Yet, Zobrist may be vastly underrated by virtually everyone. According to Ken Rosenthal, Zobrist is ranked either first or second in Wins Above Replacement, depending on which site one uses, since 2009. This may come as a surprise to many, as Zobrist has never had a batting average above .297 in a full season, never hit more than 27 home runs, and has never had more than 91 RBIs. He made his only All-Star Game appearance in 2009. Not the profile of someone that is considered to be the best player in baseball over the last four seasons.

What makes Zobrist so valuable is also a major part of what makes him fairly underrated. Even though he is now primarily a second baseman/right fielder, Zobrist has also spent time in center, left, short, third and first over that time frame. At each position he has appeared at ten times or more, he has been league average defensively, or better. Zobrist also is prone to take a walk, ranking sixth or better in walks in three of the past four seasons. That ability to get on base, and play all over the field, has helped to increase Zobrist’s value.

Another aspect that is a bit underrated about Zobrist is his ability to be in the lineup almost every day. In the past four years, he has played in all but 34 of the games the Rays have had in that time frame. His versatility certainly helps him remain in the lineup each day, and Zobrist has also been remarkably healthy, avoiding the disabled list in his time in the majors.

Zobrist also changed his approach starting with the 2009 season. Primarily a player who had slapped the ball around the field and took walks, Zobrist was not much of a power threat, hitting 22 home runs between the majors and minors from 2004 through 2007. Then, he began focusing more on driving the ball, and changed his swing while becoming more aggressive. That change in approach has allowed him to hit 77 home runs over the past four years, while leading the majors in combined doubles and triples in that time frame. Meanwhile, he also became more aggressive on the basepaths, taking chances when going for extra bases and attempting to steal more. The Rays philosophy of going all out and not worrying about mistakes has certainly helped Zobrist transform into the player he has become.

Essentially, his hard work and willingness to adapt have helped to turn Zobrist into an extremely valuable member of the Rays, and one of their best players. He has also, very quietly and far under anyone’s radar, become one of the best players in the game. Yet, that is likely how the Rays would prefer it to be – where they have another player in Ben Zobrist that is much better than a lot of other people realize.

This game was a pitcher’s duel from the start, as John Lannan and Matt Moore matched each other virtually pitch for pitch. The Phillies struck first, as Carlos Ruiz drove in the game’s first run in the top of the second to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead. That score held up until the bottom of the seventh, when Shelley Duncan hit his third home run of the spring to tie the game. That helped to set the stage for Vogt’s late inning heroics.

Moore, who had struggled at times this spring, pitched well as he allowed only an unearned run on three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters. Lannan, who is fighting for a job in the Phililes rotation, also went five innings, allowing two hits and a walk while recording four strikeouts.

While most of the attention from the game may be focused on Vogt, the Rays pitching staff appeared to be in midseason form, as the Rays allowed only four hits and two walks while striking out twelve batters. Brandon Gomes picked up the victory, pitching two perfect innings and striking out three batters.

Dominican Winter League Postseason: Leones del Escogido 5, Aguilas Cibaenas 3

Cibaenas had their opportunities to pull out a win, however, going 2-11 with runners in scoring position certainly can make it difficult to score. Manny Ramirez was 1-5, but left four runners in scoring position with two outs, as he ended the inning four different times, including grounding out to end the game with runners on second and third. Hector Luna finally picked up another hit this postseason, hitting an RBI double in the ninth as he went 1-4 with a walk and two strikeouts.

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Puerto Rico): Indios de Mayaguez 6, Gigantes de Carolina 2

Carolina held the lead after both the sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to hold on for the victory. Staked to a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh, Mario Santiago appeared to run out of gas, giving up three hits and two walks for three earned runs while recording one out after pitching six strong innings. Jesus Feliciano did his part to try to ignite the offense, going 2-5 with a solo home run in the top of the sixth from the leadoff spot.