Top 5 Players in the MLB (Part 7)

Ranking the best five players in each infield position is finally over; and now its time to start looking at the outfield; and in today's coverage, specifically the left field spot.

Ibanez

5. Raul Ibanez (Philadelphia Phillies)- Ibanez is having another good year for the Phillies and putting up his consistent big numbers. He has 68 hits (17 doubles), 34 RBIs, with a mediocre average of .231. Although he is not putting up the big home run totals he normally has, Ibanez still has nine homers and is on pace for possibly 20. If that average of his were to come up to .250, Ibanez would be even a bigger threat for Philly opponents. His fielding is very good this year, with 144 put-outs, three assists, with a superb fielding percentage of .992.  He has only one error on the year. If Ibanez hits the long ball more as the second part of the season begins, he could move up higher on this list, and also help the Phillies make a deep run into the playoffs.

Crawford

4. Carl Crawford- (Boston Red Sox)- Crawford was one of the two big additions to the Red Sox line-up this year, and so far into the season, Crawford has proved to the Red Sox nation that he is worth the big money that the team signed him for. Although he had far better numbers while with the Tampa Bay Rays, Crawford has had a productive season so far into 2011. He currently has 64 hits, six home runs, and 31 RBIs. Crawford also has a batting average of .243, that should be higher, but I am sure it will be at some point. Two stats that Crawford has to improve is his walk (nine) and stolen base total (eight). He has averaged 40 to 50 stolen bases a year while at Tampa, and eight will not cut it at Boston with his potential. Defensively, Crawford has had a successful year with 132 put-outs, a fielding percentage of .985, with just two errors. Crawford may not be the player he was at Tampa, but if some of his numbers improve later in the season, he would be a great help to playoff caliber team.

Gordon

3. Alex Gordon (Kansas City Royals)- The former infielder turned left fielder is having a breakout year in his career, and if his numbers stay consistent, he will easily have his best professional season. Gordon is tied for first among all left fielders in hits with 98. I could see him having around 170 by the end of the year. He leads the position in doubles with 24, and has 46 RBIs, along with ten home runs. This is the first season of his career, where Gordon is on pace to have over 20 home runs. I also like that he is batting .298 for the year, and could be at .305 by October, but I cannot stand that he has struck out 68 times. Gordon has to be a more patient batter and let the pitches come to him. Gordon is a great left fielder, who leads the position with 164 put-outs and in assists with 13. He is also tied for third in fielding percentage with a .994. If the success that Gordon has had in the first part of the season continues into the second, Gordon could easily be one of the most underrated players in all of baseball.

Gonzalez

2. Carlos Gonzalez (Colorado Rockies)- After his best season in his career in 2010, Gonzalez is putting up great numbers again for the young Colorado team. He is third among all left fielders with 93 hits (18 being doubles), and is one of the few power hitters at the position. Gonzalez is second in both home runs (13) and third in RBIs with (51) at the seven position. By the time the playoffs roll around, I see him with 28 home runs, and 102 RBIs, which are solid numbers for him. He is also batting .296, and it is very possible to see him bat over .300 by the end of the season as well. Gonzales has to watch his strikeout total though, because having 71 for his caliber is really really disappointing. As a left fielder, Gonzalez has 82 put-outs, four assists, and a fielding percentage of .989. Those numbers would all be higher, if he did not play center field occasionally. Gonzalez has the talent in both aspects of the game to be number one at the list. I definitely see him on this list for years to come and could be number one at some point.

Braun

1. Ryan Bruan (Milwaukee Brewers)- Braun is the best offensive and defensive left fielder in the game by far. Not only has his previous seasons shown this, but Braun has been one of the best players in baseball in 2011 as well. Braun is tied for first among left fielders in hits with 98 (19 being doubles), and I would not be surprised to see him have 180 by the end of the year. He leads the position with 16 home runs and 62 RBIs, which are on pace to both be career bests. I love that Braun has 19 stolen bases, it shows that he has speed, and will do whatever it take to advance into scoring position. He will easily beat his previous season best of 20 stolen bases. Braun has struck out 51 times, and if he struck out a little less, his batting average could be even higher than his stellar .320. Just imagine that! As good as he is as an offensive weapon, Braun is just as good as defensively.  He has 151 put-outs, three assists, which are both good, but it is his fielding percentage that tells how good BraunBraun has a fielding percentage of 1.000 and is flawless. Braun is both the best offensive and defensive player at left field and is one of the best players in all of baseball that no one really talks about. He should easily be in the top three of the NL MVP voting come that time.