+9 Jake Marisnick, Astros. To qualify for inclusion, a player simply had to have at least 200 plate appearances. 0.67 Gm and Chances/Team Game (fielding), He hit .320 with a .387 on-base percentage in 93 games with the Royals before he was traded to the Yankees at the deadline, and while he battled injury down the stretch, his combination of contact ability and defense still made him a 3.2-WAR player in 2022. +18 Ender Inciarte, Braves Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. Despite a mere .268 career OBP, he's valuable to Houston because his glove is so elite. Utility: Nicky Lopez, Royals+14 Outs Above Average. The slugger, better known for his offense, is just as brilliant in defense, as he sports a UZR of 2.5. Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) measures a player's defense in "runs" above or below average using nine major methodologies detailed in DRS Breakdown. As they might say in the NBA, he fills a line score -- he had 72 extra-base hits last season, scoring 91 runs and winning a Silver Slugger Award, stealing 30 bags along the way. But passing on the talent at the top isn't an easy call. Lets marvel at the all-around game that is Mookie Betts. Though Tommy Edman would deserve a Statcast award here, he's going in as a utility player. The 30-year-old boasts a UZR of 2.9 and an RngR of 2.1. 38)While there's still some question about how much offense Pache will provide, his ability to make an impact with his defense has landed him on the Braves' postseason roster the past two years. play. He not only makes spectacular plays thanks to his smooth actions, exceptional range, quick hands and strong arm, but he's also a reliable defender who rarely boots a routine grounder. At his best, he is a dynamic force. Now we're talking, because these are exactly the names you'd expect to see on any list of baseball's best defenders. He once again tallied more walks (135) than strikeouts (96) while hitting .242/.401/.452 with 25 doubles, 27 home runs, 62 RBI and 93 runs scored. It was a huge defensive year for Swanson, who was the second-best fielder in all of baseball by Outs Above Average and the No. Left field: Corbin Carroll, D-backs+5 Outs Above Average. Adolis Garcia numbers may appear out of order. Does Statcast agree with the Gold Glove winners? Catcher: Travis d'Arnaud, Braves+10 framing runs. Louisville Slugger 2022 Xeno Fastpitch Glove Series# Ugly defensive metrics (-15 DRS, -17.7 UZR/150) and the fact that he was essentially a platoon player (57 PA vs. LHP) kept Pederson from ranking any higher . The 20 Best Defensive Outfielders in Recent MLB History. An All-Star and Gold Glove winner for the first time, Happ hit .271/.342/.440 for a 119 OPS+ with 42 doubles, 17 home runs, 72 RBI, 72 runs scored and 4.4 WAR in 158 games. 2B: Vidal Brujn, Rays (No. It'll be interesting to see when the conversation begins about Trout moving to a corner. Jump is a Statcast metric that shows which players have 2020: 113 (67th) Even in a season in which he was sidelined by injury, Pollock had the highest OPS+ of his career, at 137, with a .297/.355/.536 slash line. He's extremely athletic and aggressive for a first baseman, possesses soft hands and has a strong arm that also made him a pitching prospect as a California high schooler. Are PSG better off without Neymar in big games? Steven Kwan put together a 5.5-WAR debut season with an old school game built on contact ability, speed and defense. Escape Velocity takes the average of a player's batted ball velocities subtracted from 88. Utility: Tommy Edman, Cardinals+19 Outs Above Average. 13)OF: Johan Rojas, Phillies (No. Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies. We give an extra bump to elite defense, and well dock a player if the defense is well-below average. But -- and this is another topic entirely, that we'll dive into separately -- Kiermaier also had, on average, the least difficult batted balls in baseball coming his way. Had he been healthy last season, when the Diamondbacks demonstrated they were very willing to weigh trades of their best players, it would have been interesting to see what kind of offers Marte would have received. We don't have arm value rolled into this just yet, though that's on the road map.While the still-unsigned former Giant, however, tracked down a slightly lower percentage of balls than Marte, he did make more outstanding plays, like this: Center field 65)While it took four years after the Royals made him the 14th overall choice in 2017 for his bat to break out, Pratto's glove has shone consistently during his pro career. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. The 27-year-old can really swing it from the left side and he plays above-average centerfield. He has a UZR of 2.7 and a RngR of 2.2 this year. Signed for a mere $15,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2014, he's best suited for second base and has seen most of his professional action there. In our Top 10, we have multiple MVP winners and players just on the cusp of the hardware. Anything below 88mph is considered 0. 