If you look at the list of the best left fielders in 2024, you will find some of the best hitters in baseball right now. You may also find some players who will one day be among the greatest left fielders in MLB history. But if we were to make a list of the best left fielders of 2024, who would we choose?
Top MLB left fielders for the 2024 season
With so many great hitters manning left field, narrowing down the list of the best left fielders for 2024 to just 10 players is harder than you might think.
Don't forget that we had to take into account each player's defensive skills a bit as well. Of course, we do not expect everyone to agree with us. However, that didn't stop us from ranking the top 10 left-handed players in 2024.
10. Lord Gurel
After flying a little under the radar during the season, during the playoffs, the entire baseball world was able to see just how important Lourdes Gurriel was to the Diamondbacks last year.
He set career highs in both doubles and homers in 2023 and then had six extra-base hits in 17 postseason games. He probably won't be among the elite left fielders in the game. But there is no reason why he cannot repeat last season's success in 2024.
9. Austin Hayes
After earning an all-star call-up last summer, it's clear that Austin Hayes is a big part of Baltimore's comeback. He's been holding his own in left field for the Orioles for the past three years and is fresh off the best season of his career.
There's no doubt he'll still be a reliable contributor to Baltimore's lineup in 2024 as well.
8. Alex Verdugo
It appears as if the Yankees will put Alex Verdugo in left field this season, which should be a good fit for him. He is considered one of the best defensive left fielders in baseball and could see an uptick in his power from playing in Yankee Stadium.
Even if the home run didn't come, Verdugo has hit more than 30 doubles in three straight seasons. Plus, he'll be 27 on Opening Day, so we probably haven't seen the best of Verdugo yet.
7. Christian Yelich
Unfortunately, Christian Yelich is a far cry from the player he was when he won the MVP award in 2018. But even if his power numbers are still down, he still hits a good bat.
Yelich produced an OPS of .817 last year despite only 19 home runs. He's also avoided the IL in back-to-back seasons, so even at 32 years old, the Brewers can expect him to be an above-average left fielder this season.
6. Stephen Cowan
Just two years into his MLB career, Stephen Cowan already has two Gold Gloves and is a fan favorite in Cleveland. Of course, his defense is arguably Kwan's best tool. After all, he only has 11 home runs over two seasons, so he's limited in that area compared to the average left fielder.
But don't sleep on his speed, Cowan was able to contribute 36 doubles, seven triples and 21 stolen bases last season, and there's a lot of value in that.
5. Evan Carter
We have to plan a little with Evan Carter because he only has 102 in his career, and that includes the playoffs. Keep in mind he hit .300 with an OPS of .917 during the playoffs last season. His numbers in the regular season were even better, as he hit .306 with five homers in just 23 games.
The man won't turn 22 until the end of August. Granted, the sample size was small, but Carter has a chance to turn into a star this season.
4. Teoscar Hernandez
The addition of Teoscar Hernandez was a somewhat underrated move by the Dodgers this offseason — at least compared to their other additions. However, they added one of the best power hitters in the game. Hernandez hit 16 home runs during the shortened 2020 season and has hit at least 22 homers in every other season since 2018.
It is true that he will lose some points defensively. But Hernandez is also a two-time Silver Slugger winner and should have a big year given the help he'll have around him in the Los Angeles lineup.
3. Ian Happ
Defensively, Ian Happ is extremely efficient as a left fielder, earning Gold Glove honors in back-to-back seasons. The switch-hitter has also provided a lot of consistency in Chicago's lineup in recent years.
Happ contributed 60 extra-base hits and an OPS of .791 in 2023. For a player wearing an elite glove, that's more than enough to place Happ among baseball's best left fielders.
2. Brandon Nimmo
Despite his development into an above-average center fielder, it looks like Brandon Nimmo could get the bulk of his playing time in left field in 2024. There's nothing wrong with that because he'll instantly be among the best in baseball.
Nimmo has continued to make great strides throughout his career and has finished five of the last six seasons with an OPS of .800 or higher. He also tied his career-high in doubles last season with 30 while setting a new career high with 24. Nimmo is in top form right now, so whether he's in left field or center, he'll be a huge asset to the Mets in 2024.
1. Randy Arozarena
Due to his versatility and raw power, Randy Arozarena has a slight edge over Nimmo as the best left fielder in the MLB right now. He's certainly hit a lot more doubles than home runs over the last few seasons.
But Arozarena has also put together three straight 20-20 seasons. On the heels of his first-ever All-Star selection last year, Arozarena appears poised for another productive season with the Rays.
