Oakland Athletics Among Best Outfields in AL West

We’ve done the infield and we’ve done the first half of the battery. Now it is time to wrap up the best position players in the American League west with the best outfields.

The Oakland Athletics have great defense and speed, but nobody can top the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Who else has a quality outfield?

More from Oakland A's News

Let’s get to the best outfields in the AL west:

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – Led by AL Most Valuable Player Mike Trout the Angels have one of the best outfields in baseball, let alone the AL west. According to Fangraphs Trout leads baseball in projected wins above replacement, need I say more? To add to the talent he has Kole Calhoun in right field. In 2014 Calhoun totaled a 122 wRC+ backed by his .325 on-base percentage, 17 home runs, and 90 runs scored. He is a solid table-setting hitter with above average defense. Their left field picture is a little unclear. Until the addiction-plagued Josh Hamilton returns it appears Colin Cowgill and Matt Joyce may platoon. Joyce offers some power and Cowgill offers speed and athleticism. Projected WAR: 14.3

2. Oakland Athletics – Nobody uses platoons as well as the Athletics. Their outfield features a centerfield platoon, a gold glover in right field, and an aging star in left field, but they still project to be a quality bunch. Craig Gentry and Sam Fuld are expected to bring plenty of speed and great defense. Josh Reddick, when healthy, is one of baseball’s elite defenders in right field and he posted one of the best second half batting lines in baseball last season. The biggest question mark is team leader Coco Crisp. Crisp is going to be moved to left field this season so as to preserve him for the late season stretch. When he is in the lineup he provides above average defense, speed, and has been the team’s spark plug for five seasons. Projected WAR: 8.9

3. Houston Astros – The Astros are full of high-potential youngsters and immobile sluggers. To this moment there are some question marks in the Astros outfield. Jake Marisnick has flashed power and speed in the minor leagues and will either play left field or center, but his major league track record is a short one. He can play solid defense and has the skills to be an impact hitter too. George Springer will play wherever Marisnick doesn’t. Despite striking out in a third of his at-bats last season, Springer walloped 20 home runs in less than half of a season. Colby Rasmus will make up the rest of the ‘Stros outfield, but is really nothing more than an inconsistent hitter and defender. Still, he has spent most of his career in center field, so putting him anywhere will add value. And at the very least he’s a better defensive option than Evan Gattis or Chris Carter. Projected WAR: 6.9

4. Seattle Mariners – Dustin Ackley was once a top second base prospect known for his advanced bat. The second half of 2014 was the first time we saw flashes of greatness. He hit 10 home runs with a wRC+ of 123 in the second half. As the team’s primary left fielder he offers a little bit of power, but has turned into a solid fielder. He went from a negative defensive runs saved mark in 2013 to a plus 7 DRS score in 2014. Austin Jackson was acquired last season to play centerfield. He is fast and scored 90 or more runs in each of his first four years with the Detroit Tigers, but his OBP has ranged from .309 to .377 in the past five seasons. He is inconsistent but plays above-average defense. In right field Seth Smith and Justin Ruggiano are expected to platoon. Defensively they are not much, but Smith has a career 123 wRC+ against right-handed pitching. Projected WAR: 5.9

5. Texas Rangers – The sad story of the Texas Rangers continues to play out. Rookie left fielder Ryan Rua is expected to start and, despite a solid showing last season, is still a young, growing player. Leonys Martin is the best part of the Rangers outfield. The cuban centerfielder has good speed and solid OBP skills, but not much power yet. However, he is a highly skilled defensive player and has been worth more than 6 WAR the last three seasons. Shin-Soo Choo was once a great leadoff man and power-speed threat. Injuries have sadly derailed his career. He has never been regarded as a good outfielder, but things have gotten bad recently. He has -12 DRS or worse each of the past three seasons, respectively. Offensively he is still a solid table setter, but leg injuries have slowed him down taking away a big element of his game. Projected WAR: 5.4

The Best Outfields in the AL West

By Joseph DeClercq | Apr 2, 2015