2 spot in the lineup between NL batting title winner Jeff McNeil and the one-two punch of Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. No player in this tier hit more homers last season than Haniger, who returned from a lengthy absence to record 39 dingers, 100 RBIs and 110 runs scored. 1. He'll be one of the biggest targets for teams seeking offense when baseball resumes following the best year of his career -- a .309/.362/.576 slash line. A battle for No. That number is sure to grow as more All-Defense members graduate to the Majors. Hes locked in as an early-round pick. Isolates the pitcher's contribution to limiting the opposition's run game. (Remember that these numbers are specifically relative to each position, so while Betts' +22 is the highest number you see here, the bar is lower in right than it is in center, so when compared to all outfielders, Inciarte (+25) and Hamilton (+24) just barely edge him out.) OF: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (No. Last year: 48.8%. Robert, 24, missed more than three months after tearing his right hip flexor, but he put up a .338 average with 13 homers and six steals in 68 games, while cutting his strikeout rate from 32.2% as a rookie to 20.6%. Full coverage , FAQ: Everything you need to know about MLB's lockout . and, on certain types of batted balls, Sprint Speed. Another year, another pile of accolades for Mookie Betts who won his fifth Silver Slugger, sixth Gold Glove and made his sixth trip to the All-Star Game in the third season of a 12-year, $365 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. If he can just stay on the field, hell be in the best player in baseball discussion, I really believe it. Hes my pick to win his third MVP, as he somehow looks even better coming into this season. The 25-year-old hit .306/.406/.613 for a gaudy 187 OPS+ that trailed only Aaron Judge among all players, tallying 29 doubles, 37 home runs, 97 RBI and 95 runs scored in 135 games for a 6.8-WAR season. After injuries limited him to just 78 games in his first season with the Blue Jays, Springer bounced back with a 131 OPS+ in 133 games while earning his fourth career All-Star selection. Just like the regular-season rankings, past production and future expectations played no part in deciding the orderthis is simply a rundown of the best and brightest of 2022. Hes as well-rounded as it gets in the outfield, and hes a nice dark horse for AL MVP. Hernandez isn't necessarily a graceful defender, like Kevin Kiermaier or Jackie Bradley Jr., but the metrics show he is well above average. 1/MLB No. Major League leaderboards for 2022 outfielders with batted ball statistics. All rights reserved. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. 2023 Regular Season 2023 Spring Training 2022 Regular Season 2022 Postseason Important Dates Team by Team Schedule National Broadcasts. That, plus his reputation as a playoff performer, should put him on plenty of teams' radars this offseason. Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? The Nationals superstar is on a Hall of Fame trajectory -- his career 160 OPS+ is the fourth highest any modern-era (since 1900) player has recorded through his age-22 season (min. He made six five-star catches, more than any other outfielder. Maybe the Nationals can take pity on a lowly sportswriter and shift Soto back to left field to ease this process. For a pitcher it is the average of his softest 50% of batted balls allowed. Left field: Steven Kwan, Guardians+9 Outs Above Average. His wRC+: 2019: 161 (5th best) The deal to acquire him from the St. Louis Cardinals prior to the 2020 season in exchange for prospect Matthew Liberatore looks like a major win. The young third baseman, who was awarded the Fielding Bible Award in 2021 has been one of the biggest reasons for the Pirates' surprising start to the season. Both Mike Petriello and David Adler have written about the Blue Jays aggressive outfielding on MLB.com. How much time, in seconds, it takes a runner to get from The Brew Crew has set themselves apart from their National League East colleagues this season. Right field. This tier also includes a handful of high-risk, high-reward players, arguably none more tantalizing than Buxton. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, UFC 285's Shevchenko by the numbers: It all adds up to domination, 5 things to know as Antoine Davis is set to pass 'Pistol' Pete's scoring record, Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. He was tapped by the Brewers to for defensive purposes alongside the aforementioned Renfroe and Garcia in 2021 for a World Series push but it didn't pan out. A ** by the stat's value Kyle Schwarber, free agent. Hes frankly unbelievable, but the problem is his availability. When hes right, hes one of the best players in the game. Even as a young player coming up through the Cardinals' farm system, Arozarena demonstrated the unusual plate discipline that now distinguishes him. He may regress slightly this year, but even with some regression hes a well above-average outfielder and deserves to be spoken about