Remember playing baseball as a little kid? We always stuck the worst player in RF, and if you’re reading this thinking “I played right field,” I’m sorry (before anyone leaves a nasty comment, I played 2B and 1B, which for Little League purposes, is just below RF). Anyway, before I get fired, kids may put the worst player in the outfield, but at the professional level, any team that wants to seriously compete for a World Series needs to have a great outfield. As we looked at the starting outfields for every Major League team one thing became clear- the clubs with the better outfields have a greater chance for success.
As we step into the batter’s box to start the 2024 season, let’s take a look at where every Major League Baseball team’s starting outfield ranks.
30. Oakland Athletics
When I sat down to write this article, I assumed that Oakland would be the worst. In the beginning, I had no idea who the A’s starting outfield was, and after completing it, I still have no idea who their outfield is! JJ Bledney, Esteury Ruiz, and Seth Brown? The three players can all be summed up as lackluster offensively and below average in defense. Oakland’s best hope is that one of them proves competent and can become a trade chip at the deadline. If not, they are merely placeholders until the team moves to Vegas. It’s almost like the movie Major League, only sadder because it’s real. Not even Jobu can help this team.
29. Kansas City Royals
Hunter Renfroe provides a nice steady presence in the Kansas City outfield. He is a consistent 20 HR guy and has one of the strongest arms in the game, but the RF is not nearly enough to keep the Royals from ranking near the bottom of the league. Center Fielder Kyle Isbel (27) and Left Fielder MJ Melendez (25) are both reaching the point where they are no longer considered prospects and need to start improving on their shortcomings. While Isbel is a solid defender he needs to show more offensively, and although Melendez has shown promise with a bat in his hands, he has a way to go to be a middle-of-the-order threat.
28. Washington Nationals
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The Washington Nationals have some of the most disappointing outfielders in the game. Despite having 21 HRs and 74 RBIs last season, Eddie Rosario had his option declined by the Braves and was forced to sign a minor-league deal with the Nats. After a successful rookie season in 2019 Victor Robles has failed to rediscover that success or stay healthy. On the other hand, right fielder Lane Thomas is the star of the group. At 27 years of age, it appears that Thomas, who has a nice mix of speed and power, is starting to come into his own.
27. Cleveland Guardians
Steven Kwan is one of the top left fielders in the game today and one of the best players on the Guardians. He provides speed, solid defense, plate discipline, and the ability to make contact. But all of Kwan’s attributes cannot make up for the deficiencies in the center and right fields. Myles Straw has won a Gold Glove and does possess great speed, but his ability to hit for an average is severely lacking. Right Fielder Ramon Laureano was picked up from the bargain bin after being cut by Oakland due to injuries. While he has flashed potential in the past, he is 29 years old and, at this point, seems more like a placeholder.
26. Boston Red Sox
Jarren Duran had a solid year in 2023, hitting .295 with 44 extra-base hits and 24 steals. At 26 years old, he needs to show that last year was not his ceiling. Center Fielder Ceddanne Rafaela is Boston’s top prospect, and based on his ride through their system, he has plus speed, a plus bat, power, and is a plus defender. In other words, he’s a future star. What player will Tyler O’Neill be? Will he be the stud he was early on in St. Louis or the injured shell of himself the last few years? While Boston currently ranks in the bottom third of the league for starting outfields, it doesn’t appear that they will be there much longer.
25. Miami Marlins
Considering the Marlins above .500 finish in 2023, I was surprised by the low ranking they earned. Bryan De La Cruz brings some pop to the line-up, but his low average and poor defense make his hold on LF tenuous. Jesus Sanchez showed some promise over 125 games last year, but the question is if he can take the next step in his development. At 26, time is running out. The man in center field, Jazz Chisholm Jr., shows the most promise of the three, but he has his questions too. He has great speed and some offensive pop, but he needs to stay healthy and improve his defense. Right now, there’s too many questions for the Marlins to rank any higher.
24. Detroit Tigers
Matt Canha brings a steady veteran presence to the line-up, which should help the younger players during Detroit’s long rebuild. Canha will average about 20 HRs a year and play LF. The Tigers have an above-average defender in Parker Meadows patrolling center field. While Meadows only has 37 games of pro experience, he did show promise at Triple-A. Riley Greene will move from CF in 2024, both to hide some of his weaknesses and to accommodate Meadows. The new RF has two partial years in the big leagues but has shown promise with the bat during that time. Another team that has too many questions to earn a higher rank.
