Where Do Baltimore Orioles Outfield Rank Among Star-Studded AL East?
By Nate Wardle
1. New York Yankees
New York Yankees’ Outfielders: Brett Gardner (LF), Aaron Hicks (CF), Aaron Judge (RF), Giancarlo Stanton (DH), Jacoby Ellsbury, Clint Frazier, Shane Robinson
Gardner quietly put together his best season since 2013 last year, hitting .264/.350/.428 with 21 home runs (a career high), 26 doubles, 63 runs batted in and 96 runs scored. His WAR of 4.9 was the second best of his career, and his defense was good too.
Hicks was a bit of a bust from his top prospect label in Minnesota, and while he may never shake that entirely, his 2107 season was respectable, hitting .266/.372/.475, compared to a career slash line of .232/.315/.372. He had career highs in home runs (15), runs batted in (52), runs scored (54), and doubles (18). His dWAR of 1.5 helped him achieve a 3.9 WAR, and that was in only playing 88 games.
With Jacoby Ellsbury supplanted, Hicks and his highlight reel defensive play look to be a fixture in the Yankees’ center field.
Speaking of highlight reels, let’s look at the offensive side. Geesh.
Judge, of course, was Rookie of the Year, second in MVP, Silver Slugger, All-Star, led the American League in home runs, runs, walks and strikeouts. He hit .284/.422/.627 with 52 home runs, 24 doubles, 128 runs and 114 runs batted in.
His offensive WAR was a gaudy 7.2, with a defensive WAR of 0.3. As he showed several times, including the playoffs, his height is a strength defensively, and he is athletic enough to dive and catch balls that layers with lesser wingspans would not get to. The only question left will be whether he can keep up in 2017 as pitchers adjust.
Then there is Stanton, who was NL All-Star, MVP, Silver Slugger and led the National League in home runs (59), runs batted in (132) and slugging (.631)/ He hit .281 and added 32 doubles and 123 runs scored too. Stanton has never been known for his defense but did have a respectable 0.4 dWAR last year, with a 6.6 offensive WAR.
Ellsbury will be the likely backup, but he can’t back up in center field anymore, so Clint Frazier will also have a shot. Ellsbury is hurt (not surprisingly) and will start the season on the disabled list.
Next: Alex Cobb’s Potential Effect on the Orioles’ 2018 Rotation
Pitchers will have a nightmare facing two of these outfields, and the rest boast some key players as well.
Comment and let us know your thoughts on this outfield groups and the rankings!