AL Elias Rankings Update Shows A Couple Of Pinstriped Surprises

The folks at MLB Trade Rumors have used the Elias Rankings formula to see how players rank in both leagues as we approach the 2011 All-Star break. Let's look at how the New York Yankees stack up in the American League.

C -- Russell Martin, sixth overall, 70.663

OF/1B/DH -- Nick Swisher, seventh overall, 85.37313432; Curtis Granderson, 11th, 78.5074626865672; Mark Teixeira, 16th, 75.8823529411765

Is anybody else surprised to see Swisher ranked this highly?

2B/SS/3B -- Robinson Cano, 1st overall, 93.8775510204082; Alex Rodriguez, fourth overall -- first among third basemen, 84.03361344; Derek Jeter, 10th overall, 78.2312925170068

Cano is best among those three positions, somewhat surprising since he is not having the year he had last season. As much criticism as Jeter takes only two AL shortstops -- Asdrubul Cabrera of Cleveland and Alexei Ramirez of the White Sox, scored better.

Starting pitchers -- CC Sabathia ranked 2nd behind Justin Verlander with a score of 94.9799196787149.

Relief pitchers -- Mariano Rivers ranked fifth with a score of 82.876. Rafael Soriano, ninth overall, 78.490.

I am not sure what any of this proves, to be honest. Maybe that Nick Swisher is better than many people think, and that despite his batting average Derek Jeter is much better than many want to believe.