Immediately the Killers checklist turns the nook — or relatively turns to the groups receiving less-than-acceptable manufacturing within the outfield corners. Whereas nonetheless specializing in golf equipment that meet the unfastened definition of contenders (a .500 report or Playoff Odds of a minimum of 10%), and which have gotten about 0.6 WAR or much less out of a place so far (which prorates to 1.0 WAR over a full season), I’ve additionally integrated our Depth Charts’ rest-of-season WAR projections into the equation for an extra perspective. Generally that will recommend that the staff will clear the bar by a big margin, besides, I’ve included them right here as a result of the staff’s efficiency is value a glance.
As famous beforehand, a few of these conditions are extra dire than others, significantly throughout the context of the remainder of their roster. I’ve batched the 2 corners into one supersized roundup as a result of three of the seven groups under the WAR cutoff for left area additionally make the checklist for proper area, and since there’s loads of crossover in play on the subject of personnel. The capsules are listed so as of their left area rankings first, whereas noting these crossover groups with an asterisk. As all the time, I don’t count on each staff right here to exit and monitor down upgrades earlier than the July 31 deadline, however these are groups to control.
2025 Alternative-Degree Killers: Left Discipline and Proper Discipline
Left Discipline
Staff
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
Bat
BsR
Fld
WAR
ROS WAR
Tot WAR
Royals
.211
.283
.307
62
-16.7
-2.1
-1.0
-1.2
0.3
-0.9
Reds
.234
.305
.343
79
-9.7
-0.6
-6.3
-0.9
0.6
-0.3
Phillies
.193
.304
.340
82
-8.1
0.1
-3.1
-0.3
0.5
0.2
Padres
.231
.282
.332
75
-10.5
-0.8
3.1
-0.1
0.4
0.3
Dodgers
.207
.297
.350
85
-6.8
-1.2
-1.0
-0.1
0.8
0.7
Astros
.230
.307
.366
88
-5.3
-1.2
-2.4
0.0
0.8
0.8
Diamondbacks
.237
.287
.396
88
-6.0
0.9
0.5
0.5
0.7
1.2
Staff
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
Bat
BsR
Fld
WAR
ROS WAR
Tot WAR
Royals
.174
.237
.262
37
-27.0
-0.2
-6.2
-2.6
0.1
-2.5
Guardians
.187
.248
.289
51
-19.6
-0.1
-3.2
-1.6
0.7
-0.9
Reds
.200
.275
.350
71
-12.3
-1.0
-2.8
-0.9
0.5
-0.4
Mariners
.232
.273
.375
84
-6.9
0.2
-7.2
-0.6
0.9
0.3
Phillies
.285
.321
.447
112
5.4
-2.5
-11.1
0.1
0.2
0.3
Cardinals
.239
.302
.396
97
-1.5
-0.5
-2.7
0.4
0.6
1.0
Twins
.220
.300
.426
102
0.7
-1.3
-3.6
0.5
1.0
1.5
All statistics by July 13.
Royals*
Good grief, someway Royals nook outfielders have mixed for -3.8 WAR, suggesting that the 47-50 staff can be over .500 if it had discovered some usually unremarkable substitute degree outfielders to fill these posts. Supervisor Matt Quatraro has used 9 left fielders and eight proper fielders, with some crossover between the 2. By some means, just one participant at every place has managed even a 100 wRC+ of their skinny slice of taking part in time, particularly Jonathan India in left and Drew Waters in proper. India, who’s performed all of 21 video games in left, is new to the place on the main league degree; his glove is a legal responsibility irrespective of the place you place him and he’s hitting simply .251/.332/.348 (91 wRC+) total. Waters, who’s performed 41 video games in left, 21 in proper, and 22 in heart, has hit simply .243/.288/.316 (66 wRC+) total, suggesting his 105 wRC+ in 53 PA in proper is a fluke. Mark Canha has collapsed to a 49 wRC+ with profession worsts in nearly each key Statcast class, although his stints on the injured checklist for an adductor pressure and (presently) tennis elbow have probably contributed to his woes. Not one of the different principals at both nook has hung out on the IL.
