MLB Network ranks Matt Wallner ahead of Kyle Schwarber

Schwarber was a top-20 MVP vote-getter for the Phillies in 2023.

Matt Wallner is one of the ten best left fielders in baseball? That's what MLB Network has identified him as entering 2024, which is expected to be his first full season in the big leagues. 

1. Yordan Alvarez, Astros
2. Brandon Nimmo, Mets
3. Nolan Jones, Rockies
4. Bryan Reynolds, Pirates
5. Chas McCormick, Astros
6. Randy Arozarena, Rays
7. Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals
8. Christian Yelich, Brewers
9. Matt Wallner, Twins
10. Kyle Schwarber, Phillies

Wallner, 26, burst onto the scene last season with a hitting line of .249/.370/.507 (.877 OPS) in 76 games. The Forest Lake, Minn., native hit 14 homers and 11 doubles and finished with 41 RBIs. 

Schwarber, by the way, finished 19th in the National League MVP vote after slugging 47 homers with 104 RBIs. Baseball-Reference projects Schwarber to slug another 40 homers and 34 doubles while predicting Wallner to hit 15 homers and 15 doubles. 

Wallner also struck out 105 times in 319 plate appearances for a 32.9% strikeout rate and went hitless in 12 playoff plate appearances, though he did draw three walks and was hit by a pitch once while striking out five times. 

Schwarber struck out an MLB high 215 times in 720 plate appearances, which is a strikeout rate of 29.8%. In the playoffs he was a beast, especially in the NLCS when he hammered five homers and hit .364 with a 1.670 OPS. 

Defensively, Wallner started 37 games in left field and 20 games in right field. His eight other starts (65 total in 2023) were as the designated hitter.

Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Matt Wallner (38) dove for the ball couldn t come up with the catch in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Target Field / Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports