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Top 10 outfielders for 2018
While shortstop currently houses the most impressive collection of talent in Major League Baseball, the outfield position is powerfully impressive in its own right.
From the precocious power of Aaron Judge to the MVP trio of Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Giancarlo Stanton, to the all-around brilliance of Charlie Blackmon, George Springer, Mookie Betts and many more, the outfield is absolutely loaded with franchise players.
It wasn't easy narrowing the list down given the plethora of talent across the three outfield positions, but here are the top 10 in the game today.
10. Yoenis Cespedes, Mets. After the Mets pulled out all the stops to keep Cespedes in town, they were unable to get much from their prized slugger a year ago. Like the rest of the squad, he just could not shake off the injury bug. He was limited to only 321 plate appearances over 81 games, but despite missing 50 percent of the year, Cespedes still showed how potent of a presence he can be when available, swatting 17 home runs alongside an .892 OPS and .292 average. The difference in the Mets' season this time around could simply come down to how many more days they have access to their clear-cut top bat.
9. Christian Yelich, Brewers. Yelich will instantly regain the mantle of future cornerstone for the Brewers that he inhabited in Miami. In his mid-20s, Yelich continues to grow into his power, posting an OPS above .800 two years running. He topped 35 doubles for a second consecutive year last season and hit the second most home runs of his career with 18.
Despite his growth in pop, Yelich has remained an elite on-base presence, posting a .369 OBP. As a bonus, he moves back to full-time left field duty, which should help him improve his defensive metrics.
8. Marcell Ozuna, Cardinals. Ozuna’s career continued its remarkable ascension last year, when he rounded into form as one of the game’s most impressive all-around offensive contributors. He finished in the NL top four in home runs (37), RBI (124), hits (191) and total bases (336).
He was far from a one-trick pony as well. Ozuna excelled defensively en route to his first Gold Glove victory by leading all left fielders in putouts and range factor, while totaling 10 outfield assists as well.
7. George Springer, Astros. While claiming World Series MVP raised his profile to superstardom, in reality, Springer already was there. The award was simply an exclamation point on an already impressive campaign. The big-swinging leadoff threat raised his home run total for a third straight year to a career-best 34, while posting new career highs in RBI, batting average and OPS as well. He also remained an elite run scorer, topping 100 for a second year in a row and bringing his two-year total to 228.
The rangy athlete continues to spend time between center and right field, but his defensive home should be in center, where he was a borderline Gold Glove performer, contributing five defensive runs saved and five assists.
6. Charlie Blackmon, Rockies. A dizzying collection of excitement, productivity and bearded excellence, "Chuck Nazty" was a tour de force last year at the heart of the Colorado outfield. Blackmon won his first batting title after hitting .331, while also leading the Senior Circuit in total bases (387), runs scored (137), hits (213) and triples (14). His season also included 37 home runs, 35 doubles, 14 stolen bases and saw him be responsible for more runs created (157) than any other National Leaguer.
5. Mookie Betts, Red Sox. There are few players as truly gifted as Betts, and even fewer — if any — can change the game in as many ways. He is light-years ahead of any other right fielder defensively and may be the game’s top defensive outfielder regardless of spot. Betts totaled 31 defensive runs saved last year, which is an insane impact to make from a corner outfield position. He also led all right fielders in putouts and topped the circuit in range factor.
At the plate, he was not too shabby either. Although his average dropped significantly from .318 in 2016 to .264 last season, he still posted 46 doubles, 26 stolen bases, 24 home runs, 101 runs and 102 RBI. All in all, since 2015, Betts has yet to post a WAR south of 6.0 in a season.
4. Aaron Judge, Yankees. For a good part of last summer, Judge was the most dominant player in all of baseball. He passed Joe DiMaggio’s team rookie home run record before departing for the All-Star break, where he then dismantled all comers in the Home Run Derby. While a severe second-half slump throughout July and early August proved he was mortal, when the dust settled Judge raised the bar for first-year dominance with a 52-homer debut. He also became one of five players ever to have 50 homers, score 120 runs and walk 100 times, joining the likes of Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Mickey Mantle and Mark McGwire.
While expectations are certainly lofty for his encore season, Judge’s considerable ceiling could continue to move even higher. He already learned how to work through a major slump, should be more familiar with opposing pitchers and was gifted with the protection of one Giancarlo Stanton. Speaking of which …
3. Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees. A year ago, Stanton finally realized his destiny as the most undeniable power presence the game has seen in a generation, clubbing 59 home runs and 132 RBI en route to claiming National League MVP honors. Now he is charged with getting the upstart Yankees, who came within one game of reaching the World Series in 2017, over the hump.
Stanton grew tired of being the biggest fish in a small pond in Miami. Now carries an ocean of expectations at the heart of the lineup card in the Bronx.
2. Bryce Harper, Nationals. Harper resoundingly put the struggles of 2016 behind him last year. He was on pace to land his second MVP nod before his 25th birthday before a scary August injury on the wet base paths in D.C. forced him out of the lineup. Still, in only 111 games he connected for 29 home runs, 87 RBI and a .319 average. While his ratios were slightly behind his MVP effort in 2015, his 1.008 OPS was nearly 200 points higher than the year that preceded it.
Harper will spend the summer as the game’s most discussed player. His every step will be analyzed as the biggest name to hit free agency in a long time following the season. Never short on intensity or focus, we could be getting ready to see one of the game’s greatest talents at his absolute best as he tries to finally lead the Nationals to postseason success while awaiting his massive payday.
1. Mike Trout, Angels. Trout’s shadow casts itself not only over the entire outfield, but over the entire game. The generation’s best player was finally confronted by a trip to the disabled list for the first time last year with a torn thumb ligament costing him over a month. Much like Harper, however, it was hard to tell how much time he missed given his numbers. Despite missing 30 percent of the season, Trout still led the AL in OPS (1.071), as well as OPS+, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.
While Trout still performed at his standard elite level, the injury bug could not have struck at a worse time as he was on pace for the best season of his already insanely impressive career. Although he missed 39 games, he out-homered his 159-game 2016 total. Trout also finished second among all AL position players in WAR. He still managed to finish fourth in the AL MVP race as well, which is incredibly the lowest finish of his career.
Left on deck: Brett Gardner (Yankees), Justin Upton (Angels), Kevin Kiermaier (Rays), Tommy Pham (Cardinals), Starling Marte (Pirates)
More must-reads:
- 10 MLB players who will crush it in contract years
- MLB MVP candidates heading into 2018
- The 'Every MLB team's 2017 leader in WAR' quiz
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Braves' Brian Snitker Announces Matt Olson News After 746 Straight Games
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin reportedly wants more money than previously thought
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Bill Belichick's trademark snark already showing in North Carolina's QB battle
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