1. Jayson Werth (Nationals) – While the depth chart on the official MLB website is still listing Bryce Harper as the left fielder, the Nationals have announced that Werth and Harper are swapping corner outfield spots. Even though Werth underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery on January 9th and he may not be ready for Opening Day, he’s the top dog in LF upon his return. Over the last 7 seasons, Werth has averaged 22 HR, 72 RBI, 80 runs scored, 28 doubles, and 70 walks while putting up a slash line of .281/.375/.480. The numbers would be even better if not for an injury plagued 2012 season in which he appeared in only 81 games. The Caveman will be turning 36 this season, and while he’s getting long in the tooth, he’s shown no signs of slowing down.
2. Christian Yelich (Marlins) – He’s young, having just turned 23 this offseason. The Marlins’ first round pick in the 2010 draft put together an impressive first full season in the big leagues in 2014. Yelich appeared in 144 games and scored 94 runs while collecting 30 doubles, 70 walks, and 21 stolen bases, while batting .284 with a .362 OBP. And if all that wasn’t enough, he won a Gold Glove too. Yelich has a lot of upside and is part of a young and very talented Marlins outfield.
3. Curtis Granderson (Mets) – The Grandy Man switches corner spots and is slotted as the Mets left fielder for 2015. Granderson had his ups and downs in 2015, but by the time all was said and done, his final stat line was pretty much what we were expecting. He was durable, appearing in 155 games. He batted just .227, walked a bunch, and struck out a lot. His power numbers were down, hitting only 20 home runs, 27 doubles and only 66 RBI, as he was bounced around the order, including a chunk of time in the leadoff spot. He was also streaky, hitting just .136 in April and .147 in August while hitting .300 in June and .299 in Sept/October. He needs to improve those numbers for the Mets to contend in 2015, and Sandy Alderson pulled all the stops by reuniting him with hitting coach Kevin Long, and shortening the fences in his power zone.
4. Domonic Brown (Phillies) – Brown is one of those former top prospects that everyone expected so much from, but never lived up to those expectations. He was the player I was hoping the Mets would be able to flip Carlos Beltran for in 2011. He had a great first half of the 2013 season where he hit .281 with 21 HR and 62 RBI that earned him an All-Star berth, but has been nothing spectacular before or since. He’s entering his age 27 season, so there’s still time to put it together, but for now he’s looking like one of those prospects that never lived up to that dreaded “potential”.
5. Zoilo Almonte (Braves) – Almonte is currently sitting atop the Braves depth chart in left field after the trade of Evan Gattis to the Houston Astros. The Dominican born outfielder signed with the Braves as a free agent this offseason after appearing in parts of the last two seasons for the New York Yankees, compiling a slash line of .211/.242/.282 in 47 MLB games. He’s also played in 745 games over 9 minor league seasons, collecting 755 hits in 745 minor league games while batting .268 with 94 HR including 18 last year at AAA Scranton and a career high 21 in 2011 for AA Trenton. He’ll be 25 on Opening Day and his pop will get him a look for the time being. Whether he remains the regular left fielder remains to be seen. For now, he’s #5 in the NLE and holding up the rear.
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