2018 Fantasy Outfielder Preview or Choose Your Character

I never really got into the online role playing games, but I’ve seen how popular they are. I just don’t really understand them. Believe me, I’m a guy who can waste a ton of time doing mundane tasks. You might be surprised to know that blog writing is not as glamorous as you might think. Yet, I just don’t see the appeal of these games.

Most of your time is spent grinding. Grinding is how you level up, to get stronger to clear out a boss and then go back to grinding. Typically, you’ll spend roughly 90% of your game time grinding. This would be fine since the game play is really what it’s all about. However, this is the main flaw of the genre in my opinion. You don’t really have much control over your character. Instead of controlling the punches and kicks with buttons, or strategically planning an assault against the enemy forces, most of the fighting is done by clicking the mouse and letting the character hack away. This happens over and over until the enemy is killed, the player is killed, or the user dies a starvation/dehydration/total boredom.

Now, this is, of course a generalization. Sometimes, a player may use a magic spell. Other times, strategy might be required to be an enemy. But it all comes down to that rapid clicking. I’m not here to judge people for wasting time playing video games. I mean, the vast majority of my life was spent doing that. My issue is that there not playing something with a little more flair. I mean, Smash brothers is available for sale. Why don’t you dedicate hours playing that? You can use Jiggly Puff and punch the shit out of Star Fox. Seriously, how could you not want to do that?

Now, you do have another 10% of game play. Some of that will be exploring the worlds designed in this games, which are vast and full of effort. Other time will be spent chatting with people you might play with, whether it be real life friends, or friends you’ve met through the game. A significant portion of time will be spent attempting to flirt with female characters, who turn out to be played by men. And the final 1% of time will be spent of picking your character.

Now one of the features of the genre is giving you a choice of characters that specialize in one area. They will sacrifice some ability to focus on their strengths. For example, some classic archetypes include the following:

Warrior – High attack strength, defense and HP, these characters have no magical abilities, speed, and usually have the intelligence of a bowl of soup. And not even a well put together bowl.

Mage – High magical abilities and decent speed, this character will have no physical strength or defense, and usually die within several hits. If the mage is a female character, she will also have very little clothes on.

Thief – For the trade of blistering speed and decent attack, the thief will die from a tough gust of wind or tripping over a log.

All Arounder – No Above average skills. Nobody picks the all arounder, come on. Live a little.

In many ways, fantasy outfielders are like the roles from RPG games, except without all the clicking. In fact, RPGs are one of the few things less exciting than baseball. Go figure.

You have archetypes in the outfield, and while not every player will fit the mold, a lot of them will. Some of the standard archetypes in the outfield include:

Table Settlers – Trading in any opportunity at power stats, table settlers get on base, score runs, and typically steal bases.

Power Hitters – For their contributions in homers and rbis, power hitters will often struggle with average and rarely if ever steal bases.

Speedsters – Different from table setters, speeders will focus on steals, even if they have a poor on base percentage. They will score runs for getting into scoring position, but will have worse power stats than the table setters.

All Arounders – Actually, extremely useful, these players contribute in the five main categories and these are the types that truly help you win in fantasy.

Veterans – Always overlooked, veterans provide you with a great baseline for what they are capable of without providing much upside. Most drafters hate this class.

Youngsters – Despite the track record, most drafters will jump over others to reach for this group of player. Their projections could be sky high, but their floor is also minuscule.

Mike Trout – Well, every game needs a cheat code.

The way you should draft outfielders should not be affected by the amount you need. Whether it’s a three or five outfield league, you should draft the position liberally. Don’t be afraid of drafting two or even three outfielders early if they are the best players available. Again, you always draft the best players no matter what. If it ends up leaving you a gap for position players, you can always take a pitcher until the tiers become valuable again.

