ESPN recently completed a series of articles where they created a list of the top 500 players in MLB. They used a panel of 34 experts who assigned points in various categories to each player in order to count down from player #500 to player #1. The ratings are based on expectations for the 2012 season. A more detailed explanation of their methodology can be found at this link for their top 10 players.

MLB -- ESPN 500: Ranking top 500 Major League Baseball players of 2012 (Nos. 1-10) - ESPN

That page also includes links to the other articles in the series, which cover all 500 players.

A few observations:

- Not surprisingly, Albert Pujols came out as the #1 player in MLB, with a score of 9.62.

- The top Pirate is Andrew McCutchen, who came out at #41, with a score of 7.31.

- Paul Maholm (#347) came out higher than any Pirate starter: Morton at #361, Bedard at #379, Correia at #383, Burnett at #410. (McDonald and Karstens did not make the top 500.)

- If one adds up the total points given to all players in the NL Central, and projects final standings for 2012 based on that, the teams are ranked as follows:

103.13 Reds
102.93 Cardinals
_93.01 Brewers
_84.85 Cubs
_63.74 Pirates
_37.14 Astros