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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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Aug 22, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles left fielder Henry Urrutia (51) hits a RBI single during the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles left fielder Henry Urrutia (51) hits a RBI single during the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Baltimore Orioles – Hyeon Soo-Kim, Henry Urrutia, Joey Rickard, Nolan Reimold, Mark Trumbo

The Orioles look prepared to start Hyeon Soo-Kim, who the team just signed out of the Korean Baseball Organization, as their starting left fielder in 2016. The team signed the 27-year-old to a two year, $7 million contract this offseason. I will admit I’m not an expert on Kim, so this article from The Baltimore Sun provides some knowledge on how he plays.

Kim is a fierce competitor who is quite the opposite of many of the Orioles. He does not strike out a lot, takes pitches, and walks a lot. (I like him already.) Kim is a player who has some power, but is better known for his contact hitting. Kim also is reported as an aggressive base runner who can take the extra bases. He won’t steal a lot, but has the ability to run well, which will be a plus in Baltimore.

As for his fielding, he appears to rate average to above-average with the glove. His arm is not a strength, which is why the Orioles think he will be better suited for left field than right field. The comparison in MLB to his game in Korea was Alex Gordon. If Kim is anywhere near as good as Gordon, then the Orioles will be just fine at left field.

There have been some rumors that Kim is overweight, but he is working out with Brady Anderson, so I don’t expect that to last long. However, the Orioles need Kim to be at least an average player for in 2016.

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Henry Urrutia might have a chance to stick with the team here, but I think the person to really watch is Joey Rickard. Rickard was a Rule 5 draft pick for the Orioles from Tampa Bay, so you know the O’s will want to keep him. Rickard was excellent last year in AAA Durham in 29 games, hitting .360/.437/.462. As the slash line shows, Rickard is a contact hitter, but also a guy who gets on base a lot! It will be interesting to see if he can keep his numbers at a level to keep him in the major leagues. Plus, the Orioles have kept a Rule 5 player each of the last few years. So, if I had to pick, I think that he will be the backup. Reimold is poised to start in right field, and Trumbo at DH.

IF Kim looks anything close to Alex Gordon by the end of the year, he won’t rank last. But, with the major issues the Orioles have seen from corner outfielders over the past few years, the team is just hoping for a guy who is consistent.

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