MLB Network Ranks Bautista as 6th Best Right Fielder, Tulowitzki as 9th Best Shortstop
Despite down years from two of the most pivotal players on the Toronto Blue Jays roster, Jose Bautista and Troy Tulowitzki are still top 10 players at their respective positions.
This according to MLB Network and The Shredder as the Top 10 Right Now countdowns narrowed down the field to the best right fielders and shortstops in baseball.
Surprisingly, both Bautista and Tulowitzki hung in among the best players at their positions. Bautista ranked as the sixth best right fielder and Tulowitzki was declared the ninth best shortstop.
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Last year, Joey Bats was named the third best right fielder in MLB. But despite being limited to only 116 regular season games in 2016 and posting his worst season since 2008, Bautista didn’t really didn’t lose much ground on the Top 10 Right Fielders list.
Most projections look for Jose Bautista to have a bounce-back 2017. Bautista may not be the best defender at the position, but his power and his incredible plate discipline still make him a viable threat at the plate.
However, with the influx of young and talented shortstops, Tulowitzki tumbled down the list compared to 2016 when he was the second best shortstop in MLB.
It isn’t exactly known how much weight is given to defense in this list, but I’d be willing to bet that Tulowitzki’s stellar defense at a premium position keeps him in the conversation among the Francisco Lindor and Brandon Crawford’s of the world.
The complete lists below with video recaps courtesy of MLB Network.
Top 10 Right Fielders/Shortstops Right Now
| Top 10 Right Fielders | Top 10 Shortstops |
|---|---|
| 1.) Mookie Betts | 1.) Corey Seager |
| 2.) Bryce Harper | 2.) Francisco Lindor |
| 3.) Nelson Cruz | 3.) Carlos Correa |
| 4.) Giancarlo Standon | 4.) Trea Turner |
| 5.) J.D. Martinez | 5.) Brandon Crawford |
| 6.) Jose Bautista | 6.) Trevor Story |
| 7.) Carlos Gonzalez | 7.) Aledmys Diaxz |
| 8.) Hunter Pence | 8.) Xander Bogaerts |
| 9.) Josh Reddick | 9.) Troy Tulowitzki |
| 10.) Stephen Piscotty | 10.) Addison Russell |
Jose Bautista – 6th Best Right Fielder Right Now
Troy Tulowitzki – 9th Best Shortstop Right Now
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