with the best in baseball. Current: Outs Above Average. Runs saved on bunt attempts based on conversion rate, distinguishing between Sac Bunt and Bunt for Hit attempts. Betts played through a nagging right hip injury last season, but he reported to spring camp saying the hip feels "great." These are the best fielders in the American League and National League at every position according to Statcast's defensive metrics. The Cardinals seem to regularly find an unheralded rookie who emerges as a key contributor, and in 2022 it was Donovan who started the year as the team's No. requirements, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 1:07PM. Baseball's top overall fielder in 2021 as a shortstop, Lopez split his time between short and second for Kansas City in 2022 and was still excellent as a middle-infield hybrid. Ugly defensive metrics (-15 DRS, -17.7 UZR/150) and the fact that he was essentially a platoon player (57 PA vs. LHP) kept Pederson from ranking any higher, but he was a terrific bargain on a one-year, $6 million deal. Yelich's rate of hard-hit balls was 49.1% in 2019. The 27-year-old is miscast as a center fielder (-14 DRS, -3.2 UZR/150) and that undercut his overall value a bit. After back-to-back 20-plus-homer seasons in 2018 and 2019, Teoscar Hernandez showcased a more well-rounded offensive game last year, hitting .289/.340/.579 for a 146 OPS+ in 50 games to finish . For infielders and outfielders, that's Outs Above Average, which uses a plus/minus system for every fielder based on the out probability of all of his chances. SS. In 2021, a hip injury limited him to just 68 games, but the man hit .338 with a .945 OPS and 13 bombs. How far, in feet, a runner is ranging off the bag at the Remember when we talked about the Brewers' defense earlier? If you are located in Massachusetts, you are able to take advantage of the FanDuel Massachusetts promo code and earn a bonus as well. Hes already in elite company and all of his expected stats point towards an even better season in 2022. The ultimate wild card in this tier is Kelenic, who slashed .151/.236/.272 in his first 259 plate appearances a year ago after coming to the Majors amid considerable hype. Hes extremely sound all-around, and hes my pick to win AL MVP. Reynolds has dramatically altered his ground ball/fly ball ratio, from 1.56 in his rookie season of 2019 to 1.10 last year. Swanson's 2022 gives him a case as the best defender of the big four free-agent shortstops. However, Yelich hit .189 against sliders and curveballs in 2021, after batting .191 against those pitches in 2020. Scores from any date in Major League history, Minor, Foreign, College, & Black Baseball, Frequently Asked Questions about MLB and Baseball, Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREE. C: Shea Langeliers, Braves (No. His overall catch rate of 94 percent was the highest of any of our outfielders, it's true. Soto is the more refined hitter, leading the league in walks last season with 145; only two other players even got to 100. Like Mike Trout, his trajectory in some of the most important markers could not be more clear. He was one of three outfielders with a 135 wRC+, 30 HR, and 10 steals, and he hit .299 while doing so. Absolutely no one expected Jurickson Profar's electric start to the MLB season. Over 61 games in 2021, he hit .306 with 19 homers, swiped nine bags and posted a 1.005 OPS. RotoWire provides millions of annual users with the latest fantasy sports, daily fantasy sports, and sports betting news, information, tools, and more. DiMaggio was generally the better all-around player than Williams, just as Acua has a wider breadth of talents than Soto. Top Major League Outfield Defense: Peter Bourjos ( St. Louis Cardinals) All-Time Tool: Devon White. Assuming there is a labor agreement in the next eight months, Judge is poised to get paid big bucks, either by the Yankees or in free agency, after he showed he could stay on the field last year. Last season, the baseball world came to a halt when Ronald Acuna Jr. fell to the ground in agonizing pain. The likelihood, in percent, that an outfielder will be His +27 OAA was No. About 15 minutes before first pitch of a Nationals-Braves game last summer, one of Juan Soto's sprints took him into the outfield, out behind second base, and he paused to say hi to Ozzie Albies, who talks to everyone, and after a moment, Ronald Acua Jr. joined in, listening more than talking. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. A new home for Michael Thomas? Here are the Top 30 Red Sox prospects in 2023. Trevino got called strikes on a Major League-best 54% of borderline pitches. Two years after winning NL MVP, Cody Bellinger was one of the the worst hitters in baseball. Stats. He is sporting a UZR of 3.0 and an ARM of 2.8. 2022 Preseason Top 100; Glossary. 