Center Fielder: Carlos Gomez – Houston Astros
Carlos Gomez‘s appearance in this lineup doesn’t even take into account what a dreadful start to 2016 he experienced before going on the disabled list. Truthfully, the Astros center fielder was a well deserving member even before that. Gomez is largely viewed as an All-Star because of his performances in 2013 and 2014. Both years earned him a spot in the Midsummer classic. During those years, Gomez hit 24 and 23 home runs, drove in 73 runs, had an identical batting average of .284, while also cumulatively managing to swipe 74 bags. Certifiably All-Star caliber numbers.
However, what seems to be forgotten when talking about Gomez are his other eight years in the league, where he failed to hit over twenty home runs, has never drove in more than 60 runs and has stolen 30 or more bases only twice, outside the aforementioned All-Star years.
Gomez, whose career slash line is .257/.311/.413, has seemingly been letting his work from 2013 and 2014 as a Brewer do the talking for him lately. What might actually stick out the most about Carlos Gomez’s inconsistent career might be the disparity in WAR. In 2013, during his glory days as a Milwaukee Brewer, he posted an incredible 8.5 WAR, which to no surprise decreased to a still above average 4.8 the following year.
The highest WAR in the eight other seasons? 2.3 in 2012. It is not to take away from what Gomez was able to accomplish in the two best seasons of his life. However, as suggested by his entire career, it is safe to say those seasons are probably best defined by the term “outliers.”
Next: An aging speedster in left