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Colorado Rockies: Grading and Analyzing the 2016 Outfielders

By James Keating

Aug 31, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder David Dahl (26) and center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) and right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) congratulate each other following the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Dodgers 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder David Dahl (26) and center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) and right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) congratulate each other following the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Dodgers 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Colorado Rockies sport one of the top outfields in the game. Seeing that, the Rockies front office anticipates competing in 2017. However, before fans sing the praises of Colorado’s 2017 squad, let us analyze how the 2016 outfield performed.

May 11, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Ryan Raburn (6) hits a 2 RBI double in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado Rockies left fielder Ryan Raburn. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports. /

RYAN RABURN: 2016 GRADE D+ (fWAR -0.2)

Acquired prior to the start of the 2016 campaign, Colorado’s front office felt they got a steal in signing Ryan Raburn. Known as a professional hitter, Raburn raked a .301 average in 82 games for Cleveland in 2015. To say things didn’t quite pan out is an understatement.

Colorado’s thought process was that Raburn would come off the bench to provide offensive sparks against left-handed pitching. Despite playing in 113 games (the third most of any outfielder) Raburn managed to hit .229 against lefties, and .220 overall. As a result of not hitting somewhat high expectations, Raburn has not be retained by the club for 2017.

Despite such a low average, thanks to a 10.9% walk rate, Raburn was able to salvage a .309 on-base percentage. If we lived in an ideal universe, a big leaguer’s OBP should be 60 points higher than their average. In sum, there are a few positives to find in Raburn’s Colorado tenure. Due to Ryan not being a defensive liability, his OF leading walk rate, and a few clutch moments, Raburn’s short time in Denver was fun at times.

2016 was not a banner year for current free agent Ryan Raburn. However, Ryan possesses proven track record of hitting lefties. For this reason, expect him to catch on with a big league club in 2017.

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