Can You Identify These MLB Stars From the Past Decade?

By: Daniel Yetman
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify These MLB Stars From the Past Decade?
Image: Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

About This Quiz

Can you still remember who the biggest stars in baseball were in 2010? During that season, Josh Hamilton was hitting closer to .400 than .300, Miguel Cabrera hadn't yet hit the triple crown, and Robinson Cano was still a Yankee. 

In the National League, Albert Pujols and Joey Votto were running away with the MVP race while the late Roy Halladay solidified another CY Young season with a 21-win campaign. 

Baseball has a high turnover rate. For each player who lasts 20 years in the big leagues, there are 10 more who only play for a handful of seasons before fading away. 

2010 may not feel like it was that long ago, but how many players are still around nine years later? Of the 27 guys who received an MVP vote in the National League that year, only 11 are still active in the Major Leagues. With the exception of Joey Votto and Buster Posey, none of the guys are among the elite anymore. 

Do you think the stars of the past decade are fresh enough in your head to score 40/40 on this quiz? If you think your memory is as sharp as Clayton Kershaw's Eephus pitch, click begin and let's get started!

Clayton Kershaw
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
He's been the most dominant pitcher in baseball for most of the past 10 years. Who is he?
Clayton Kershaw
Justin Verlander
Max Scherzer
Adam Wainwright
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

He helped lead the Dodgers to the World Series in 2017 and 2018. He's so good that he led all of baseball in WAR since 2010. Three Cy Young awards and an MVP award highlight his trophy case.

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Mike Trout
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Which of these players is often compared to a young Mickey Mantle?
Mike Trout
Jose Altuve
Matt Carpenter
Nolan Arenado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mike Trout is the best all-around player in baseball. It would be difficult to come up with a counter-argument otherwise. He finished number four in the MVP voting in 2017, and in every other season in his career, he has either won or finished second.

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Robinson  Cano
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
This second baseman has silently been one of the best players in the league. Who is it?
Robinson Cano
Kolton Wong
Jose Altuve
DJ LeMahieu
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cano hasn't put up a single MVP caliber season, but he's been consistently good throughout his career. Since coming into the league in 2005, he's put up a career .844 OPS, a .303 batting average and consistently more than 20 home runs per year.

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Adrian Beltre
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Which of these third basemen is famous for not liking having his head touched?
Adrian Beltre
Matt Carpenter
Nolan Arenado
Josh Donaldson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Adrian Beltre came into the league as a teenager and continued to play at a high level until he was 39. He racked up 477 home runs in his career with a lifetime .819 OPS. He's a known hater of the iconic Gatorade Shower.

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Joey Votto
MLB
Can you name this Canadian?
Joey Votto
Russell Martin
Tyler O'Neil
Justin Morneau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Votto has been a perennial MVP candidate since 2010, when he took home the award. If there's something that Votto does better than anybody, it's get on base. He's led the league in on-base percentage seven times over his thirteen years in the league.

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Miguel Cabrera
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Which of these players hit the triple crown in 2012?
Miguel Cabrera
Albert Pujols
Mike Trout
Troy Tulowitzki
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Throughout the early half of the 2010s, nobody was hitting the ball better than Miguel Cabrera. He won back-to-back MVP awards in 2012 and 2013 and lead the league in batting average four times in a five-year span.

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Cole Hamels
Keith Allison via Wiki Commons
You might recognize this ace in a Cubs, Rangers or Phillies uniform. Who is it?
Cole Hamels
Yu Darvish
Roy Halladay
Jake Arrieta
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cole Hamels has never taken home the Cy Young, but he's put up consistent numbers in the 14 years that he's been in the league. At the time of writing, he had put up a 160-116 career record with a 3.40 ERA.

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Ian Kinsler
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Can you identify this two-time Gold Glove winner?
Ian Kinsler
Jose Altuve
Albert Pujols
Miguel Cabrera
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Up until 2019, Kinsler had played his entire career in the American league. He's racked up a solid .779 OPS over 14 years in the big leagues with 255 home runs and 242 stolen bases. He's also a two-time Gold Glove winner.

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Mookie Betts
Wiki Commons by Arturo Pardavila III
Can you name this former MVP winner?
Mookie Betts
Jackie Bradley Jr.
Jose Altuve
Nolan Arenado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mookie Betts had a breakout year in 2016 when he hit .318 with 31 home runs. That effort was good enough to get him second in the MVP voting. However, two years later he stepped up his game again to hit .346 with 32 home runs to nab the most prestigious trophy.

