Major League Baseball's 10 Most Indispensable Players in 2010

Part 2 of 10

No. 9 David Wright, New York Mets

Last season was a train wreck for the New York Mets. After collapsing down the stretch the previous two seasons, the Mets totally pancaked under the weight of bodies thrown on the disabled list.

The team has returned to contender status in 2010, led by third baseman David Wright.

Struggling to adjust to the expansive dimensions of new Citi Field and suffering a serious beaning late in the season, Wright's drop off in production coincided with the team's diminished success. His .307 batting average mirrored his career number, but the drop in HR's and RBI's were dramatic.

This season, Wright is on a pace that matches up to the 30 HR and 110 RBI campaigns to which he was accustomed. Although his supporting cast is improved over the injury depleted cast of a year ago, the Mets large leap in winning percentage and Wright's resurgence are not coincidental.

The two-time Gold Glove winner is also the type of team leader that is capable of keeping his teammates grounded. The classy, articulate third baseman serves as a role model on and off the field.

Hottest of the Hot Corner: Ranking MLB's Top 16 Third Basemen—No. 3

Part 14 of 16

No. 3 David Wright, New York Mets

Just like on their AAU team in Virginia Beach, David Wright is slightly ahead of Ryan Zimmerman. He's a couple years older and has one more major league season under his belt— and a much more recognized player having played a starring role in the Big Apple.

Wright has been one of baseball's brightest stars since becoming a regular in 2005. Over seven seasons, he has accumulated a .308 BA, .390 OBP, and .519 SLG.

After averaging 29 HR's and 112 RBI's in his first four full seasons, Wright's power numbers dropped off drastically when the team moved into cavernous Citi Field in 2009. He managed just 10 homers and 72 RBI's, but appears to have made adjustments in 2010 as he already has five big flies.

Until Zimmerman took it away last year, Wright received the Gold Glove Award in successive seasons. He was also the recipient of the Silver Slugger those years as well.