Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielder – Lorenzo Cain
Lorenzo Cain is only just begun to scratch the surface of what he can be as a baseball player. A raw player with a good deal of tools when he was acquired by the Kansas City Royals, Cain has begun to put everything together to become one of the best all around players in the game today.
Defensively, Cain seems to cover more ground than virtually anyone in the outfield. His not being nominated for a Gold Glove last season could be explained by splitting time between center and right, but Cain not being nominated this season was a travesty. Even if Kevin Kiermaier cleared deserved the award, Cain at least deserved to be a finalist n center.
Offensively, Cain has begun to turn into the perfect player for the Royals. His power has begun to manifest with his 16 home runs last season, but he is also hits the ball into the gaps with authority. His contact rates have increased dramatically, as Cain has gone from a 23.0% strikeout rate in 2012 to a 16.2% rate this past year. Add in his excellent speed, where Cain stole 28 bases in 34 attempts.
It speaks volumes to the players that the Kansas City Royals have had patrolling the outfield in their history that Lorenzo Cain would be a reserve outfielder. However, on the all time 25 man roster, he would be quite the defensive replacement and a solid option off the bench if needed.
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