NL East Preview: Left Field

Left field is an interesting position in the National League. The position has a lot of talent, some of that is unproven, and some of it has been proven in the past, but will be tested once again in the 2012 season.

Here is a glimpse of the starting left fielders for each NL East team in 2012.

• Atlanta Braves: Martin Prado
• Miami Marlins: Logan Morrison
• New York Mets: Jason Bay
• Philadelphia Phillies: John Mayberry
• Washington Nationals: Michael Morse

 Martin Prado

Logan Morrison

Jason Bay

John Mayberry

Michael Morse

According to these projections, we can draw this:

1. Martin Prado
2. Logan Morrison
3. Michael Morse
4. John Mayberry
5. Jason Bay

Unlike the other positions we have looked at thus far, left field is the position that is the most unclear. My rankings have Prado first, but do not be suprised if this list somehow gets flipped upside down. A lot of uncertainties involved with this position. As I have stated in the past, the Marlins will not get full value out of Logan Morrison in left field. The same holds true with Michael Morse and the Nationals. John Mayberry is expected to be holding down left field as a stop-gap guy until Domonic Brown is ready for the big leagues. Martin Prado is also a former second/third baseman that has been moved to left field. Overall, most players in the NL East are converts from another position to an unnatural left field.