Hunter Renfroe, who started the yr because the common proper fielder, was a full win under substitute earlier than he was launched in late Could. Jac Caglianone, a 22-year-old 50-FV prospect who has taken over proper, has been the next-worst, at -0.9 WAR. Caglianone entered the season ranked no. 47 on our Prime 100 Prospects checklist however had by no means performed above Excessive-A; he’s hit a cringeworthy .140/.196/.264 (22 wRC+) in 138 PA whereas chasing 41.1% of pitches exterior the zone. Sooner or later a accountable grownup would ship him again to the minors for extra seasoning regardless of the occasional 466-foot homer. As a substitute, he’s 4-for-40 this month together with that July 10 shot. Cool, cool.
In eight seasons of doing this collection for FanGraphs (plus a handful of instances at Baseball Prospectus and Sports activities Illustrated), I can’t recall even a fringe contender so hamstrung by an lack of ability to search out fairly productive gamers at offense-first positions. It’s a testomony to the standard of the Royals’ pitching and the play of Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino that this staff even has a shred of an opportunity at a playoff spot. That is the half the place I usually recommend potential commerce targets who might assist shore up the state of affairs; on this case the reply is “nearly anybody not already on the Royals roster.” Candidates such because the White Sox’s Andrew Benintendi and the Marlins’ Jesús Sánchez seem like Juan Soto and Aaron Choose subsequent to this crowd.
Reds*
Nothing the Reds have performed with both outfield nook has labored for very lengthy or very effectively. Supervisor Terry Francona has used 10 totally different left fielders and eight totally different proper fielders, with six gamers getting time at each. Offseason acquisition Gavin Lux has logged a team-high 34 begins in left whereas bouncing round to make 30 extra at DH, 9 at second base, and 5 at third. General, he’s hit .265/.355/.379 (106 wRC+), however his play in left has been, uh, DH-caliber (-6 FRV, -4 DRS in 278.2 innings). Austin Hays, who’s cut up his time about equally between left (21 begins) and DH (23 begins), has been very efficient when out there (.287/.323/.517, 124 wRC+) amid three separate IL stints for left calf and left hamstring strains and a left foot contusion; he and Lux have usually shared the left area and DH roles in opposition to righties.
Jake Fraley has began 39 video games in proper, all however one in opposition to righties; he’s hit .224/.336/.376 (100 wRC+), however has served IL stints for a left calf pressure and a proper shoulder sprain, the latter of which he returned from simply earlier than the All-Star break. Will Benson has cut up his time between left (17 begins), proper (22 begins), and heart (three begins), with simply 4 from that whole in opposition to lefties; he’s scuffled to a .223/.276/.427 (87 wRC+) line. Of the eight different nook outfielders Francona has tried, solely Santiago Espinal has a wRC+ of a minimum of 100 in that capability, however that’s over simply 30 PA, and his total 63 wRC+ components into the Reds’ placement on the third base checklist.
With Hays and Fraley each wholesome, the Reds are in higher form than they’ve been for many of the season; the pair has spent nearly two weeks collectively on the energetic roster (the second half of April). Nonetheless, between these two and the on a regular basis play of Lux at one place or one other, they’re a bit gentle (spoiler alert: they’ll be on the DH checklist as effectively), with a right-handed bat in all probability their greater want. Not like the Phillies (under), they’re much less inclined so as to add payroll, however as one of many league’s youthful groups, they need to suppose when it comes to a number of years. Three righties who may very well be out there, the Rangers’ Adolis García, the Orioles’ Ramón Laureano, and the Angels’ Taylor Ward, every have one other yr of membership management remaining; the primary two shall be arbitration-eligible, the final has a $6.5 million choice. Pink Sox lefty Wilyer Abreu, who’s obtained another pre-arbitration season, gives much more upside and management however would require a higher return.
