Fantasy Outfield 46-60
Mar 9, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. (20) runs back to the dugout against the New York Yankees at a spring training baseball game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The number before each outfielder’s name represents their overall rank in the 2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings.
Due to the fact that I ranked 75 outfielders versus 25 players at each infield position, I will be lumping the OF’s into groups of 15 and the breakdowns will generally be more concise. Please feel to comment if you want me to expound more on a certain player.
46. #162 Joc Pederson Los Angeles Dodgers
There are a lot of things to love about Joc Pederson’s potential. His filthy Minor League numbers look like a George Springer Minor League line with a better batting average. Some projections view Pederson as a 20-20 guy, but I think that is a little optimistic. Roll the dice on Joc Pederson if you can grab in a non-keeper outside of the top 150 picks.
47. #167 Adam Eaton Chicago White Sox
Adam Eaton is the lesser version of A.J. Pollock because Pollock has a little more power in his bat. Eaton is still a solid option if you are looking for an outfield bat with a solid average and decent wheels, but be wary of his ADP rising too high because he is a viewed as a 2015 breakout candidate by many.
48. #171 Steve Pearce Baltimore Orioles (also 1B eligible)
I wrote about Steve Pearce in the article called Fantasy First Base 18-25.
49. #173 Ben Revere Philadelphia Phillies
I have highlighted Revere’s value in this article, and I strongly prefer Ben Revere over the pricey Billy Hamilton at their respective ADP’s. If you cannot grab Revere, then I would definitely still target a SB at some point in your draft.
50. #174 Rajai Davis Detroit Tigers
Most people will have Rajai Davis well below Ben Revere, but I think that Davis is criminally underrated. He has six straight seasons of 30+ steals. If Davis gets 500+ at-bats, then he could lead the AL in steals. His .270 career batting average is not too shabby, but it will probably lack the near .300 BA of Revere.
51. #175 Avisail Garcia Chicago White Sox
Another common breakout candidate is Avisail Garcia because he is still young and has pretty solid pop. I think that Garcia has a chance for 20 home runs in a very hitter-friendly ballpark in Chicago.
52. #178 Rusney Castillo Boston Red Sox
I only had Rusney Castillo ranked so lowly because I expected him to not be a full-time starter. If Castillo would get full-time at-bats, then he would be ranked much higher, but I am very skeptical of the Red Sox outfield in fantasy because I question the playing time with all of their options. If the outfield situation clears up, then Hanley Ramirez, Mookie Betts, and Castillo all have big upside in fantasy this year.
53. #179 Michael Cuddyer New York Mets
It is hard to be optimistic about Cuddyer’s outlook compared to 2014 when he was in Colorado, but an injury-plagued 2014 36 year-old playing at Citi Field is not exactly enticing. However, Cuddyer is a strong OPS candidate with a .955 OPS in 2014 and a career .813 mark. He is a pretty solid utility outfielder or a very low-end third OF.
54. #181 Josh Harrison Pittsburgh Pirates (also 3B eligible)
I wrote about Josh Harrison in the article called Fantasy Third Base 10-17.
55. #185 Arismendy Alcantara Chicago Cubs (also 2B eligible)
I wrote about Arismendy Alcantara in the article called Fantasy Second Base 10-17.
56. #186 Leonys Martin Texas Rangers
If his price remains deflated enough, then Leonys Martin is a really wise choice for a SB option. He will hit lead-off for the Rangers, and I believe he has the chance to score 100 runs, steal 40 bases, and maybe hit a dozen bombs as well. Leonys Martin is one of the better well-rounded speedsters in fantasy baseball this year.
57. #189 Michael Saunders Toronto Blue Jays
Michael Saunders suffered a meniscus tear earlier in Spring Training that was supposed to cost him half the season, but it sounds like he could ready for Opening Day. His miracle recovery is awesome for his stock, but I am afraid that coming off of a meniscus injury will hurt his stolen base ceiling. It definitely tampers my expectations for someone who could have been Michael Brantley light in 2015.
58. #194 Steven Souza Tampa Bay Rays
Projection systems absolutely love Steven Souza because he is projected across the board as flirting with a 20-20 season. At this juncture in the draft, I would absolutely gamble on that upside even though he has not really played much in the Major Leagues. However, I am willing to bet that at least one person in your league has seen has seen his projections and will reach for Souza.
59. #199 Denard Span Washington Nationals
An injury to his core will certainly hamper Span’s value who had an insanely productive season atop the lineup of the Washington Nationals. I am very concerned about how effective Span will be even after he returns to the field, so I am not likely willing to draft Span even with a nice injury discount.
60. #200 Drew Stubbs Colorado Rockies
Is this too high for a part time player? Maybe, but Stubbs was an absolute monster at Coors in 2014. He is worth owning and starting for his home starts alone. As you can read in this article from 2014, Drew Stubbs was absolutely filthy at home. His splits may have been huge, but he could be your fantasy platoon at utility.