Top 5 outfielders in Blue Jays franchise history by WAR

The Blue Jays have had a wide variety of outfield talent since their inception in 1977. In a position that sees the speediest and most powerful players in the game, the Jays have given fans an array of baseball's best. Jose Bautista gave the team big time power, while others such as Jesse Barfield accumulated value through shifty defense. All of these players not only had impressive careers, but made a big impact on the team during their tenure. Some are remembered for game-changing hits, some are remembered for that "one catch". Regardless, the Jays wouldn't be the ball club they are today without these five players.

This article will use FanGraphs' version of Wins Above Replacement (fWAR) to create a proper all-time ranking of Jays' outfielders. While many of these players saw success with teams outside of the Jays, this list will only consider contributions with the Blue Jays. Only statistics from when these players were Jays will be used. Therefore, although a Hall of Famer, players such a Fred McGriff and George Bell ultimately fall short, as much of their careers were spent with other teams.

This list will also only consider primary outfielders. The players on this list saw the majority, if not all, of their playing time in the outfield. Blue Jays legend Carlos Delgado ranks second all-time in WAR with the Jays and saw occasional time in the outfield, but must be omitted since he was primarily a 1B/DH.

Now, without further delay, let's travel up the Jays' CN Tower of outfielders and dive into the team's all-time best.

5. Devon White (20.9 fWAR)

Devon White came up with the California Angels in 1985 as a speedy, yet powerful center fielder. While he played less than 50 games in 1985-86, he started receiving regular player time in 1987, playing 159 games. White would eventually break out in 1989, where he received an All-Star appearance and Gold Glove award. White joined the Jays in the offseason of 1990 as part of a five-player trade and would see his best years with the club. He played for the Blue Jays for five seasons and in that time slashed .270/.327/.432 with 72 home runs.

White was also an extremely good baserunner, stealing 126 bags in his tenure with the Jays. While solid with the bat and cleats, White was arguably better with the glove, earning a Gold Glove each year he was with the Jays. His most famous moment with the Jays came in Game 3 of the 1992 World Series where he made a leaping-grab that nearly culminated in a triple-play known as "the catch".

White was an extremely important piece to the Jays' playoff dynasty of the 90's, completing the deadly outfield of RBI-machine Joe Carter and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson in 1993. White's best year arguably came in 1991 on the cusp of the Jays' first championship, where he slashed .282/.342/.455 with 17 home runs and stole 33 bases. Including his stellar defense, White was able to accumulate 6.4 fWAR and placed 16th in MVP voting for his efforts. White later saw another impressive year in 1993, receiving once again an All-Star nod and Gold Glove award. Although White was never the best the Jays had to offer, his presence undoubtedly helped propel the club to back-to-back championships in 1992-1993.

4. Lloyd Moseby (24.6 fWAR)

Lloyd Moseby was an important part of the Jays' emergence into the major leagues in the 1980s. He, along with other names such as Jesse Barfield and Dave Steib helped propel the Jays from a struggling newcomer to division-champions in 1985. Moseby came up with the Jays in 1980 and although he struggled his first few years, the center fielder found his stride in 1983, earning his first Silver Slugger award. Moseby would spend ten years with the Jays before retiring with the Detroit Tigers in 1991. Moseby's combination of a contact-forward approach combined with solid defense and baserunning helped cement his name among the Blue Jays' all time greats.

Moseby's best year came arguably the year after he broke out, in 1984. On the cusp of their first division title, Moseby delivered the Jays an all-around strong year, accumulating a career high 6.9 fWAR. While Moseby wasn't at his ultimate peak offensively, he was still very solid, slashing .280/.368.470 with 18 home runs and 92 RBI.

1984 was a career year for Moseby because this is when he truly started hitting strides in both defense and baserunning. He stole a career-high 37 bases and hit an incredible 15 triples. He propelled his Defense Runs Saved into double digits, accumulating 20, more than defensive-wizard Kevin Kiermaier in 2023. Moseby did go on to receive MVP votes in '84, but was ultimately snubbed, finishing only 22nd. Moseby had another solid season in 1986, earning his first All-Star apperance and would go on to finish with over 200 SBs and 50 triples before moving to Detroit.

3. Vernon Wells (24.8 fWAR)

Narrowly beating out Moseby is 2000s center fielder Vernon Wells. Wells came at an interesting time in the Jays franchise, as they slowly rebuilt from the legacy team of the 90s. He was a highly-touted prospect in the 90s and was ultimately selected 5th overall in the 1997 Draft.

Wells spent a few seasons from 1999-2001 between the majors and minors before playing a full season in 2002. Wells had a decent rookie year, hitting for over 20 home runs with 100 RBI, but ultimately broke out in the following season in 2003. Wells would go onto play for the Jays for about seven more years before spending brief stints with the Angels and Yankees.

Wells was overall a strong player, but best remembered for his power. His best year argubaly came in his breakout season where he slashed a strong .317/.359/.550, good for a 133 wRC+. Wells complemented this with 33 homers, 117 RBI and a league-leading 49 doubles. Wells would go on to not only become an All-Star this year, but finish with a Silver Slugger award and top-ten MVP finish.

As Wells progressed with the Jays, he maintained his power but also improved his defense, earning three consecutive Gold Gloves from 2004-2006. Wells would go onto sign a back-loaded extension with the Jays in 2007 before being traded in the 2011 offseason to the Angels. By the time Wells completed his tenure with the Jays, he had over 220 homers and three All-Star appearances and, as mentioned, three Gold Glove awards.

1. Jose Bautista (36.2 fWAR)

And, without a shred of doubt, the No. 1 position belongs to Jose Bautista. What can be said about Bautista that you don't already know? He was an absolute force with his time with Jays, leading the team to its big playoff pushes in the 2010s.

Bautista came up with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2004 as a relatively unknown, low-expectation outfielder from Dominican Republic. Bautista would go on to to bounce around four teams in 2004 before once again settling with the Pirates. Bautista would be traded to the Jays in 2008 after two very average seasons, never eclipsing a 100 wRC+. In Toronto, coaches realized Bautista was starting his swing too late and needed to load quicker. This small mechanical adjustment would propel Bautista into stardom, as he went on to be a 6x consecutive All-Star and 3x Silver Slugger.

While Bautista was never an excellent defender or baserunner, his offensive capabilities at his peak were truly in a league of their own. He broke out with the Blue Jays in 2010 when he hit a league high 54 home runs, along with 124 RBI and 100 walks. He slashed a mighty .260/.378/.617, too, which not only helped him land fourth in MVP voting that year, but his first Silver Slugger award.

Bautista's career year would arguably come a year later in 2011, where he truly refined his game. 2011 was the year Bautista found the perfect combination of power, patience and contact. Bautista once again led the league in home runs with 43, also leading the league in walks with 132 and OPS (1.056). He slashed .302/.447/.608, good for a staggering wRC+ of 180.

While these two years were memorable in their own way, Bautista's best moment as a Jay came in Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS, in a moment known as the "bat flip". After trailing for most of the game, Bautista hammered a 3-run go-ahead home run in the 7th against Sam Dyson, where he would majestically flip his bat, crowning the Jays as ALDS champs. This bat flip would start a heated rivalry between the Jays and Rangers that would culminate in a famous brawl between Bautista and Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor. Although Bautista couldn't (technically) retire as a Jay, fans will always remember not only the bad boy persona, but immense offensive talent he provided the club.