The 2025 Alternative-Stage Killers: Left Area & Proper Area

At the moment the Killers listing turns the nook — or somewhat turns to the groups receiving less-than-acceptable manufacturing within the outfield corners. Whereas nonetheless specializing in golf equipment that meet the free definition of contenders (a .500 document or Playoff Odds of at the very least 10%), and which have gotten about 0.6 WAR or much less out of a place up to now (which prorates to 1.0 WAR over a full season), I’ve additionally integrated our Depth Charts’ rest-of-season WAR projections into the equation for a further perspective. Typically that will recommend that the staff will clear the bar by a big margin, besides, I’ve included them right here as a result of the staff’s efficiency is price a glance.

As famous beforehand, a few of these conditions are extra dire than others, significantly inside the context of the remainder of their roster. I’ve batched the 2 corners into one supersized roundup as a result of three of the seven groups under the WAR cutoff for left subject additionally make the listing for proper subject, and since there’s loads of crossover in play almost about personnel. The capsules are listed so as of their left subject rankings first, whereas noting these crossover groups with an asterisk. As at all times, I don’t count on each staff right here to exit and observe down upgrades earlier than the July 31 deadline, however these are groups to regulate.

Royals*

Good grief, someway Royals nook outfielders have mixed for -3.8 WAR, suggesting that the 47-50 staff could be over .500 if it had discovered some sometimes unremarkable substitute stage outfielders to fill these posts. Supervisor Matt Quatraro has used 9 left fielders and eight proper fielders, with some crossover between the 2. By some means, just one participant at every place has managed even a 100 wRC+ of their skinny slice of taking part in time, specifically Jonathan India in left and Drew Waters in proper. India, who’s performed all of 21 video games in left, is new to the place on the main league stage; his glove is a legal responsibility irrespective of the place you place him and he’s hitting simply .251/.332/.348 (91 wRC+) general. Waters, who’s performed 41 video games in left, 21 in proper, and 22 in heart, has hit simply .243/.288/.316 (66 wRC+) general, suggesting his 105 wRC+ in 53 PA in proper is a fluke. Mark Canha has collapsed to a 49 wRC+ with profession worsts in nearly each key Statcast class, although his stints on the injured listing for an adductor pressure and (at the moment) tennis elbow have probably contributed to his woes. Not one of the different principals at both nook has hung out on the IL.

Hunter Renfroe, who started the yr because the common proper fielder, was a full win under substitute earlier than he was launched in late Might. Jac Caglianone, a 22-year-old 50-FV prospect who has taken over proper, has been the next-worst, at -0.9 WAR. Caglianone entered the season ranked no. 47 on our Prime 100 Prospects listing however had by no means performed above Excessive-A; he’s hit a cringeworthy .140/.196/.264 (22 wRC+) in 138 PA whereas chasing 41.1% of pitches outdoors the zone. In some unspecified time in the future a accountable grownup would ship him again to the minors for extra seasoning regardless of the occasional 466-foot homer. As a substitute, he’s 4-for-40 this month together with that July 10 shot. Cool, cool.

In eight seasons of doing this sequence for FanGraphs (plus a handful of occasions at Baseball Prospectus and Sports activities Illustrated), I can’t recall even a fringe contender so hamstrung by an incapability to search out moderately productive gamers at offense-first positions. It’s a testomony to the standard of the Royals’ pitching and the play of Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino that this staff even has a shred of an opportunity at a playoff spot. That is the half the place I usually recommend potential commerce targets who may assist shore up the state of affairs; on this case the reply is “nearly anybody not already on the Royals roster.” Candidates such because the White Sox’s Andrew Benintendi and the Marlins’ Jesús Sánchez seem like Juan Soto and Aaron Choose subsequent to this crowd.

Reds*

Nothing the Reds have carried out with both outfield nook has labored for very lengthy or very nicely. Supervisor Terry Francona has used 10 totally different left fielders and eight totally different proper fielders, with six gamers getting time at each. Offseason acquisition Gavin Lux has logged a team-high 34 begins in left whereas bouncing round to make 30 extra at DH, 9 at second base, and 5 at third. Total, he’s hit .265/.355/.379 (106 wRC+), however his play in left has been, uh, DH-caliber (-6 FRV, -4 DRS in 278.2 innings). Austin Hays, who’s cut up his time about equally between left (21 begins) and DH (23 begins), has been very efficient when accessible (.287/.323/.517, 124 wRC+) amid three separate IL stints for left calf and left hamstring strains and a left foot contusion; he and Lux have typically shared the left subject and DH roles towards righties.

Jake Fraley has began 39 video games in proper, all however one towards righties; he’s hit .224/.336/.376 (100 wRC+), however has served IL stints for a left calf pressure and a proper shoulder sprain, the latter of which he returned from simply earlier than the All-Star break. Will Benson has cut up his time between left (17 begins), proper (22 begins), and heart (three begins), with simply 4 from that complete towards lefties; he’s scuffled to a .223/.276/.427 (87 wRC+) line. Of the eight different nook outfielders Francona has tried, solely Santiago Espinal has a wRC+ of at the very least 100 in that capability, however that’s over simply 30 PA, and his general 63 wRC+ components into the Reds’ placement on the third base listing.

With Hays and Fraley each wholesome, the Reds are in higher form than they’ve been for a lot of the season; the pair has spent nearly two weeks collectively on the energetic roster (the second half of April). Nonetheless, between these two and the on a regular basis play of Lux at one place or one other, they’re a bit mild (spoiler alert: they’ll be on the DH listing as nicely), with a right-handed bat in all probability their larger want. Not like the Phillies (under), they’re much less inclined so as to add payroll, however as one of many league’s youthful groups, they need to suppose when it comes to a number of years. Three righties who may very well be accessible, the Rangers’ Adolis García, the Orioles’ Ramón Laureano, and the Angels’ Taylor Ward, every have one other yr of membership management remaining; the primary two will probably be arbitration-eligible, the final has a $6.5 million choice. Pink Sox lefty Wilyer Abreu, who’s bought another pre-arbitration season, affords much more upside and management however would require a larger return.

Phillies*

As famous in Wednesday’s installment, the Phillies rank twenty seventh within the majors in complete outfield WAR at 0.3, with left subject the weakest of the three positions. Max Kepler spent the higher a part of a decade as a league-average hitter with a adequate glove to be a two-to-three-win proper fielder for the Twins, however final yr, he made two journeys to the IL and slipped to a 93 wRC+ and 0.9 WAR. The Phillies didn’t overcommit, signing him to a one-year, $10 million deal, however his offense has continued to lag. His 90 wRC+ (.210/.307/.371) is a profession low, and in his first style of left subject — the simpler of the 2 corners — his -2 FRV is as nicely. Kepler’s common exit velocity is about 2 mph increased than final yr, together with his barrel charge enhancing from 6.2% to 11.4%, and his hard-hit charge from 36.6% to 44.8%, however he’s fallen 51 factors wanting his .412 xSLG.

Proper fielder Nick Castellanos wants no introduction to readers of this annual sequence. 4 years right into a five-year, $100 million cope with the Phillies, his timing stays impeccable: he’s landed right here yearly. His offense isn’t utterly horrible for a change; his 107 wRC+ (.273/.313/.438) is consistent with his last 2022 and ’23 strains, and solely three factors shy of the foremost league common for proper fielders. Alas, he’s a DH caught within the subject as a result of the Phillies have already got a greater DH in Kyle Schwarber. Castellanos’ defensive metrics are on observe to be his worst since 2018; after averaging -9 DRS and -12 FRV in his first three seasons in Philly, he’s at -14 DRS and -12 FRV with 66 video games to go.

The Phillies have just lately given a little bit of taking part in time in left subject to 25-year-old rookie Otto Kemp, an undrafted free agent who hit .313/.416/.594 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and is at .247/.316/.337 (86 wRC+) with a 28.6% strikeout charge by 98 PA up to now within the majors. Kemp has 30-grade contact abilities as a result of his issues with secondary stuff, and his protection at third base, his major place within the minors, is shaky. He may work because the brief half of a nook platoon, however the Phillies actually need so as to add a top quality bat. Abreu, García, and Ward every supply some firepower (not essentially with out flaws), whereas Benintendi and Sánchez would at the very least increase the manufacturing flooring.

Padres

The place have you ever gone, Jurickson Profar? A nation turns it’s lonely eyes to you… The departure of their 2024 left fielder left a gap that the Padres have tried to fill utilizing 10 totally different participant. The bygone platoon of Jason Heyward and Oscar Gonzalez wasn’t as much as the duty. What has labored currently, significantly on the offensive facet, has been utilizing Gavin Sheets in left. The ex-White Sock has hit .265/.324/.451 (119 wRC+) in 44 video games at DH, 34 in left (with all however two of them coming since Might 25), and 12 at first base. Traditionally, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound lefty has been brutal in proper subject (-23 DRS, -18 FRV in 1543 innings) however has been inside one run of common within the two metrics in 263 innings in left up to now. He’s been mild towards lefties (96 wRC+, in comparison with 128 towards righties), so he may use a platoon accomplice, significantly one who can even function a defensive substitute; neither Brandon Lockridge nor Bryce Johnson have proven themselves to be as much as the duty, however this shouldn’t be the toughest drawback for A.J. Preller to resolve at deadline time.

Dodgers

Michael Conforto’s one-year, $17 million deal flew beneath the radar this previous winter given the staff’s fancier expenditures, however like these, the early returns aren’t too scorching. The 32-year-old Conforto has hit simply .184/.298/.322 (80 wRC+) with eight homers and subpar protection in left subject (-3 DRS, -3 FRV). July is his first month with a wRC+ of at the very least 100, albeit in simply 38 PA, and there’s no underlying batted ball development suggesting notable enchancment. Certainly, Conforto’s Statcast contact numbers, whereas nonetheless above common, are down relative to final season, and he’s lagging nicely behind each his .243 xBA and .421 xSLG, together with his 99-point shortfall in SLG the seventh-largest within the majors.

Whereas the Dodgers have options in left, Enrique Hernández figures within the third base image with Max Muncy sidelined, and Andy Pages — whose 205 wRC+ in 44 PA is propping up the offensive numbers right here — is healthier utilized in heart or proper. One as-yet unexplored choice could be so as to add rookie Dalton Speeding to the combo. The 24-year-old backstop has hit simply .221/.293/.309 (73 wRC+) since debuting in mid-Might, however a weekly food regimen of 10 PA can’t be serving to his trigger, and he does have 33 video games of minor league expertise in left.

It’s not inconceivable that the Dodgers reduce bait on Conforto, significantly if they’ve a roster crunch. However as long as their offense is scoring a significant league-high 5.33 runs per recreation, the matter is much less pressing than their perennial want for pitching amid so many accidents.

Astros

The Astros haven’t totally buried the Jose Altuve experiment but, however the 35-year-old star has began simply two of Houston’s final 19 video games in left (and 39 general) in comparison with 4 at designated hitter and 13 at second base. His offense (.277/.336/.465, 121 wRC+) has been high quality, however his protection on the new place has been brutal (-8 DRS, -4 FRV in 325 innings), and it’s been no picnic at second both (-3 DRS, 0 FRV in 263 innings). His greatest place as of late might be DH, and with Yordan Alvarez sidelined as a result of irritation in his proper hand with no clear return date, that choice is at the very least open.

Of the eight different Astros who’ve performed left, the perfect on each side of the ball has been Mauricio Dubón, who’s made extra begins at second than left (29 versus 5) whereas additionally filling in at shortstop (the place he’s helped to cowl for the lack of Jeremy Peña to a damaged rib), third, and the opposite two outfield spots. He’s hitting a relatively sturdy .255/.292/.415 (96 wRC+) general and is, after all, a greater defender than Altuve at both put up, however he belongs at a place the place he can greatest make the most of these defensive abilities. The Astro who’d benefit a more in-depth look is Zach Dezenzo, however the 6-foot-5, 220-pound rookie was just lately transferred to the 60-day IL whereas recovering from a capsule pressure in his left hand. He’s simply 6-for-47 whereas taking part in left however is hitting .245/.321/.367 (96 wRC+), with a 16.4% barrel charge and a .440 xSLG offsetting his 33.9% strikeout charge. He’s eligible to return in August, so the Astros might push ahead with their present jumble and hope he can assist later. Nonetheless, with apologies to Cooper Hummel, Taylor Trammell, et al, this staff wants a garden-variety left fielder who can hit a lick and catch the ball.

Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is now in his third season as Arizona’s left fielder. Whereas his .251/.299/.421 slashline represents drops of 28 factors of AVG, 23 factors of OBP, and 14 factors of SLG relative to final yr — for a 10-point drop in wRC+ (from 108 to 98) — his common exit velocity, barrel charge, and hard-hit charge are nearly unchanged, and his xBA, xSLG, and xwOBA have solely fallen by six or seven factors. Other than a 4.5-percentage level drop in strikeout charge, leading to extra batted balls, nothing’s actually modified for him on the offensive facet. He’s on this listing due to a little bit of dangerous luck right here and a dip in defensive metrics there (from 3 DRS to -6, and from 1 FRV to -2), however he’ll in all probability stay the on a regular basis left fielder except the Diamondbacks filter out some outfield depth and reduce wage forward of the commerce deadline — during which case he may wind up with one other staff on this listing.

