Right field has two of the top outfielders in today’s game. Mookie Betts and Bryce Harper are outstanding ballplayers, and without a doubt the two best at their position. Outside of those two, this list can vary by opinion. Here is my top 10 right fielders in the MLB.
Top Right Fielders in MLB
10. Jose Bautista
“Joey Bats” is a powerhouse. Over his 13-year career, he has 308 home runs and 862 RBI’s. He is a career .255 hitter with 1,311 hits and 267 doubles. Although he was bothered by injuries last season, he still hit 22 home runs. Bautista may be on the down side of his career, however he is still one of the better power hitting outfielders.
9. Nelson Cruz
At 37 years old, Cruz is one of the biggest power threats in the league. The past three season he has 127 home runs and 306 RBI’s. The older he is getting, the more power he is providing. Cruz isn’t just a power threat, as he has hit to an average of .271, .302, and .287 in the past three seasons. The strikeouts however, have been an issue.
8. Stephen Piscotty
In his first full season in the big leagues, Piscotty was an above average hitter. He hit .273 with 22 home runs, 35 doubles, and 85 RBI’s. Piscatory is a solid defender in right field, and should hit to a decent average with 20+ home runs.
7. J.D. Martinez
Martinez has picked his game up the past three seasons. In 2014, hit a stellar .315 with 23 home runs, 30 doubles, and 76 RBI’s. In 2015 he won a Silver Slugger after hitting 38 home runs and driving in 102 runs. Last season, playing in only 120 games due to injury, Martinez hit .307 with 22 home runs, 35 doubles, and 68 RBI’s.
6. Kole Calhoun
Calhoun is one of the most underrated outfielders in the league. The past three seasons he’s been extremely consistent. He has 134, 161, and 161 hits in the past three seasons. He’s a career .266 hitter with gap to gap power. He averages about 20 home runs and 30 doubles/season.
5. Gregory Polanco
Polanco brought his game to a new level in 2016. In his second full season in the majors, Polanco hit .258 with 22 home runs, 34 doubles, 86 RBI’s, and he slugged .463. Those numbers may not jump off the page, however his slugging percentage went up 82 points from 2015 and he hit 13 more home runs. At 25 years old, Polanco should only keep getting better.
4. Giancarlo Stanton
Raw Power is the only way to describe Giancarlo Stanton. Just take a look at the guy, he is built like a house. Stanton has hit 20+ home runs in all seven years he’s been in the league. He has had issues staying on the field, as he has never played a full season yet. However, with power like Stanton’s he is a threat to hit a long ball every time he steps to the plate. Again, the only way to describe Stanton’s game is raw power.
3. Carlos Gonzalez
Carlos Gonzalez has one of the sweetest left handed swings in the game. When healthy, Car-Go is one of the best left handed hitters in the game. However, health has been an issue and a concern. He is a three time NL All-Star, a three time Gold Glove winner, and a two time Silver Slugger winner. When fully healthy, Gonzalez has 40 home run and 100+ RBI potential. In 150 games last season, Carlos hit .298 with 25 home runs, 42 doubles, and 100 RBI’s.
2. Bryce Harper
Harper has been a star since he came into the league in 2012 when he own the NL Rookie of the year. He is a free swinger, swinging out of his shoes. He is a four time NL All-Star, and he won a Silver Slugger and NL MVP in 2015. Last season he struggled mightily. He posted a career low .243 average with 24 home runs and 86 RBI’s. In his MVP season in 2015, he led the league in home runs (42), runs (118), slugging percentage (.649), and WAR (9.9). Harper is due for a bounce back season in 2017.
1. Mookie Betts
Mookie solidified himself as one of the top outfielders in the game last season. He was named to his first career All-Star game, won a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove, and finished second in AL MVP voting. He finished with a .318 average with 31 home runs, 42 doubles, 214 hits, 26 stolen bases, 113 RBI’s, and a league leading 359 total bases. Betts has a unique combination of power, contact, and speed.
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