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Ranking Each MLB Team's Starting Left Fielder for 2026 Season
Welcome to Bleacher Report's 2026 MLB preseason position rankings.
Up next is left field, which is not quite as deep in superstar-level talent as the other outfield corner, but does benefit from Juan Soto (NYM) and Jackson Chourio (MIL) shifting over after they spent more time at another spot in the outfield in 2025.
Roman Anthony (BOS) is a rising star at the position, while Wyatt Langford (TEX), Tyler Soderstrom (ATH), Kyle Stowers (MIA) and James Wood (WAS) are also young up-and-coming sluggers.
Each team's projected primary starter for the 2026 season is included in the rankings. Players are ranked based on expectations for the coming campaign. Offensive and defensive contributions were both considered, and past track records played a major role in determining each player's outlook.
Catch up on the 2026 Preseason Position Ranking here: Catchers, First Basemen, Second Basemen, Shortstops, Third Basemen, Center Fielders, Right Fielders
Top Prospects Who Will Eventually Be Starting in 2026
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Walker Jenkins, Minnesota Twins (No. 21 on B/R Top 100)
Jenkins has lived up to the hype that came with being the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 draft when healthy, but he has played just 192 games over three professional seasons while battling a variety of injuries. The 21-year-old closed out last season at Triple-A, and with a 60-hit, 60-power profile and All-Star upside, the rebuilding Twins won't hold him back once he looks ready.
Ryan Waldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks (No. 74 on B/R Top 100)
Waldschmidt posted loud batted-ball metrics during his junior season at the University of Kentucky while hitting .333/.469/.610 with 14 home runs and 25 steals, and the D-backs took him No. 31 overall in the 2024 draft. He logged an .892 OPS with 18 home runs, 78 RBI and 29 steals in 134 games between High-A and Double-A last year, and the D-backs have question marks in the outfield outside of Corbin Carroll.
Joshua Baez, St. Louis Cardinals
A second-round pick in 2021 who struggled out the gates to begin his pro career, Baez turned a corner last season, hitting .287/.384/.500 with 23 doubles, 20 home runs, 79 RBI and 54 steals in 117 games between High-A and Double-A. The 22-year-old was added to the 40-man roster during the offseason, and he will likely open the year at Triple-A.
Nos. 30-28
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30. Jake McCarthy, Colorado Rockies
Offense: 222 PA, 62 OPS+, .204/.247/.345, 16 XBH (4 HR), 6 SB
Defense: 289.1 INN, -1 DRS, 2 OAA
WAR: -0.7
McCarthy was a productive player in 2022 (99 G, 117 OPS+, 2.4 WAR) and 2024 (142 G, 108 OPS+, 1.7 WAR), so the Rockies are banking on more "even-year magic" after he was acquired for pitching prospect Josh Grosz in January. The 28-year-old is controllable through 2028 if he can rebound and establish himself as a valuable contributor.
29. Andrew Benintendi, Chicago White Sox
Offense: 470 PA, 104 OPS+, .240/.307/.431, 38 XBH (20 HR), 1 SB
Defense: 564.1 INN, -3 DRS, -8 OAA
WAR: 1.0
Entering the fourth season of a five-year, $75 million deal, Benintendi has posted back-to-back 20-homer, 60-RBI seasons for some awful White Sox teams. He is no longer the Gold Glove defender or plus contact hitter he was in his prime, but he provides some useful pop and a veteran voice in a young clubhouse.
28. Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks
Offense: 469 PA, 82 OPS+, .249/.289/.370, 31 XBH (9 HR), 7 SB
Defense: Did not play LF in 2025
WAR: 0.1
With a 76 OPS+ over 1,385 plate appearances in the majors, Thomas is running out of time to prove he can provide enough offense to be a viable everyday outfielder in the big leagues. He is still only 25 years old, and his defense and speed give him a useful floor, but this could be a make-or-break season for him in the desert.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Joey Loperfido, Houston Astros
Offense: 104 PA, 140 OPS+, .333/.379/.500, 8 XBH (4 HR), 1 SB
Defense: 172.0 INN, 1 DRS, 0 OAA
WAR: 0.6
The Astros traded Loperfido to the Blue Jays at the 2024 deadline, but brought him back this offseason in a one-for-one swap that sent Jesús Sánchez the other way. The 26-year-old raked in a small sample size last year, and a Houston outfield in flux should give him an opportunity to prove he can maintain impact-level production in a regular role.
26. George Valera, Cleveland Guardians
Offense: 48 PA, 107 OPS+, .220/.333/.415, 4 XBH (2 HR), 0 SB
Defense: Did not play LF in 2025
WAR: -0.1
A consensus Top 100 prospect prior to the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Valera finally broke through as something of a post-hype sleeper down the stretch last year. He made his MLB debut as a September call-up and was hitting No. 2 in the batting order by the time the playoffs rolled around. A strong 14.2 percent walk rate in the minors highlights strong on-base skills that might be his most valuable tool at this point.