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Fransisco Lindor
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
He's equally as known for his contagious smile as he is for his ability to hit the ball. Who is he?
Francisco Lindor
Melky Cabrera
Mark Trumbo
Miguel Cabrera
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lindor has only been in the league since 2015, but he's already made a name for himself. After finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting, he went on to finish top ten in the MVP voting three years in a row. He's also hit more than 30 home runs the past two seasons.

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Christian Yelich
Wiki Commmons by Ian D'Andrea
Who's this player who's currently one of the best all-around hitters in the National League?
Christian Yelich
Matt Carpenter
Bryce Harper
Nolan Arenado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yelich hit 26 home runs last season en route to winning the MVP for the National League. As of June 6, he's put up MVP numbers again in his first 55 games. His 22 home runs put him on pace for 65. Can he hold on?

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Alex Bregman
Wiki Commons by D. Benjamin Miller
He stepped his game up from good player to MVP candidate in 2018. What's his name?
Alex Bregman
Dee Gordan
Nolan Arenado
Jose Altuve
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bregman broke out last season with 51 doubles to lead the American League. He finished fifth in the MVP voting, ahead of his teammate and former winner Jose Altuve. Expect him to continue to improve over the next few seasons.

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Nolan Arenado
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
He's been one of the best players in the National League since 2015. Which of these players is he?
Nolan Arenado
Matt Carpenter
Bryce Harper
Manny Machado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Arenado has hit at least 37 home runs every year since 2015. In the last four seasons, he's finished 8th, 5th, 4th, and 3rd in the MVP voting respectfully. In case that wasn't impressive enough, he's also a five-time Gold Glove winner.

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New York Mets (Jacob deGrom)
WikiCommons via Keith Allison
Who finished last season with a killer 1.70 ERA?
Jacob deGrom
Noah Syndergaard
Clayton Kershaw
Zach Greinke
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pitchers often take longer to develop than hitters. Degrom has been good since coming into the league, but in 2018--his age 30 season--he finally took home the Cy Young award. He finished with a 1.70 ERA in 32 starts and had 269Ks.

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J.D. Martinez
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
He was one of the best free agent signings in recent history. Who is he?
J.D. Martinez
Manny Machado
Bryce Harper
Giancarlo Stanton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Red Sox had one of the greatest seasons by any team in the history of the league in 2018. A large part of their success was because of this guy. In his first season with the Red Sox, he hit 43 long balls and drove in 130 runs.

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Paul Goldschmidt
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Can you name this perennial MVP candidate?
Paul Goldschmidt
Joey Votto
Bryce Harper
Matt Holiday
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since 2013, Paul Goldschmidt has finished in the top 10 in the MVP four times, including two runner-up votes. He spent the first eight years of his career with the Diamondbacks, but now he's locked up with the Cardinals. Will he help them win another World Series?

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Yadier Molina
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Which one of these players has helped the Cardinals win two World Series?
Yadier Molina
Matt Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Kolten Wong
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Is there any player more beloved in St. Louis than Molina? Since 2008, he's taken home the Gold Glove award nine times. He's also finished top four in the MVP vote twice in his career. If Molina is catching, you don't have to worry about anybody stealing second.

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David Price
Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA via Wiki Commons
Do you recognize this Cy Young winner?
David Price
Chris Sale
Zack Grienke
Clayton Kershaw
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

David Price has been consistently good since 2010 when he won 19 games for the Rays. Two years later, he took home the Cy Young in a 20-win season. In 2018, he finally got a chance to prove himself as a playoff pitcher when he helped the Red Sox win the World Series.

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Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers
WikiCommons via The Dana Files
Can you name this 2011 MVP?
Ryan Braun
Albert Pujols
Prince Fielder
Manny Ramirez
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ryan Braun put up a line of .311/32/114 in 2011 on his way to winning the NL MVP award. He followed up that performance with 41 home runs the next season. In 2013, he missed most of the season from serving a PED related suspension.

