MLB Best: The top 3 Right Fielders right now

We will be compiling a list of the top three players at each position including designated hitter leading into Spring Training. These MLB best lists are based on career stats/accomplishments, 2018 statistics, and their projections going into 2019. Today we continue with right field.

We’ve already started our MLB best coverage with the top three center fielders, and now we move to the final outfield position in right.

As stated in the title, there are only three spots to fill, so there are many right fielders that were not able to get on my list, so let’s first go through those players:

Just Missed

Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)

I know that you may be reading this and saying I am an idiot for not putting Christian Yelich in the top three, but it just shows how deep right field is.

This past season Yelich won the most valuable award, and deservedly so, but if you look at his stats during his whole career, he only has reached an OPS of over .400 once (last season) and other than last year he has not been able to hit over .300.

So, if Yelich is able to repeat what he did last year (not necessarily win MVP but put up the same numbers), then I will easily put him in the Top 3.

Mitch Haniger (Seattle Mariners)

I believe Mitch Haniger is the most underrated player in the league. He has to play right field in Seattle who nobody really watches because everyone is focused on the Astros.

Last year Haniger had career highs in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, so for me he is like Yelich. If he repeats what he did last season I will deeply consider putting him either right outside the list at #4 or putting him in depending on if Judge and Harper are able to stay healthy.

Now here is the #3 right fielder in baseball:

3. Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper is #3 on my list because of his track record and he continues to get better. The now most-sought-after free agent had a huge year in 2018 hitting 34 home runs, 100 runs batted in, and 130 walks, which were all better totals than in 2017.

Just look at what he has already been able to accomplish since debuting at Dodger Stadium at age 19 with the Nationals. He is a six-time All-Star, 2012 National League Rookie of the Year, a Silver Slugger Award winner, and won the National League Most Valuable Player in 2015 when he hit 42 home runs and gave Mike Trout a run for his money for the best player in baseball.

We all know he can hit, but what makes him a great player is he is able to play defense. What made me put him in the three spot is that he has improved on the defensive side as his error total has gone down from seven in his rookie year to three in 2018 along with getting to know his body more.

When he was a rookie he would go diving for balls and slamming into outfield walls, but as he has gotten experience, he does not dive nearly as much and has been more cautious in the outfield for the benefit of his health and longevity along with the best interest of his team.

Another positive aspect of Harper’s development is he has been more discipline at the plate. He used to chase balls outside the zone therefore leading to more strikeouts, but this year had a career high in walks (130).

Harper is projected to have another All-Star season. At age 26 he is projected to hit 27 home runs with an OPS of .875.

2. Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge was arguably the best right fielder in 2017, hitting a major league rookie record 52 home runs and earning American League Rookie of the Year honors.

It was pretty much impossible for Judge to replicate his record-setting rookie year, and he definitely did not do that last year, but opposing pitchers still did not look forward to facing him.

The addition of Giancarlo Stanton and the big rookie seasons from Miguel Andujar and Gleybar Torres really helped protect him in the lineup, and that led to better pitches to hit.

Last year, Judge hit 27 home runs while driving in 67 runs. Although it may be considered a ‘down year’ for him, you also need to consider that he had 129 less at-bats than he had in 2017. Judge sustained a wrist injury after he was hit in the wrist by Royals pitcher Jakob Junis with a fastball.

Judge has vastly improved defensively as well. In his rookie year, he made five errors with a fielding percentage of .974, but last year he made two fewer errors with a fielding percentage ten points lower than his rookie year.

For the 2019 season, Judge is projected to have a better power year with three more home runs, seven more runs batted in, and four more walks.