25. Chandler Simpson, Tampa Bay Rays
Offense: 441 PA, 89 OPS+, .295/.326/.345, 18 XBH (0 HR), 44 SB
Defense: 413.2 INN, -4 DRS, -1 OAA
WAR: 0.4
Simpson swiped 104 bases in the minors in 2024, and that top-of-the-scale speed continued to play in his MLB debut last year as he finished second in the AL with 44 steals in only 109 games. The 25-year-old plays to his strengths and uses his speed well, and while power is not part of his game, he could hit close to .300 and steal 60 bases with everyday playing time.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Josh Lowe, Los Angeles Angels
Offense: 435 PA, 81 OPS+, .220/.283/.366, 34 XBH (11 HR), 18 SB
Defense: Did not play LF in 2025
WAR: 0.1
Lowe turned in one of the biggest offensive breakouts of 2023 when he posted a 128 OPS+ with 33 doubles, 20 home runs, 83 RBI and 32 steals in a 3.7-WAR season. He has failed to match that production in the two years since, hitting .230/.292/.378 for an 89 OPS+ in 822 plate appearances, but a change-of-scenery trade to the Angels could jump start his bat.
23. Trevor Larnach, Minnesota Twins
Offense: 567 PA, 99 OPS+, .250/.323/.404, 42 XBH (17 HR), 4 SB
Defense: 131.0 INN, -3 DRS, -3 OAA
WAR: 0.1
A first-round pick in 2018 following a standout collegiate career at Oregon State, Larnach has been a productive hitter the last two seasons, posting a .254/.329/.416 line while averaging 21 doubles, 16 home runs and 56 RBI. He doesn't provide much value outside of the batter's box, but he should see 600 plate appearances on a rebuilding Twins team.
22. Lars Nootbaar, St. Louis Cardinals
Offense: 583 PA, 95 OPS+, .234/.325/.361, 38 XBH (13 HR), 4 SB
Defense: 846.0 INN, -2 DRS, -3 OAA
WAR: 1.3
Nootbaar has quietly logged a 109 OPS+ while averaging 26 doubles, 18 home runs, 60 RBI and 2.8 WAR per 162 games over his four seasons. The 28-year-old is recovering from offseason heel surgery and will open the year on the injured list, but he could emerge as a sought-after trade target this summer if he returns strong.
Nos. 21-19
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21. Jesús Sánchez, Toronto Blue Jays
Offense: 497 PA, 92 OPS+, .237/.304/.395, 39 XBH (14 HR), 13 SB
Defense: 191.0 INN, 3 DRS, 0 OAA
WAR: 1.3
Sánchez has put together back-to-back seasons with double-digit home runs and steals, and his 93rd percentile bat speed teases the potential for significantly more power production with a few minor tweaks. He should at least fill a strong-side platoon role in Toronto, where he will also hit in the middle of a far better supporting cast than he ever had in Miami.
20. Spencer Steer, Cincinnati Reds
Offense: 568 PA, 94 OPS+, .238/.312/.411, 44 XBH (21 HR), 7 SB
Defense: 71.0 INN, -4 DRS, -3 OAA
WAR: 0.7
Steer has three consecutive 20-homer, 75-RBI seasons while providing useful defensive versatility, and there is significant value in a player with that profile. The progression of Sal Stewart will determine whether he sees the bulk of his playing time at first base or in left field, but his ability to drive in runs should keep his bat in the lineup either way.
19. Isaac Collins, Kansas City Royals
Offense: 441 PA, 118 OPS+, .263/.368/.411, 34 XBH (9 HR), 16 SB
Defense: 819.1 INN, -1 DRS, 5 OAA
WAR: 2.1
Collins landed with the Brewers on a waiver claim prior to the 2023 season, and the late-bloomer finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting last year in his age-27 campaign. He was flipped to the Royals in exchange for reliever Angel Zerpa in December, and he has a chance to be a major upgrade in left field.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Mike Yastrzemski, Atlanta Braves
Offense: 558 PA, 109 OPS+, .233/.333/.403, 46 XBH (17 HR), 7 SB
Defense: 46.0 INN, -2 DRS, -1 OAA
WAR: 2.8
Despite not making his MLB debut until after his 28th birthday, Yastrzemski posted a 112 OPS+ and 16.0 WAR in seven seasons with the Giants. A strong final two months in Kansas City last year earned him a two-year, $23 million deal, and he should fill a prominent run production role for the Braves in 2026.
17. Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates
Offense: 654 PA, 99 OPS+, .245/.318/.402, 57 XBH (16 HR), 3 SB
Defense: Did not play LF in 2025
WAR: 1.4
The Pirates made Reynolds a franchise cornerstone with an eight-year, $106.75 million extension prior to the 2023 season, and he has a 110 OPS+ and 7.4 WAR over the first three seasons of that contract. Poor defensive metrics in right field (-5 DRS, -9 OAA) and a middling 99 OPS+ last year led to arguably his worst season in the big leagues, but his track record and age make him a strong rebound candidate.
16. Heliot Ramos, San Francisco Giants
Offense: 695 PA, 108 OPS+, .256/.328/.400, 46 XBH (21 HR), 6 SB
Defense: 1,332.2 INN, -6 DRS, -9 OAA
WAR: 1.2
Ramos is the first homegrown Giants outfielder since Chili Davis in 1986 to earn an All-Star selection, and he followed up his breakout 2024 campaign with another productive season at the plate. The 26-year-old is a poor defender, which limits his value upside, but he can be a 3-WAR player with another modest step forward at the plate.
Nos. 15-13
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15. Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia Phillies
Offense: 425 PA, 114 OPS+, .280/.342/.443, 38 XBH (11 HR), 7 SB
Defense: 338.0 INN, -1 DRS, 1 OAA
WAR: 1.7
The deal to acquire Marsh from the Angels in exchange for catcher Logan O'Hoppe has been a rare win-win, with Marsh plugging a glaring hole in an otherwise shaky outfield. He has a 115 OPS+ and 8.1 WAR over his three full seasons in Philadelphia, and he could be in line for more RBI chances this year after moving into the No. 5 spot in the batting order down the stretch in 2025.
14. Ramón Laureano, San Diego Padres
Offense: 488 PA, 136 OPS+, .281/.342/.512, 52 XBH (24 HR), 7 SB
Defense: 511.0 INN, 2 DRS, -3 OAA
WAR: 3.8
Laureano had one of the best seasons no one noticed in 2025, tallying 26 doubles, 24 home runs, 76 RBI and 3.8 WAR over a career-high 132 games with the Orioles and Padres. A 93rd percentile expected slugging percentage and strong overall batted-ball metrics suggest his career year might be largely sustainable.
13. Teoscar Hernández, Los Angeles Dodgers
Offense: 546 PA, 103 OPS+, .247/.284/.454, 55 XBH (25 HR), 5 SB
Defense: Did not play LF in 2025
WAR: 1.5
After a 33-homer, 99-RBI season while playing on a one-year deal in 2024, Hernández re-upped with the Dodgers on a new three-year, $66 million contract last winter. His numbers dipped across the board, but he played through a nagging groin injury for most of the year, and a clean bill of health could lead to a rebound.
Nos. 12-10
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12. Taylor Ward, Baltimore Orioles
Offense: 663 PA, 116 OPS+, .288/.317/.475, 69 XBH (36 HR), 4 SB
Defense: 1,331.2 INN, -3 DRS, 0 OAA
WAR: 2.7
Since his breakout 2022 season, Ward has a 117 OPS+ with 98 home runs and 10.2 WAR. The 32-year-old set career-high marks in doubles (31), home runs (36), RBI (103) and total bases (275) last year, and the Orioles acquired him in exchange for oft-injured young starter Grayson Rodriguez during the offseason.
11. Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics
Offense: 624 PA, 126 OPS+, .276/.346/.474, 60 XBH (25 HR), 8 SB
Defense: 867.2 INN, 10 DRS, 5 OAA
WAR: 4.3
Originally drafted as a catcher out of high school in 2020, Soderstrom shifted to first base in the minors to help put his bat on the fast track, and he moved to the outfield last year after Nick Kurtz arrived. His strong batted-ball metrics make his breakout offensive numbers sustainable, and he was a Gold Glove finalist in his first full year as an outfielder.
10. Randy Arozarena, Seattle Mariners
Offense: 709 PA, 119 OPS+, .238/.334/.426, 60 XBH (27 HR), 31 SB
Defense: 1,408.1 INN, -1 DRS, -6 OAA
WAR: 4.0
With five straight 20/20 seasons, Arozarena has firmly established himself as one of the game's best power/speed threats. The Mariners used him in the leadoff and cleanup spots in the batting order last year, and he will again be counted on as one of the club's top offensive players.
Nos. 9-7
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9. Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs
Offense: 663 PA, 120 OPS+, .243/.342/.420, 55 XBH (23 HR), 6 SB
Defense: 1,274.1 INN, 9 DRS, 0 OAA
WAR: 4.0
Happ has won four straight NL Gold Glove Awards in left field, and he has averaged 36 doubles, 22 home runs and 80 RBI while posting a 119 OPS+ during that same stretch. The longest tenured Cubs player is one of baseball's best two-way outfielders, and he is entering the final season of a three-year, $61 million extension.
8. Kyle Stowers, Miami Marlins
Offense: 457 PA, 149 OPS+, .288/.368/.544, 49 XBH (25 HR), 5 SB
Defense: 541.2 INN, 2 DRS, -1 OAA
WAR: 3.6
The Marlins acquired Stowers in the deal that sent Trevor Rogers to the Orioles at the 2024 deadline, and he emerged as the team's best player during a breakout 2025 season. The 28-year-old had a huge month of July, posting a 1.269 OPS with 10 home runs in 24 games, and his overall numbers would have looked even better if an oblique injury didn't end his season prematurely in mid-August.
7. James Wood, Washington Nationals
Offense: 689 PA, 132 OPS+, .256/.350/.475, 69 XBH (31 HR), 15 SB
Defense: 1,067.1 INN, 1 DRS, -7 OAA
WAR: 3.7
Wood ranked in the 95th percentile or higher in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate and bat speed, and he piled up 38 doubles and 31 home runs to break through as one of baseball's biggest power threats. He also struck out 221 times in 157 games, and making more consistent contact will be the key to climbing into the top five of these rankings.
Nos. 6-4
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6. Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers
Offense: 655 PA, 120 OPS+, .258/.313/.493, 68 XBH (36 HR), 2 SB
Defense: 1,030.1 INN, -5 DRS, 2 OAA
WAR: 2.2
Greene was one of baseball's top power threats last season, slugging a career-high 36 homers and finishing fourth in the AL with 111 RBI. That uptick in over-the-fence production came at a price, as his walk rate (11.0% to 7.0%) and strikeout rate (26.7% to 30.7%) both went in the wrong direction. Now the 25-year-old will look to put all the pieces together as he enters his prime years.
5. Wyatt Langford, Texas Rangers
Offense: 573 PA, 127 OPS+, .241/.344/.431, 48 XBH (22 HR), 22 SB
Defense: 841.1 INN, 12 DRS, 5 OAA
WAR: 5.6
Langford was one of only four players in baseball last season with 20 home runs, 20 steals and 10 Defensive Runs Saved, along with Pete Crow-Armstrong, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Zach Neto. That is the perfect illustration of his five-tool value, and he is still only 318 games into his pro career after going No. 4 overall in the 2023 draft and rocketing through the minors.
4. Jackson Chourio, Milwaukee Brewers
Offense: 589 PA, 112 OPS+, .270/.308/.463, 60 XBH (21 HR), 21 SB
Defense: 251.0 INN, -1 DRS, 0 OAA
WAR: 2.2
Chourio was the fifth-youngest player to appear in a big league game in 2025, and he already has a pair of 20/20 seasons under his belt as the rising face of the franchise in Milwaukee. The 22-year-old still has significant room to grow his game, starting with a 5.1 percent walk rate, but he has all the tools to develop into a well-rounded offensive star.
Nos. 3-1
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3. Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees
Offense: 656 PA, 125 OPS+, .272/.334/.480, 59 XBH (29 HR), 13 SB
Defense: 572.2 INN, 7 DRS, 4 OAA
WAR: 5.1
After a long offseason of free agency, Bellinger ultimately found his way back to the Yankees on a five-year, $162.5 million deal. The offensive struggles that led to him being non-tendered by the Dodgers are now a distant memory, and he has a 125 OPS+ and 12.0 WAR in the three years since. He will again be tasked with protecting Aaron Judge in the middle of the Yankees lineup.
2. Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox
Offense: 303 PA, 140 OPS+, .292/.396/.463, 27 XBH (8 HR), 4 SB
Defense: 152.0 INN, -1 DRS, 2 OAA
WAR: 3.1
It's a stat I've referenced frequently this offseason, but one worth highlighting one last time here: The Red Sox were 44-27 (.620) in the 71 games Anthony played last season, compared to 45-46 (.494) without him. That's not a coincidence. It's what a potential franchise-altering player looks like, and Anthony has all the tools to bust through as a bona fide superstar in 2026, especially coming off an impressive run with Team USA in the WBC.
1. Juan Soto, New York Mets
Offense: 715 PA, 160 OPS+, .263/.396/.525, 64 XBH (43 HR), 38 SB
Defense: Did not play LF in 2025
WAR: 6.2
If it's possible to live up to a 15-year, $765 million deal, Soto did it in the first year of that record-setting payday. He led the NL in on-base percentage (.396), walks (127) and steals (38), more than tripling his previous career high for thefts while also posting a second straight 40-homer, 100-RBI campaign. Poor defensive metrics (-7 DRS, -12 OAA) were the one hole in his game, and now he will shift from right field to left field for the 2026 season.
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