Fantasy Baseball: Outfield Rankings

Collin HagerMar 4, 2009

So I've been battling a cold since the weekend, hence my absence yesterday. Thanks to the lovely people at NyQuil, I'm back and almost 100 percent. Good time. It has given me a chance to go over some more rankings. Today, we talk outfield.

I love talking outfielders, because there are very few ways to get this category wrong. Each position has its elite players, and the outfield is no exception. What is different here is the complete depth at the position and the overall specialties of the mid-tier.

There are certainly going to be players here that I'm not as high on that other analysts may see as better. The opposite is going to be true too. In general, though, the depth here allows for an owner to see what's out there and make moves when they see value being generated. You can also avoid "position runs" here.

TOP NEWS

Washington Nationals v Los Angeles Angels

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

This list is going to be longer than most, simply because we need more to make up a roster. We'll give you what we see as the top-50 here. If you don't want to read all 50, we'll give the commentary on the various players first.

I don't think I missed anyone on this list, but I have been a little out of it...without further ado...

Here we go:

Notes

It's very likely that the top-20 outfielders could be drafted inside the top-50 overall. That means round five for those of you in ten team leagues. The depth doesn't drop off here, and some players may be a reach at the end of that 20 for the round you would need to draft them in.
As far as the Braun/Sizemore debate, I think Sizemore is a more complete all-around player, and I'd rather have that in the first round over Braun. You can debate it both ways, but I like the total package Sizemore has to offer.
Everyone is concerned about Matt Holliday, and part of it is justified. He spent his career in a hitter's park, and now goes to one of the better places to pitch in baseball. Oakland is filled with foul territory, creating additional outs. The pitching in the division isn't outstanding beyond Anaheim, though. He was still a .308 hitter away last year. I'd drop him down, but not as dramatically as you might think.
Manny Ramirez has only had one blip on his stats over his career, and that happened in 2007 with some injuries. Otherwise, he's a lock for near .300/35/100 every time out. I wouldn't worry about his lack of spring training or his demeanor. He can roll out of bed and hit.
Several top-tier players missed time with injury. Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano stick out among them. Lee was on a tear before a broken finger sidelined him. Soriano battled injuries all year and still stole 20 bases and neared 30 home runs. Keep that in mind when looking to draft them.
Matt Kemp is getting a crazy amount of buzz. He's a potential five-tool stud in the making, but owners need to be careful into making him that before he's ready. Kemp may fall slightly from the .290 he hit in 2008, and struggled against righties last season. Don't rush a youngster, but he's a star in the making.
I think every year people overpay for Carl Crawford. My rank of him reflects that. Crawford. He brings steals to the table, but his injury last season even hampered that. He hit 11 home runs in 2007 and 8 in 2008. His average should be around .290, but why reach to grab him so early when there are others that give better all around production? You can do better.
Now, you could make the same argument against Upton, but he definitely brings speed, and his display in the playoffs was impressive and showed he still has the power. You'll have to reach to grab him early, and may still slightly overpay if his power numbers don't return to 2007 form.
Color me skeptical on Nelson Cruz. A career minor leaguer that comes on to the scene for a good month doesn't do it for me in terms of projections to a steady season. Let someone else grab him way too early in your draft.
I like Nate McLouth, but I've stated for a while that I'm nervous about the production of any Pirate this season without Jason Bay and Xavier Nady. His production bottomed out after the trade deadline. Was this a coincidence? Probably not. Still likely good for 20-20 numbers.
Chris Young had a hot final month that still didn't come close to making up for a disappointing season. You should be able to grab him later, and he's proven that he has the power. His average should certainly rebound from the depths that it was in during most of 2008.
One of my favorite names on this list is Nick Markakis. He's just 25 years old, and simply produces. Hitting .300 with 30 home runs isn't out of the question. His RBI numbers might suffer because of the lineup, but that's not in his control.
Jay Bruce isn't as good as his first month in the big leagues, nor is he as bad as his worst stretch last season. Bruce settled in to a below-expectation .254/21/52 rookie campaign. I think he hits around .275 this season and improves his power numbers to be a threat at 30 home runs as well.
The season hasn't even started yet and we're already talking about a J.D. Drew injury. If you draft him, be prepared for at least one extended stint on the DL. He just can't keep himself in a lineup and has only cracked 20 home runs twice in the last six years. He's managed just 64 RBI in both years with Boston.