2018 Positional Top 10: Left Field
Matt Linder
Left field has become a platoon-heavy position, in which different players split time. Also, in general, teams are beginning to use their outfielders more fluidly, moving guys between the three spots throughout the season. This trend is most pronounced in left field. Last year, both right field and center field had 20 everyday players who received at least 400 plate appearances, while left field only had 12 players to reach that threshold. The position is certainly top-heavy with a cast of impact players atop the list. Enjoy!
1. Giancarlo Stanton
New team, new position… still number one. Stanton will mostly DH for the Yankees in 2018, but when he plays the field, it will be in left. The reigning NL MVP is coming off an all-time great season in which he hit .281/.376/.631 with 59 home runs… 59!!!! Although you cannot expect him to repeat that level of production in 2018, it is fairly safe to say that he will still be the game’s best leftfielder.
2. Marcell Ozuna
Ozuna, one of Stanton’s former teammates in Miami, is also calling a new city home this season. The 27-year old broke out in 2017, hitting .312/.376/.548 with 37 home runs. Ozuna’s 5.8 WAR ranked first among his positional peers. He is a excellent athlete, which translates to solid outfield defense. I expect another year excellent season for Cardinal’s left fielder and a possible top-10 MVP finish.
3. Christian Yellich
The trend continues. Yellich was the final member of the star-studded Marlins outfield traded this off-season, and now calls Milwaukee home. The 26-year old had a slight down year compared to his 2016 numbers, but still hit .282/.369/.439 with 18 home runs and 16 stolen bases. I anticipate his power numbers will increase in hitter-friendly Miller Park. Yellich, a centerfielder with the Marlins, will take his excellent defensive skills over to left in 2018 because the Brewers also added Lorenzo Cain in the off-season. Don't be surprised if he leads Milwaukee to their first playoff appearance since 2011.
4. Justin Upton
The Angels’ left fielder is a model of consistency. Upton has slugged at least 26 home runs in each of the past five seasons and is coming off a particularly strong year in which he hit .273/.361/.540 with 35 dingers and 14 steals. Those numbers led to a WAR (5.6) that ranked second among left fielders. His defense is solid, but not spectacular, and at only 30 years old, there is no reason to expect any slowdown.
5. Andrew Benintendi
The Red Sox left fielder is coming off a good rookie season. Maybe due to unreasonably high fan expectations, a slash line of .271/.352/.424 with 20 home runs and 20 steals was considered a let down. At only 23 years old, there is plenty of room for improvement and growth as he enters his second full season in the big leagues.
6. Yoenis Cespedes
On raw talent, Cespedes could easily be the number two player on this list. However, mostly due to injury, I could not confidently put him ahead of the more reliable left fielders. He only played in 81 games last season, but when on the field, he hit .292/.352/.540 with 17 home runs. At 32 years old, there are legitimate concerns about his long-term health, but even 110 games of Cespedes is a valuable piece for the Mets.
7. Khris Davis
The A’s left fielder makes this list for one reason and one reason only, his power. Since 2015, Davis ranks fifth in all of baseball with 112 home runs. Last year, the 30-year old hit .247/.336/.528 with 43 dingers. However, he will likely spend most of his time at DH this year because of his extreme weak arm in left field. Overall, the power is obviously legit and for that reason, he deserves a spot in this ranking.
8. Ryan Braun
Braun is going to move around the diamond this season due to a crowded Brewers outfield, but since he spent much of last season in left field, I am ranking him as a left fielder. The 34-year old did not play well in 2017, but he is only one year removed from hitting .305/.365/.538 with 30 home runs. If Braun can come anywhere close to replicating those numbers this season, he will have earned his spot on this list.
9. Brett Gardner
The Yankees’ left fielder has been a reliable contributor at the top of the lineup over the past several seasons. Gardner has exhibits solid plate discipline as evidenced by his 4.23 pitches per plate appearance and .346 career OBP. In addition to a patient approach, the 34-year old still possesses a speed and power combination. Gardner popped 21 home runs, while also stealing 22 bases in 2017. He also uses that speed in the field, where he is a stellar defender.
10. Rhys Hoskins
Ranking Hoskins was extremely difficult because of the available sample size. The Phillies’ left fielder was called up in August and made an immediate splash. In only 50 games, he hit .259/.396/.618 with 18 home runs. The 25-year old is not much of a defensive outfielder, but if he continues to crush dingers, he will vault up this list come next season.
Also Considered:
Trey Mancini - Orioles
Adam Duvall – Reds
Kyle Schwarber – Cubs
Eddie Rosario - Twins
**All WAR stats come from Baseball Reference
Please check back again tomorrow for my top 10 center fielders in 2018.
