MLB: Unveiling the All-Underrated team of the decade
2010s MLB All-Underrated Team
Left Field: Brett Gardner
Stats for the decade: .260/.344/.405, 121 HRs, 810 runs, 228 SBs, 33.6 WAR
The left-field position is a tough one to rank, given the generational shift that occurred midway through the 2010s. The first half was highlighted by the dominance of players like Josh Hamilton, and Matt Holiday, while the second half has seen players like Christian Yelich and Michael Brantley take aim at the throne.
Ryan Braun and Justin Upton were two consistent offensive powerhouses in left field throughout the entire decade. However, they lacked the complete package that Brett Gardner routinely brought to the table, without gaining nearly the same recognition as the other two. How has Brett Gardner remained one of the most underrated players of the decade while playing on a team as high-profile as the Yankees?
The answer is simple: Gardner chooses to lead by example without attracting media attention to himself. And his numbers tell the story of his under-appreciated greatness. Gardner is tied with only Christian Yelich for first in WAR among active left fielders with 33.6. While he did not start showing off his power until the end of the decade, he was still a very important part of the Yankees’ lineup. He was third in stolen bases with 228, and second in runs scored with 810. His plate discipline is also an underrated part of his game. Since 2010, he has the second-lowest swing percentage at 36.3%, which only trails his former teammate Bobby Abreu. Simply put, Gardner gets on base and runs the bases well.
His defense was also amongst the top in the league in left field. While he doesn’t have a great arm, he has the ability to track down almost any ball. Since 2010, he boasts the highest defensive WAR of any qualified left fielder with a 35.5 mark. He also has a 74.9 UZR and 97 defensive runs saved (DRS).
Gardner has managed to stay outside the New York spotlight for over a decade while becoming the de facto captain inside their clubhouse. Still, he has only been an all star once in his career in 2015, while taking home only one gold glove award the following season. He remains one of the most underrated players in the game.