AL Central: Who is the top right fielder?

Aug 22, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia (26) bats against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Right field is the weakest outfield position of the three in the AL Central. In comparison if any of the top three left fielders were on this list they’d be first here.

This is a position filled with questions about decline in Alex Rios, upside in Avisail Garcia, injury concerns in Brandon Moss, ability to repeat last year in J.D. Martinez and whether age catches up in Torii Hunter.

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In determining the rankings we will take a look at their 2014 stats in average, home runs, runs batted in, and steals. Analytically we will use their Offensive Wins Above Replacment(OWar) and Defensive Wins Above Replacement(DWar) as well.

Lastly, job security and season outlook also need to be taken into consideration in determining how safe their job is.

Next: #5: The Unproven High Upside Talent

Sep 3, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia (26) hits a double in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: Avisail Garcia (Chicago White Sox)

2014 Stats

Batting Average: .244

Home Runs: 7

Runs Batted In: 29

Steals: 4

Offensive Wins Above Replacement: .6

Defensive Wins Above Replacement: -1.2

Garcia is the least proven of the five guys on this list. He only played in 46 games last year and still has less than a full season under his belt despite being in the majors for three seasons. With that said he is a great unknown. He has shown some pop, but whether or not the plate discipline is there remains to be seen. If he can stay healthy for a full season he could bring more excitement to the White Sox offense.

His metrics are not great by any means, and part of that is due to his lack of playing. As mentioned earlier he shows promise as an offensive weapon but he’ll be average at best on defense. With so little experience it is tough to rely solely on the metrics.

As long as his health remains good Garcia will be the White Sox starting right fielder. He’ll be hitting in the lower half of the lineup so his opportunities will have to be created by those ahead of him. The downside is that he may be nothing more than another version of Dayan Viciedo or he could be a superstar in the making.

Either way he is No. 5 until he gets through a full season.

Next: No. 4: Cleveland's New Power Source?

No. 4: Brandon Moss (Cleveland Indians)

Feb 26, 2015; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Brandon Moss (44) poses during photo day at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

2014 Stats

Batting Average: .234

Home Runs: 25

Runs Batted In: 81

Steals: 1

Offensive Wins Above Replacement: 2.2

Defensive Wins Above Replacement: -.5

Moss spent last season with the Oakland A’s. While his batting average took another drop from 2012, he battled injuries but played through them.

He started 69 games in the outfield last year, so whether or not he can handle 162 games and remain healthy remains to be seen. The biggest question concerning him is if his off-season hip surgery sapped any of his power potential.

Moss is more than capable of putting up big power numbers offensively, but like the other guys on this list he average at best defensively. He will not be winning a Gold Glove but his offensive gains should outweigh the defensive liability.

Moss is being counted on to provide some pop to a Cleveland offense that was lacking it last year. He should be batting cleanup for the Indians and has some high OBP guys in front of him that should help him see better pitches.

I’d be surprised if he plays more than 150 games in the outfield and doesn’t spend some time at DH or First Base in order to help keep him healthy.

Next: No. 3: Spiderman Returns to the Twin Cities

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

No. 2: Alex Rios (Kansas City Royals)

Mar 4, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Alex Rios (15) hits an RBI double in the third inning during a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

2014 Stats

Batting Average: .280

Home Runs: 4

Runs Batted In: 54

Steals: 17

Offensive Wins Above Replacement: .8

Defensive Wins Above Replacement: -.8

Rios is No. 2 on the list and was under consideration for the top spot but his loss of power is troubling.

He managed only four home runs in Texas in a full season after hitting six in only 47 games the year before. He is still a good bet for a solid batting average and steal the occasional base as he did 21 times last year. Rios also fits in with the Royals as they lack home run power and rely more on small ball.

Rios is no different than the other guys on this list as he is a plus OWar and a negative DWar. He doesn’t have a strong arm which helps the negative rating. His range though is probably the best as he still has speed to cover more ground than the rest.

The Royals’ right fielder could bat anywhere from the two-spot to the six-spot in the lineup. If Rios shows that he has regained some of the pop it’s not inconceivable that he bats in the Top 3 of the lineup.  Rios signed a one-year contract this offseason with a mutual option for 2016. This means that if the Royals fall out of contention he’d be a viable candidate to be traded if his numbers are solid.

Next: No. 1: The Motown Reclamation Project