I don’t advise taking any one trick pony in your outfield. Namely, I’m talking about Billy Hamilton, but also guys like Adam Duvall. Hamilton is a one category player who’s really only valuable in a roto setting. He’s the type that can make you competitive for the steals points. However in any other setting, he’s useless. He doesn’t score much, he doesn’t hit for a good average, and he sure doesn’t provide power categories. In a Head to Head Category league, Hamilton doesn’t necessarily win steal for you weekly. In an off week, you basically playing a really fast out. Don’t jump the gun on Hamilton unless you are in roto.

Similarly, the pure power plays are somewhat useless, though better than Hamilton. They at least provide RBIs and runs with the homer stat, essentially contributing in three categories. These players won’t provide any speed, but they’re also an average drain. The OF is full of these guys. If you need power late, you can grab one of them, but don’t go crazy. You can get one in the last few rounds without forcing a draft pick.

There’s also a ton of useful outfielders, so even if you don’t get any of the top options, you can still put together a solid core. Even better, plenty of players have outfield eligibility, so if you end up drafting, for example, Kris Bryant early, but can get Adrian Beltre, you can play Bryant in the outfield. Most people don’t consider the OF eligibility all that special, but it provides great flexibility when paired with an infield position.

But just how deep is OF? Let’s take a look at the position questions.

Where is the talent drop off?

Since you have to start three outfielders, I’ll give you three separate drop offs.

The first drop off is at George Springer. This gives ten solid options to choose from to lead your outfield. All ten of these option either contribute in all five categories, or are so elite at several categories, they are worthy of a top 25 pick. If you can get two of these guys without sacrificing elsewhere, there’s no shame in starting the draft OF-OF

The second drop off is at Justin Upton, which gives us on eight additional outfielders. You certainly don’t need someone in this tier, but this is where any confidence or hope in five category production will disappear. Personally, I don’t particularly like Upton all that much, as his streakiness will drive you insane. Hopefully, you have a stronger stomach than me if you draft him.

The final drop off we’ll discuss ends with Adam Eaton, assuming he’s healthy. This is where you can pick what you need based on team need. I added some of the elite speed guys here if you’re willing to grab them, but I’m not a huge fan of them as I’ve discussed. There’s also a few elite lead off hitters, which will only provide three categories, but serve as outstanding glue guys for your team. The good news is that there’s a few guys in these tiers going later than players ranked afterwards. You can wait and build up your team elsewhere.

Who is the pivot player in the outfield?

Byron Buxton – More like Byron Buston, am I right?

I’m totally right.

There’s really no telling what we’ll get from Buxton, who had a great second half, but following one of the worst first halves in all of baseball. He’s bounced back and forward between the major and the minors, making me think he could be a quad A player. He also has dominated at the major league level for stretches that were worthy of being the top pick in baseball. I think Buxton will provide safe steals, and some power, but everything else is up in the air. He’s too expensive for my taste, and even those not fearful of risk need to proceed with caution. He might be undrafted next season, or being picked in the first round. The range is that high.

Eddie Rosario – The real question with Rosario is figuring out if this was a product of the juiced ball, or if this was legit. He was just shy of 30 homers, hit for a very solid average, and will produce counting stats on an underrated Twins lineup. Kind of weird both pivot players are Twins. Based on Rosario’s year, he can be had for a discount, but he also doesn’t walk and his breakout came out of nowhere and has next to no fanfare. It’s just bizarre. I think you’ll want to add Rosario more as a 4^th OF, with the clear upside of a 3^rd or even a 2^nd OF. He may slip in the draft, especially in three OF leagues, for not being a big name. Use that to your advantage.

What should I look at for in my Outfield?

Since there are so many different options in OF, it’s tough to pick just one thing to look for. If I had to say there was a definite trait I want, it’s speed from one of my starters. Now, I don’t want Billy Hamilton, but I want a guy who can help me out in steals while contributing elsewhere. Ironically, Buxton is an example of this, but his too volatile and expensive. If you can land a couple of 15-20 steals guys in your outfield without sacrificing other categories for it, it’ll give you a big advantage instead of having to burn early picks on one category ponies.

