The outfield has some of the game’s greatest talent, with as many as nine first-round selections. After the elite group comes off the board, the questions become plentiful. In a 12-team League, one needs 60 outfielders to fill all the roster spots. In a 15-team League, 75 outfielders. Your plans should be to secure an outfielder or two from the Top 25. One can only bet on so many “dart tosses” before missing the board.
- Ronald Acuna, Jr., ATL – Ronald Acuna is the best player in the game. If you have the first pick in a draft this Spring, smile, click on his name, and wait to see the options that fall to you with your second and third picks. Don’t overthink it.
- Julio Rodriguez, SEA – Someone has to follow Ronald Acuna in the pecking order, and when you are coming off a 32 homer, 103 RBI, 37 stolen base season, Julio Rodriguez certainly qualifies. He checks off all the boxes.
- Corbin Carroll, ARZ – Carroll exploded onto the scene last year with 25 home runs, 54 SB, and 116 runs scored and was the unanimous choice as the winner of the NL ROY. There were some trying moments in early July as his surgically repaired shoulder got cranky. The power was noticeably down in the second half, but he continued to run at will and didn’t miss any additional time.
- Kyle Tucker, HOU – Over the past three seasons, Kyle Tucker has mashed 30, 30, and 29 HR. 92, 107, and 112 RBI. 14, 25, and 30 stolen bases. You’ll get no argument from me if you take him as high as the third player off the board this Spring.
- Juan Soto, NYY – 2023, brought with it the 4th consecutive season Soto walked more than he struck out. He set a career-high with 35 home runs and came up with one RBI light on tying his career-best RBI season. New York Yankee fans anticipate huge numbers from Soto in 2024 and likely won’t be disappointed.
- Mookie Betts, LAD – Betts slugged 39 home runs, drove in 107 runs, and posted a .307 BA last year. Toss in the 126 runs scored and 14 stolen bases, plus the bonus of 2B eligibility, and you have one of the best players in the game. 2B-70
- Aaron Judge, NYY – Can one call it a down year when you hit 37 homers and post a 1.019 OPS? Only when you hit 62 home runs in the prior year. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t rebound and slug 45-to-50 homers and drive in 120 runs, especially with Juan Soto hitting ahead of him in the two-hole.
- Fernando Tatis Jr., SDP – It wasn’t a great year (25 HR/29 SB), but it was good enough at 24 years of age to solidly secure a first-round draft slot heading into ’24.
- Yordan Alvarez, HOU – The only thing holding Alvarez back from a 40-120 campaign is his ability to get in 550 at-bats.
- Luis Robert Jr., CWS – The breakout we were waiting for finally occurred in 2023 as Robert Jr. soared to 38 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He’s one of the true bright lights on a team that needs a few bulbs changed.
- Michael Harris, ATL – Harris hits righties and lefties equally well, and after a slow start to the 2023 season, those second-half numbers were really, really good. The future is looking very bright as he heads into his age-23 season.
- Adolis Garcia, TEX – Garcia slugged a career-high 39 homers while driving in 107 runs last year. Bet on that power and hope he has one more double-digit stolen base year in the tank.
- Randy Arozarena, TBR – 2023 marked the third consecutive 20-20 season for Arozarena. The odds are very high that 2024 will make it four in a row.
- Mike Trout, LAA – Yeah, the running game is almost non-existent, but are there many safer bets to hit 35+ home runs with a .800+ OPS?
- Cody Bellinger, FA – The Cody Bellinger that disappeared after the 2019 season resurfaced in Chicago last year. Someone will pay dearly for the right to prove that 2023 will be replicated. 1B-59
- Josh Lowe, TBR – If only Lowe could find his way into 550 at-bats. His least favorite movie has to be “Platoon”?
- Kyle Schwarber, PHI – Schwarber slugged 46 and 47 home runs in the past two years. His affinity for the Mendoza Line is the only thing holding him back from being a first-round pick.
- Nolan Jones, COL – He did what every player arriving in Colorado is supposed to do. He shoved it. Now, can he repeat that success over an entire season?
- Nick Castellanos, PHI – Castellanos enjoyed a solid bounce-back season after the hugely disappointing 2022 season, posting career highs in both homers (29) and RBI (106). There’s no reason not to expect more of the same high production levels in 2024.
- Spencer Steer, CIN – That roster flexibility is sweet, as are the 23 home runs, 86 RBI, and 15 stolen bases he amassed last year. More of the same, minus the roster flexibility, should be in the cards in 2024. 1B-73, 3B-47
- Christian Yelich, MIL – 15-to-20 HR power with 20+ stolen bases and 95+ runs scored makes for a solid mid-tier outfielder.
- George Springer, TOR – The last time Springer failed to hit 20 homers in an entire season was in 2015. You can put 85+ runs scored in the bank. Don’t bet on a repeat of that career-high 20 stolen bases.
- Jazz Chisholm Jr., MIA – A healthy season from Jazz Chisholm could find him approaching elite status as an outfielder. Will 2024 finally be the year?
- Bryan Reynolds, PIT – The upside potential is limited, but after three consecutive solid seasons, there is nothing wrong with a safe 25 home run, 80 RBI, and .260 BA floor.
- Lane Thomas, WAS – Thomas enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023, posting career highs in virtually every offensive category, including a whopping 176 strikeouts. The power/speed numbers could be repeated, but the BA could be due for a tumble.
- Teoscar Hernandez, LAD – The cash might be deferred on that one-year deal “Teo” signed with the Dodgers, but the power numbers won’t be.
