AL Central: Who is the top right fielder?
By Brett Pnazek
No. 3: Torii Hunter (Minnesota Twins)
Mar 3, 2015; Ft. Myers, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Torii Hunter (48) poses during photo day at Hammond Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
2014 Stats
Batting Average: .286
Home Runs: 17
Runs Batted In: 83
Steals: 4
Offensive Wins Above Replacement: 2.2
Defensive Wins Above Replacement: -2.4
Hunter is the oldest member of this group and comes in third.
It’s my opinion that while he posted the second best offensive numbers of this group, he was protected by two of the best hitters in baseball last year and his numbers were a tad inflated.
This year I expect a drop off as he goes to the Twins where he doesn’t have that protection. However, one must still be impressed by how he can still perform at a high level at the age of 39.
Defensively, he can no longer perform at the level we saw 10-15 years ago and is the worst defender of this group.
Hunter returns to the Twin Cities to likely end his career with the team he started with. If Hunter can replicate the numbers he posted last year that would be very surprising, but his veteran presence will help the youngsters on this team. I don’t think they’ll do anything to remove him from the lineup as the team isn’t in a win now mode so his job is virtually safe.
Next: No. 2: The Royals New Guy