Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Los Angeles Has Sixth Best Outfield

FanGraphs is a fan of the Dodgers. It projects a 95-win 2017 campaign – good for a tie at the top of the National League and a seven-game cushion in the West. It also projects the Dodgers have one of the best outfields in the Majors.

The Dodgers have the sixth best outfield WAR, and fourth best in the NL, according to FanGraphs.



outfield-war

The Angels are far and away No. 1, almost exclusively because Mike Trout is generational. Miami boasts an impressive outfield when healthy: Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Ichiro Suzuki. If Miami can piece together a pitching staff, it could be playing meaningful games in September.

Boston and Pittsburgh are both impressive on paper. The Red Sox’s outfield is led by MVP runner-up Mookie Betts, while the Pirates have a lightning fast group highlighted by Andrew McCutchen, who has plenty of motivation to rebound in 2017. The same can be said for Bryce Harper, who is joined by Adam Eaton in an impressive Washington outfield.

Los Angeles has one spot secured in its outfield: Joc Pederson in center. The WAR projects an outstanding group effort from Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier, Andrew Toles, Scott Van Slyke and Trayce Thompson.

The outfield consists of solid, but flawed players. L.A. will have the ability to play any matchup, which likely contributed to the high ranking.

Offseason projections are often meaningless, though FanGraphs is one of the better sources. If 2017 plays out the way it’s been predicting, the Dodgers will be one of the World Series favorites again.

How will the Dodgers bullpen look come spring training?

Gabe Burns

Gabe Burns is an award-winning journalist. He serves as a reporter and editor at the DodgersNation news desk. He additionally works as editor-in-chief of The Spectator, Valdosta State University's student paper. Gabe's work has been featured on a number of platforms, including Draft Breakdown and Pro Football Spot. His byline has been cited in media such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. Aside from covering Dodgers baseball, Gabe enjoys watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando Magic and Tampa Bay Lightning. He can be followed on Twitter at @GabeBurns_DN.

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