Baltimore Orioles: Mark Trumbo Trails Betts in AL East Positional Rankings
By Nate Wardle
Baltimore Orioles’ Mark Trumbo and Boston Red Sox’s Mookie Betts leads a powerful group of right fielders in the latest American League East positional rankings.
As Spring Training began for the Baltimore Orioles, I started my annual series of ranking each position in the American League East (Preseason rankings: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | LF | CF | RF).
With the 2016 season officially over, I have released my latest AL East rankings for the positions of catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field and center field.
And, there is automatically one change to come, as I predicted that Dexter Fowler would be the Baltimore Orioles’ right fielder (as was widely believed to be true at the time). I said if that didn’t happen, the Baltimore Orioles would be last, although that wasn’t the case either.
As we wind out the positional rankings, in the preseason I had Jose Bautista first, followed by Mookie Betts and Boston. Let’s see if that holds in the recap.
5. Tampa Bay Rays – Steven Souza Jr., Mikie Mahtook, Oswaldo Arcia, Brandon Guyer
Preseason prediction – 5th, Steven Souza Jr., Mikie Mahtook, Brandon Guyer, Logan Morrison
Steven Souza‘s numbers in 2016 did not look that different from 2015. His batting average was up (.247 compared to .225), but he struck out more (159 to 144) and walked less (31 to 46). Souza added 17 HRs, 17 2Bs, 49 RBIs and 58 runs. He stole seven bases but got caught six times. OUCH.
Somehow, and I have no idea how his offensive WAR was 0.7. However, his defensive WAR was negative. Souza does have a decent range in the field, and made a few highlight-worthy plays, but continues not to live up to his offensive production.
Before the year started, I mentioned how much Souza strikes out, and wondered if the Rays may try to platoon him with Mahtook. The Rays did try Mikie Mahtook at right field, but as previously discussed, he hit under .200. Arcia was brought in, played sparingly, and was released. Brandon Guyer, who was traded, is just another hole for the Rays to fill in 2017.