I think the other goal to have is to find players that have more than one dimension. Those all around characters in RPGs everybody hates? They are the best players in the mid rounds of fantasy drafts. Getting five category contributors, or more depending on your league settings, will do more than the one category wonders. Even power hitters aren’t always ideal. In the past, 30 Homers was worth a pick. Now? You have to bring the potential for 40 if you’re not helping out elsewhere. The one category standouts do have their place, even Hamilton, but unless it’s category winning one, don’t bother.

Which Outfielders should surprise?

Christian Yellich – There’s a great chance that Yellich could be a top 10 outfielder this year. Typically, I believed Yellich was a better real life player than fantasy – a great contact hitter who has middling power and no steals. However, this year might be different. Yellich is entering his prime and Miller Park boosts lefty power. I would expect Yellich will have his best power season this year. Milwaukee is not shy on stealing either. Yellich has decent speed, so his steals might increase too. There’s 25-25 potential. He’s in a good lineup that will score, so the counting stats will be there. This is 5 category goodness that, unfortunately, people seem to recognize. Still, I think he’s a good value even in the late 4^th round.

Lorenzo Cain – Another new Brewer? Seems these highlighted payers are coming in pairs. Cain leaves the burning rubble that is Kansas City to play in Milwaukee. Cain always provides a great average and speed. HE should hit around .300 and steal 25 bases. While his power has never been elite, he’s played in one of the worst power parks in baseball. Now going to one of the best, he may see an uptick in homers. All the counting stats should increase since the team is better. Cain is going later than he should, so take advantage.

Yoenis Cespedes – Ok, I get it. Cespedes suffers a lot of injuries and is getting cortisone shots in his wrist. Wrist injuries can sap power and can linger all season. But the Mets aren’t super concerned about it and this is a new training staff. I’m not overly concerned, yet. Keep up with the new before your draft.

Now, when Cespedes has played for the Mets, he’s been amazing. He hits for a high average (especially for a power hitter) and has power that rivals anyone in the game. Even last year, when he was “awful” his underlying numbers were still elite. The ability is all there, n at his price, around pick 81, its worth the gamble. We’ve seen what he’s capable of. I see him as a high end OF2 you’re getting for OF 3 prices.

Which Outfielders will disappoint?

Aaron Judge – I have him as a top 10 outfielder so it’s not like a completely hate him. I just don’t think we’ll see Judge hit .288 ever again. He’s far too streaky and strikes out a ton. There’s real fear the average dips below .250. If you play in an OBP league, this concern doesn’t matter, as Judge will walk but standard league players need to consider it. I also think his home run total is more like 40, which is still great, but not super elite. Remember, his teammate Giancarlo Stanton is a much safer source of power. There’s nothing wrong with taking Judge in the second round. Just know your expectations.

Billy Hamilton – Much like Dee Gordon, I’m just not a Hamilton guy. I can understand Gordon – he hits around .300 and will score a lot of runs. Hamilton hits around .260 and his runs are ok, but not special. If you draft Hamilton, you are only drafting for speed. Now, Hamilton has the best shot to lead the leagues in steals, but he’s not that are ahead of Gordon. Wouldn’t you rather bite the bullet a bit earlier and take Gordon? It just seems like a bad choice. Personally, I’d rather take Delino DeShields about eight rounds later.

Domingo Santana – Santana has a monster 2017, but there’s two giant reg flags to keep in mind on draft day. First, Santana’s average was aided by a gigantic BABIP that cannot be repeated. Except that average to shrink to around to .240. The power is real, and he should chip in with a little speed, but probably not as much as 15. The biggest fear is playing time. The Brewers outfield has gotten crowded and Santana is the in the mix with Yellich, Cain, and Ryan Braun. Bruan is expected to play first, but has already said he doesn’t like it. I think Santana’s playing time will go down, making his draft price inflated.

Any Valuable Prospects?

Ronald Acuna – The top prospect in baseball, Acuna is set to start the year in the minors, and then magically be ready to play in the majors two weeks later. What a concept. Acuna is a true five tool player, but likely what will play the fastest is his speed. Acuna should steal plenty of bases in his rookie year, and the other statistics will come throughout the year. I don’t know how elite Acuna will be in his first season, but he should be startable in only for his speed. Unlike Hamilton and players of his elk, Acuna might hit 20 homers, bat .280 and evolve into one of the game’s best players.

Willie Calhoun – Calhoun was just sent down to the minors a few days ago, but don’t let that scare you away. He’s only an injury or under performance from Shin-Soo Choo from getting the call. Calhoun has the rare combination of power and contact. Not only does he have plus power, he also rarely strikes out. This means you should have a solid average floor along with the traditional power categories. He has the recipe to be a top 5 round pick in the near future. This is one of my favorite sleepers of the season. I plan on owning a lot of shares. Whatever you do, do not confuse him with Kole Calhoun on draft day. That would be bad.

There’s a ton more, but they will be mentioned briefly in the ranks.

Player’s Guide

A – An Average of .285 or above

OB – On Base Percentage of over .355 or an OBP significantly improving on the batter’s average.

HR – More than 25 Home runs, or a slugging percentage above .475.

S – More than 20 stolen bases

D – The potential to have an average below .255 or an .OBP below .315

IR – The player is likely to miss time due to injury.

Unlike the other positions, I’m only including outfielders. Some of these players may have other eligibility, but the list is already crazy long and I don’t want to increase it anymore. Remember, if you draft somebody with OF eligibility, it’s a perk, but typically, you’ll play them elsewhere.

First Round Tier

Mike Trout LAA (A, OB, HR, S) – If you’re thinking about being creative or cute, stop it. Trout’s the #1 overall pick and there’s no evidence to suggest otherwise. Even in an injury plagued year, he was on pace for his best statistical season. That’s insane when you consider his history. It’s not a stretch to predict .320-40-110-120-20. You could almost expect it if he’s healthy. This is the first season Trout has a decent lineup around him so his counting stats might actually improve. That’s scary. Don’t overthink it. Just draft him.

Mookie Betts BOS (A, S) – The critics are tough. Most players who almost go 25-25 (1 Homer shy) and score 100 runs while driving in 100 runs are celebrated. Instead, Betts was looked at as a failure. Sure, he hit .264, but that was flukier than anything. He’s a much better hitter than that, and if I can ensure myself the other 4 categories he offers at an elite level, sign me up every time. He’s in the middle of the Boston lineup, and while his position in the order will determine an influx of runs or RBIs, he’s going to do a lot for your team. If you can get him late in the first round, it’s a steal. Don’t be surprised if that average is .300 by year’s end.

Bryce Harper WAS (A, OB, HR, IR) – If you only look at the pace Harper was on, he practically equaled his amazing 2015 MVP season. This is the only risk with Harper at this point. If he’s healthy, he’s going to be a top five fantasy player. In only 111 games, he hit 29 homers, drove in 87, scored 95 times and hit .319. That’s a good full season and he missed 50 games. He walks a ton, remains in the middle of the lineup and is one of the few guys that can threaten Trout. He doesn’t steal anymore, but that’s for health reasons. The only reason I ranked Betts over him is the health. If I knew Harper would play 150 games, I’d take him #2 overall.

Giancarlo Stanton (OB, HR, IR) – We’ve finally seen what a healthy year from Stanton would look like. It’s like discovering Bigfoot, except instead of getting a grainy picture, we have undeniable proof. This may be bold, but Stanton is good at baseball. He hit a league high 59 homers, slugged over .600 and even had an OBP above .375. Moving to Yankee stadium gives him a slightly better lineup, but I don’t think his numbers can go up. Yankee stadium is great for power, but Stanton’s power plays anywhere. To project more than 45 homers is aggressive and he still has an injury history. The upside for 60 bombs is real, but if you think he’s going to do that, you should be taking him first overall.

