of them. Anyone have alot of free time?

[rdowney19]

Ichiro is probably the fastest from home to first base. The way he swings has him about a step closer to first than other left handers.

I agree Suzuki has my vote

[SHOELESSJOE3]

:applaud: Good comment.

Someone should sit down and use MLB.com to find a video of each of these guys beating out an infield single, and then time all of them. Anyone have alot of free time?

Years ago, many years ago before my time there would be running and throwing contests before games or in between the many double headers played.

There is no other way to try and determine the fastest player. Even that would not settle the issue because it's possible the fastest player or longest thrower never took part in any of the events.

I would say there is no way any club would risk injury to these million dollar babies to entertain the fans with running and throwing contests.

[rdowney19]

Years ago, many years ago before my time there would be running and throwing contests before games or in between the many double headers played.

There is no other way to try and determine the fastest player. Even that would not settle the issue because it's possible the fastest player or longest thrower never took part in any of the events.

I would say there is no way any club would risk injury to these million dollar babies to entertain the fans with running and throwing contests.

kind of like the best dunkers are not in the NBA slam dunk contest

[Paul McCartney]

I have yet to see some one faster than Willy Taveras, he'd hit 50 point higher if he batted lefty.

[Colin]

I have yet to see some one faster than Willy Taveras, he'd hit 50 point higher if he batted lefty.

Freddie Bynum is THE fastest player in baseball.

[flash143817]

I was quite impressed with the speed of Michael Bourn on an ESPN game earlier this year. That kid stole 2nd and 3rd when everyone knew he would steal 2nd and 3rd. He even stole 2nd on a pitchout. Kid can flat out fly.

And I agree with the Mike Cameron comment. He isn't the best basestealer because he's tall and somewhat of a long strider, but as far as topline speed, he's right there with those other guys. He gets a lot of triples that would be doubles for most guys. It's also one of the things that makes him such a great defensive CF because his speed allows him to get to anything.

[BigKevinm84]

Willy Taveras is really, really fast. Kaz Matsui, too.

Of course people like Reyes, Crawford, and Ichiro are way up there.

[philipthegreat]

In the american league I would say Figgins Crawford and Ichiro. In the National League I would say jose reyes.

[The Splendid Splinter]

Ichiro is probably the fastest from home to first base. The way he swings has him about a step closer to first than other left handers.

I've heard Rocco Baldelli had a faster home to 1st time than Ichiro. Of course, this was when Rocco first came up to the MLB and had no injuries.

It depends on what you mean by fastest too? There's a couple ways you can go by this. Like home to 1st (almost a 40 yard dash), so a dead sprint (i.e. Ichiro). Then there's guys who can step it up a notch while running bases (i.e. Granderson and Cameron). Then base to base for SBs also great reads and instincts (i.e. Reyes, Beltran-considering he's gonna break the all time career record of SB%). It depends on what you mean by fastest. There's really no way of telling who is the fastest.

[west coast orange and black]

daniel ortmeier, recently sent back down by the giants, was probably their fastest player outta the box to first, and their fastest form 1st to 3rd.

[slugger33]

Jose Reyes
Ichiro Suzuki
Jaun Pierre
Carl Crawford
Joey Gathright
Chone Figgins
Tyrell Goodwin
Nook Logan
Rafael Furcal
Hanley Rameriz
Shayne Victorino
Scott Posednik
Ryan Freel
Wily Tavarez
Curtis Granderson
Brian Roberts
Cory Patterson
Grady Sizemore
Mike Cameron
Alfonso Soriano

**These guys are in no order at all**
I think Johnny Damon and Dave Roberts should be added to list. Damon averages 29 SB every 162 games and Roberts averages 50.

[west coast orange and black]

^^ Dave Roberts averages 50
roberts creates havoc as a basestealer, but there are 3 guys on the giants who go from home to 3rd faster than roberts.
there's fast and then there's quick. and as far as basestealing goes, there's the lead, read and good jump that are important elements, as well.

[Old Sweater]

Taveras can run with any of them. Reyes says that his teammate Gomez is faster then him.

[flash143817]

Agree with those saying that there's a difference between speed and basestealing ability. You can be a great basestealer without having great topline speed. And also, as was said, some guys are faster out of the box (if Baldelli was faster than Ichiro to first that's incredible since he hits RH) and some are faster circling the bases. Depends on what your definition of speed is.

Did any current players run sprints in track in HS or college?

[sturg1dj]

I remember the Indians announcers talking about that last year, and they said the Indians scouts said Nook Logan of the Tigers was the fastest (and yep, fringe player). I have no idea if he's still in the majors or even with the Tigers.

I always heard it was Nook, and the Tigers traded him to the Nationals where I believe he is starting


and what about another former tiger....the first steroid suspension.......Alex Sanchez. Once had 4 bunt singles in 1 game......and even though he would always hit over .300 he could not field to save his life, had no arm, and did not know how to steal a base

[CarLmillionairE]

ichiro admits that kaz matsui is a step faster than he is

[metfan13]

ichiro admits that kaz matsui is a step faster than he is

And there's no way Kaz is faster than Reyes.

Taveras may be the fastest getting down to first, but I doubt anoyone goes home to third like Reyes.

Reyes says Gomez is faster, but I think that's when they run sprints while working out together. Running bases is different.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

And the only honest answer is.... none of us really knows who is the fastest in the game.