By Jeremy Brener and Thomas Giordano
The baseball playoffs are in full swing, with the best eight teams still playing in the divisional series. We asked intrepid young writers Jeremy Brener and Thomas Giordano to pick teams based on eye candy and there is a lot of it.
You can view the players in the gallery above and vote for your favorite team below. All photos by USA TODAY Sports.
#TeamJeremy
Travis d'Arnaud, C, New York Mets
Perfect guy for New York. Cute smile, cute scruff, perfect backstop for my team.
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
Mostly a DH, but occasionally plays first. Great biceps — how else does he hit all those home runs?
Kolten Wong, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
Wong received a double-blessing at birth. Great baseball player, and possibly an even greater body.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
I would put Derek Jeter here, but because he retired, Tulo's my shortstop. Not exactly complaining though.
Matt Carpenter, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals
He and Tulo make one hot left-sided infield. Also, underrated for his beard, which is pretty solid.
Kevin Pillar, OF, Toronto Blue Jays
He was my first pick. Need I say more?
Curtis Granderson, OF, New York Mets
This guy gets better with age, and he's the veteran leader on a young Mets squad looking to surprise this postseason.
Jake Marisnick, OF, Houston Astros
Steal of the draft. Might be my favorite player on my hometown team too. Great scruff, great hair, great body, total package.
Joc Pederson, DH, Los Angeles Dodgers
He was MADE for Southern California.
Jake Arrieta, SP, Chicago Cubs
I'm not a big fan of beards, but I dig Arrieta's. And he won 22 games this year, which will likely lead to his first Cy Young award. Good looks, great game, well deserved.
Lance Lynn, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Consistently beautiful and a consistently strong pitcher for the Cardinals.
Martin Perez, SP, Texas Rangers
I don't like the Rangers very much, but when Perez takes the mound, I dislike them a little less.
Steven Matz, SP, New York Mets
Rookie. Might be the cutest guy on my team, but soon, he's going to go from cute, to just simply hot.
Keone Kela, RP, Texas Rangers
The Rangers rookie is not a closer, but he's a perfect end to my team.
#TeamThomas
Anthony Recker, C, New York Mets
He may not play much this postseason, but he makes my team.
Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City Royals
Scruff, 10 of 10. Looks perfect in royal blue.
Corey Seager, 2B/SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
He plays shortstop more often, but I really wanted him and my guy Correa, so luckily Jeremy let me have him.
Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros
At 21, he is one of the rising studs in the league.
Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs
If you're expecting a catchy phrase, you've never seen Bryant's face before.
George Springer, OF, Houston Astros
He's a triple threat. Homers, defense, beautiful eyes.
Lorenzo Cain, OF, Kansas City Royals
His great play matches his great body.
Michael Conforto, OF, New York Mets
Jeremy said I look like him, so I had to put him on this list.
David Wright, DH, New York Mets
Now that Jeter's gone, best looking player in New York.
Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Golden curve-ball, golden locks, golden eyes.
Marco Estrada, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are fun to watch as is, but when Estrada takes the mound, they become a little more exciting.
Marcus Stroman, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
And when Stroman takes the mound, it gets even more exciting.
Lance McCullers, SP, Houston Astros
McCullers is definitely my type. Cute face, nice body, and of course, Batman cleats.
Roberto Osuna, RP, Toronto Blue Jays
Youngest player in the game, and with a face like his, probably the cutest as well.
Who is your winner? #TeamJeremy or #TeamThomas? Who got snubbed? Debate in the comments below. Baseball postseason is definitely the time to watch.
