On a team full of stars Jayson Werth is flying under the radar (even if the ladies still think he's great).
The Phillies everyday right fielder and San Diego slugger Adrian Gonzalez were named the two most underrated players in the National League, according to MLB.com poll.
Major League executives and managers were asked whom they thought doesn't get the recognition they deserved and most said Werth and Gonzo.
Phillies fans all know that Jayson is "Werth-y" of praise but the rest of the baseball world looked past the goateed outfielder. They don't see his ballsy plays on the base paths (like stealing home), his long home runs (24 last season) or his strong defense (nine outfield assists in 2008).
Despite his stellar play it's understandable that Werth gets lost in the shuffle in Philly. He plays along side two former MVP's (Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard), a top-vote-getting All-Star second baseman (Chase Utley), a Flyin' Hawaiian (Shane Victorino), a World Series MVP (Cole Hamels) and the hottest player east of the Mississippi (Raul Ibanez).
Werth's journey could be responsible for his phantom status. He came to the Phillies as a guy with promise who had never lived up to his potential in part because of injury problems.
The Phils took a risk to sign the then-26-year-old Werth in 2006. He had sat out all of the previous season after hurting his wrist with the L.A. Dodgers. The Phils were his fourth Major League stop and possibly Jayson's last chance to prove that he was worth the No. 1 draft pick the Baltimore Orioles used to pick him in 1997.
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Werth was slow to get going playing a platoon role for the Phightins. Then at some point last season he became an everyday guy for the Phillies -- he never looked back.
Maybe this poll is proof that Werth isn't going to remain underrated for much longer. Maybe his due is coming sooner rather than later.
In the meantime Phillies fans can do their part. Roar every time Werth's grit on the bases scores the Phils a run or his long swing lands a ball in the left-field seats.
Thankfully we already know what everyone else is just finding out -- Jayson is "Werth every penny."
