1. Alex Gordan- You might be shocked that I picked Alex Gordan as my number one left fielder in baseball, because he doesn't produce the best offensive numbers. I will tell you what he does do good, and that is play defense. He has won the Gold Glove back to back years in the American League. He has also been a back to back All-Star. His offensive numbers don't stand out, but he plays his role in the Kansas City line-up. He can get on base, he can drive in runs, and he can score. Those are the things you look for in a hitter, and those things Gordan brings to the table.
2. Matt Holliday- His production has slowed down the last couple of years, but what hasn't slowed down is his ability to get on base. Holliday is in the top five for on base percentage every single year. He is just an example of consistency, hitting 20 home runs, driving in 90 or more RBI's, and hitting around the .300 mark. Not only does he know how to get on base, but he can run that massive body around the bases and score. He doesn't have a good wrap for being a good defensive player, but I look past it for his offensive production in this case.
3. Starling Marte- This guy has improved every year he has been in the league, and will continue to do so until he is a star. He has been a solid lead off hitter for the Pirates the last couple seasons. Last season Marte hit .291 with 13 home runs, 56 RBI's, .356 on base percentage, and 30 stolen bases. He brings a sample size of the five tool athlete in baseball. The offense isn't the best part about Marte, for he can make some dazzling plays in the outfield. He has so much speed that he can track anything down, and if he doesn't McCutchen will be there to clean it up.
4. Justin Upton- Well of course you got to have a power hitter in the top five, and Upton is just that. Getting more and more powerful every year, he finished last season with a .270 average, 29 home runs, 102 RBI's, and a Silver Slugger Award. It seems like leaving Arizona was for the best, because his power numbers increased dramatically since he joined the Braves. He now will play in San Diego for a year, and will be curious to see how he does in a pitchers ball park. He isn't the quickest guy in the outfield, but can you blame him he is caring around a lot of extra weight. He is athletic, and has a cannon from the left field position.
5. Michael Brantley- This guy has been under everyones radar the last couple years, and then last year exploded. Brantley has been steadily improving until last year when he took the big leap to an All-Star. He hit .327 with 20 home runs, 97 RBI's, 200 hits, .385 OBP, and took home the Silver Slugger. No body expected him to be the leader of that line-up last season. He plays good defensively, and has good range in the outfield.
6. Jason Werth- The guy is 35 years old, and still going strong. He is the leader of that club house in Washington, and is the leader of that line-up. He shouldn't be with people like Ryan Zimmerman, and Bryce Harper dealing with injuries the last couple seasons.Werth hit .292, with 16 home runs, and 82 RBI's. His production isn't what it used to be, but still good enough to land him 6th on this list.
7. Brett Gardner- Was once just a small, speedy guy has grown into a great player. We all know the speed this man brings on the Field, and on the bases. What is new is the power he has produced, especially last season. Gardner hit .256 with 17 home runs, 58 RBI's and an OBP of .327. I will say that the new stadium might have something to do with Gardners new found power, but regardless you will have to see with it now.
8. Yoenis Cespedes- There are things this man is good at so many things, but can't put it all together to be an elite player. He has a cannon, I think everyone learned that last year when he made a similar play that Bo Jackson did in left field. Cespedes is surprisingly fast for his size, and covers a lot of ground in the outfield. When he hits, he hits for power, and he hits the ball hard. What he doesn't do very well is hit for average, and get on base a lot. Last season he hit 22 home runs, 100 RBI's, with a .260 average, and .301 on base percentage. Good number offensively, but not great.
9. Melky Cabrera- The Melk man to know surprise is still playing at a high level after he was suspended for steroids. I will not discuss steroids for it is a topic that doesn't belong in baseball. Last season he played very well for Toronto, and showing you everything you want out of a top of the line up kind of guy. He had a .301 average, with 16 home runs with 73 RBI's. He is a switch hitter than can hit anywhere in your line up. This year is numbers should be as good or better, for he will be seeing a lot of strikes being in front of Jose Abreu in the line-up.
10. Christian Yelich- I wanted to put quite a few different names at this last spot, but the young man that won the Gold Glove this year will be stealing that spot. This was his first full season in the majors, and man did he not disappoint. He is the lead off hitter for the Marlins and finished last season with a .284 average, with 9 home runs, 54 RBI's, a .362 on base percentage, and 21 stolen bases. For a guy who was given a huge role last year took it and ran with it. Yelich is on the rise, and is only 22 years old. Expect him to make some noise with that new Marlins team.
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