Fantasy baseball 2020 tiered outfielder rankings
By Bill Pivetz
The outfielders in this tier have a wide range of outcomes this season.
Jeff McNeil, NYM
McNeil’s been mentioned twice before. Check out my second base and third base rankings to let you know how I feel about him. He should be drafted a starting second baseman or OF3, depending on league size.
Franmil Reyes, CLE
Between San Diego and Cleveland, Reyes finished with 37 home runs, 81 RBIs and a .249 average. He will play primarily be the Indians DH and backup outfielder should anything happen to their starters. With a full season in the AL Central expected, Reyes could be the next hitter to get to 50 home runs but his batting average will be around .260.
David Dahl, COL
If Dahl could stay healthy, he’d be a lot higher on my rankings. Unfortunately, he isn’t and here he is. Dahl played in a career-high 100 games last year, hitting 15 home runs, 61 RBIs and .302. Spending half your season hitting in Coors Field will help your fantasy value. His ceiling is 20 home runs with a .300 average but the missed time is baked into his ADP.
Kyle Schwarber, CHC
Schwarber’s hype in the fantasy world has worn enough that his ADP is 139. For what he can do for your team, that’s a great value. He can get close to 40 home runs and 95 RBIs. The negative is the average won’t be higher than .250. But, in this age of baseball, that’s probably the league average. As the Cubs cleanup hitter, Schwarber will have plenty of runners to drive home.
Max Kepler, MIN
Kepler saw an increase in his counting stats despite missing 30 games last season. He hit 36 home runs, 90 RBIs and .252. Kepler is another hitter with the high power potential but won’t help your batting average. He will hit atop the Twins lineup, so he’ll score at least 95 runs. He has a 12th-round ADP, making him a great pick as your third outfielder.
Oscar Mercado, CLE
Mercado is another hitter that had a good rookie season. In 115 games, he hit .269 with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs. He also stole 15 bases in 19 attempts. Looking ahead to this season, I think the batting average drops to about .260 but the counting stats will still be there. He will hit between Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana; that’s pretty good company to be with in a lineup.
Michael Conforto, NYM
Conforto had one season with a batting average over .275. That’s not the kind of hitter you’ll be drafting. He is a good source of power, though. Conforto hit 33 home runs with 92 RBIs last year. Roster Resource has him hitting sixth in the Mets lineup. He spent the majority of 2019 hitting third or fourth, but that’s likely due to the injuries piling up. The shift down the lineup will take away some at-bats for Conforto.
Trey Mancini, BAL
Mancini is my No. 10 first baseman this season. Looking at Baltimore’s lineup, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the team’s only All Star. He posted great power and contact. I believe the average will drop while he continues to hit 30-plus home runs.
Luis Robert, CWS
The White Sox rewarded their top prospect with a six-year, $50 million deal as one of the many lengthy extensions they handed out this offseason. Robert moved up the minor leagues quickly last season. He hit .328 with 32 home runs, 92 RBIs and 36 steals (in 47 attempted) between High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. As the projected starting center fielder, there is the potential for a 40/40 season or he could be a letdown.
Andrew Benintendi, BOS
Benintendi has seen his power decline over the past three seasons. He hit just 13 home runs with 68 RBIs and a .266 average. He is still just 25 years old, so there is a possibility for a rebound season. But, he could have another poor season. It’s a risk and with his current ADP (103), I don’t know if I’d draft him that high.