6. A.J. Pollock
If he could stay healthy, A.J. Pollock would be even higher on this list. That, however, is the biggest problem.
Over his career, Pollock has played in over 140 games exactly once. Over his career, Pollock has twice broken his elbow, suffered a broken hand, and a broken thumb, and had quad and groin injuries. It is almost a given that he will miss a significant amount of time over the course of the season.
And yet, when Pollock is on the field, he is one of the better outfielders in the game. Last year, in his 113 games, Pollock produced a solid .257/.316/.484 batting line, hitting a career best 21 homers and stealing 12 bases. However, with that power surge came a decrease in contact, as Pollock had a career worst 21.7% strikeout rate.
A part of that increase in strikeouts can likely be traced to the Launch Angle Revolution, as Pollock hit more fly balls than at any other point in his career. Yet, that is not where he is most valuable; Pollock is a player whose ability to get on base, and penchant for line drives into the gap, make him an All Star caliber player. That change in his game, coupled with his injury history, make him a risky proposition.
A.J. Pollock has been a special player in the past when on the diamond. This change in approach, coupled with his injury history, make him quite the risky option in free agency.