Who AL Central LF is the best in the division?
By Brett Pnazek
Alex Gordon (Kansas City Royals)
Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon hits a single and advances to third on an error against the San Francisco Giants in the 9th inning during game seven of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
2014 Stats
Batting Average – .266
Home Runs – 19
Runs Batted In – 74
Stolen Bases – 12
Offensive WAR – 3.4
Defensive WAR – 2.6
Gordon may never be the player that the scouts thought he would be when he first made it to the majors but he’s gone from the bust talk to an All-Star capable player.
His numbers from 2014 were solid. He has pop and can steal the occasional base, and though he may never be a .300 hitter, I think he can get up to .280. Gordon is the oldest starting left fielder in the division but even at age 31 is still in his prime.
He is the most well rounded player when looking at his metrics. He is the best defensive player of the group.
Gordon, like Cespedes, has a cannon for an arm and will make runners think twice before testing it. On the offensive side he performs at starter like level and has made the All-Star game the past two years as well as winning a Gold Glove.
With a player option at the end of this year he could be in his walk year. This shouldn’t affect his season outlook, but it does slightly raise his chance of being traded if the Royals are out of it come July. If they keep him then he’s starting in left for the entire year and remains a cornerstone of their franchise.
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