AL Central Rankings: Who is the No. 1 centerfielder?
By Brett Pnazek
No. 4: Michael Bourn (Cleveland Indians)
Mar 10, 2015; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Bourn against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training baseball game at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2014 Stats
Batting Average: .257
Home Runs: 3
Runs Batted In: 28
Steals: 10
oWAR: 1.5
dWAR: -.2
The upside with Bourn is still there, but at age 32, one has to ask how his legs will hold up.
After managing to play in only 106 games last year, he’ll look to increase that number closer to 130 games. He’s only played 130 games or more in only six of the 10 seasons where he was expected to be a full-time player.
If healthy, the stolen base potential is 30-plus, and he can lead the league in triples, something he did last year in limited time.
Bourn was slightly below average on the offensive side of WAR, and that was due to him producing enough when he was healthy.
He doesn’t have much of an arm, and injuries have limited his range. However, he has been a positive dWAR player for the majority of his career, with above-average years mixed in, so he is far from a liability.
Bourn’s biggest obstacle is himself. If he can avoid the injury bug, especially those to his legs, he can rebound nicely. He does have upsides this year, and while he may never be at an All-Star caliber level again, he can provide a spark to the offense.
Next: No. 3: The Incumbent