Kansas City Royals Top Five left Fielders

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Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Left field, at least in the history of the Kansas City Royals, has been a bit of a mixed bag of success. While the Royals have never had a left fielder with more than 1000 plate appearances that has been worth a negative value for Wins Above Replacement, thirteen of their sixteen qualified left fielders all ranked as being in the single digits. Of the three that hit double figures, two of them were primarily center fielders who happened to appear in left occasionally.

Needless to say, there were not a lot of truly stellar players to make this list. However, that does not mean that these players did not make a major impact. In fact, several went on to excellent careers elsewhere; they just did not have the chance to make that type of an impact in Kansas City.

That may simply just be a matter of tenure instead of talent. While the Kansas City Royals had several players who stuck around at third, short, second and center, the same cannot be said for left. Although, if not for one tragic football injury, that may not have been the case.

Nonetheless, the list of the top five Royals is still an interesting look back through the history of the franchise. The same rules as with the previous lists, as the Fangraphs.com WAR category has been used as a guide. However, that does not mean that it will be the only determining factor.

As we conclude our rankings of the top five Kansas City Royals position players before moving on to the pitching staff, we hope that you enjoy this look back through history. As always, let us know who you think should have made this list, or if you feel someone should be rated higher!

Next: He just needed a chance

5. Emil Brown (2005-2007, 5.1 WAR)

Prior to the 2005 season, when Emil Brown became a virtually everyday player for the Kansas City Royals, he had appeared in all of 209 games over five seasons. Brown then spent from 2002 through 2004 in the minors and was a part of four different franchises. He seemed like nothing more than another signing by a franchise that was determined not to spend any money on talent.

However, Brown surprised during his three years in Kansas City. While he was not a superstar by any means, Brown was a solid offensive player, with a little power and some speed. In his time with the Royals, Brown produced a .279/.340/.428 batting line, hitting 38 home runs and stealing 28 bases.

Defensively, Emil Brown was also a solid player. During his 2007 campaign, Brown was third with seven assists as a left fielder, led the American League in double plays from left and was fourth with six runs saved in left. An equal opportunity defensive outfielder, Brown also saved five runs in right in 2007 as well.

Unfortunately, Brown only had one other season, 2008 with the A’s, where he played over 100 games. Having started out with the Pirates, and considering some of the teams they had in the end of the 1990’s through the early 2000’s, it is a bit of surprise that he did not get more of a chance. Yet, the Pirates loss was the Royals gain.

A signing that few likely expected anything from, Emil Brown was a solid player for the Kansas City Royals. One has to wonder what would have happened if he had a chance earlier in his career.

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Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Lou Piniella (1969-1973, 4.0 WAR)

If you are a sports memorabilia nerd like myself, then Lou Piniella is known primarily for being a player with three different Rookie Stars cards, with one each in 1964, 1968 and 1969. In fact, his 1968 card is shared with Richie Scheinblum, who would later end up as a teammate of Piniella’s on the Kansas City Royals.

While it took until the Royals inaugural season for Piniella to finally attempt to live up to that Rookie Star billing, he certainly seized his chance. In 1969, Piniella posted a .282/.325/.416 batting line, hitting eleven home runs and 21 doubles as he won the Rookie of the Year award. Piniella earned an All-Star nod in 1972, as he led the American League with 33 doubles. Overall for the Royals, Piniella posted a .286/.327/.404 batting line, hitting 45 home runs and 127 doubles.

Even though Lou Piniella may not have been a Gold Glove outfielder, he was certainly a solid defensive left fielder. He consistently ranked in the top five in putouts, assists and double plays in left, leading the American League with 267 putouts in 1969 and three double plays in left in 1973.

These days, Lou Piniella is remembered for his time as a manager. However, he was a truly solid player, and one of the better Kansas City Royals left fielders.

Next: A future coach or manager

Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

3. Raul Ibanez (2001-2003, 2014, 4.1 WAR)

Before he was signed last year to essentially be a player/coach for the Kansas City Royals, Raul Ibanez was a solid outfielder. Like Emil Brown, Ibanez never had a chance to be an every day player until he joined the Royals, and like Brown, he rewarded their faith in him.

In his first three seasons in Kansas City, Ibanez produced a .291/.347/.492 batting line, hitting 55 home runs and 81 doubles. His 2002 season, when Ibanez truly seized a starting job, was one of the best in his career, as he produced a .294/.346/.537 batting line with 24 home runs and 103 RBI, his first season of driving in 100+ runs.

Defensively, Raul Ibanez was not exactly stellar, as he is considered to have cost the Royals six runs in left, but he had his moments. During the 2003 season, Ibanez finished fifth with eight assists and second in double plays in left.

Even without doing much with the bat or with the glove last season, Raul Ibanez was a key figure in helping to get the Kansas City Royals to the World Series. As the Royals were the first team to truly give Ibanez a chance, it was nice to see his career come in a full circle. Maybe some day, he will return as a coach.

Next: The human highlight reel

Even the Fountains had a Better Season in 2011 (Thank You Minda Haas)

2. Bo Jackson (1986-1990, 6.6 WAR)

Bo Jackson appeared to be destined to be a superstar in both baseball and football. His exploits on both the diamond and gridiron were legendary, like when he ended Brian Bosworth’s career or when he literally climbed the outfield wall to rob a home run. He had a cannon of an arm, gunning players at home from the warning track, a tremendous amount of power and was a true five tool player. Unfortunately, his career in both sports was cut short when a hit by Kevin Walker resulted i hip replacement surgery. Sadly, Bo had planned on retiring from football even before that injury, as he was going to concentrate on baseball.

Even if his baseball career was cut short, Bo still provided quite a number of memories. While his .250/.308/.480 batting line was not overly impressive to look at, it does not tell the true story of what Bo was. Neither do his 109 home runs or his 81 stolen bases. Bo was truly legendary.

As mentioned previous, Bo Jackson’s ability to throw the baseball was remarkable. He led the American League in outfield assists in 1988 and 1989 before opponents learned that running on Bo was to give the Kansas City Royals a free out. Even after he came back from the hip replacement surgery, Bo finished fourth with seven runs saved in left in 1993.

One of the few athletes who were known by just their first name, Bo truly knew baseball. It is unfortunate that we never got to know what Bo was truly capable of on the diamond.

Next: The Golden Glove

Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

1. Alex Gordon (2007-present, 26.8 WAR)

There was a time when it seemed that Alex Gordon was destined to be a bust. Originally touted as the heir to George Brett at third, Gordon struggled both offensively and defensively. He was banished to the minors in 2010, where he learned to play left field in a last ditch effort to save his career. Turns out, that was one of the best moves the Kansas City Royals made.

A two time All-Star, Gordon has produced a career batting line of .268/.345/.435 with the Royals, hitting 121 home runs and stealing 79 bases. Yet, a true look at Gordon’s offensive value involves looking at the last four seasons, where Gordon has posted a .283/.356/.453 batting line.

Defensively, Alex Gordon is peerless in left. The winner of the last four Gold Glove awards for left field, Gordon has been worth 54 runs saved in left, including the American League leading 25 runs he saved last year. Gordon has led the American League in putouts in left over each of the last four seasons, and led in assists from 2011 through 2013. Although few runners dare attempt to take an extra base on Gordon any longer, he still finished fourth with eight assists from left last season, and his 64 assists are third among active left fielders. Not bad for just four full seasons in the position.

It may have taken longer than expected for Alex Gordon to reach his potential, but he has certainly done so. Gordon is, without question, the greatest left fielder in Kansas City Royals history.

Next: Kansas City Royals Top Five Center Fielders

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