In fantasy baseball, you have to load up on outfielders since there are so many more of them than any other position. If you’re looking for the best of the best in your draft, look no further than these 15 players, who set the bar in outfields throughout MLB.
15. Christian Yelich - Miami Marlins
Steve Mitchell-USA Today SportsYelich has yet to grow into the player the Marlins thought he could be, but he came awfully close last year. Look for him to have a breakout 2016 campaign as he takes on a bigger role in Miami's offense. He has the ability to hit for modest power while providing some speed as well.
Projected 2016 Stats: .294 batting average, 10 HRs, 54 RBIs and 24 steals
Yelich has yet to grow into the player the Marlins thought he could be, but he came awfully close last year. Look for him to have a breakout 2016 campaign as he takes on a bigger role in Miami's offense. He has the ability to hit for modest power while providing some speed as well.
14. Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers
Getty ImagesBraun isn't quite the same hitter he used to be and he's hitting in a Brewers lineup that doesn't get on base a whole lot, so that means his RBI opportunities are likely to go down. Still, he's a great pure power hitter and is a good bet to hit 20-30 home runs while being a very solid starter in all fantasy leagues.
Projected 2016 Stats: .279 batting average, 22 HRs and 79 RBIs
Braun isn't quite the same hitter he used to be and he's hitting in a Brewers lineup that doesn't get on base a whole lot, so that means his RBI opportunities are likely to go down. Still, he's a great pure power hitter and is a good bet to hit 20-30 home runs while being a very solid starter in all fantasy leagues.
13. A.J. Pollock - Arizona Diamondbacks
Getty ImagesPollock burst onto the scene a year ago and made it seem like he's here to stay. He can hurt you with his bat and his legs which makes him extremely valuable in fantasy. Anytime you can find a guy capable of stealing 30-plus bases and hitting 20-plus home runs, grab him when you can.
Projected 2016 Stats: .304 batting average, 18 HRs, 84 RBIs and 31 steals
Pollock burst onto the scene a year ago and made it seem like he's here to stay. He can hurt you with his bat and his legs which makes him extremely valuable in fantasy. Anytime you can find a guy capable of stealing 30-plus bases and hitting 20-plus home runs, grab him when you can.
12. Starling Marte - Pittsburgh Pirates
Getty ImagesMarte is often forgotten in Pittsburgh since the team has Andrew McCutchen, but he could come close to his statistical output this season as he continues to enter his prime. Marie is another guy who will hit for power and steal bases, and there are very few guys like that available in fantasy leagues.
Projected 2016 Stats: .282 batting average, 24 HRs, 92 RBIs and 27 steals
Marte is often forgotten in Pittsburgh since the team has Andrew McCutchen, but he could come close to his statistical output this season as he continues to enter his prime. Marie is another guy who will hit for power and steal bases, and there are very few guys like that available in fantasy leagues.
11. Jason Heyward - Chicago Cubs
Getty ImagesAfter signing a megadeal and joining a stacked Cubs lineup, it looks like Heyward should have a very solid year offensively. He's likely to score tons of runs hitting in either the No. 2 or 5 hole in the order. If he's hitting fifth, he's going to get a ton of RBI chances as well. As a lefty hitting at Wrigley Field, look for his power numbers to modestly go up as well.
Projected 2016 Stats: .292 batting average, 17 HRs, 88 RBIs and 28 steals
After signing a megadeal and joining a stacked Cubs lineup, it looks like Heyward should have a very solid year offensively. He's likely to score tons of runs hitting in either the No. 2 or 5 hole in the order. If he's hitting fifth, he's going to get a ton of RBI chances as well. As a lefty hitting at Wrigley Field, look for his power numbers to modestly go up as well.
10. Justin Upton - Detroit Tigers
Getty ImagesUpton is actually overrated since he hits for such a low average, but there's no denying his fantasy value. He can hit upwards of 30 home runs and is capable of stealing 15-20 bases. Hitting in a strong Detroit lineup, his power numbers could get even better in 2016.
Projected 2016 Stats: .244 batting average, 27 HRs, 86 RBIs and 17 steals
Upton is actually overrated since he hits for such a low average, but there's no denying his fantasy value. He can hit upwards of 30 home runs and is capable of stealing 15-20 bases. Hitting in a strong Detroit lineup, his power numbers could get even better in 2016.
9. Carlos Gonzalez - Colorado Rockies
Getty ImagesSince he plays for a losing team, lots of people forget about CarGo, but they shouldn't. He's one of the elite power threats in the game as he crushed 40 homers a season ago. The lefty slugger isn't likely to duplicate that performance this season, but he could come pretty darn close.
Projected 2016 Stats: .282 batting average, 32 HRs and 97 RBIs
Since he plays for a losing team, lots of people forget about CarGo, but they shouldn't. He's one of the elite power threats in the game as he crushed 40 homers a season ago. The lefty slugger isn't likely to duplicate that performance this season, but he could come pretty darn close.
8. Jose Bautista - Toronto Blue Jays
Getty ImagesMany would rank Bautista higher on this list, but he seems far too distracted by his contract going into this season. That ends up motivating players a lot of the time, but he may be sidetracked. Of course, that isn't to say he will have a bad year. He's likely to hit right around his career average; he may just see a slight dip. That's still better than most of the league.
