Some outfielders made jaws drop not with their bat, but with their cannon of an arm. From throwing runners out at home to freezing baserunners in their tracks, these guys turned the outfield into a no-go zone.
This list is a tribute to those laser-armed legends who could throw a baseball like it was shot out of a cannon. Whether they were playing in the dead-ball era or the Statcast age, one thing’s for sure—these arms were no joke.
17. Raul Mondesi
Mondesi was as fearless with his throws as he was with his swing. He turned right field into a danger zone with pure arm strength and swagger.
16. Vladimir Guerrero
He didn’t believe in cut-off men and made it work. Vlad’s arm was pure chaos for baserunners, and he loved daring them to run.
15. Yasiel Puig
Puig’s throws were unpredictable, but they often arrived on a rope. His flair and cannon combined to make outfield assists must-watch TV.
14. Roberto Clemente
Clemente’s throws were all about precision and power. He made gunning down runners from deep right look routine.
13. Rick Ankiel
Ankiel went from pitcher to outfielder, and his arm came with him. His throws felt like they were coming off the mound, not the warning track.
12. Dave Parker
The Cobra had one of the most feared right arms of the ’70s. He once gunned down a runner at the plate from the All-Star Game corner.
11. Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro’s debut throw from right field became legend overnight. Smooth, sharp, and always on the money—his arm was art.
10. José Guillén
Guillén could throw out guys flat-footed with ease. He didn’t always hit, but his arm always played a role.
9. Dwight Evans
Evans had one of the best throwing arms of his era and rarely got tested twice. His rifle from right field made runners think twice—if they thought at all.
8. Jackie Bradley Jr.
Bradley’s routes and instincts were elite, but his arm sealed the deal. When he uncorked one, it was a thing of beauty.
7. Jeff Francoeur
Francoeur made up for slumps at the plate by launching lasers from the outfield. His accuracy and velocity were consistently jaw-dropping.
6. Reggie Sanders
Sanders wasn’t just fast—he could throw absolute seeds. His arm added another dimension to his already solid game.
5. Jesse Barfield
Barfield had arguably the strongest outfield arm of the 1980s. He made life miserable for anyone trying to tag up on a fly ball.
4. Andre Dawson
The Hawk combined strength, accuracy, and that no-nonsense glare. Few dared to challenge his arm—and those who did often paid the price.
3. Larry Walker
Walker’s cannon was loud and lethal from Coors to Montreal. He paired elite defense with outfield throws that sizzled.
Read more: The 25 Best Defensive Outfielders in MLB History
2. Bo Jackson
Bo didn’t need perfect mechanics—just raw, terrifying athleticism. When he let it fly, it looked more like a missile than a baseball.
Read more: Ranking the 15 Most Exciting MLB Players of the ’80s
1. Yoenis Céspedes
At his peak, Céspedes had the most jaw-dropping outfield throws in baseball. He turned highlight-reel assists into a regular feature.
Read more: 15 MLB Players Who Let a Contract Go Straight to Their Heads
