MLB Madness: Slugger-heavy, star-studded Elite Eight

Baseball’s Elite Eight features two supremely talented center fielders, MVPs at both corners of the infield, a star first baseman in the making, the best pitcher of his generation, and a pair of Herculean right fielders. Good luck voting this time around.

The results of Tuesday’s field of 16 upheld our staff’s pre-tournament rankings, after all, the No. 1 and 2 seeds advanced into the regional final with relative ease. Mike Trout's drubbing of Nolan Arenado was the most lopsided head-to-head result (96 percent of the vote), while Paul Goldschmidt (53 percent) edged new teammate Zack Greinke (47 percent) in the first round's closest matchup.

Our three-part series concludes Thursday when we count down the top four players in MLB based on poll results and staff selections. Vote for baseball’s Final Four below and tell us who you think is the majors’ best player.

NORTH REGION

(1) JOSH DONALDSON
(2) MIGUEL CABRERA

The AL's reigning MVP proved more valuable than teammate Jose Bautista, but a two-time winner of the award now stands in his way. Donaldson was a late bloomer who emerged as a feared slugger in his late 20s. Cabrera's a baseball prodigy who burst onto the scene at age 20. Both are critical to their team's success, and each boasts award-winning credentials, but who's the better player today?

EAST REGION

(1) BRYCE HARPER
(2) ANDREW MCCUTCHEN

The battle between two of the last three NL MVPs pits a pair of elite talents with world-class skill sets against each other. McCutchen is the backbone of the Pirates and has helped guide them back to relevancy, while the 23-year-old Harper isn't just the face of the Nationals, he could very well be the poster boy for the sport.

WEST REGION

(1) MIKE TROUT
(2) CLAYTON KERSHAW

The "Freeway Series" meets MLB Madness in a matchup of Kershaw - the toast of Hollywood with his three Cy Young awards - against Orange County's Trout - arguably baseball's most complete player. Trout and Kershaw represent the most decorated stars at their positions over the last several years, so it begs the question: Does great pitching beat great hitting (and defense)?

SOUTH REGION

(1) PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT
(2) GIANCARLO STANTON

Here's two players who have both put up monster numbers on some not-so-great teams. Goldschmidt's an all-around threat at first base and the key to Arizona's offense. Stanton, when healthy, wields a more powerful bat than anyone else in the game. Will Marlins Park's statue dance again, or is it time for another celebratory swim at Chase Field?

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