Top 5: 2015 Center Fielders In AL East
Sep 19, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder
Adam Jones(10) hits a RBI single during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
3) Adam Jones – Baltimore Orioles
Bio: 30 y/o, 6’2″, 215 lbs, bats right, & throws right
MLB Years:Â 10
Games Played in 2015: 137 (134 as CF)
Offense:
- .269 batting average
- .308 on-base percentage
- .474 slugging percentage
- 27 home runs & 82 RBIs
- 24 walks to 102 strikeouts
- 3 stolen bases in 4 attempts
Defense:
- 2.46 range factor
- .991 fielding percentage
- 3 errors, 13 assists, & 317 putouts in 333 opportunities
‘It’ Factor: Power at the plate and dependability equals stardom.
Jones’ confidence is well-founded. The man simply produces. His batting average this season may be the worst that he’s had since 2007, but his SLG has been one of the best that he’s ever had. The Baltimore Orioles have struggled this season, possibly putting added pressure on Jones to come through for them offensively, which would explain his strikeout total being so high. However, he made third place on his team for the most RBIs, with Chris Davis hitting an amazing 117 in a contract year. If Davis decides to leave in free agency, there will be even more pressure on Jones to come through for his team.
Even with his speed, however, Jones only tried stealing four times. The team may be relying too much on home runs, or at least hits, to drive people home. One would think that Jones would use that speed to create some more offense, getting himself into scoring position more often.
One would also think that his speed would help his range factor, compared to some of the other center fielders in this ranking list. Yet, his range is fourth best out of the five men. Much like Ellsbury, Jones has been solid defensively, but has also not risked much to help his team. At least, not very often. Is age creeping up to Jones or is he just prolonging his career by not picking up unnecessary injuries?