Toronto Blue Jays 2018 Outfield Depth Chart

What are the Blue Jays going to do with this many outfielders? This thought has stayed on the minds of many Jays fans over the past few weeks. With the additions of Randal Grichuk and Curtis Granderson, the Blue Jays have five outfielders that have significant major league service time—not to mention the depth in upper-level minors.

The following article will at least try to explain how this surplus of outfielders might be used in the Jays outfield in the impending 2018 season. As a disclaimer, the outfield candidates being ranked will be limited to Kevin Pillar, Randal Grichuk, Curtis Granderson, Steve Pearce, Ezequiel Carrera, and Teoscar Hernandez, as I see these as the only ones to have a legitimate shot for an outfield position coming out of spring training.  Anthony Alford, Dwight Smith, and Dalton Pompey all have strong cases to make the team later, though.

Outfield Ranking:

All of these players project to have a mediocre to slightly above average season. Although we all can dream, the Jays did not acquire big-name outfield threats such as Lorenzo Cain, Giancarlo Stanton, or Christain Yelich. It is also a safe assumption that J.D. Martinez is off the board, as well.

Without further ado, the 2018 Toronto Blue Jays outfield depth chart:

1. Randal Grichuk
2. Kevin Pillar
3. Curtis Granderson
4. Steve Pearce
5. Teoscar Hernandez
6. Ezequiel Carrera

Randal Grichuk:

In 122 games last year, Grichuk held a .238/.285/.473 slash line with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs. Currently, steamer projects Grichuk to hold a slightly better slash at .241/.293/.487, hit 25 home runs, and hold a .325 wOBA. However, with increased playing time and a solidified outfield role, Grichuk could gain the confidence needed to outperform these expectations, which is something I expect to happen.

Defensively, Grichuk has proven to be versatile and capable. It is also intriguing that last year, despite playing the most time in left field, his best numbers were in right field—the spot he should fill with the Blue Jays. Last year, while playing 55 games in right field, Grichuk held a .991 fielding percentage, committed just one error, added 3 outfield assists, and was worth 2 Rdrs. Expanded over 140 games, this would add up to a .990 fielding percentage, 2.5 errors, and 7.6 outfield assists. Rounding up, 8 outfield assists would have been just one off of tying for 4^th in the league with Giancarlo Stanton and Hunter Renfroe.

Kevin Pillar:

Despite his April offensive outburst last year, expect Pillar to go back to his old numbers this year. However, perhaps without the pressure of leading off, Pillar may make slight improvements on his offensive game. Really, though, unless he improves his eye at the plate, he’ll never be much of an offensive threat. Projected at .269/.312/.412 with a 26/79 strikeout to walk ratio, Pillar projects to have yet another classic Pillar offensive year—nothing flashy but nothing that will really, badly hurt the team, either.

A perennial gold glove award snub, Pillar will undoubtedly keep his spectacular defensive play in 2018. This is where most of the value of Pillar is found. Holding a .997 fielding percentage, adding 8 assists, committing just one error, and worth 15 Rdrs, Pillar’s defensive numbers speak for themselves. As well, entering just his age 29 season, there shouldn’t be any worry about regression, yet.

Curtis Granderson:

Entering his age 37 season, Curtis Granderson will not be the same offensive threat that he used to be. However, in a platoon role, Granderson may receive the rest that he needs to maintain his offensive ability. Currently projected at a .239/.340/.450 and an offensive runs above average of 4.5, Granderson will be more than serviceable in left field. His down year last year likely can be attributed to a tough year for the Mets, being asked to play too often, and being traded across the country mid-way through the season.

Granderson’s defensive numbers are worrisome. Advertised as a defensive upgrade from the likes of Steve Pearce and Ezequiel Carrera, the numbers show just how low of a bar that is. Holding a good .991 fielding percentage across all outfield positions, the concern in Granderson’s defensive game comes from Rdrs. Granderson was a -4 Rdrs last year. For reference, that is only 1 Rdrs better than the supposed defensive liability J.D. Martinez.

Steve Pearce:

The other half of the left-field platoon, Steve Pearce may benefit from a season of better health. However, there are no guarantees this will hold up. Pearce didn’t hurt the team offensively last year but he didn’t add very much. In 2018 he is projected to have a .787 OPS with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs. These numbers do not inspire much confidence. However, left field is upgraded as a platoon. Therefore, a platoon of Pearce/Granderson already looks better than a Pearce/Carrera platoon.

If Curtis Granderson was defensively worrisome, Steve Pearce is a defensive nightmare. Truly an infielder by trade and an outfielder by necessity, Pearce is a liability on the defensive side of the game. For Toronto last year, Pearce had assists and errors equal at two and held a .985 fielding percentage. However, as anybody who has seen Pearce play left field could tell you, these stats are misleading. The speed is simply not there to play an effective defensive left field. This fact is evident in the -6 Rdrs that Pearce was worth in just 85 games in the outfield last year.