Who are the top 20 best outfielders in baseball at the moment?

Who are the top 20 best outfielders in baseball at the moment?

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:12 PM

For starters, picking the best outfielders in Major League Baseball history is no easy task considering there are so many great players to choose from. In terms of career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) six top ten players in big leagues history played most of their careers in the outfield. Are they the only outstanding baseball outfielders?

best outfielders as of 2022
Who are the top 20 best outfielders in baseball at the moment? Photo: David Madison (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Players in this position hold the top spot on the MLB leaderboards in batting averages, on-base percentages, slugging percentages, hits, runs scored, home runs, runs batted in, doubles, triples and even stolen bases. Is the famous Willie Mays on the list?

Best outfielders as of 2022

The best of all-time lists for baseball is hard to determine as players are compared to those of decades and even centuries ago. When it comes to who is the best outfielder ever, it gets even more complex since three positions come into play, making the list of players to choose from much larger.

20. Byron Buxton (Minnesota Twins)

Most famous outfielder
Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins bats against the Texas Rangers on 20 August 2022 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn
Source: Getty Images

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Byron Buxton was taken by the Twins with the second overall choice in the MLB draft when he was 18 years old, which was ten years ago. The Minnesota native from Georgia had all the potential to become a franchise, but since making his big-league debut in 2015, much of his time with the twins has been marked by flashes of brilliance.

Full name

Byron Keiron Buxton

Date of birth

18 December 1993

Nationality

American

Height

1.85 m or 185 cm

Weight

85 kilograms or 187 pounds

Team

18 December 1993

19. Nick Castellanos (Philadelphia Phillies)

Nick Castellanos, an enigmatic man, born on 4 March 1992, is a mystery. Castellanos has always been a reasonably significant player on the attacking side of the ball. However, his transformation over the past several seasons has been inspiring. He's become a better hitter this year than anything else.

Full name

Nicholas Alexander Castellanos

Date of birth

4 March 1992

Nationality

American

Weight

92 kilograms or 203 pounds

Height

1.93 m or 193 cm

Team

Philadelphia Phillies

18. J.D. Martinez (Boston Red Sox)

best outfielders as of 2022
J.D. Martinez of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on 5 October 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Winslow Townson
Source: Getty Images

J.D. Martinez is hitting in the ideal range and perfectly squaring the ball. The baseball player Martinez hits the most challenging line drives and fly balls. He has hit about a third of his balls this season hard (95 mph or more exit velocity) and in the sweet area for launch angle; 8-32 degrees, which covers both line drives and fly balls.

Full name

Julio Daniel Martinez

Team

Boston Red Sox

Date of birth

21 August 1987

Nationality

American

Height

1.91 m or 191 cm

Weight

99.8 kg

17. Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks)

To call Marte, one of the league's finest pure hitters, enjoyable to watch at the bat would be a significant understatement. But, unfortunately, Ketel Marte was as close to a non-prospect as it gets out of the Dominican Republic.

Full name

Ketel Ricardo Marte Valdez

Team

Arizona Diamondbacks

Date of birth

12 October 1993

Nationality

Dominican

Height

1.85 m or 185 cm

Weight

95 kg

16. Kyle Tucker (Houston Astros)

Tucker possesses an exceptional bat-to-ball and power combination. Last year, Vlad Jr., Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker were the only three players with an OPS over.900 and a K-rate under 16%. He's already among the elite, and his projected stats indicate that the 2022 season will be much better. Due to how long the barrel lingers in the zone, he can pepper any pitch in any direction.

Full name

Kyle Daniel Tucke

Date of birth

17 January 1997

Nationality

American

Height

1.93 m or 193 cm

Weight

86 kg

Team

Houston Astros

15. Tyler O'Neill (St. Louis Cardinals)

best outfielders ever
Tyler O'Neill reacts after being called out on strikes against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on 13 September 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. Photo: Dilip Vishwanat
Source: Getty Images

O'Neill is an incredibly talented athlete and player. O'Neill returned in the 2021 season as a more knowledgeable, assured, and versatile batter. He's hitting the ball harder than ever and stinging more of the pitches that pitchers toss his way, but strikeouts are still a problem.