Projected 2016 Stats: .261 batting average, 34 HRs, and 92 RBIs
Many would rank Bautista higher on this list, but he seems far too distracted by his contract going into this season. That ends up motivating players a lot of the time, but he may be sidetracked. Of course, that isn't to say he will have a bad year. He's likely to hit right around his career average; he may just see a slight dip. That's still better than most of the league.
7. J.D. Martinez - Detroit Tigers
Rick Osentoski-USA Today SportsThis guy is the most underrated outfielder in the game today. He went off last season and was one of the Tigers' offensive leaders. With everyone healthy to start the season, he has a chance to build on last year's breakout performance. If he does that, he could be a borderline top-five fantasy outfield option.
Projected 2016 Stats: .296 batting average, 36 HRs and 112 RBIs
This guy is the most underrated outfielder in the game today. He went off last season and was one of the Tigers' offensive leaders. With everyone healthy to start the season, he has a chance to build on last year's breakout performance. If he does that, he could be a borderline top-five fantasy outfield option.
6. Yoenis Cespedes - New York Mets
Getty ImagesCespedes had the second half of a lifetime last year, but don't expect to get a full season like that out of the Cuban slugger. He will still put up big numbers in the Mets' lineup, but not big enough to justify the first-round draft pick many people will use on him.
Projected 2016 Stats: .274 batting average, 29 HRs and 83 RBIs
Cespedes had the second half of a lifetime last year, but don't expect to get a full season like that out of the Cuban slugger. He will still put up big numbers in the Mets' lineup, but not big enough to justify the first-round draft pick many people will use on him.
5. Lorenzo Cain - Kansas City Royals
Getty ImagesCain was little more than a third outfielder just a few short seasons ago, but now he's an MVP candidate. The Royals' righty can hit for power and steal bases, which instantly makes him one of the most valuable outfielders available. If he builds on last year's performance, he's going to be a dangerous fantasy player to have.
Projected 2016 Stats: .302 batting average, 15 HRs, 68 RBIs and 32 steals
Cain was little more than a third outfielder just a few short seasons ago, but now he's an MVP candidate. The Royals' righty can hit for power and steal bases, which instantly makes him one of the most valuable outfielders available. If he builds on last year's performance, he's going to be a dangerous fantasy player to have.
4. Nelson Cruz - Seattle Mariners
Getty ImagesEven as Cruz ages, he doesn't seem to lose that pop in his bat. Consistently, he's proven he's a 30-40 home run guy who will hit for a relatively high average. Whenever you can find a guy who hits for power without the tradeoff in average, that's someone you want on your fantasy team.
Projected 2016 Stats: .281 batting average, 33 HRs and 90 RBIs
Even as Cruz ages, he doesn't seem to lose that pop in his bat. Consistently, he's proven he's a 30-40 home run guy who will hit for a relatively high average. Whenever you can find a guy who hits for power without the tradeoff in average, that's someone you want on your fantasy team.
3. Andrew McCutchen - Pittsburgh Pirates
Getty ImagesEven after getting out of the gates slow last season, Andrew McCutchen finished as one of the top hitters in the National League once again. His Pirates have a deep lineup and he's right in the middle of it, which means plenty of opportunities for run production. After early playoff exits in years past, look for McCutchen to carry a chip on his shoulder in 2016.
Projected 2016 Stats: .298 batting average, 34 HRs, 101 RBIs and 15 steals
Even after getting out of the gates slow last season, Andrew McCutchen finished as one of the top hitters in the National League once again. His Pirates have a deep lineup and he's right in the middle of it, which means plenty of opportunities for run production. After early playoff exits in years past, look for McCutchen to carry a chip on his shoulder in 2016.
2. Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels
Getty ImagesTrout is the face of MLB and for good reason: He's a bona fide superstar at age 24. His stolen base totals have dropped off majorly in years past, but his power numbers have gone up. If he can find a happy medium between the two, he will win the American League MVP once again and carry you to a fantasy baseball championship in 2016.
Projected 2016 Stats: .286 batting average, 38 HRs, 111 RBIs and 22 steals
Trout is the face of MLB and for good reason: He's a bona fide superstar at age 24. His stolen base totals have dropped off majorly in years past, but his power numbers have gone up. If he can find a happy medium between the two, he will win the American League MVP once again and carry you to a fantasy baseball championship in 2016.
1. Bryce Harper - Washington Nationals
Getty ImagesHarper is baseball's most exciting player and he's also the game's best hitter at just 23 years old. His breakout season finally came last year, and he's ready to go on an absolute tear. He's easily capable of topping 50 home runs, which he will do in 2016, and he is the no-brainer No. 1 overall pick in most fantasy baseball leagues.
Projected 2016 Stats: .317 batting average, 51 HRs and 124 RBIs
Harper is baseball's most exciting player and he's also the game's best hitter at just 23 years old. His breakout season finally came last year, and he's ready to go on an absolute tear. He's easily capable of topping 50 home runs, which he will do in 2016, and he is the no-brainer No. 1 overall pick in most fantasy baseball leagues.
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