- Seiya Suzuki, CHC – A repeat of the strong second half, and Suzuki could be poised to move up the outfield rankings quickly. Has the former Hiroshima Carp star finally arrived?
- Anthony Santander, BAL – What you see is what you get, and if 25-to-30 homers and 85+ RBI are what you’re searching for, the odds are very high he’ll deliver.
- Chas McCormick, HOU – McCormick feasted on southpaws and more than held his own against right-handed pitching. All that’s missing from his game is an additional 100-to-150 at-bats.
- TJ Friedl, CIN – It was a season filled with ups and downs, but that strong September gives us hope for even better days ahead. Is a very quiet 20-30 season in the cards for the 28-year-old?
- Cedric Mullins, BAL
- Ian Happ, CHC
- Jordan Walker, STL
- Jackson Chourio, MIL
- Evan Carter, TEX
- Tommy Edman, STL 2B-51, SS-48
- Daulton Varsho, TOR
- Brandon Nimmo, NYM
- James Outman, LAD
- Esteury Ruiz, OAK
- Jorge Soler, FA
- Lourdes Gurriel, ARZ
- Jarren Duran, BOS
- Lars Nootbaar, STL
- Riley Greene, DET
- Starling Marte, NYM
- Tyler O’Neill, BOS
- Christopher Morel, CHC
- Jack Suwinski, PIT
- Luke Raley, TBR 1B-35
- Max Kepler, MIN
- LaMonte Wade, SFG 1B-116
- Masataka Yoshida, BOS
- Luis Rengifo, LAA 2B-66, SS-37, 3B-23
- Wyatt Langford, TEX
- Kerry Carpenter, DET
- Steven Kwan, CLE
- Sal Frelick, MIL
- Jung-hoo Lee, SFG
- Austin Hays, BAL
- Johan Rojas, PHI
- Parker Meadows, DET
- Jarred Kelenic, ATL
- Giancarlo Stanton, NYY
- MJ Melendez, KCR
- Leody Taveras, TEX
- Seth Brown, OAK
- Bryan De La Cruz, MIA
- Nelson Velazquez, KCR
- Matt Wallner, MIN
- Whit Merrifield, FA 2B-84
- Kris Bryant, COL
- Taylor Ward, LAA
- Mitch Haniger, SEA
- Jose Siri, TBR
- Tommy Pham, FA
- Will Benson, CIN
- Harrison Bader, NYM
- Brenton Doyle, COL
- Henry Davis, PIT
- Michael Conforto, SFG
- Jake Fraley, CIN
- Willi Castro, MIN 3B-41
- Ezequiel Duran, TEX SS-37, 3B-22
- Jesus Sanchez, MIA
- Brandon Marsh, PHI
- Alek Thomas, ARZ
- Brendan Donovan, STL 2B-34
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, CHC
- Hunter Goodman, COL
- Joc Pederson, FA
- Brent Rooker, OAK
- Garrett Mitchell, MIL
- Mike Yastrzemski, SFG
- Alex Verdugo, NYY
- Jeff McNeil, NYM 2B-107
- Alex Kirilloff, MIN 1B-75
- Mark Canha, DET
- Wilyer Abreu, BOS
- Matt Vierling, DET 3B-35
- Jake McCarthy, ARZ
- Jason Heyward, LAD
- Ceddanne Rafaela, BOS
- Hunter Renfroe, KCR
- Mike Tauchman, CHC
- Chris Taylor, LAD SS-31, 3B-38
- Stone Garrett, WAS
- Kevin Kiermaier, TOR
- Josh Palacios, PIT
- Adam Duvall, FA
- Mickey Moniak, LAA
- Zach McKinstry, DET 2B-48, SS-23, 3B-52
- Charlie Blackmon, COL
- Heliot Ramos, SFG
- Cavan Biggio, Tor 1B-20, 2B-49
- Ryan O’Hearn, BAL 1B-70
- Dylan Carlson, STL
- Andrew Benintendi, CWS
- James Wood, WAS
- Dylan Crews, WAS
- Alec Burleson, STL
- Oscar Colas, CWS
- Kyle Isbel, KCR
- Nick Senzel, MIL 3B-57
- Victor Robles, WAS
- Mauricio Dubon, HOU 2B-79
- Ramon Laureano, CLE
- Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT 2B-64
- Colton Cowser, BAL
- Jake Meyers, HOU
- Jakob Marsee, SDP
- Gavin Sheets, CWS 1B-22
- Jake Bauers, MIL 1B-22
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, TOR 3B-31
- Manuel Margot, LAD
- Trent Grisham, NYY
- Blake Sabol, SFG C-55
- Eddie Rosario, FA
- Edward Olivares, PIT
- Lawrence Butler, OAK
- DJ Stewart, NYM
- Jonny DeLuca, TBR
- Joey Wiemer, MIL
- Tyrone Taylor, NYM
- Connor Joe, PIT 1B-53
- Michael A. Taylor, FA
- Dylan Moore, 2B-23
- Jonatan Clase, SEA
- Jasson Dominguez, NYY
- Jacob Young, WAS
- Drew Gilbert, NYM
- Jo Adell, LAA
- Garrett Hampson, KCR SS-30
- Avisail Garcia, MIA
- Andy Ibanez, DET 2B-78
- Pedro Leon, HOU
- JJ Bleday, OAK
- Nick Pratto, KCR 1B-78
- Enrique Hernandez, FA 2B-36, SS-74
- Jose Azocar, SDP
- Myles Straw, CLE
- Cal Mitchell, SD
