Major League Baseball has analyzed Statcast data from 2021 to 2025 to rank 29 ballparks based on how difficult they are for outfielders to catch fly balls, using Outs Above Average metrics. Parks with roofs and consistent weather top the list as the friendliest, while wind, sun, and unique dimensions make others the hardest. The study highlights a small home-field advantage of about +3 OAA per team per year.
The analysis, published on MLB.com, divides the ballparks into five groups based on outfield performance at home versus on the road and for visiting teams. It excludes the Oakland Athletics' park due to their 2025 move to West Sacramento, which affected sample size.
Group 1, the friendliest places, includes Chase Field in Arizona, Globe Life Field in Texas, Rogers Centre in Toronto, Daikin Park in Houston, Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, and Petco Park in San Diego. The top five feature roofs that eliminate wind and sun, while Petco benefits from San Diego's reliable weather, with only four rainouts since opening 22 years ago.
Former outfielder Kevin Pillar praised domes like those in Toronto, Texas, and Arizona for their darker backdrops that help track the ball. "I think about Toronto, Texas, Arizona," Pillar said, noting they have a "standard, industrial sort of backdrop... which definitely makes it a little bit easier to find the ball." He added about Toronto: "You're not really facing a whole lot of external elements... the majority of time you're playing with the roof closed... The sun's never really a factor... no ton of wind in the stadium."
However, Pillar critiqued Tropicana Field: "... minus the Trop, because of obvious reasons with the ceiling being white and it being difficult to see the ball. It's the least tall roof."
Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos also favored San Diego: "I think San Diego was pretty good... I felt pretty good playing in San Diego."
Group 2 features solidly above-average parks: Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, loanDepot park in Miami, T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Angel Stadium in Los Angeles, Target Field in Minnesota, American Family Field in Milwaukee, Truist Park in Atlanta, and Busch Stadium in St. Louis. These include retractable roofs in Miami, Seattle, and Milwaukee, plus Anaheim's mild weather.
Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong noted: "St. Louis is relatively easy to play in... The walls aren’t too tall there."
For Cincinnati, home outfielders posted +2 OAA, visitors -14 OAA, while road performances were -53 OAA, suggesting the park mitigates poor defense rather than boosting elite play.
Group 3, average parks, are Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Comerica Park in Detroit, PNC Park in Pittsburgh, and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Crow-Armstrong called Dodger Stadium easy due to its straight walls: "Dimensions-wise... there’s no kink in that wall. It’s just straight."
Group 4, slightly more difficult, includes Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Citi Field in New York, Progressive Field in Cleveland, Yankee Stadium in New York, and Nationals Park in Washington. These open-air venues share variable Northeast weather. Crow-Armstrong enjoyed Yankee Stadium for its atmosphere: "Not that [Yankee Stadium] is super easy, but that’s just a fun one... the space you have to run around out there. It’s not the biggest, but it’s roomy."
Group 5, the hardest, comprises Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Coors Field in Colorado, Fenway Park in Boston, Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Wrigley Field in Chicago, and Oracle Park in San Francisco. Factors include wind, elevation, unique features, and weather.
At Citizens Bank, Phillies outfielders were -20 OAA at home, visitors -51 OAA. Bryce Harper discussed wind: "We all talk about [the wind] in here. Early in the year, it’s tough. In the summer, it’s good. Then, later in the year, it gets tougher again. But I can’t control what Mother Nature’s doing."
Coors Field challenges with hanging balls due to altitude. Crow-Armstrong said: "I hate playing there... the ball hangs up differently. The reads are a little different." Brenton Doyle emphasized quickness: "The main preparation... is like the first step quickness stuff... better jump I can get on the ball."
Fenway's Triangle and angles hurt visitors (-29 OAA). Wrigley's wind, sun, and ivy complicate plays; Crow-Armstrong noted the "gnarly" sun in right field.
Oracle Park's swirling winds and marine layer make it toughest, with Giants -56 OAA at home versus -12 on road. Pillar recalled: "San Francisco was definitely a challenging place... certain things... out of my control that... knocked me as a defender." Ramos added: "It’s just swirling... You don’t know what to expect... got to be on your toes."
The study underscores how park designs influence defense, beyond hitting and pitching factors.
