Next up on MMO’s preseason ranking of positional groups around the National League East is right field. As far as right fielders go in the division, the NL East is home to the best right corner outfielder in the game. Outside of that, the remaining project to be in the bottom half of the league in terms of wins above replacement.
Jesús Sánchez. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
No. 5 – Jesús Sánchez, MIA
The 26-year-old Marlins right fielder completed his fourth season in the big leagues in 2023. Jesús Sánchez posted a season that looked much more like his breakout 2021 (.808 OPS) than a troublesome 2022. After a .682 OPS season in 2022, Sánchez posted a decent .777 OPS mark in 2023 to go along with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs.
His underlying metrics in 2023 painted a two-sided picture. He owned xBA, xSLG, and a hard-hit rate all above the league’s 75th percentile. However, the picture got bleaker when it came to the inability to layoff bad pitches and striking out. Sánchez owned a strikeout rate in the 23rd percentile which was largely influenced by a 30th percentile chase rate and a 22nd percentile whiff rate. Interestingly enough, Sánchez did have a decent walk rate, at 9.5%, largely due to the fact pitchers knew they did not have to throw him strikes given his inability to properly gauge the strike zone.
Defensively, Sánchez profiles with an incredibly strong arm but average-to-below-average fielder when looking independent of the throwing ability.
With all that being said, if Sánchez can continue to develop forward, and avoid a step back like he took in 2022, there is an avenue for him to be near the top of these rankings come next season. However, as currently constructed, Fangraphs sees Sánchez as slimly, the division’s worst right fielder.
Starling Marte. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
No. 4 – Starling Marte, NYM
If this was a list made after the 2022 season, Starling Marte would comfortably be No. 2. However, largely due to a plethora of injuries, Marte regressed in a big way during the 2023 season, making predicting what to expect in 2024 an extremely tall task.
As mentioned, in his first year with the Mets, Marte was sensational. He was an All-Star while posting a starling .814 OPS to go along with 16 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases. Marte also played a pretty strong defensive right field. He made the four-year, $78 million contract the Mets rewarded him with before the 2022 season as a free agent look well worth it.
However, in 2023, things went south, fast. Marte had double groin surgery before the season which seemingly nagged him throughout most of the campaign. He was only able to play in 86 games posting a woeful .625 OPS. His power seemingly disappeared as his .324 slugging percentage (five home runs and seven doubles) indicated. Marte also regressed in the field, posting a negative-6 outs above average, good for the 10th percentile.
Really, the only thing the now 35-year-old veteran had going for him was his terrific performance on the base paths. Marte was still able to nab 24 bags and posted a base running run value in the 74th percentile.
Entering the 2024 season, one of the more intriguing storylines for the Mets is the performance of Marte. Can he get back closer to his 2022 form given he was finally able to take an extended period of rest? Or, will the 35-year-old continue to show signs of regression and inability to fully heal from a debilitating injury?
Lane Thomas. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
No. 3 – Lane Thomas, WSH
After being acquired in exchange for pitcher Jon Lester at the 2021 trade deadline, Lane Thomas has transformed into a very nice player for the lowly Washington Nationals. Thomas is coming off a career-year as a 27-year-old where he posted a .783 OPS to go along with 28 home runs and 86 RBIs. Prior to that breakout, his best season came in 2021 split between St. Louis and Washington where he had a .752 OPS.
In addition to his decent hitting numbers in 2023, Thomas showed very strong speed (94th percentile) and a rocket of an arm (97th arm value). Granted, his arm-independent defensive metrics were not great, posting a negative-3 outs above average in 2023, but a lot of that can be hidden with strong speed and a huge arm.
Thomas does struggle with strikeouts and he does not walk a ton, but overall was a positively valued player in 2023. If he can replicate those numbers in 2024, he may be an enticing trade chip for the Nationals, who have him under team control until 2026.
Nick Castellanos. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
No. 2 – Nick Castellanos, PHI
The curious case that is Philadelphia Phillies right fielder, Nick Castellanos. The 31-year-old posted, on the surface, strong traditional counting statistics in 2023; 29 home runs, 106 RBIs, and a .272 average, culminating in his second-career All-Star game appearance. However, a deeper dive into his game possesses troublesome underlying metrics that have been characteristics of the way he plays for a long time. This will likely only get worse as he ages, hints of this reared its ugly head in 2021 and again in 2023.
In 2023, Castellanos was woeful in the field, posting an outs above average of negative-6 and an arm value that ranked in the 4th percentile. He was also a very poor baserunner, posting a base running run value in the 5th percentile. Not to mention, he continues to struggle with chasing pitches out of the zone, whiffing on pitches in the zone, and striking out. Plus, he does not walk a lot.
Luckily for Castellanos, and what he prides his game upon, is he owns a ton of power. He hits the ball hard, when he makes contact, and it usually goes far. If he stays healthy, he will likely post another 20-plus home run season which fits what Philadelphia does perfectly.
From an overall value standpoint, Castellanos should probably be lower on this list. Fangraphs projections have him predicted to be the least valuable right fielder in the division largely due to all the negatives pointed out above, plus the aging factor. However, given his likely offensive output alone, and the other right fielders that play in the division, a No. 2 rankings probably the most realistic.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
No. 1 – Ronald Acuña Jr., ATL
By far the easiest decision on this list is arguably the best position player in baseball. He resides in the NL East and he plays right field for the Atlanta Braves.
Coming off his first career MVP, Ronald Acuña Jr. is poised to put up big numbers, pending another healthy season, in 2023. In 2022, the Venezuelan put up video game-like numbers. He posted a .337 average, 41 home runs, and stole 73 bases. His 1.012 OPS was by far the highest of his career. Lastly, his bWAR was third-highest in the majors, trailing only phenom Shohei Ohtani and superstar Mookie Betts. If the 26-year-old stays on the field in 2024, there is no reason why he can’t take home another MVP award.
Interestingly enough, the only downside to Acuña Jr.’s game in 2023 was his woeful arm-independent defensive play. Acuña Jr. posted an outs above average of negative-9 which was in the league’s 4th percentile. Outside of his rocket arm (98th percentile arm strength), his play elsewhere in the field was pretty dreadful.
Regardless of his defensive woes, Acuña Jr. is one of the most electric players in the game. An individual that will be a thorn in NL East foes side for years to come.
Previous NL East Position Rankings:
