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MLB: Top Five Outfields in Baseball Right Now

By Ehsan Kassim

May 18, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates with right fielder Kole Calhoun (56) after scoring against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates with right fielder Kole Calhoun (56) after scoring against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Boston Red Sox

2015 Fangraphs WAR: 8.6

2016 fWAR (through 5/20): 2.9

Other than the Chicago Cubs, there is probably no other team in the MLB that has the young hitting talent that the Boston Red Sox have.

Jackie Bradley Jr. has gone quickly from a former top prospect, to a huge disappointment, to a rising star. Bradley enjoyed his breakout season a year ago, posting a 121 wRC+ and a 2.4 fWAR for the Red Sox in 2015.

He has continued to hit well in 2015, as he has posted a .338/.390/.607 slash line with a 168 wRC+ in 159 plate appearances. Perhaps most impressive Bradley owns a .269 ISO so far and is a real threat to hit 20 home runs for the Red Sox this season.

If you are looking for the next mega star in Boston with this being Big Papi’s last season, look no further than Mookie Betts. Betts posted a 4.8 fWAR in his first full major league season, just missing out on a 20-20 season by two home runs.

Betts is off to another good start this season, though not as strong offensively. He has posted a .262/.311/.454 slash line with a 104 wRC+. Betts has already stolen eight bases and mashed seven home runs, keeping alive another shot for him cracking a 20-20 season for the Red Sox.

ZiPS projects Betts to finish with an identical 4.8 fWAR as last season, projecting a .291/.348/.470 slash line with a 120 wRC+. ZiPS projects him to finish with 22 home runs and 28 stolen bases.

Beyond Bradley and Betts, the Sox have given 130 plate appearances to Brock Holt, who owns a lowly -0.2 fWAR and a 78 wRC+ this year. They have also gotten 55 solid plate appearances from Chris Young, who owns a 112 wRC+.

Bradley and Betts have been a nice duo for the Red Sox, as the sit 9 games above .500, one season after losing 84 games.

Next: Chicago Cubs

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