Right field has been home to some of the most legendary players in baseball history. From all-time home run kings to defensive wizards with rocket arms, the best right fielders could do it all—hit for power, get on base, and make highlight-reel plays in the outfield.
These players weren’t just great; they were game-changers who left a lasting impact on the sport. So let’s dive in and rank the 15 greatest right fielders in MLB history, counting down from 15 to 1.
15. Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield wasn’t just a great baseball player—he was a freak athlete who was drafted in three different sports (MLB, NFL, and NBA). He went on to rack up 3,110 hits, 465 home runs, and seven Gold Gloves in an elite 22-year career. He was also one of the few players to win a World Series in his 40s, delivering big hits for the 1992 Blue Jays.
14. Vladimir Guerrero
Vlad Guerrero never saw a pitch he didn’t like—and he could hit just about all of them. His aggressive, free-swinging style made him one of the most entertaining hitters ever, finishing with 449 home runs and a .318 career batting average. Oh, and let’s not forget his absolute cannon of an arm in right field, which made baserunners think twice about testing him.
13. Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson was the definition of clutch, delivering three home runs in a single World Series game and earning two Series MVP awards. His 563 career home runs and five championships make him an all-time legend, even if he did strike out more than anyone in history at the time. Love him or hate him, Reggie always made baseball exciting.
12. Paul Waner
A throwback to the early days of baseball, Paul Waner was a pure hitter, racking up 3,152 hits and winning three batting titles in the late 1920s and ‘30s. His .333 career average is among the best ever, proving that even in an era before power hitting dominated, getting on base was just as valuable.
11. Harry Heilmann
He may not be a household name today, but in his time, Harry Heilmann was one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball. He won four batting titles and finished with a career .342 average. If you played baseball in the 1920s and weren’t Babe Ruth, this was about as good as it got.
10. Sam Crawford
If doubles and triples were an art form, Sam Crawford was Picasso. The all-time leader in triples with a ridiculous 309, Crawford was one of the deadliest hitters of the Dead Ball Era. His ability to hit for extra bases while patrolling right field for the Tigers alongside Ty Cobb made him a legend.
9. Roberto Clemente
Few players have meant more to the game than Roberto Clemente. A 15-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glove winner, and 3,000-hit club member, Clemente was a force at the plate and a magician in the outfield. His powerful arm was one of the best in baseball history, and his humanitarian work off the field made him an icon beyond the sport.
8. Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson did something no one else in baseball has ever done—win the MVP in both leagues. He racked up 586 home runs, won a Triple Crown, and helped lead the Orioles to multiple championships. His fiery leadership and all-around dominance made him one of the greatest to ever play the game.
7. Al Kaline
“Mr. Tiger” spent his entire 22-year career in Detroit, collecting 3,007 hits and 399 home runs while winning 10 Gold Gloves. He was the heart and soul of the Tigers for two decades and remains one of the most beloved players in franchise history. If there’s a definition of consistent greatness, it’s Al Kaline.
6. Mel Ott
Mel Ott was the first player in National League history to hit 500 home runs, finishing with 511 in an era when few players even reached 300. His high leg kick and smooth swing made him one of the game’s most feared hitters during the 1920s and ‘30s, and his career .304 average proves he was more than just a power bat.
5. Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro was a hitting machine unlike anything baseball had ever seen. Coming over from Japan at 27, he still managed to rack up 3,089 MLB hits, along with a record-setting 262 hits in a single season. His speed, contact ability, and elite defense with 10 Gold Gloves made him one of the most unique and impactful right fielders ever.
4. Hank Aaron
For years, Hank Aaron was baseball’s home run king, finishing with an astonishing 755 home runs—all while facing incredible racial adversity. But he wasn’t just a slugger; he collected 3,771 hits, won three Gold Gloves, and drove in more runs than anyone in history. His legacy as one of the most complete hitters of all time is untouchable.
3. Stan Musial
Stan Musial was simply a hitting machine. With 3,630 hits, 475 home runs, and three MVPs, he dominated for two decades with the St. Louis Cardinals. He led the league in batting seven times and won seven National League championships. His smooth swing and humble personality made him one of the most beloved players ever.
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2. Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth didn’t just hit home runs—he turned it into an art form. His 714 career homers completely changed the way baseball was played, and his larger-than-life personality made him the first true sports superstar. If this list were purely about impact on the game, Ruth would be number one.
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1. Ted Williams
Ted Williams was the greatest pure hitter who ever lived. The last man to hit over .400 in a season at .406 in 1941, he finished with a career .344 average and 521 home runs, despite missing nearly five seasons to serve in World War II and the Korean War. A two-time MVP and six-time batting champion, he combined power, patience, and an unmatched ability to get on base. His .482 career on-base percentage is the highest in MLB history. Simply put, there’s never been a better hitter.
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