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Baltimore Orioles: Where does Orioles’ Kim rank among left fielders in AL East?

By Nate Wardle

Mar 1, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim (25) at bat during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim (25) at bat during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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1. New York Yankees

Yankees’ LFs – Brett Gardner, Mason Williams, Rob Refsnyder, Matt Holliday (DH), Clint Frazier

Gardner is as consistent as it comes atop the AL East at left field. That doesn’t mean he is the greatest left field in major league baseball, but he is in this division.

Gardner went .261/.351/.362 with 7 HRs, 22 2Bs, 41 RBIs and 80 runs at the position. Most of those numbers were very close to his career averages, except the down slugging percentage. Gardner also added 16 stolen bases, which is his fewest in a full season.

Also, Gardner won his first Gold Glove as a left fielder for the Yankees. His dWAR was 0.8, which is not overly impressive but is solid. His runs fielding above total average was 0, but his defensive runs saved was -12, with his range right near the league averages.

Next: Torrey Smith returning to Baltimore?

As for the others, could play some left field, especially if Greg Bird and Chris Carter are both in the lineup. Refsnyder is reportedly on the trade block, and Frazier is a top prospect who is not quite ready. As for Williams, either he or Aaron Hicks will be the reserve outfielder for the Yankees in 2017, barring something unforeseen.

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