Baltimore Orioles: Adam Jones Among Strong Center Fielders in AL East
By Nate Wardle
5. Tampa Bay Rays – Kevin Kiermaier, Desmond Jennings, Mikie Mahtook, Brandon Guyer
Prediction, 3rd – Kevin Kiermaier, Desmond Jennings, Mikie Mahtook
Kevin Kiermaier started the fewest games at CF among his colleagues, and that, along with his numbers, move he and the Rays to the last spot.
Let me preface this; defensively these guys are all superb. Even Jacoby Ellsbury, who has had some subpar years due to health issues, was magnificent. Kiermaier was arguably the best in 2016, where he won a Gold Glove. That means, in the last six years, one of these guys has earned a gold glove in the AL (Ellsbury, 2011 for Boston, Jones, 2012-2014, Kiermaier, 2015-2016).
But, Kiermaier struggled a bit at the plate, hitting .246/.331/.410 with 12 HRs, 20 2Bs, 37 RBIs, 55 runs and 21 stolen bases in 105 total games. He ranked third in stolen base percentage in the American League.
His WAR was still fantastic, with a 2.8 oWAR and a 3.0 dWAR, combining for a 5.5 WAR. Impressive stuff. His range numbers were extremely impressive, as was his total runs saved. He was first in zone runs, and second in range.
But, he still comes in last because so much of the game of baseball is about offensive. And, when everyone else hit between .263 and .267 in the AL East, .246 won’t cut it. Also, his replacements were less than stellar. Jennings and Mahtook both hit below .200 for the year.