Phillies*
As famous in Wednesday’s installment, the Phillies rank twenty seventh within the majors in whole outfield WAR at 0.3, with left area the weakest of the three positions. Max Kepler spent the higher a part of a decade as a league-average hitter with a adequate glove to be a two-to-three-win proper fielder for the Twins, however final yr, he made two journeys to the IL and slipped to a 93 wRC+ and 0.9 WAR. The Phillies didn’t overcommit, signing him to a one-year, $10 million deal, however his offense has continued to lag. His 90 wRC+ (.210/.307/.371) is a profession low, and in his first style of left area — the better of the 2 corners — his -2 FRV is as effectively. Kepler’s common exit velocity is about 2 mph greater than final yr, along with his barrel price enhancing from 6.2% to 11.4%, and his hard-hit price from 36.6% to 44.8%, however he’s fallen 51 factors in need of his .412 xSLG.
Proper fielder Nick Castellanos wants no introduction to readers of this annual collection. 4 years right into a five-year, $100 million cope with the Phillies, his timing stays impeccable: he’s landed right here yearly. His offense isn’t utterly horrible for a change; his 107 wRC+ (.273/.313/.438) is in keeping with his ultimate 2022 and ’23 traces, and solely three factors shy of the most important league common for proper fielders. Alas, he’s a DH caught within the area as a result of the Phillies have already got a greater DH in Kyle Schwarber. Castellanos’ defensive metrics are on monitor to be his worst since 2018; after averaging -9 DRS and -12 FRV in his first three seasons in Philly, he’s at -14 DRS and -12 FRV with 66 video games to go.
The Phillies have lately given a little bit of taking part in time in left area to 25-year-old rookie Otto Kemp, an undrafted free agent who hit .313/.416/.594 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and is at .247/.316/.337 (86 wRC+) with a 28.6% strikeout price by 98 PA so far within the majors. Kemp has 30-grade contact abilities as a consequence of his issues with secondary stuff, and his protection at third base, his main place within the minors, is shaky. He may work because the brief half of a nook platoon, however the Phillies actually need so as to add a top quality bat. Abreu, García, and Ward every provide some firepower (not essentially with out flaws), whereas Benintendi and Sánchez would a minimum of increase the manufacturing ground.
Padres
The place have you ever gone, Jurickson Profar? A nation turns it’s lonely eyes to you… The departure of their 2024 left fielder left a gap that the Padres have tried to fill utilizing 10 totally different participant. The bygone platoon of Jason Heyward and Oscar Gonzalez wasn’t as much as the duty. What has labored currently, significantly on the offensive aspect, has been utilizing Gavin Sheets in left. The ex-White Sock has hit .265/.324/.451 (119 wRC+) in 44 video games at DH, 34 in left (with all however two of them coming since Could 25), and 12 at first base. Traditionally, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound lefty has been brutal in proper area (-23 DRS, -18 FRV in 1543 innings) however has been inside one run of common within the two metrics in 263 innings in left so far. He’s been gentle in opposition to lefties (96 wRC+, in comparison with 128 in opposition to righties), so he might use a platoon accomplice, significantly one who also can function a defensive substitute; neither Brandon Lockridge nor Bryce Johnson have proven themselves to be as much as the duty, however this shouldn’t be the toughest downside for A.J. Preller to resolve at deadline time.
Dodgers
Michael Conforto’s one-year, $17 million deal flew below the radar this previous winter given the staff’s fancier expenditures, however like these, the early returns aren’t too scorching. The 32-year-old Conforto has hit simply .184/.298/.322 (80 wRC+) with eight homers and subpar protection in left area (-3 DRS, -3 FRV). July is his first month with a wRC+ of a minimum of 100, albeit in simply 38 PA, and there’s no underlying batted ball pattern suggesting notable enchancment. Certainly, Conforto’s Statcast contact numbers, whereas nonetheless above common, are down relative to final season, and he’s lagging effectively behind each his .243 xBA and .421 xSLG, along with his 99-point shortfall in SLG the seventh-largest within the majors.
Whereas the Dodgers have alternate options in left, Enrique Hernández figures within the third base image with Max Muncy sidelined, and Andy Pages — whose 205 wRC+ in 44 PA is propping up the offensive numbers right here — is healthier utilized in heart or proper. One as-yet unexplored choice can be so as to add rookie Dalton Speeding to the combination. The 24-year-old backstop has hit simply .221/.293/.309 (73 wRC+) since debuting in mid-Could, however a weekly eating regimen of 10 PA can’t be serving to his trigger, and he does have 33 video games of minor league expertise in left.