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Jason Heyward
Wiki Commons by i created the image
What's the name of this five-tool player?
Jason Heyward
Mookie Betts
Fransisco Lindor
Jose Ramirez
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Heyward came into the league as a 20-year-old in 2010 and has consistently put up a positive WAR since then. He does a little bit of everything, hits about 15 home runs per season, steals about 20 bases and hits about .270 in a typical season. He also has one of the deadliest arms in the league.

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Felix Hernandez
Wiki Commons by LiAnna Davis
Who's "The King?"
Felix Hernandez
Justin Verlander
Max Scherzer
Zack Greinke
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Felix was one of the best pitchers on the American league from 2009 to 2015. He took home the CY Young in 2010 playing for a poor Seattle team that only game him enough run support for him to win 13 games with a 2.27 ERA.

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23 zobrist
Ian D’Andrea/Wikicommons
He's put up consistent numbers over the past decade. Who is he?
Ben Zobrist
Bryce Harper
Albert Pujols
Jed Lowrie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you look at Zobrist's career, there's no one season that stands outs. However, he's amassed a 45.2 WAR over his 14 year career. If you were to pick one season as his best, it would have to be 2009 when he hit .297 with 27 home runs.

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Jose Bautista
Wiki Commons By Arturo Pardavila III
Who's known as "Joey Bats?"
Jose Bautista
Josh Donaldson
Buster Posey
Albert Pujols
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2010, Bautista went from a guy no one had ever heard of to superstar almost overnight after cranking 54 dingers. Going into that season, he had never hit more than 16 home runs in a season. He would follow up with two more 40 home run seasons and a 35-homer season.

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Giancarlo Stanton - Miami Marlins
WikiCommons via Arturo Pardavila III
Who's this giant home run crushing machine?
Giancarlo Stanton
Aaron Judge
Josh Donaldson
Albert Pujols
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You only have to glance at Giancarlo to know what type of hitter he is. He's built to hit home runs and that's exactly what he does. In 2017, one of the few seasons where he stayed healthy, he hit a career-high 59 home runs with the Marlins. He's coming off his fifth season with more than 30 home runs in 2018.

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Madison Bumgarner
Wiki Commons by SD Dirk
If you're a Giants fan, you'll be able to name this guy. Who is it?
Madison Bumgarner
Tim Lincecum
Brian Wilson
Sergio Romo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bumgarner has pitched the league since 2009. It seems like he's been around forever, but going into 2019, he's still only 29 years old. In his 11-year career, he's racked up a lifetime 3.08 ERA. He's also finished top 10 in the Cy Young voting four times.

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Adam Jones
Wiki Commons By Arturo Pardavila III
Does this outfielder who played mostly in the American League look familiar?
Adam Jones
Chris Davis
Khris Davis
Bryan Buxton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Adam Jones has put up consistent numbers over his 14-year career. In his prime years, he averaged about 30 home runs, a .285 batting average, and 15 stolen bases a year. He's been voted an All-Star five times over the last 10 years

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Justin Upton
FOX Sports West
He's spent time in both the National and American League. Who is he?
Justin Upton
Nelson Cruz
Freddie Freeman
Kyle Seager
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Justin Upton came into the league as a teenager in 2007. Last season was Justin's 12th in the league and he had one of his best power showings. He hit 30 home runs, just five shy of his lifetime best. He's still only 31, so he could still be around for a long time.

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Freddie Freeman
Wiki Commons by Bruce Tuten
He's put in nine solid seasons with the Braves. Who is he?
Brian Jordan
Freddie Freeman
Chipper Jones
Andruw Jones
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Freddie Freeman is consistently one of the best hitters in the National League. In 2018, he finished fourth in the MVP vote in a season in which he recorded 23 home runs, 10 stolen bases, and an .892 OPS. The last time he had an OPS under .800 was 2012.

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Matt Carpenter
Wiki Commons by d-deee
Which of these players attributes his success to his secret salsa recipe?
Matt Carpenter
Brian McCann
Bryce Harper
Yadier Molina
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Matt Carpenter combined some vegetables from Adam Wainwright's garden into his salsa before a series against the Cubs in 2018. He ended up hitting 12 straight extra-base hits, which has led to some of his Cardinals teammates swearing by the stuff.

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Nelson Cruz
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
He's been in the league for 15 seasons and has had all his best seasons after the age of 30. Who is he?
Nelson Cruz
David Ortiz
Albert Pujols
Dustin Pedroia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nelson Cruz didn't become a regular until 2009 for the Rangers. However, since his 28th birthday, he's lit the league on fire. He's had five straight seasons with more than 30 home runs. The 38-year-old is still hitting well over an .800 OPS in the beginning stages of 2019.

