Why Marlins Outfield Will Be One of the Best in 2015

The Miami Marlins have high expectations for the 2015 season. Last season, the Marlins surprised many around baseball, as they flirted with the Wild Card spot many times during the season. They did this with no one thinking they would stand a chance being a playoff team. Next season is kind of the opposite. Miami has high expectations for the 2015 season and has been regarded as a playoff team, with the flury of moves that have been made so far this off-season. One of the most interesting and exciting parts of this young Marlins team is their outfield, which was rated number one in the MLB this past season.

-BEST OUTFIELD IN MLB-

In order for the Marlins to be an intriguing contender next season, their outfield will be a huge part in achieving that goal. Covering the big gaps at Marlins Park, consists of left-fielder Christian Yelich, center-fielder Marcell Ozuna, and right-fielder Giancarlo Stanton. Christian Yelich hit .284 with 9 homeruns and 54 runs driven in last year.  He had a .362 OBP as he increased his walk rate from 2013. In addition, he lowered his strikeout rate. He stole 21 bases, most on the team, and posted a 3.6 WAR. Yelich won his first career gold glove last season achieving a .996 fielding percentage, and committing only one error all season.

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Marcell Ozuna was the biggest surprise among the outfielders. Ozuna hit .269 banging 23 homers and driving in 85. Although Ozuna’s strikeout rate was a bit high in 2014, if he can improve his average a bit in 2015, Ozuna can turn into a really good dynamic outfielder. He posted a 4.4 WAR, and his defense was very impressive throught the year. Ozuna’s strong arm got him 8 outfield assists and had a .985 fielding percentage playing 140 games in center. You could even give Ozuna a couple of saves, as he saved the Marlins a couple of times last season, throwing out runners in close ball games.

Last but not least, the face of the franchise and the Marlins right-fielder Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton who finished second in the NL MVP voting this past season had a year to be remembered. Stanton kept a high average of .288 knocking 37 out of the park and driving in 105. Stanton is prone to the strikeout as he struck out 170 times but he did improve his overall walk rate, as he was a lot more selective at the plate. Stanton posted a 6.5 WAR and a .555 slugging. Stanton’s defense also improved tremendously, improving his fielding percentage by 14 points as he achieved a .982. He had 7 outfield assists and had many runs saved with diving catches in the outfield.

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The Marlins outfield together had an MLB best 8.1WAR and a combined 2.1 defensive WAR. If they can post similar to better numbers next year, the Marlins can have the best outfield in the majors for many consecutive seasons. The Padres have acquired a very nice outfield group in Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, and Will Myers, and you can bet that group will be among one of the top outfielders around baseball. As for Miami, If the 23-year-old in left, the 24-year-old in center, and the 25-year-old in right can post good offensive and defensive numbers, that will not only make them the best outfield group in the game, but it will help out their team overall, in an attempt to be a World Series contender.

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