It’s not inconceivable that the Dodgers minimize bait on Conforto, significantly if they’ve a roster crunch. However as long as their offense is scoring a significant league-high 5.33 runs per recreation, the matter is much less pressing than their perennial want for pitching amid so many accidents.
Astros
The Astros haven’t fully buried the Jose Altuve experiment but, however the 35-year-old star has began simply two of Houston’s final 19 video games in left (and 39 total) in comparison with 4 at designated hitter and 13 at second base. His offense (.277/.336/.465, 121 wRC+) has been tremendous, however his protection on the new place has been brutal (-8 DRS, -4 FRV in 325 innings), and it’s been no picnic at second both (-3 DRS, 0 FRV in 263 innings). His finest place today might be DH, and with Yordan Alvarez sidelined as a consequence of irritation in his proper hand with no clear return date, that choice is a minimum of open.
Of the eight different Astros who’ve performed left, the perfect on either side of the ball has been Mauricio Dubón, who’s made extra begins at second than left (29 versus 5) whereas additionally filling in at shortstop (the place he’s helped to cowl for the lack of Jeremy Peña to a damaged rib), third, and the opposite two outfield spots. He’s hitting a relatively sturdy .255/.292/.415 (96 wRC+) total and is, after all, a greater defender than Altuve at both submit, however he belongs at a place the place he can finest make the most of these defensive abilities. The Astro who’d advantage a better look is Zach Dezenzo, however the 6-foot-5, 220-pound rookie was lately transferred to the 60-day IL whereas recovering from a capsule pressure in his left hand. He’s simply 6-for-47 whereas taking part in left however is hitting .245/.321/.367 (96 wRC+), with a 16.4% barrel price and a .440 xSLG offsetting his 33.9% strikeout price. He’s eligible to return in August, so the Astros might push ahead with their present jumble and hope he can assist later. Nonetheless, with apologies to Cooper Hummel, Taylor Trammell, et al, this staff wants a garden-variety left fielder who can hit a lick and catch the ball.
Diamondbacks
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is now in his third season as Arizona’s left fielder. Whereas his .251/.299/.421 slashline represents drops of 28 factors of AVG, 23 factors of OBP, and 14 factors of SLG relative to final yr — for a 10-point drop in wRC+ (from 108 to 98) — his common exit velocity, barrel price, and hard-hit price are just about unchanged, and his xBA, xSLG, and xwOBA have solely fallen by six or seven factors. Apart from a 4.5-percentage level drop in strikeout price, leading to extra batted balls, nothing’s actually modified for him on the offensive aspect. He’s on this checklist due to a little bit of unhealthy luck right here and a dip in defensive metrics there (from 3 DRS to -6, and from 1 FRV to -2), however he’ll in all probability stay the on a regular basis left fielder except the Diamondbacks filter out some outfield depth and minimize wage forward of the commerce deadline — by which case he might wind up with one other staff on this checklist.
Guardians
Initially drafted and developed by the Guardians, Nolan Jones made 4 Prime 100 Prospects lists (2019–22) earlier than being traded to the Rockies in November 2022. Following a robust rookie season in Colorado (20 homers, 20 steals, 137 wRC+, 3.7 WAR), he battled accidents — most notably a decrease again pressure — and struggled in 2024, hitting simply .227/.321/.320 (69 wRC+) with three homers. The Guardians reacquired him in March and have usually began him in opposition to righties both in proper (45 instances) or heart (12 instances), with 9 begins in opposition to lefties unfold throughout the three outfield positions. Sadly, the lefty-swinging 27-year-old’s offense hasn’t returned; he’s batting simply .229/.319/.330 (87 wRC+), although as famous within the heart area installment, he’s hitting the ball tougher than these outcomes recommend, with a 91.5-mph common exit velocity (3.3 mph greater than final yr), an 8% barrel price, and a 46.3% hard-hit price. He’s minimize his groundball price, is pulling the ball extra usually, and has even shaved his strikeout price to 26.5%. The 95-point hole between his .425 xSLG and his precise mark is tied for the majors’ ninth-largest.
