New York Yankees: How do Yanks stack up against top AL contenders?
By Sean Dyer
Left Fielders
- Andrew Benintendi (BOS) – 4 points
- Brett Gardner (NYY) – 3 points
- Marwin Gonzalez (HOU) – 2 points
- Michael Brantley (CLE) – 1 point
After an impressive 34-game cameo in 2016, Andrew Benintendi proved he’s the real deal in 2017. Benintendi can do it all. He hit .271 with 20 home runs and 90 RBI. He also hit 26 doubles, scored 84 runs, and stole 20 bases. The former center fielder is also a very good defensive left fielder. If not for Aaron Judge’s ridiculous rookie campaign, Benintendi would have been the runaway winner of AL Rookie of the Year. The 23-year-old is on his way to becoming a star.
One could argue there’s nothing flashy about Brett Gardner, yet he’s always there when you need him. Even at 34 years old, Gardy is as good as ever. He hit .264 in 2017 (his best mark since 2013) with 21 home runs (a career high) and 63 RBI (second-most in his career). He’s not the 40+ base stealer he once was but Gardner still swiped 23 bags last season.
His defense is also as good as its ever been. The former center fielder won a Gold Glove in 2016 and was a finalist again in 2017. Perhaps most important for Gardner is his durability. He’s played at least 145 games in every season since 2013.
Marwin Gonzalez is a utility player who settled in as a left fielder for the Astros last season. Gonzalez has played a major league game at every position except pitcher and catcher. If Yuli Gurriel is healthy (meaning Gonzalez won’t have to fill in at first base), Marwin should be back out in left field this season.
Gonzalez had a breakout year in 2017, setting career highs in every major hitting category. The utility man hit .303 with 23 home runs and 90 RBI. His game-tying home run off Kenley Jansen in Game 2 of the World Series also played a big part in the Astros winning it all.
If it weren’t for injuries, Michael Brantley might be atop this list. Unfortunately, the former All-Star has been limited to just 101 games combined over the last two seasons. Brantley is a career .292 hitter with 10-15 home run potential, but he just can’t stay off the disabled list. Recovery from ankle surgery will force him to start the 2018 season on the DL as his injury struggles continue. Until he can consistently stay on the field, Brantley will remain at the bottom of this list.