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Washington Nationals: Is Bryce Harper The Best Right Fielder In NL East?

By Ricky Keeler

Aug 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits an RBI double and the go ahead run in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Nationals defeated the Rockies 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits an RBI double and the go ahead run in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Nationals defeated the Rockies 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders (21) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Michael Saunders (PHI)

2016 Stats: .253/.338/.478, 24 home runs, 57 RBI’s, 70 runs scored in 140 games

Back in January, the Phillies signed Saunders to a one-year, $11 million deal to be the team’s new starting right fielder. Saunders had a career-high home run total last season. However, out of his 24 home runs, only eight of them occurred with men on base.

Saunders does have the ability to play all three outfield positions, but he will be the right fielder in Philadelphia with Odubel Herrera in center field and Howie Kendrick in left. Last season, the 30-year-old played 22 games in right for the Toronto Blue Jays, but most of his playing time was in left field.

While Saunders showed a lot of power, he did struggle down the stretch for Toronto. In the second half of the season, he hit .178 with eight home runs and 15 RBI’s. This was after a first half of the season where he hit .298 with 16 home runs and was on the American League All-Star team.

Defensively, Saunders has struggled from a sabermetric position at either corner spot in the outfield. According to Fangraphs, he combined for -11 runs saved last season at left and right field.

The question will be whether or not Saunders will finish the season with the Phillies. If Philadelphia is out of contention by July 31, they could trade Saunders and open up that spot for either Aaron Altherr or prospect Nick Williams (should start the year in triple-A).

Since Saunders will be playing in a hitter’s friendly ballpark, the power should stay the same as it did when his home park was the Rogers Centre last season. He will be good for the Phillies because it brings a veteran bat to their lineup.

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