Full name

Tyler Alan O'Neill

Date of birth

22 June 1995

Nationality

Canadian

Height

1.8 m or 180 cm

Weight

91 kg

Team

St. Louis Cardinals

14. Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros)

The finest hitter in the world, Yordan Alvarez, is grinding his way to the top almost invisibly. Only one hitter—Mike Trout—has had a better year than Alvarez since he made his debut in 2019 overall.

best outfielders of all time
Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros doubles during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park on 30 September 2022 in Houston, Texas. Photo: Carmen Mandato
Source: Instagram

Full name

Yordan Ruben Alvarez

Date of birth

27 June 1997

Nationality

Cuban

Height

1.96 m or 196 cm

Weight

103 kg

Team

Houston Astro

13. Whit Merrifield (Toronto Blue Jays)

Merrifield is a versatile and seasoned veteran who can easily play second base and outfield. His mobility will be helpful and provide him additional opportunities to play frequently. In addition, he is one of the best base stealers in the league and an excellent baserunner.

Full name

Whitley David Merrifield

Date of birth

4 January 1989

Nationality

American

Weight

88 kg

Height

1.8 m or 180 cm

Team

Toronto Blue Jays

12. Eloy Jimenez (Chicago White Sox)

The Chicago White Sox have an abundance of quality starting pitchers, talented hitters, and a strong bullpen. However, Eloy Jimenez is one of the players on the squad who has the potential to alter the course of a game with just one swing of his bat. Jimenez, a Dominican Republic native who signed as an international free agent, is now playing in his fourth primary league season.

Full name

Eloy Arturo Jiménez Solano

Date of birth

27 November

Nationality

Dominican

Height

1.93 m or 193 cm

Weight

109 kg

Team

Chicago White Sox

11. Michael Brantley (Houston Astros)

The Houston Astros' Michael Brantley is playing at number 11. The 35-year-old, known by his nickname Uncle Mike, is the son of Mickey Brantley, a former MLB player who now works as a hitting instructor.

best outfielders
Michael Brantley of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on 25 June 2022 in New York City. Photo: Jim McIsaac
Source: Getty Images

Full name

Michael Charles Brantley Jr.

Date of birth

15 May 1987

Nationality

American

Height

1.88 m or 188 cm

Weight

91 kg

Team

Houston Astros

10. Marcell Ozuna (Atlanta Braves)

Richest outfielder
Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves bats during the second inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on 1 October 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Todd Kirkland
Source: Getty Images

The 10th player on the list is Marcell Ozuna, a 31-year-old outfielder for the Dominican baseball team. He was signed by the Miami Marlins as a free agency amateur in 2008 for a signing fee of $49,000. Ozuna's minor league debut came the same year as his signing. Then, in 2013, he entered the MLB.

Full name

Marcell Ozuna Idelfonso

Date of birth

12 November 1990

Nationality

Dominican

Height

1.85 m or 185 cm

Weight

102 kg

Team

Atlanta Braves

9. Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)

best outfielders ever
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after hitting his 62nd home run of the season against the Texas Rangers on 4 October 2022 in Arlington, Texas. Photo: Ron Jenkins
Source: Getty Images

Aaron Judge, a professional baseball player for the New York Yankees, is the ninth-best MLB outfielder. He is 30 years old. The Yankees selected him in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

Full name

Aaron James Judge

Date of birth

26 April 1992

Nationality

American

Height

2.01 m or 201 cm

Weight

128 kg

Team

New York Yankees

8. George Springer (Toronto Blue Jays)

best outfielders of all time
George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after hitting a single in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox on 30 September 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo: Vaughn Ridley
Source: Getty Images

George Springer, 33, plays outfield for the Toronto Blue Jays in professional baseball. Eleventh overall in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, the Houston Astros selected him. Before switching to the outfield, Springer played centre field and right field. With the Astros in 2014, he made his MLB debut.

Full name

George Chelston Springer III

Date of birth

19 September 1989

Nationality

American

Height

1.91 m or 191 cm

Weight

90 kg or

Team

Toronto Blue Jays

7. Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)

Bryce Harper, a 29-year-old outfielder, is ranked seventh among the top MLB players. He is a professional baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. The term five-tool player has been used to describe Harper. He was chosen first overall in the 2010 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals.

