Fantasy Baseball Outfield Rankings: Your 2023 Draft Day Cheat Sheet!
Hey there, fantasy baseball enthusiasts! Welcome back to another season of fun, strategy, and (hopefully) championships. Today, we're diving headfirst into the fantasy baseball outfield rankings for the 2023 season. Buckle up, because we've got a lot to cover, and we want to make sure you're fully equipped to draft the best outfielders this year. Let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and fantasy baseball outfield rankings.
Why Focus on Outfielders?
Before we dive into the rankings, let's talk strategy. Outfielders are a crucial part of your fantasy baseball team, offering a mix of power, speed, and average that can make or break your lineup. With five starting spots available in most leagues, it's essential to snag the right guys at the right time. So, what should you be looking for when drafting outfielders? Here are a few key stats to keep an eye on:
- Home Runs (HR): Power hitters can single-handedly win you weeks, so don't sleep on the long ball. - Runs Batted In (RBI): A high RBI total indicates that an outfielder is driving in runs and contributing to his team's offense. - Stolen Bases (SB): Speedsters can provide a nice boost in the steals category, which is often overlooked but can be a significant advantage. - Batting Average (AVG): A high average means your outfielder is consistently getting on base and contributing to his team's runs. - Runs Scored (R): Outfielders who score a lot of runs are typically on good teams or batting at the top of the lineup, which can lead to more opportunities for RBIs.
2023 Fantasy Baseball Outfield Rankings: Top 20
Alright, enough talk – let's get to the rankings! Remember, these rankings are based on a standard 5x5 rotisserie league (H, R, RBI, HR, SB, AVG, W, K, ERA, WHIP, SV, K/BB, QS) and are subject to change as spring training progresses. Without further ado, here are your top 20 fantasy baseball outfielders for the 2023 season:
1. Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels - The threetrueoutcomes.com king maintains his throne as the undisputed best fantasy outfielder. Trout's combination of power, speed, and average is unmatched, and he should once again lead the position in runs, RBIs, and HRs.
2. Mookie Betts, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers - Betts is a fantasy goldmine, offering a perfect blend of power, speed, and contact. He's a lock for a .300+ average and should approach 30 HRs and 30 SBs, making him a no-brainer first-round pick.
3. Ronald Acuña Jr., OF, Atlanta Braves - Acuña is back and healthier than ever. Expect him to build on his impressive 2021 campaign, with 40+ HRs and 30+ SBs on the table. His aggressive approach at the plate makes him a fantasy superstar.
4. Cody Bellinger, OF, Chicago Cubs - Bellinger's move to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field should help him bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. He's got 35+ HR power and can still swipe a few bags, making him a valuable fantasy asset.
5. Juan Soto, OF, San Diego Padres - Soto's move to San Diego should provide him with more run-scoring opportunities, and his elite contact skills and plate discipline make him a fantasy force. Expect another .300+ average with 30+ HRs.
6. Lars Nootbaar, OF, St. Louis Cardinals - Nootbaar burst onto the scene in 2022, posting an impressive .279/.354/.476 slash line with 16 HRs and 10 SBs. He should build on that success in 2023, providing a nice mix of power, speed, and average.
7. Tyler O'Neill, OF, St. Louis Cardinals - O'Neill is a fantasy darling, offering 30+ HR power and a healthy dose of speed. He's got a bit of a contact issue, but his power makes him a valuable fantasy asset, especially in OBP leagues.
8. Bryce Harper, OF, Philadelphia Phillies - Harper's injury-plagued 2022 season was a fantasy nightmare, but he's still one of the game's most dangerous hitters when healthy. If he can stay on the field, he's a top-5 outfielder with 40+ HR power.
9. Yordan Alvarez, OF, Houston Astros - Alvarez is a fantasy monster, offering elite power and a solid average. He's a bit limited in the speed department, but his HR and RBI totals are enough to make him a fantasy force.
10. Andrew Benintendi, OF, Chicago White Sox - Benintendi's move to the South Side should provide him with more run-scoring opportunities, and his elite contact skills make him a fantasy goldmine. Expect a .300+ average with 15-20 HRs and 20+ SBs.
