Yeah, I know you guys could care less about Australian baseball players. There's a point to this. In order to kill time and be productive this summer, I figured I would do a top 10 of each country. I'm doing this in alphabetical order. Basically, the top 10 is ordered by career win shares, unless I have a good reason to switch a player here and there.

 

1. Joe Quinn

2. Dave Nilsson

3. Graeme Lloyd

4. Craig Shipley

5. Damian Moss

6. Mark Hutton

7. Grant Balfour

8. Luke Prokopec

9. Shayne Bennett

10. Trent Durrington

 

Joe Quinn played 17 seasons as a major league 2Bman, most in the 19th Century. He is still the only Australian to put together a truly substantial MLB career. His placement atop the list is more a testiment to his longevity than his ability. That Damian Moss is fifth shows the lack of depth. Only 16 players from Australia have played in MLB at all.

 

If Grant Balfour and Travis Blackley can rebound from injuries, they could make a run at this list. Graeme Lloyd has just 42 win shares at third. Quinn and catcher Dave Nilsson are the clear stars of Australian baseball. Quinn is also the only Australian born manager in MLB history.

Yes that's a real small field if Damian Moss cracks not only the top 10, but 5. Do you think you'd be able to get 10 from EACH country? I'd doubt there's 10 from say.... Sri Lanka.

 

On topic:

 

I think the reason Australians aren't plentiful in MLB is because its not really a popular sport there, obviously. Interesting idea though, Al. Keep it up.

Yes that's a real small field if Damian Moss cracks not only the top 10, but 5. Do you think you'd be able to get 10 from EACH country? I'd doubt there's 10 from say.... Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka doesn't have any. I'm only doing lists for countries that have had enough players to build a list, or close to it.

I forgot to mention Justin Huber, a prospect in the Royals' farm system. Huber is hitting .351 in the Texas league.