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Andrew McCutchen
Wiki Commons by Blackngold29
Can you name this NL MVP?
Andrew McCutchen
Jose Bautista
Lorenzo Cain
Adam Jones
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the beginning half of the 2010s, almost nobody was hitting the ball better than Cutch. He claimed the MVP in 2013 with the Pirates while hitting .317 with 21 home runs and 27 stolen bases. His numbers have dropped off since then, but he's still coming off .a .792 OPS season.

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Josh Donaldson
Wiki Commons By Arturo Pardavila III
You probably won't recognize him without his signature mullet. His name is...?
Josh Donaldson
Kyle Seager
Alex Gordan
Troy Tulowitzki
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Josh Donaldson broke out in his age 29 season with the Blue Jays. He's coming off an injury-plagued 2018 season where he hit a .801 OPS. From 2015 to 2017 his lowest OPS was .939. Will he be able to regain his MVP form?

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Alex Gordon
Wiki Commons By Arturo Pardavila III
Does this "Gordon" look familiar
Alex Gordon
Dee Gordan
Tom Gordon
Flash Gordon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alex Gordon does a little bit of everything. He's a six-time Gold Glove winner in the outfield with a lifetime .758 OPS. He was also voted an All-star in three straight seasons from 2013 to 2015. He also helped American win a World University championship in 2004.

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Johnny Cueto
MLB via YouTube
Does this pitcher's picture ring any bells?
Johnny Cueto
Jon Lester
Gio Gonzalez
Madison Bumgarner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cueto has played all but half a year in the National League. He's put up some impressive numbers in his career including a league-leading 242 home runs in 2014, a year in which he won 20 games. Through 11 seasons, he has a lifetime 3.33 ERA.

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Manny Machado
Wiki Commons By Arturo Pardavila III
He can kill you with his glove or his bat. Who is he?
Manny Machado
Brett Gardner
Nelson Cruz
Justin Upton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It only took two seasons before Machado won his first Gold Glove in 2013. He's gone on to become a four time All-Star with a career .817 OPS. He had one of his best seasons to date in 2018 with a .905 OPS and 37 home runs.

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Cleveland Indians (Corey Kluber)
WikiCommons via Erik Drost
Can you name this former Cy Young winner?
Corey Kluber
Justin Verlander
Felix Hernandez
Jon Lester
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kluber didn't become a regular in the Indians rotation until 2013, but it didn't take him long to win his first Cy Young award in 2014. He has a lifetime 3.16 ERA in his nine-year career and is coming off a 20-win season.

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Brett Gardner
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Can you name this lifetime Yankee?
Brett Gardner
Derek Jeter
Aaron Judge
Bernie Williams
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gardner has been with the Yankees since their last World Series in 2009. He's known for his speed more than his bat, and he's had more than 20 stolen bases in seven seasons. He's starting to slow down with age, but has still kept a starting job with the Yankees.

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Jose Altuve
Wiki Commons By Arturo Pardavila III
He's a threat with the bat and on the base path. Who is he?
Jose Altuve
Dee Gordan
Albert Pujols
Billy Hamilton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Altuve has hit over .300 in five straight seasons. In three of those seasons, he hit higher than .330. He's always a threat to steal when the opposing pitcher stops keeping an eye on him. He set a career high 56 stolen bases in 2014.

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Buster Posey
Wiki Commons by Arturo Pardavila III
Does this former MVP and catcher look familiar?
Buster Posey
Yadier Molina
J.T. Realmuto
Russell Martin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Buster Posey has checked off almost every box he's been eligible for. In 2010, he won the Rookie of Year award and two years later he won the NL MVP. In 2016, he added Gold Glove to the list.

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Max Scherzer
Wiki Commons by Arturo Pardavila III
He's a strikeout king. Who is he?
Max Scherzer
Justin Verlander
Stephen Strasburg
Jordan Hicks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mad Max has taken home three Cy Young awards, including at least one in each league. In 2018, he threw exactly 300 strikeouts for the first time in his career. The last time a pitcher not named Max Scherzer led the NL in strikeouts was 2015.

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/40
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison