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Baltimore Orioles: Is Orioles’ Adam Jones still the premiere center fielder in AL East?

By Nate Wardle

Sep 23, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones (10) warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones (10) warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays’ CFs – Kevin Pillar, Ezequiel Carrera, Anthony Alford

Kevin Pillar is one of the best defenders you will ever see. In fact, with Kevin Kiermaier, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Adam Jones in the division, it is a safe bet that the Gold Glove is going to one of the AL East CFs or Mike Trout.

What separates Kiermaier and Jones are what they can do offensively.

Pillar is a good slap hitter. In 2016, he hit .266/.303/.376 with 7 HRs, 35 2Bs, 53 RBIs, 59 runs and 14 stolen bases. If a ball heads toward the gap, Pillar is taking two, although he doesn’t have elite speed like Ellsbury once did.

In 2016, Pillar had a stellar dWAR of 2.6, and an oWAR of 1.1. His range factor in center field is slightly below average, but his total fielding runs above average was +4, and he saved a ridiculous 21 runs. Pillar had the fourth best dWAR in 2016 but also had six errors.

I already discussed Carrera, who could platoon in left and Alford previously.

Blue Jays’ Pillar will continue to be a great defender and a solid offensive player, but his offensive game has a ceiling, which keeps him below the middle of the pack in the AL East.

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