1. Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins) – There is no question who is the Top Dog. The only possible question mark about Stanton is if there will be any residual effect from the horrific beaning he took which ended his 2014 season (which does make me wonder if that played any factor in agreeing to sign long term with the Marlins this offseason). Provided he comes back 100% healthy, we’re looking at the true Baddest Man on the Planet who is entering his age 25 season coming off a year where he hit .288 with 37 HR, 105 RBI and was intentionally walked 24 times. Scary to think what he can do once he hits his prime.
2. Nick Markakis (Braves) – Markakis is one of those guys who you flip over the back of his baseball card and you know what you can expect in 2015 and beyond. He’s been pretty much Steady Eddie in nine MLB seasons, averaging 152 games played, 83 runs scored 172 hits, 35 doubles, 16 HR, 73 RBI, and a slash line of .290/.358/.435. He’s also a two-time gold glove winner, one of them earned in 2014. There is some concern about his neck surgery.
3. Bryce Harper (Nationals) – Harper behind Markakis? Really? We all know Harper has a world of talent and while some may say he hasn’t lived up to his potential, let’s remember that he’s still very young… just entering his age 22 season. He’s played three MLB seasons when most guys his age are just hoping for an invite to spring training with the big club and a uniform number in the 80s. But the third best right fielder in the division? At this point, yes. Markakis is durable and you know what you’re going to get. Harper has only averaged 109 games the last two years and his ability to stay on the field is costing him the number two spot. I’d love to see him in a Met uniform in his prime and while I think he’s going to be a monster in another few years, until he stays healthy and indeed proves to be a monster at the major league level, he’s #3 in the division.
4. Michael Cuddyer (Mets) – Which Cuddyer will we see in 2015? Will it be the player who played between 139 and 157 in all but one season from 2006-2011, or will we see the Michael Cuddyer who appeared in only 49 games in 2014? Will we see the player who hit .331 the last two seasons in Colorado or will we see the player who hit .271 the first 12 years of his career? We gave up a first round pick to get him and at two years he’s a stopgap until Brandon Nimmo or Michael Conforto is major league ready, so I don’t feel he’s a bad signing as long as he can stay on the field… but is he an elite player? No. But he is a proven major league bat, and we need that in the lineup.
5. Domonic Brown (Phillies) – When we profiled the National League East Left Fielders, Brown was at the top of the depth chart for the Phillies. Since then, Grady Sizemore has shifted to the top of the Phillies chart in left and Brown is on the chart in Right. Brown is one of those former top prospects that everyone expected so much from, but never lived up to those expectations. 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”. I had him ranked as the #4 left fielder, but he’s pulling up the rear in RF.
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