Perhaps more than any other position, the idea of tiering off players by type of production as opposed to overall production is most important with outfielders. That’s been a common theme throughout our rankings, but the sheer amount of outfielders makes it ring truer.
So, when talking about OFs, we’ll focus on the top half or so of the rankings. After that, it’s kind of a free-for-all depending on your needs and willingness to trust injured/unproven/platoon players.
MORE RANKINGS:Catcher | First | Second | Third | Shortstop | Starter | Closer
Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy: Outfield
Mike Trout and Mookie Betts could easily be the first two players off the board in any draft this spring, but after that, it’s possible no other players only eligible at OF will go in the first round. Bryce Harper probably will, but even as early as the late-first/second round, you can start playing the “category game” with OFs. Charlie Blackmon, Starling Marte, and A.J. Pollock have all stolen at least 39 bases in one of the past two seasons, so getting a “steals” guy who also hits homers is big. Of course, you can just go for consistent raw power and take Nelson Cruz or Giancarlo Stanton and hope the former can fight of Father Time for one more year and the latter can stay healthy.
There will be plenty of OFs taken in each following round, with a mix of power-speed threats and mashers going intermittently. There aren’t many pure speedsters worth drafting in the first six or seven rounds aside from Billy Hamilton, but you can clean up several much later (Rajai Davis, Jarrod Dyson, Travis Janikowski) to balance out your team. In the interim, SB-leaning guys with some pop like Keon Broxton, Odubel Herrera, Byron Buxton, and even Carlos Gomez loom as major sleepers.
When it comes to the heavy hitters, it’s really a matter of preference. Obviously, younger players have a little more appeal, and anyone who can approach double-digit steals stands out a bit more, but at the end of the year, the difference between someone like Yoenis Cespedes and Adam Jones will likely be batting average and RBIs – two things that are more difficult to predict, especially since health is so important to the latter.
It’s easy to say “that’s why you don’t need to reach for an outfielder”, and while that’s generally true, OF runs can happen before you’re even done clicking “draft player”. Even though OF is deep – it will always seem like there’s a guy who will hit .265 with 20-25 HRs available – it might not be as deep for your specific category need, especially if you’re looking for a 10-20 or 20-10 candidate. If you like someone, go ahead and grab them, even if it might be a round “too early”. Your guess on who’s going to break out is just as good as anyone else’s.
MORE: Top 50 prospects | 2017 Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide
2017 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Outfield
Note: These rankings were compiled as if every player is only eligible at OF. A player like Trea Turner will be ranked higher overall because he is also eligible at 2B and SS.
*Eligible at another position
2017 RANKINGS:Catcher | First | Second | Third | Shortstop | Outfield | Starter | Closer
