Left field can be a tough position to evaluate, especially since it’s a position that lacks in terms of strong defenders. However, the current crop of Major League left fielders include some of the best hitters found across the game right now. Here’s our list of the 10 best left fielders in MLB heading into 2025.
10. Tyler O’Neill
We’ll start out list with Tyler O’Neill, who beats out the likes of Spencer Steer and Jurickson Profar for the #10 spot. When healthy, O’Neill can change the game with his bat — as he’s done in the past. The 29-year-old hit 31 home runs last season for the Red Sox in only 113 games. The Canadian has plus pop and speed, even though he doesn’t use the latter much to steal bases.
There are, however, holes in O’Neill’s game. One is defense, as the new Oriole — who signed a three-year pact with Baltimore in December — isn’t a plus fielder. O’Neill had a -4 Outs Above Average (OAA) per Statcast, rating him to have below-average range despite great speed. The other issue is health. The 29-year-old has played 100+ games in a single season twice in his seven-year career.
9. Christian Yelich
Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is years removed from his MVP days. However, Yelich is still a very valuable bat. The 33-year-old made the All-Star Game for the first time in five years in 2024, thanks to a first half that saw him hit .326/.412/.521 with 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases. However, Milwaukee didn’t have Yelich for the second half. He made only 13 appearances at the plate before a back injury ended his campaign.
Back problems have nagged Yelich for years. But when he’s healthy, Yelich’s smooth approach allows him to make hard contact, as well as not do too much when needed.
8. Randy Arozarena
Slugging outfielder Randy Arozarena saw his Whiff% tick up almost a full percent more in 2024 and posted the worst average (.219) of his career. Still, it was a productive year for Arozarena, who went to Seattle midseason. The 29-year-old barely got to the 20-20 marker in 2024, with exactly 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. It marked the fourth-straight season he achieved the accomplishment.
Like many left fielders, Arozarena — despite highlight-reel plays in the past — isn’t a plus defender at the position by any means. His -7 Outs Above Average ranked well below the league-average.
7. Ian Happ
Cubs outfielder Ian Happ has been a steady presence atop the Chicago lineup for years. That continued in 2024, as Happ tied a career-best in home runs (25), accrued an on-base percentage of .341, and stole 13 bases. It was yet another strong year for the 30-year-old, who sat fourth in total home runs (46) and runs scored (175) among left fielders from 2023-24.
Defensively, Happ has cornered the market on the NL Gold Glove for that position. The Cub won the award three straight seasons, from 2022-24. He’s not a plus defender in left, despite the accolades. However, he does have good speed and arm strength, both of which are good assets for the outfield.
6. Bryan Reynolds
Among left fielders (min. 40% GP) between 2023-24, Bryan Reynolds finished second in home runs (48), one better than Brandon Nimmo of the Mets. It’s not the only stat he finished at or near the top for the position. Reynolds tied for first in hits (422) with another Met on this list, and fourth in SLG (.453) with a minimum of 900 plate appearances.
Reynolds fits significantly better in left, despite good overall speed. However, the -9 Outs Above Average in the position last season was a major blemish on what was a strong overall year for the Pirate offensively. Reynolds hit 24 home runs, the fourth-straight season he hit that number.
5. Steven Kwan
Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan has been critical to Cleveland’s success over the last three seasons, because of both his bat and glove. No, Kwan doesn’t hit for much power. Among left fielders with 900+ PA from 2023-24, Kwan has the fourth-lowest SLG (.394). On the other hand, Kwan has the fourth-highest OBP (.352), thanks to his ability to make contact. That’s allowed the left fielder to pick up the third-most hits (311) among players at the position.
For a position that puts less emphasis on defense, Kwan stands out from the rest. The Guardians outfielder recorded the best OAA (+13) among left fielders from 2023-24, one point better than Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho. Kwan’s prowess has helped him win three straight AL Gold Gloves.
4. Jarren Duran
Perhaps the player who took the biggest jump in the outfielder food chain last season was Jarren Duran. A hitting machine in college & the Minors, Duran struggled to find his footing defensively over the early course of his MLB career. However, the bat always intrigued. Duran made good on those expecations in 2024, with a .834 OPS and 330 total bases, eight-best in baseball.
Duran set career-bests in virtually every hitting category last season. He played mostly at center field but also a healthy chunk (83 GP, 71 GS) in left. The 28-year-old could see considerably more time in left over the coming years, given the Red Sox’s organizational depth chart.
3. Teoscar Hernandez
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez took a one-year deal last winter with Los Angeles, joining a loaded lineup. While Hernandez, a hard-hit machine, didn’t land a major deal, he did head to a team that would provide him significant protection in the lineup. Hernandez benefitted greatly from said protection, hitting a career-high 33 home runs. a .840 OPS, and solidifying the Dodgers’ outfield.
Hernandez re-signed with the Dodgers this winter, keeping the top-half of their World Series-winning lineup in tact. It was a smart bet, given Hernandez’s past production and ability to even out the left-handed bats. The 32-year-old hit 25+ home runs every year from 2021-24.
2. Yordan Alvarez
Despite his defensive inefficiences, Yordan Alvarez has to make this list. Over the last two seasons, only two players in baseball — Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge — had a higher cumulative OPS than Alvarez (.973). The Astros slugger is a generational bat, one who routinely works his way on base and is a plus-plus power hitter. Alvarez hit 30+ home runs each of the last four years.
Defensively, Alvarez is a below-average runner out in left. The only reason why the Astros can get away with Alvarez playing left is because of Daikin Park’s (fka Minute Maid Park) short left field porch. Last season, Alvarez played 53 games in left field for Houston.
1. Juan Soto
The top spot on the list goes to Juan Soto, now the richest man in all of Major League Baseball. Soto signed a record-breaking 15-year, $765MM deal in December, giving the Mets a Hall of Fame-caliber player. Last season with the Yankees, Soto hit a career-high 41 home runs for the AL champions and ranked in the top 10% in virtually every advanced metric.
The active leader in on-base percentage (.421), very few hitters have been able to put numbers similar to Soto — and that number can be counted on one hand. However, arguably the biggest hole in Soto’s game is his defense. He posted a -5 OAA last year, playing largely in right field because of Yankee Stadium’s quirks. However, Soto — who played left with the Padres and most of his games from 2023-24 — profiles best as a left fielder/DH.
Make sure to check out our power rankings of the best shortstops and third basemen heading into 2025.