Full name

Bryce Aron Max Harper

Date of birth

16 October 1992

Nationality

American

Height

1.91 m or 191 cm

Weight

95 kg or 209 pounds

Team

Philadelphia Phillies

6. Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)

best outfielders as of 2022
Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers walks to the dugout after the inning against the Miami Marlins on 29 September 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo: John Fisher
Source: Getty Images

Currently playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, Christian Yelich is a professional baseball player. In the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft, the player was selected by the Miami Marlins. Yelich got a $1.7 million signing bonus when he joined the Marlins following the draft. 2013 saw the formal beginning of his MLB career.

Full name

Christian Stephen Yelich

Date of birth

5 December 1991

Nationality

American

Weight

88 kg or 194 pounds

Height

1.9 m or 190 cm

Team

Milwaukee Brewers

5. Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles Dodgers)

best outfielders as of 2022
Cody Bellinger of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on 1 October 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Michael Owens
Source: Getty Images

Cody Bellinger ranks as one of the top five MLB outfielders. The 27-year-old Los Angeles Dodger star is Clay Bellinger's son, a former MLB player. In the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft, the Dodgers selected Cody. Bellinger debuted in the MLB in 2017. 2019 was Bellinger's most successful season as a super rookie.

Name

Cody James Bellinger

Date of birth

13 July 1995

Nationality

American

Weight

92 kg

Height

1.93 m

Team

Los Angeles Dodgers

4. Ronald Acuna Jr (Atlanta Braves)

who is the best outfielder ever?
Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves looks on against the Miami Marlins on 3 October 2022 in Miami, Florida. Photo: Megan Briggs
Source: Getty Images

Venezuelan-based baseball outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is 24 years old. He was a $100,000 international free agent who the Atlanta Braves signed in 2014. Acuna made his minor league debut in 2015 following his contract with the Braves. 2018 saw the formal beginning of his MLB career.

Name

Ronald José Acuña Blanco Jr.

Date of birth

18 December 1997

Nationality

Venezuelan

Height

1.83 m o 188 cm

Weight

93 kg or 205 pounds

Team

Atlanta Braves

3. Juan Soto (Washington Nationals)

Juan Soto, a 23-year-old baseball outfielder from the Dominican Republic known as the Childish Bambino, comes in third. The Nationals acquired him in 2015. Soto made his MLB debut that same year, making him the league's youngest player.

Full name

Juan Jose Soto Pacheco

Date of birth

25 October 1998 (23 years)

Nationality

Dominican

Weight

102 kilograms or 225 pounds

Height

1.88 m or 188 cm

Team

San Diego Padres

2. Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers)

who is the best outfielder ever?
Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to first base during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at PETCO Park on 29 September 2022 in San Diego, California. Photo: Sean M. Haffey
Source: Getty Images

Who is the most famous outfielder? MLB outfielder, Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is 29 years old Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was taken in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox. When he first entered Major League Baseball in 2014, Betts played second base and outfield.

Full name

Markus Lynn Betts

Date of birth

October 1992

Height

1.75 m or 175 cm

Nationality

American

Weight

181 pounds or 82 kilograms

Team

Los Angeles Dodgers

1. Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels)

Since his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2012, Mike Trout has been the top player in this league and is one of the greatest players in MLB history. Trout has won the league MVP award three times, and it seems unfair that he doesn't have more, given that he's placed second four times. In addition, as of 2022, he is among the richest outfielders in baseball.

Full name

Michael Nelson Trout

Date of birth

7 August 1991

Nationality

American

Height

1.88 m or 188 cm

Weight

107 kg or 236 pounds

Team

Los Angeles Angels

Who are the best top 5 New York Yankees outfielders of all time?

These are some of the best New York Yankees outfielders of all time:

  1. George Herman Ruth (1920 - 1934)
  2. Mickey Mantle (1951-1968)
  3. Joe DiMaggio (1936-1951)
  4. Bernie Williams (1991-2006)

The list of the best outfielders as of 2022 can become endless, considering numerous legendary baseball players are on the pitch. Nevertheless, baseball has become a people's sport, and as a result, it continues to garner significant fan bases across social media platforms.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.