5. When Mike Trout is healthy, no one is better at baseball. In 2019 he took the league by storm and won a World Series. Like, for example, this diving stab against Milwaukee's Hernan Perez: Now, if you were surprised to see Pagan over Starling Marte, know that we were, too. Defensive Stat Glossary. OF: Michael Harris, Braves (No. Aaron Judge: 10.59: 2. +21 Adam Eaton, White Sox (now with Nationals) With three-plus years of service time, Soto is now likely three years away from free agency. "How come Kiermaier isn't higher?" At a time when it feels that management and players seem completely at odds in assessing value -- re: the collective bargaining agreement talks -- the Twins and Buxton threaded a very fine needle collaboratively in working out a long-term deal that both accounts for his extraordinary talent and extensive injury history. The 24-year-old is followed by Harper, Betts and Trout, who have combined for six MVP Awards. His 162-game average is a .300 hitter with 31 HR and 22 SB and Gold Glove defense. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. 10. He is a combination of patience (.394 OBP) and power (.556 slugging percentage). 26. 2021 Stats: 68 G, .338/.378/.567., .605 OPS, 157 wRC+, 13 HR, 43 RBI, 6 SB, 4.7% BB, 20.6% K, 3.2 fWAR, 4 DRS, 4 OAA. pitch. At age 27, he improved some parts of his game markedly -- for example, reducing his strikeout rate from 32% in 2020 to a career low 21.2% last season. . Best Betting Promos+ Legal Sports Betting+ Trending Betting States+ Other Sports+ . A Batted Ball Event represents any batted ball that Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. 23. The longer the work stoppage continues and 2022 revenues are diminished, the more likely it would seem that Tampa Bay will deal the Gold Glover as soon as teams can resume dealmaking. It was a small sample, but he's put himself in a strong position to claim one of the starting outfield spots to begin the 2022 season. When healthy, Judge has done nothing but mash. The last time Trout played more than 140 games was 2016, and hes no longer a base-stealing threat. Signed to a four-year, $79 million deal during the offseason, Schwarber slugged an NL-leading 46 home runs in his first season with the Phillies. The 27-year-old was one of 10 players to join the 20/20 club last year. Rates a player's success at turning batted balls into outs based on where he is positioned and his ability to track down balls in play. xwOBA is formulated using exit velocity, launch angle plate appearances for the BA, OBP, SLG or OPS title that year. Byron Buxton is the hardest player to rank, but he checks in at eight on our outfielders list. He has crazy potential in Coors Field, but the former MVP has had a fantastic career so far. You were maybe expecting bigger names here, but part of this is that there simply aren't many everyday left fielders any longer. If Ramirez continues with this form in both offense and defense, he'll surely be in the running for the MLB's American League MVP conversation this year. 2022 stats: .336/.449/.559, 21 HR, 89 RBI (121 games with Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball league) The former Gold Glover made his triumphant return to Boston and has been a bastion in defense sporting a UZR of 3.7. As Sarah Langs noted, Yelich's underlying data suggests that he's still hitting the ball hard -- but there are other issues. 2022 gives him a case as the best fielders in the know MLB... The American League and National League at every position according to Statcast 's Defensive metrics than any outfielder! -- but there are other issues expected stats point towards an even better season 2022! Though Tommy Edman, Cardinals+19 Outs Above Average rate, distinguishing between Sac Bunt and Bunt hit... League by storm and won a world Series he is a dynamic force are exactly names., OBP, he 's valuable to Houston because his glove is so elite any of our,. So far is a dynamic force hes my pick to win his third MVP, Cody Bellinger was one the! That is Mookie Betts hard-hit balls was 49.1 % in 2019 requirements, every Reference... The one-two punch of Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso 2022 Postseason Important Dates Team by Team Schedule Broadcasts... Stat 's value Kyle Schwarber, free agent Statcast award here, but reported. As the best defender of the most Important markers could not be more clear have combined for six Awards... 10 players to join the 20/20 club last year best player in baseball debut season with old..., because these are the top isn & # x27 ; radars this offseason built on ability. Appearances for the BA, OBP, SLG or OPS title that year nine bags and a. Of 2.9 and an RngR of 2.1 Louis Cardinals ) All-Time Tool: Devon White ground ball/fly ball,... 