New York Mets star left fielder Yoenis Cespedes was named the second-best left fielder right now by MLB Network.
Every year, MLB Network uses an algorithm called “The Shredder” to create a list of the 10 best players at each position. This year, “The Shredder” showed some love to New York Mets superstar Yoenis Cespedes, naming him the second-best left fielder in the majors.
Cespedes is coming off a season in which he slashed .292/.352/.540 in 81 games. He cranked 17 home runs despite only playing half a season, as leg issues hampered the slugger during the summer.
Since joining the Mets halfway through the 2015 season, he has slashed .285/.350/.550 and has hit 65 home runs despite being limited to 270 games. Since the beginning of 2015, he has slugged .537, which is fifth behind Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton, J.D. Martinez, and Bryce Harper. None of them were listed as left fielders by “The Shredder,” although Stanton could see time this season at the position with the Yankees.
Cespedes will be joined in the Mets outfield by Michael Conforto and Jay Bruce, who re-signed with the team after being traded to the Cleveland Indians last season. Juan Lagares and Brandon Nimmo, who the Mets strangely refuse to trade, are expected to back them up.
Cespedes will no doubt be called upon to anchor the Mets lineup, and ESNY’s Nicholas Santuccio projects him to hit third. Cespedes is the team’s best hitter and by far their biggest threat from the right side of the plate. Injuries have slowed him down the past two years, but he has revamped his workout routine, which he, the team, and the fans all hope will help keep him healthier.
The only player ranked above Cespedes was Marcell Ozuna of the St. Louis Cardinals. Ozuna made his second straight All-Star Game last season as a member of the Miami Marlins and won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards, his first of each.
