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Continuing with the Midseason rankings, here are my Outfield rankings. I ranked Jose Bautista in my MId Season Third Base Rankings, but if I had not, he would probably rank either #1 or #2 in my Outfielder Rankings.
Note: Stats provided do not include Sunday's games.
1. Matt Kemp, LAD-Kemp is having the best year of his career and is a top candidate for NL MVP. He is hitting .315-.398-.596 with 24 HRs, 72 RBIs, 57 runs and 27 SBs in 30 attempts. Kemp is on pace for a 40-40 season, which would be the first since Alfonso Soriano's 46 HR-41 SB season in 2006.
2. Ryan Braun, MILW-Braun is battling some leg injuries recently, but has produced when on the field. He is hitting .316-.396-.551 with 16 HRs, 62 RBIs, 58 runs and 19 SBs in 23 attempts. He has decreased his K rate and increased his walk and ISO rate as compared to 2010.
3. Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS-Ellsbury is having a terrific bounceback season after missing all but 18 games in 2010. This season, he is hitting .317-.377-.504 with 13 HRs, 51 RBIs, 65 runs and 28 SBs in 38 attempts. Some of Ellsbury's success this season can be attributed to his career high 24.2% line drive rate and 13.1% HR/FB rate.
More Outfielder Rankings after the jump:
4. Curtis Granderson, NYY-Granderson is also have the best year of his career, and I did not think he had another 30 HR season in him, but he is well on his way to doing just that this season. The Grandyman is hitting .268-.360-.560 with 25 HRs, 65 RBIs, 81 runs and 15 SBs. His ISO, SLG and HR/FB rates are all at career highs this season, and I wonder if he can duplicate this in 2012.
5. Lance Berkman, STL-where did this come from? Berkman is having a Comeback Player of the Year type season in 2011, hitting .286-.400-.591 with 24 HRs, 63 RBIs and 55 runs scored. He has benefitted from an excellent 21.2% line drive rate and 27.6% HR/FB rate. The jump in HR/FB rate for a 35 year old looks a little fishy, no?
6. Andrew McCutchen, PIT-I think everyone knows how much I like McCutchen here, maybe not as much as Matt Kemp, but he is up there. Coming into the season, I thought McCutchen could have a 20-40 season in 2011, and he has proven that he does have to power to hit 20-25 HRs. He is hitting .286-.385-.500 with 14 HRs, 56 RBIs, 54 runs and 15 SBs this season. I thought he would steal more bases this season, but he was dropped to the cleanup spot awhile back so his SB attempts have been reduced.
7. Justin Upton, ARI-Upton is having a solid all-around season at the plate, hitting .287-.369-.496 with 15 HRs, 46 RBIs, 56 runs and 14 SBs. He has cut his strikeout rate from 26.8% to 18.6% and has 41 extra base hits in 355 at bats.
8. Carlos Gonzalez, COL-Cargo started the season off slow and those who predicted a dropoff in performance after his breakout season in 2010 were looking good. But, he has quietly put together a solid season at the plate despite some injuries, hitting .291-.357-.486 with 13 HRs, 51 RBIs, 57 runs and 15 SBs.
9. Carlos Beltran, NYM-on draft day 2011, I was not willing to draft Beltran due to his injury risk. The decision appeared to be a smart move at the time based on the last few seasons, but has proven to be a mistake.
10. Chris Young, ARI-Young is another hitter who is quietly having a solid season at the plate, although his BA will probably never be in the .270-.280 range. This season, he is hitting .257-.327-.475 with 16 HRs, 50 RBIs, 60 runs and 12 SBs. He has lowered his K rate from 22% to 19% and is hitting more fly balls which may result in more HRs down the road. He is on pace for a 27 HR- 20 SB this season.
11. Hunter Pence, HOU-Pence is the subject of recent trade rumors and I wonder what kind of season he could have hitting in a better lineup. This season he is hitting. 320-.363-.490 with 11 HRs, 60 RBIs, 45 runs and 7 SBs. His HRs have dropped a bit, and I wonder if that will continue as his ISO has dropped slowly over the past 3 seasons:
2008-.197
2009-.190
2010-.179
2011-.170
12. Melky Cabrera, KC-Cabrera was probably not drafted in many mixed leagues this season, but is having a breakout season after a horrible season in 2010. He is hitting .293-.331-.450 with 11 HRs, 52 RBIs, 58 runs and 14 SBs this season. He could be traded by the July 31st trade deadline and could lose some playing time as well.