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Baltimore Orioles: Adam Jones Among Strong Center Fielders in AL East

By Nate Wardle

Jul 16, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) runs back to the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) runs back to the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jackie Bradley Jr.
Oct 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (25) is hit by a pitch against the Cleveland Indians in the eight inning during game two of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Boston Red Sox – Jackie Bradley Jr.

Preseason prediction – 5th, Jackie Bradley Jr., Chris Young, Brock Holt, Brennan Boesch

I hinted that this was coming. I said that there was a decent chance that Bradley put it together in 2016 and broke out. That is exactly what he did. Bradley hit .267/.349/.486 with 26 HRs, 30 2Bs, 87 RBIs, 94 runs and was an All-Star for the first time. His oWAR was 4.2, and his dWAR was 1.6, combining for a 5.3 WAR. It was a very successful season for JBJ.

Bradley started 155 games in center field for the Red Sox, and his fielding percentage was good, his range was right near the league average, but he also had a zone total runs number below average. As discussed, he led the AL in putouts, but also in assists with 13.

When it comes to the better CFs in the AL East, it likely is the fiercest positional battle not only in the division but all of baseball. What other position will have four of the five players batting averages separated by .005 percent? What other position features the so many Gold Gloves in a row? What other position features so many All-Stars? Not many.

Next: John Wall propels Wizards past Knicks, 119-112

Let me know your thoughts, and I’m sure some of you will!

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