MLB: The best since 1969 in right field – Surprise, it’s Larry Walker

Five-season peak performance

This criteria is simply the player’s best five-season average OPS+.

Here are the 10 best peak averages among the 30 MLB candidates.

Rank       Right Field                  Seasons               Average

1              Sammy Sosa            1998-2002            167.0

2              Gary Sheffield          1994-1998            160.0

3              Jose Bautista           2010-2014            155.6

4              Vlad Guerrero           2000-2004           154.8

5              Larry Walker            1997-2001            154.0

5              Reggie Jackson        1969-1973           154.0

7              Jose Canseco           1988-1992            152.2

8              Darryl Strawberry  1984-1988            151.4

8              Ken Singleton          1975-1979            151.4

10           Giancarlo Stanton  2011-2015             150.0

Sosa’s top position in this category may be questioned for its influence by PEDs. Both Kenny and Costas did that in dropping him overall to 10th (Costas) or off the list altogether (Kenny). As has been stated in prior parts of this series, the number themselves are objective; feel free to impose any subjective penalties on Sosa or others at your discretion.

Sheffield’s No. 2 ranking thrusts him into overall contention. Jackson’s tying with Walker for fifth makes him a contender, although it may undermine his chances of finishing No. 1, where Kenny put him. After all, the strength of Jackson’s game was his offense.

If there are surprises, they may be Winfield, Gwynn and Suzuki. None make the top 10, and Suzuki – at a peak OPS+ of 120.2 – is far from it. That number alone suggests that Suzuki’s reputation, notwithstanding his hit total, is overrated.

Winfield finished 12th, one spot ahead of Gwynn.