11. Joc Pederson, OF, San Francisco Giants - Pederson's power is undeniable, and his 2022 season was a fantasy dream. He's a bit limited in the average and speed departments, but his HR totals are enough to make him a valuable fantasy asset.
12. Teoscar Hernández, OF, New York Yankees - Hernández's power play should benefit from the move to Yankee Stadium, and his elite contact skills make him a fantasy force. Expect another 30+ HR season with a solid average.
13. Nelson Cruz, OF, Washington Nationals - Cruz might be in his late 30s, but his power is still elite. He's a fantasy monster in OBP leagues, offering 30+ HR power and a solid average.
14. Adolis García, OF, Texas Rangers - García's power play should benefit from the move to Globe Life Field, and his elite contact skills make him a fantasy force. Expect another 30+ HR season with a solid average.
15. George Springer, OF, Toronto Blue Jays - Springer's elite contact skills and power make him a valuable fantasy asset, and his new home in Toronto should provide him with more run-scoring opportunities. Expect a .280+ average with 25+ HRs.
16. Michael Conforto, OF, Boston Red Sox - Conforto's move to Boston should provide him with more run-scoring opportunities, and his elite contact skills make him a fantasy goldmine. Expect a .300+ average with 20-25 HRs.
17. Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros - Tucker's power play should benefit from the move to Minute Maid Park, and his elite contact skills make him a fantasy force. Expect another 30+ HR season with a solid average.
18. Myles Straw, OF, Cleveland Guardians - Straw's speed is elite, and his contact skills are solid. He's a fantasy monster in steals-heavy leagues, and his new home in Cleveland should provide him with more run-scoring opportunities.
19. Triston McKenzie, OF, Cleveland Guardians - McKenzie's power play should benefit from the move to Progressive Field, and his elite contact skills make him a fantasy force. Expect another 25+ HR season with a solid average.
20. Brett Gardner, OF, Cincinnati Reds - Gardner's speed is still elite, and his contact skills are solid. He's a fantasy monster in steals-heavy leagues, and his new home in Cincinnati should provide him with more run-scoring opportunities.
Sleepers and Busts: Outfielders to Target and Avoid
Now that we've covered the cream of the crop let's talk about some sleepers and busts. These players could either provide significant value or disappoint, so it's essential to keep an eye on them during draft season.
Sleepers:
1. Diego Stahl, OF, Detroit Tigers - Stahl's power play should benefit from the move to Comerica Park, and his elite contact skills make him a fantasy force. Expect a breakout season with 25+ HRs and a solid average.
2. Jared Kelenic, OF, Seattle Mariners - Kelenic's power play should benefit from the move to T-Mobile Park, and his elite contact skills make him a fantasy goldmine. Expect a breakout season with 25+ HRs and a solid average.
3. Joey Gallo, OF, New York Yankees - Gallo's power is undeniable, and his new home in the Bronx should provide him with more run-scoring opportunities. If he can make contact, he's a fantasy monster with 30+ HR power.
Busts:
1. Christian Yelich, OF, Milwaukee Brewers - Yelich's power has declined in recent seasons, and his contact skills are a concern. He's a risk-reward play, but the risk might not be worth the reward in fantasy.
2. Giancarlo Stanton, OF, New York Yankees - Stanton's injury history is well-documented, and his power has been inconsistent in recent seasons. He's a risk-reward play, but the risk might be too high for fantasy owners.
3. Starling Marte, OF, New York Mets - Marte's speed is still elite, but his power has declined in recent seasons. He's a fantasy monster in steals-heavy leagues, but his power totals might not be enough to justify his ADP.
Draft Strategy: When to Target Outfielders
So, when should you be targeting outfielders in your fantasy draft? It depends on your league format and strategy, but here are a few general tips:
- Early Rounds (Rounds 1-5): If you're targeting elite outfielders like Trout, Betts, or Acuña, you'll likely need to draft them in the first few rounds. These guys are difference-makers and can provide significant advantages in multiple categories. - Middle Rounds (Rounds 6-10): This is where you'll find the bulk of your outfielders, as the talent pool starts to thin out. Look for power hitters, speedsters, or contact specialists who can provide value in multiple categories. - Late Rounds (Rounds 11+): Here's where you'll find your sleepers