Jones might use some higher luck and a greater supporting solid. Jhonkensy Noel plummeted from final yr’s 118 wRC+ to zero — sure, a 0 wRC+ — with a .140/.162/.215 slashline, incomes him a ticket again to Triple-A Columbus. Present platoon accomplice Johnathan Rodríguez has been solely barely higher (.140/.189/.220, 12 wRC+). Given their 46–49 report and different hassle spots (together with shortstop and heart area), the Guardians might wind up promoting or holding, however one commerce candidate who would make sense is Laureano, who spent elements of 2023 and ’24 with the staff. The Guardians did launch him final Could, however his 135 wRC+ for the Braves and Orioles since then suggests he’s value one other look.
Mariners
The early-April lack of beginning proper fielder Victor Robles to a fracture of the humeral head in his left shoulder value the Mariners a priceless catalyst. Luke Raley took over the place, however he strained his indirect in late April, missed seven weeks, and upon returning took over the lengthy half of a primary base platoon. Leody Taveras got here and went. Luckily for the Mariners, Dominic Canzone arrived from Triple-A Tacoma and has roughly saved the day. The 27-year-old lefty, who’s closed up his stance considerably and is swinging the bat tougher, has hit a scorching .319/.340/.564 (158 wRC+) in 97 PA. Sure, he’s chasing almost 38% of pitches exterior the zone and strolling simply 3.1% of the time, however he’s additionally barreling the ball 15.6% of the time, and each his .300 xBA and .564 xSLG are in keeping with his precise numbers. He’ll cool off ultimately, however presently this doesn’t seem like a significant issue for the Mariners, and there’s nonetheless hope that Robles can return in September to supply help.
Cardinals
Jordan Walker entered the 2023 season as a 60-FV prospect ranked no. 12 on our Prime 100 checklist, however in elements of three seasons, he’s produced diminishing returns, together with a meager .210/.267/.295 (60 wRC+) with a 33% strikeout price in 191 PA this season. He’s been largely absent from the lineup since late Could, first lacking a few weeks as a consequence of irritation in his left wrist, then enduring a bout of appendicitis in late June. Whereas on his newest rehab task, the Cardinals are once more tinkering along with his swing, however to date, he’s gone simply 7-for-46, albeit with 5 extra-base hits, at Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis.
Walker’s nonetheless simply 23, nevertheless it’s truthful to marvel if he’ll ever reside as much as that lofty prospect billing, a minimum of in St. Louis. The excellent news for the Cardinals is that Alec Burleson has taken over proper area and completely raked, hitting .333/.374/.592 (158 wRC+) in 138 PA. General, the 26-year-old lefty has hit .293/.340/.466 (125 wRC+), although he might use a platoon accomplice; he has a profession 52 wRC+ in opposition to southpaws.
Twins
Matt Wallner can mash. In 2023 and ’24 mixed, he hit .254/.371/.515 (148 wRC+) with 27 homers in 515 PA for the Twins, even whereas hanging out a whopping 34% of the time and spending chunks of each seasons in Triple-A. The Twins hoped that he might approximate that manufacturing throughout a full season, however a mid-April hamstring pressure curtailed his sturdy begin; he didn’t return till Could 31 and has managed only a 91 wRC+ since. His total line (.205/.299/.449, 107 wRC+ with 10 homers) in 41 video games in proper and 12 at DH charges as a disappointment. He’s getting below too many balls; his 21.8% infield fly ball price is the second-highest of any participant with a minimum of 150 PA. Trevor Larnach, who coated proper for a part of Wallner’s absence and has currently been sharing the job, has hit a modest .245/.311/.415 (102 wRC+) whereas taking part in 34 video games in proper plus one other 59 at DH and in left area. Willi Castro, the one different Twin with a minimum of 20 PA with no consideration fielder, has struggled in his time there (28 video games however simply 15 begins) however has hit for a 124 wRC+ total in his utility position.
Contemplating that is now the fifth place at which the Twins have made a Killers checklist, it’s clear they’ll have to resolve some issues from inside with a view to problem for a playoff spot. Regardless of his struggles, Wallner’s latest monitor report gives extra cause for optimism than, say, Ty France at first base.
