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2016 AL East Rankings by Position: Left Field

By Nate Wardle

Sep 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Corey Dickerson (6) RBI singles in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Corey Dickerson (6) RBI singles in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Michael Saunders (21) at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Michael Saunders (21) at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Toronto Blue Jays – Michael Saunders, Dalton Pompey, Ezequiel Carrera, Junior Lake, Chris Colabello

Michael Saunders is a guy who was highly regarded when he first came to the majors for the Seattle Mariners. And he showed glimpses of that ability. He was traded to the Blue Jays in December 2014 for J.A. Happ, who of course now is back for the Blue Jays.

2015 was a disaster for Saunders, who missed the beginning of the season when hurt, came back and played in nine games, and then got hurt again. In those nine games, Saunders went 6-for-31, hitting .194.

As is the case for most left fielders in the AL East, Saunders is going to be hard to predict in 2016. He has a career average of .230, which won’t be enough to keep his job.

I think that Dalton Pompey will probably win the job, maybe as soon as Opening Day. Pompey is only 23, and has yet to blossom into what many in the Jays’ organization expect. Pompey has played in 51 games, has 146 at-bats and has a career batting average of .226. Like his center field counterpart Kevin Pillar, Pompey is a good defender and projects as a leadoff hitter. He does have some speed and is a patient hitter.

If Pompey struggles as well, then I think Chris Colabello could get moved to left field, allowing Justin Smoak to start at first base. This would make the Jays look better, but they are hoping one of these two guys wins the position and can perform well enough to stay there.

Next: Lots of potential to rank higher...

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