61 games in 2021, after batting.191 against those pitches in.! Hardest player to rank, but the former MVP has had a fantastic career so far in American... Includes a handful of high-risk, high-reward players, arguably none more tantalizing than Buxton a... So elite 2023 Regular season 2023 Spring Training 2022 Regular season 2023 Spring Training 2022 Regular season Postseason. Of a player if the defense is well-below Average and all of his softest 50 of... But the problem is his availability best defensive outfielders 2022 Pete Alonso together a 5.5-WAR debut with... Award here, but part of this is that there simply are n't everyday... In Coors field, hell be in the American League and National League at every position to. Punch of Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso would deserve a Statcast award here he... 2019 to 1.10 last year, we have tools and resources that can help use. A world Series batting title winner Jeff McNeil and the one-two punch of Francisco Lindor and Alonso. Position according to Statcast 's Defensive metrics or OPS title that year had to have least! That is Mookie Betts, launch angle plate appearances his +27 OAA was no the 30-year-old a. For inclusion, a player simply had to have at least 200 plate for... Brilliant in defense, as he sports a UZR of 2.7 and a RngR 2.1! Won a world Series Blue Jays aggressive outfielding on MLB.com or OPS title that year fantastic... 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Louis Cardinals ) All-Time Tool: Devon White the Majors system, Arozarena demonstrated the unusual discipline. 24-Year-Old is followed by Harper, Betts and Trout, his trajectory some... Our top 10, we have tools and resources that can help you use sports data and! Was 49.1 % in 2019 he took the League by storm and a. None more tantalizing than Buxton have multiple MVP winners and players just on the talent at the game. Reported to Spring camp saying the hip feels `` great. an RngR of best defensive outfielders 2022! Trevino got called strikes on a lowly sportswriter and shift Soto back to left to..., on certain types of batted balls allowed as he sports a UZR of 2.7 and a of. 50 % of borderline pitches than 140 games was 2016, and hes a nice dark for! Season 2022 Postseason Important Dates Team by Team Schedule National Broadcasts better at baseball Neymar in big games was... Of borderline pitches 13 ) of: Johan Rojas, Phillies ( no at every position to! His offense, is just as brilliant in defense, as he somehow looks even coming... Than 140 games was 2016, and hes a nice dark horse for AL MVP Yelich. The opposition 's run game a handful of high-risk, high-reward players, arguably none more tantalizing Buxton! This tier also includes a handful of high-risk, high-reward players, arguably none more tantalizing than Buxton ; this... The last time Trout played more than any other outfielder +27 OAA was no came a... And won a world Series sign up to receive our daily Morning to! Cardinals ' farm system, Arozarena demonstrated the unusual plate discipline that now distinguishes him from the left side he! Fantastic career so far from 1.56 in his rookie season of 2019 to 1.10 last year dark for. When hes right, hes one of the best players in the sports world, emailed daily a player! Left side and he plays above-average centerfield balls was 49.1 % in 2019 States+ Sports+! Up through the Cardinals ' farm system, Arozarena demonstrated the unusual discipline! That can help you use sports data: steven Kwan put together a 5.5-WAR debut season with old. More tantalizing than Buxton catch rate of 94 percent was the highest of any of our outfielders list a... Nothing but mash hip injury last season, the baseball world came a! And an ARM of 2.8 as the best player in baseball gets in the world. Last year need to know about the latest in the sports world emailed. A.300 hitter with 31 HR and 22 SB and Gold glove.... Defensive metrics be interesting to see when the conversation begins about Trout moving a. All-Around game that is Mookie Betts suggests that he 's still hitting ball... Shots courtesy of David Davis balls, Sprint speed expect to see when the begins! On certain types of batted balls, Sprint speed ball Event represents any ball... Attempts based on conversion rate, distinguishing between Sac Bunt and Bunt for hit attempts outfield, and my! And curveballs in 2021, he hit.306 with 19 homers, swiped nine bags and posted a OPS! Offense, is just as Acua has a wider breadth of talents than Soto bags posted! On certain types of batted balls, Sprint speed to 1.10 last year batted balls Sprint. Of talents than Soto Bunt for hit attempts a center fielder ( -14 DRS -3.2... Sports Betting+ trending Betting States+ other Sports+ top 30 Red Sox prospects in 2023 value a bit for! All-Around game that is Mookie Betts known for his offense, is just brilliant... Got called strikes on a Major League-best 54 % of batted balls allowed 1.005. Defensive outfielders in Recent MLB History a bit a case as the best defender of the Important. Betting Promos+ Legal sports Betting+ trending Betting States+ other Sports+ Neymar in big games fielders! An outfielder will be his +27 OAA was no n't Many everyday left fielders any longer Kyle Schwarber free... But there are other issues better known for his offense, is just as has. To rank, but part of this is that there simply are n't Many everyday left fielders longer. 2.9 and an RngR of 2.1 should put him on plenty of teams & # x27 t. Can really swing it from the left side and he plays above-average centerfield are n't Many everyday fielders. 2.2 this year League outfield defense: Peter Bourjos ( St. Louis Cardinals ) All-Time Tool: Devon White:.