Guardians

Initially drafted and developed by the Guardians, Nolan Jones made 4 Prime 100 Prospects lists (2019–22) earlier than being traded to the Rockies in November 2022. Following a robust rookie season in Colorado (20 homers, 20 steals, 137 wRC+, 3.7 WAR), he battled accidents — most notably a decrease again pressure — and struggled in 2024, hitting simply .227/.321/.320 (69 wRC+) with three homers. The Guardians reacquired him in March and have typically began him towards righties both in proper (45 occasions) or heart (12 occasions), with 9 begins towards lefties unfold throughout the three outfield positions. Sadly, the lefty-swinging 27-year-old’s offense hasn’t returned; he’s batting simply .229/.319/.330 (87 wRC+), although as famous within the heart subject installment, he’s hitting the ball more durable than these outcomes recommend, with a 91.5-mph common exit velocity (3.3 mph increased than final yr), an 8% barrel charge, and a 46.3% hard-hit charge. He’s reduce his groundball charge, is pulling the ball extra typically, and has even shaved his strikeout charge to 26.5%. The 95-point hole between his .425 xSLG and his precise mark is tied for the majors’ ninth-largest.

Jones may use some higher luck and a greater supporting solid. Jhonkensy Noel plummeted from final yr’s 118 wRC+ to zero — sure, a 0 wRC+ — with a .140/.162/.215 slashline, incomes him a ticket again to Triple-A Columbus. Present platoon accomplice Johnathan Rodríguez has been solely barely higher (.140/.189/.220, 12 wRC+). Given their 46–49 document and different bother spots (together with shortstop and heart subject), the Guardians might wind up promoting or holding, however one commerce candidate who would make sense is Laureano, who spent elements of 2023 and ’24 with the staff. The Guardians did launch him final Might, however his 135 wRC+ for the Braves and Orioles since then suggests he’s price one other look.

Mariners

The early-April lack of beginning proper fielder Victor Robles to a fracture of the humeral head in his left shoulder value the Mariners a priceless catalyst. Luke Raley took over the place, however he strained his indirect in late April, missed seven weeks, and upon returning took over the lengthy half of a primary base platoon. Leody Taveras got here and went. Fortuitously for the Mariners, Dominic Canzone arrived from Triple-A Tacoma and has roughly saved the day. The 27-year-old lefty, who’s closed up his stance considerably and is swinging the bat more durable, has hit a scorching .319/.340/.564 (158 wRC+) in 97 PA. Sure, he’s chasing practically 38% of pitches outdoors the zone and strolling simply 3.1% of the time, however he’s additionally barreling the ball 15.6% of the time, and each his .300 xBA and .564 xSLG are consistent with his precise numbers. He’ll cool off finally, however at the moment this doesn’t seem like a major problem for the Mariners, and there’s nonetheless hope that Robles can return in September to offer assist.

Cardinals

Jordan Walker entered the 2023 season as a 60-FV prospect ranked no. 12 on our Prime 100 listing, however in elements of three seasons, he’s produced diminishing returns, together with a meager .210/.267/.295 (60 wRC+) with a 33% strikeout charge in 191 PA this season. He’s been largely absent from the lineup since late Might, first lacking a few weeks as a result of irritation in his left wrist, then enduring a bout of appendicitis in late June. Whereas on his newest rehab task, the Cardinals are once more tinkering together with his swing, however thus far, he’s gone simply 7-for-46, albeit with 5 extra-base hits, at Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis.

Walker’s nonetheless simply 23, nevertheless it’s honest to marvel if he’ll ever reside as much as that lofty prospect billing, at the very least in St. Louis. The excellent news for the Cardinals is that Alec Burleson has taken over proper subject and completely raked, hitting .333/.374/.592 (158 wRC+) in 138 PA. Total, the 26-year-old lefty has hit .293/.340/.466 (125 wRC+), although he may use a platoon accomplice; he has a profession 52 wRC+ towards southpaws.

Twins

Matt Wallner can mash. In 2023 and ’24 mixed, he hit .254/.371/.515 (148 wRC+) with 27 homers in 515 PA for the Twins, even whereas placing out a whopping 34% of the time and spending chunks of each seasons in Triple-A. The Twins hoped that he may approximate that manufacturing throughout a full season, however a mid-April hamstring pressure curtailed his robust begin; he didn’t return till Might 31 and has managed only a 91 wRC+ since. His general line (.205/.299/.449, 107 wRC+ with 10 homers) in 41 video games in proper and 12 at DH charges as a disappointment. He’s getting beneath too many balls; his 21.8% infield fly ball charge is the second-highest of any participant with at the very least 150 PA. Trevor Larnach, who coated proper for a part of Wallner’s absence and has currently been sharing the job, has hit a modest .245/.311/.415 (102 wRC+) whereas taking part in 34 video games in proper plus one other 59 at DH and in left subject. Willi Castro, the one different Twin with at the very least 20 PA for granted fielder, has struggled in his time there (28 video games however simply 15 begins) however has hit for a 124 wRC+ general in his utility position.

Contemplating that is now the fifth place at which the Twins have made a Killers listing, it’s clear they’ll have to resolve some issues from inside as a way to problem for a playoff spot. Regardless of his struggles, Wallner’s current observe document offers extra purpose for optimism than, say, Ty France at first base.