23. San Francisco Giants
This may be the team with the most upside on our list, but they also come with several key questions. Michael Conforto struggled in 2023 after not playing the previous season due to injury. Prior to getting hurt, he was a 30 HR guy. Is the former All-Star still there? Jung Hoo Lee was a star in Korea before signing a massive 6-year deal in SF. How will his skills translate to playing in North America? Right Fielder Mike Yastrzemski might be the most consistent outfielder for the Giants, and that’s a scary proposition. Yastrzemski is an average outfielder on the downside of his prime. IFConforto returns to form and IF Lee can provide similar production, the Giants will be in great shape.
22. Colorado Rockies
Raise your hand if your team has a 25-year-old LF that hit .297 and joined the 20-20-20 Club (HR-SB-2B) in their rookie season and plays great defense? Alright, Rockies fans, put your hands down, we all know how great Nolan Jones appears to be. Left Field isn’t your problem. Let’s talk about CF Brenton Doyle. Winning a Gold Glove as a rookie was a rare accomplishment, but his offense needs work. Then there’s Sean Bouchard, who has earned the first opportunity to play right field. However, at 27 years of age, and with only 48 games of experience, his hold on the position isn’t permanent.
21. Minnesota Twins
There’s probably nothing left to say about Byron Buxton that hasn’t already been said, so I’ll just restate what we all know. When he’s healthy, Buxton is an elite talent, but he’s only played over 100 games once in 9 seasons. Max Kepler is a solid outfielder; not great, not bad, but a solid 20-25 HRs a year guy. Matt Wallner is the starting LF… for now. He’s got some power, but he also strikes out a lot and is a poor defender. It seems that Minnesota has one consistent player and two question marks in their outfield. If Buxton plays, and Wallner plays better, the Twins should be in good shape.
20. Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati is a team on the rise. They are just a few key pieces away from truly contending for a World Series championship. The outfield, while not horrible, will need some upgrades before the Reds can be taken seriously. The wrist injury to TJ Friedl opened the door for Will Benson and Jake Fraley to play every day in CF and LF, respectively. They both have some offensive upside, but there are definitely defensive liabilities with both, more so with Fraley. LF Spencer Steer is the bright spot of the three. He finished 6th in the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year voting and is poised to build on that success. With the left field covered, the Reds might want to watch center and right fields carefully.
19. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox three outfielders are like the baseball version of an old Clint Eastwood movie – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Let’s start with the Good. Luis Robert Jr. is showing himself to be the type of player to build a team around. In 2023 Robert finally showed what he was capable of, if healthy, on his way to becoming an All-Star. The Bad; LF Andrew Benintendi has not lived up to the 5-year, $85 million deal he signed in 2023 and may turn out to be a huge overpay. Finally, the Ugly; Dominic Fletcher has 28 games of pro experience in Arizona under his belt before becoming the frontrunner for the Chicago RF job. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly may be a great movie, but it makes for a slightly below-average outfield.
18. Seattle Mariners
There was no “Sophomore Slump” for Julio Rodriguez as he put together a monster offensive year in 2023. At the tender age of 23, Rodriguez has the potential to be the future Face of MLB. Not only has Mitch Haniger not come close to reproducing his 2021 season, but he also hasn’t lived up to the 2-year, $28 million contract he signed with San Francisco (which is probably why they traded him back to Seattle after 1 year). Luke Raley provided some offensive pop in a utility role last year, but since he may not be the starter in LF for long it’s hard to have much confidence in him. Julio’s going to need some help down by the schoolyard before the Mariner’s outfield is elite.
17. San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatis Jr. returned in 2023 with a huge season at the plate (33 doubles, 25 HRs, 78, RBIs, and 29 SBs) and in the field, winning both a Gold and Platinum Glove. As one of the brightest young stars in the game, the Padres are set in right field. Outside of Tatis Jr. San Diego has questions in the outfield. Center fielder Jackson Merrill is a 20-year-old rookie that showed the ability to hit for average in the minors, but he’s a converted shortstop so it remains to be seen how he’ll handle the defensive side of the ball. Jurickson Profar has bounced from 4 teams over 11 years, but the former infielder looks like he’s earned the starting nod in left field.
16. Milwaukee Brewers
If you thought that Nolan Jones’ contract was absurd (see Colorado), then you might want to sit down. The Brewers signed Jackson Chourio to an 8-year, $82 million extension before he ever played a game! He produced at a high level at Double-A, but it’s a big jump from there to Milwaukee. While he hasn’t returned to his offensive high of 2018-19, Christian Yelich had his best season in years in 2023. While he is still the starting left fielder, he will probably see more time at DH to keep his body fresh for the long season. Garrett Mitchell is returning after missing all but 19 games in 2023 with an injury. If Jones and Mitchell produce, the “Brew Crew” could be dangerous.
15. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies may not have the best players in the league at each position, but the guys they do have are more than capable of producing. Their presumed starting OF – Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas, and Nick Castellanos is a perfect example of that good, but not great, roster. Each player brings something to the table but definitely has their flaws. Marsh is a former CF turned LF with a decent bat at the bottom of the lineup. Rojas was a 2023 call-up; he’s a defense-first player with an average stick but he looks like he’s here to stay. Castellanos enters his 3rd season in Philly looking to repeat his All-Star performance from a year ago, but he’s definitely not a Gold Glove defender.
14. Los Angeles Angels
Like a few other teams on our list, the Anges ranking is helped primarily by one player, Mike Trout. Over the course of his career Trout has built a Hall of Fame-worthy resume. The only issue with him recently has been his health. In his early 30s, his body seems to be breaking down. Keeping him healthy is a top priority for the Angels, and having a solid cast around him would certainly help. Taylor Ward has shown flashes that he can be a worthy sidekick, but it remains to be seen how he returns from being hit in the face with a pitch. Mickey Moniak is a former 1st Round pick hoping to win, and keep the RF job.
13. Houston Astros
After 3 seasons as a backup option, Jake Meyers is getting the first crack at the everyday centerfield job. Over his first 213 games, he hasn’t shown enough to be excited about. Granted the Houston coaches know a lot more than me, so we’ll have to trust their judgment on this one. Chas McCormick moves over to LF, but his previous experience in center definitely shows his plus-defensive ability. RF Kyle Tucker is turning into the next star for the Astros. In 2023 he led the AL in RBIs with 112 and was one home run away from joining the 30-30 club. Not only can Tucker hit, but he won a Gold Glove in 2022. If Meyers can play at a high level, the Astros’ ranking will certainly rise.
12. St. Louis Cardinals
It always seems like the Cardinals are always there. They’re usually in the running for the postseason, they’re usually in the upper levels of most polls and lists (like this one), and they’re just there. Lars Nootbaar hit .261 with 14 HR and 46 RBIs in 117 games last season. While some within the organization feel that the LF hasn’t reached his full potential, at 26 years old, he’s running out of time to get there. Tommy Edman is an underrated gem in center field. His speed and defensive versatility would be an asset on any team. Jordan Walker impressed during his rookie 2023 season; in 117 games he hit .276 with 16 HR and 51 RBIs. The potential is there for the Cards to have one of the better outfields by the end of 2024.
11. New York Mets
The Mets have one of the 10 best outfields in the game, as evidenced by their ranking, but they also have the potential to be a top 5 outfield. Brandon Nimmo was one of the better center fielders in the game, but will now shift to LF, making him an even more valuable asset. Starling Marte might be older but if he can stay healthy, he’s still a productive left fielder. Health issues also plague NY’s center fielder Harrison Bader. Bader is a Gold Glove-caliber defender with some offensive upside, but he can’t stay on the field. If things go right in Queens, the Mets OF might be one of the league’s best.
10. Pittsburgh Pirates
Not too long ago LF Bryan Reynolds was on the verge of being traded away, then he signed a massive 8-year extension to stay in Pittsburgh. He then went out in 2023 and had another stellar season at the dish and in the field. There’s no reason to think 2024 will be any different. In two seasons Jack Suwinski has cemented himself in right field. He has decent power and can hold his own on the defensive side. Newcomer Michael A. Taylor combines extra-base power and solid defense in center field. The Pirates starting outfield offers speed, defense, and power, making them a triple threat.
9. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers, who have no concept of fiscal restraint, signed LF Teoscar Hernandez to a 1-year deal for 2024. The slugger is a middle-of-the-order threat with consistent 25 HR power. James Outman’s rookie season was an up-and-down affair, but he finished with a .248 BA with 23 HR and 70 RBIs. He showed enough promise that the Dodgers believe Outman will improve in 2024. Jason Heyward will be the right fielder against right-handed pitching, which makes him the right fielder. After playing in 2023 on a minor league deal, Heyward showed enough to be brought back. His 5 Gold Gloves certainly didn’t hurt.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks
If he’s not yet, Corbin Carroll will be the future face of the Diamondbacks. After only 32 games he was signed to an 8-year, $111 million extension. Carroll went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award in his first full season. He is not the best defender, and he does only have one full year under his belt, so some regression is possible, but he’d be welcome on any team. Alek Thomas is a light-hitting, Gold Glove-caliber center fielder, but he’s still only 23 years old. If he can improve offensively, and LF Lourdes Gurriel repeats his All-Star performance from a year ago, the D-Backs defense will be an elite unit.
7. Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore’s time is coming. After years of sub-mediocrity, the Orioles are poised to become baseball’s next potential dynasty. The team is loaded with young talent, and their outfield is no exception. Austin Hays brings a solid bat and Gold Glove potential to left field, RF Anthony Santander has plus power, and while Cedric Mullins has not returned to his 2021 All-Star form, he does provide a steady veteran presence on a young team. The scary fact is, as good as this trio is, there is another wave of young talent ready to emerge from the minor leagues. While the O’s might rank 7th now, they have the young resources to remain a top-10 outfield for a long time.
6. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays reside in one of the toughest divisions in MLB, which makes their open window to contend for a World Series tougher to navigate. While their starting outfield is one of the league’s best, unfortunately for Toronto, they are also on the older side. George Springer is 34 and still has three more years left on his 6-year, $150 million deal. CF Kevin Kiermaier will be spending his age 33 season on a one-year deal. Despite their ages, both players remained productive in 2023, but time catches up with every athlete. At 27 years old, LF Daulton Varsho is the baby of the group. He is a plus defender with 20 home run power but does not hit for average.
5. Tampa Bay Rays
Randy Arozarena might be one of the best left-fielders in the game today. The former Rookie of the Year is a consistent 20-20 threat and provides solid defense. Considering Tampa’s ongoing financial situation, hopefully, they will be able to keep him long-term. CF Jose Siri is a defense-first outfielder who showed some pop in 2023 when he hit 25 home runs. Josh Lowe emerged as a solid option in right field by becoming one of the Rays’ most consistent offensive threats in 2023, hitting .292 with 20 HRs, 83 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases. As we head into the 2024 season, Tampa Bay has one of the most consistently effective outfields.
4. Texas Rangers
As the 2023 World Series Champions look to repeat in the 2024 season, something that hasn’t been done since the 1998 to 2000 Yankees, their starting outfield is the least of their problems. Adolis Garcia is a middle-of-the-order threat who showed that he would not wilt under the harsh lights of the postseason, as evidenced by his winning the ALCS MVP in 2023. Leody Taveras finally broke through last year playing his first full season. He did enough to earn the starting CF spot, but the Rangers believe he is capable of more. Evan Carter is the question mark heading into 2024. Carter only played 23 games in 2023, and while he was impressive in that brief period and the postseason, he is still just a rookie.
3. New York Yankees
Batman and Robin, Abbott and Costello, and Butch and Sundance are among the greatest duos in history, and now the Yankees bring you Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. There’s no denying that pairing two of the best outfielders will make NY a threat both offensively and defensively. The only factor that keeps the Yanks from a higher spot on the list is LF Alex Verdugo. He’s not bad, but he comes with issues and baggage. Perhaps looming free agency will inspire Verdugo, and Soto, to have big years. Even if they play to the back of their baseball cards, and Judge can stay healthy, the outfield should not be a position of concern for New York.
2. Atlanta Braves
Any outfield with Ronald Acuna Jr., arguably one of the best in the game, is going to be a highly-ranked outfield. After hitting .337 with 41 HRs, 106 RBIs, and 73 stolen bases, it will be interesting to see what the 2023 MVP has in store for a follow-up campaign. But it’s not just Acuna that makes the Braves outfield one of the best, CF Michael Harris II is a future star. After back-to-back successful seasons, the 23-year-old looks ready to break out in 2024. LF Jarred Kelenic showed promise in 2023 before an injury sidelined his season, but he has the potential to be an above-average player, which gives Atlanta one of the best outfields in the game.
1. Chicago Cubs
And the best overall outfield goes to… the Chicago Cubs! Yes, MLB’s best OF resides on the North Side of Chicago. Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, and Seiya Suzuki are three of the best outfielders in the game today. Not only is Happ a power threat, but he has won back-to-back Gold Glove Awards. Bellinger rebuilt his stock in 2023 and resigned in Chicago for three years, with several opt-outs included. The former MVP seems to be back to his award-winning playing days. Suzuki is the wildcard. He showed flashes as a rookie but began to emerge in the 2nd half. If he can build on that, the confines of Wrigley will not be so friendly for visiting teams.