If you have any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to reach out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com
Left field has become a platoon-heavy position, in which different players split time. Also, in general, teams are beginning to use their outfielders more fluidly, moving guys between the three spots throughout the season. This trend is most pronounced in left field. Last year, both right field and center field had 20 everyday players who received at least 400 plate appearances, while left field only had 12 players to reach that threshold. The position is certainly top-heavy with a cast of impact players atop the list. Enjoy!
 |
| Thomas A. Ferrara - Newsday |
1. Giancarlo Stanton
New team, new position… still number one. Stanton will mostly DH for the Yankees in 2018, but when he plays the field, it will be in left. The reigning NL MVP is coming off an all-time great season in which he hit .281/.376/.631 with 59 home runs… 59!!!! Although you cannot expect him to repeat that level of production in 2018, it is fairly safe to say that he will still be the game’s best leftfielder.
 |
| mlb.com |
2. Marcell Ozuna
Ozuna, one of Stanton’s former teammates in Miami, is also calling a new city home this season. The 27-year old broke out in 2017, hitting .312/.376/.548 with 37 home runs. Ozuna’s 5.8 WAR ranked first among his positional peers. He is a excellent athlete, which translates to solid outfield defense. I expect another year excellent season for Cardinal’s left fielder and a possible top-10 MVP finish.
 |
| Fox Sports |
3. Christian Yellich
The trend continues. Yellich was the final member of the star-studded Marlins outfield traded this off-season, and now calls Milwaukee home. The 26-year old had a slight down year compared to his 2016 numbers, but still hit .282/.369/.439 with 18 home runs and 16 stolen bases. I anticipate his power numbers will increase in hitter-friendly Miller Park. Yellich, a centerfielder with the Marlins, will take his excellent defensive skills over to left in 2018 because the Brewers also added Lorenzo Cain in the off-season. Don't be surprised if he leads Milwaukee to their first playoff appearance since 2011.
 |
| Orlando Ramirez - USA TODAY Sports |
4. Justin Upton
The Angels’ left fielder is a model of consistency. Upton has slugged at least 26 home runs in each of the past five seasons and is coming off a particularly strong year in which he hit .273/.361/.540 with 35 dingers and 14 steals. Those numbers led to a WAR (5.6) that ranked second among left fielders. His defense is solid, but not spectacular, and at only 30 years old, there is no reason to expect any slowdown.
 |
| Michael Dwyer - AP |
5. Andrew Benintendi
The Red Sox left fielder is coming off a good rookie season. Maybe due to unreasonably high fan expectations, a slash line of .271/.352/.424 with 20 home runs and 20 steals was considered a let down. At only 23 years old, there is plenty of room for improvement and growth as he enters his second full season in the big leagues.
 |
| Brad Penner - USA TODAY Sports |
6. Yoenis Cespedes
On raw talent, Cespedes could easily be the number two player on this list. However, mostly due to injury, I could not confidently put him ahead of the more reliable left fielders. He only played in 81 games last season, but when on the field, he hit .292/.352/.540 with 17 home runs. At 32 years old, there are legitimate concerns about his long-term health, but even 110 games of Cespedes is a valuable piece for the Mets.
 |
| Joe Nicholson - USA TODAY Sports |
7. Khris Davis
The A’s left fielder makes this list for one reason and one reason only, his power. Since 2015, Davis ranks fifth in all of baseball with 112 home runs. Last year, the 30-year old hit .247/.336/.528 with 43 dingers. However, he will likely spend most of his time at DH this year because of his extreme weak arm in left field. Overall, the power is obviously legit and for that reason, he deserves a spot in this ranking.
 |
| Benny Sieu - USA TODAY Sports |
8. Ryan Braun
Braun is going to move around the diamond this season due to a crowded Brewers outfield, but since he spent much of last season in left field, I am ranking him as a left fielder. The 34-year old did not play well in 2017, but he is only one year removed from hitting .305/.365/.538 with 30 home runs. If Braun can come anywhere close to replicating those numbers this season, he will have earned his spot on this list.
 |
| Winslow Townson - USA TODAY Sports |
9. Brett Gardner
The Yankees’ left fielder has been a reliable contributor at the top of the lineup over the past several seasons. Gardner has exhibits solid plate discipline as evidenced by his 4.23 pitches per plate appearance and .346 career OBP. In addition to a patient approach, the 34-year old still possesses a speed and power combination. Gardner popped 21 home runs, while also stealing 22 bases in 2017. He also uses that speed in the field, where he is a stellar defender.
 |
| Bill Streicher - USA TODAY Sports |
10. Rhys Hoskins
Ranking Hoskins was extremely difficult because of the available sample size. The Phillies’ left fielder was called up in August and made an immediate splash. In only 50 games, he hit .259/.396/.618 with 18 home runs. The 25-year old is not much of a defensive outfielder, but if he continues to crush dingers, he will vault up this list come next season.
Also Considered:
Trey Mancini - Orioles
Adam Duvall – Reds
Kyle Schwarber – Cubs
Eddie Rosario - Twins
**All WAR stats come from Baseball Reference
Please check back again tomorrow for my top 10 center fielders in 2018.
If you have any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to reach out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com
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