The outfield does not feel as deep as it used to be, but at least in the NL you have some of the elite options in the game to choose from. However, once you get past the first 15 or so, suddenly you have a lot of risks and question marks clouding the field. Let’s take a look at how things currently look:
- Matt Kemp – Los Angeles Dodgers
- Ryan Braun – Milwaukee Brewers
- Justin Upton – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Carlos Gonzalez – Colorado Rockies
- Andrew McCutchen – Pittsburgh Pirates
- Matt Holliday – St. Louis Cardinals
- Giancorlo Stanton – Miami Marlins
- Hunter Pence – Philadelphia Phillies
- Jay Bruce – Cincinnati Reds
- Michael Bourn – Atlanta Braves
- Shane Victorino – Philadelphia Phillies
- Mike Morse – Washington Nationals
- Corey Hart – Milwaukee Brewers
- Andre Ethier – Los Angeles Dodgers
- Michael Cuddyer – Colorado Rockies
- Lance Berkman – St. Louis Cardinals
- Chris Young – Arizona Diamondbacks
- Carlos Beltran – St. Louis Cardinals
- Logan Morrison – Miami Marlins
- Cameron Maybin – San Diego Padres
- Jayson Werth – Washington Nationals
- Drew Stubbs – Cincinnati Reds
- Emilio Bonifacio – Miami Marlins
- Carlos Lee – Houston Astros
- J.D. Martinez – Houston Astros
Thoughts:
- My opinion of Drew Stubbs has been one of the biggest debates on Rotoprofessor this preseason. If you want to check out my thoughts on him, click here. Obviously, the strikeouts pose the biggest concern as a move from the top of the order will help to destroy his potential fantasy appeal.
- I know Mike Morse is likely to miss the start of the season, but as of right now it is not enough for me to drop him significantly down the rankings. Obviously, if we get significantly bad news things will change, but if he’s only going to miss a week or two you will want to continue to count on him.
- Matt Kemp or Ryan Braun? Ryan Braun or Matt Kemp? The decision really could go either way, though the loss of Prince Fielder could have a major impact on Braun’s performance. It’s worth keeping in mind, and is the tipping point for me right now. That said, if someone prefers Braun it would be hard to argue.
- It was a stellar rebound campaign for Lance Berkman in 2011, but can we really expect him to replicate that type of performance? You have things like his highest line drive rate since 2005 and his best HR/FB since 2007 hanging over him. I do think he’s going to be solid, but it’s hard to imagine him coming close to hitting .301 with 31 HR and 94 RBI once again. To view my projection for him for 2012, click here.
- Chris Young brings power and speed, but he also brings a potentially killer average. Over his Major League career (2,848 AB) he has hit .240, with only one year above .248. He strikes out way too much, and with a BABIP that is continuously under .300 (.280 for his career), it’s hard to expect anything to change.
***** Order the Rotoprofessor 2012 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, complete with updates from January through the start of the season, for just $6! To place your order click here. *****
Make sure to check out all of our 2012 rankings:
- Catchers
- First Basemen
- Second Basemen
- Third Basemen
- Shortstops
- Outfielders: 1-20 | 21-40
- Starting Pitchers: 1-20 | 21-40 | 41-60
- Closers
