Fantasy Outfield 61-75
Mar 28, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson (3) signs autographs prior to a game against the Washington Nationals at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-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.
61. #202 Lorenzo Cain Kansas City Royals
Cain’s athleticism and defensive wizardry in October has nothing to do with his fantasy value, but he should be a solid candidate to steal as many as 30 bases. I always hoped that his power would develop a little more, but it seems like Cain will just be a middling fantasy option.
62. #211 Carl Crawford Los Angeles Dodgers
I was never a fan of Carl Crawford in fantasy even when he was a beast with the (Devil) Rays. Matt Kemp going to San Diego is a little promising for Crawford’s playing time, but Joc Pederson may be ready to play every day. Despite being 33, Crawford is still a source of 25 or so steals.
63. #222 Carlos Beltran New York Mets
Beltran still has nice power upside in the AL East, but you are essentially buying a DL stint from him. You could get 20 home runs for cheap, but you could also just get 20 games played.
64. #223 Khris Davis Milwaukee Brewers
If you are looking for an outfield option with a little pop, then Khris Davis could be perfect for you. His 2014 stats of 70 runs, 22 homers, 69 RBI’s, four steals, and a .244/.299/.457 slash line are repeatable. I could say that Khris Davis is a poor man’s Chris Davis with a better average.
65. #230 Desmond Jennings Tampa Bay Rays
The prospect shine has finally rubbed off on Desmond Jennings. I feel like he has settled in as a 10 home run, 15 steal player with a league average BA. He still could replicate his 2012 numbers, but I would be surprised to see him return to 31 steals at age 28 after posting declining SB totals in 2013 and 2014.
66. #231 Curtis Granderson New York Mets
Curtis Granderson should produce fairly similar numbers to Khris Davis, but I would expect his average to be closer to .230 and for Granderson to approach 10 steals. Again, he is another nice source of power for an inexpensive fifth OF option.
67. #232 Colby Rasmus Houston Astros
Rasmus is currently injured. I would drop him off of the list and consider grabbing him as a free agent if you are in need of power once he gets healthier.
68. #233 Danny Santana Minnesota Twins (also SS eligible)
I wrote about Danny Santana in the article called Fantasy Shortstop 10-17.
69. #244 Dexter Fowler Chicago Cubs
Dexter Fowler is built for OBP leagues with his career .366 mark, but his health is a question as Fowler has missed 89 games in the last two seasons and has never played more than 143 in a year. Fowler will hit at the top of the Cubs lineup for his on-base skills and should eclipse 80 runs with decent health.
70. #247 Ben Zobrist Oakland A’s (also 2B and SS eligible)
I wrote about Ben Zobrist in the article called Fantasy Second Base 18-25.
71. #258 Marlon Byrd Cincinnati Reds
Marlon Byrd was a borderline top 100 player in 2014, but he costs absolutely nothing this year. Byrd has been kind of a beast in the last two seasons. In 2013, he played 147 games, scored 75 runs, hit 24 home runs, and drove in 88 RBI’s. In 2014, he played 154 games, scored 71 runs, hit 25 home runs, and drove in 85 RBI’s. Those are pretty similar numbers to Matt Kemp’s 2014.
72. #259 Coco Crisp Oakland A’s
His 22 home runs in 2013 were almost the definition of a fluke with a significantly higher HR/FB rate and the fact that Crisp had never really shown that type of power in years. I think he is much closer to 10 homers, but I still like the fact that he will probably steal 20 bases at age 35. Coco Crisp only seems to be good for 130 games, so plan accordingly and expect a DL stint or two.
73. #260 Josh Hamilton* Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
With the potential suspension looming and the injury sustained earlier in Spring Training, I would not draft Hamilton in almost any format.
74. #265 Torii Hunter Minnesota Twins
Personally, I just like the homecoming for Torii Hunter in Minnesota. The Twin Cities are probably happy to see both Hunter and Kevin Garnett in their twilight of their careers for one last hurrah. While Hunter will no longer be patrolling center field like in the old days, he still hits for a high average, has been very healthy the past five seasons, and has been a consistent source of R, HR, and RBI.
75. #270 Alejandro De Aza Baltimore Orioles
I do not think that De Aza is a very good hitter, but I am encouraged by the fact that he could be the table setter for the Baltimore Orioles. Hitting at the top of that lineup should give him some serious run production, but De Aza is really a bench option at best.