Charlie Blackmon COL (A, OB, HR) – We certainly saw Blackmon’s career year. He hit .331, which will certainly come back down to earth, maybe as much as 30 points. He also crushed 37 homers, which should lower a bit and his insane 137 runs cannot be repeated, even if he’s at Coors. Let’s factor in this regression. Blackmon would now be a .300-30-90-100-15 player. Yeah, that’s a first round pick. Blackmon also walks and those steals do matter. He’s a great first round pick who still gets to play home games is the best hitter’s park. While it’s not likely, who’s to say he can’t match his 2017 numbers? Crazier things have happened. Not many, but some.

2^nd round Tier

JD Martinez BOS (A, OB, HR, IR) – The only reason people don’t consider Martinez one of the ten best hitters in baseball is because of injuries. When healthy, few players smash to his level. In 2017, Martinez set a career best in homers with 45. Oh and he played in 119 games. That’s incredible. It’s not like he’s a nothing in average, hitting over .300 and having a .376 OBP. He slugged .690. In Boston, he’ll have a great lineup around him, a park built for Right Handed power, and he’ll DH, limiting his injury risk. It’s the perfect storm. Martinez makes sense as early as the second round. I don’t think he’ll hit 45 homers, but he’ll bat 3^rd or 4^th in an elite lineup. He’ll earn his draft position.

Aaron Judge NYY (OB, HR, D) – I bet all the Yankee fans are demanding an explanation. I’d argue this is a generous ranking. Sure, if he look at the total line and the first half, Judge is probably a first round pick. But remember in the second half when he couldn’t hit anything and looked lost? Remember the talk of him sitting in the playoffs? That’s the fear with Judge: the strikeouts become too high and he’s basically Adam Dunn. He’ll never bottom out completely as his walk rate is too high but I don’t see his average topping .280, and there could be serious regression. Pay for the 40 homers and counting stats and keep your fingers crossed on the rest.

George Springer HOU (OB, HR) – When Springer put up a 40-40 season in the minors, owners salivated at the power speed combo. Our current version of Springer feels a bit like a disappointment, which isn’t fair. He hits for 30 HR power, will score a ton of runs and get on base at an elite clip. The RBIs will be low based on his lineup placement, but still likely to top 80. Hiss issue is speed. Springer has been inefficient in the majors stealing, and it seems it won’t be a part of his game. Ah what could have been? You’ll have to settle for elite 4 category production. Shucks.

High End #2 Tier

Christian Yellich (A, S) – The final piece to be traded from Miami (so far) Yellich takes his underrated fantasy game to Milwaukee. Yellich is a pure hitter, and should provide an average close to .300. While not a speed demon, 15 steals is in play, and while a reach, don’t rule out 20. His power is also middling, but again, 20 is certainly in play, and at 26, he could still increase his power a bit. That’s a pretty good skill set and the lineup behind him hits a lot of home runs. If Yeliich is at the top of the lineup, he should score a good amount of runs. This is a sold, safe #2 OF who will assist in all five categories.

Nelson Cruz SEA (A, OB, HR) – What a difference a position change makes. After years of being an injury prone outfielder in Texas, Seattle turned him in a DH and received one of the best power hitters in the game. He’s a near lock for a .290 average, close to 40 homers and 100 RBIs. He’s not running but why would you when most of your hits lead to a trot around the bases? Age is a concern but with the past three years Cruz has had, don’t worry yet. He’ll slip in drafts because of age. Enjoy the discount.

Marcel Ozuna STL (HR) – Ozuna finally put it all together and had a monster season. For the first time, he hit over .300, and added 37 bombs, 124 RBIs and 93 runs. That’s a four category dynamo. Now, he’s not a .300 hitter. Likely, he’s more of a .270 guy. I also don’t know if he’s in a better offense now. The Cardinals have talent, but the Marlins were pretty good last year, making their sell off even more frustrating. Ozuna should be plenty good, but I think his draft stock is a tad inflated. He’s likely a regression candidate but he’ll still be an OF#2.

Andrew Benintendi BOS (S) – Lost a bit in the shuffle of impressive rookie seasons, Nintendo produced a 20-20 season with 90 RBIs, 84 runs and a .270 average. I could see the average raising a bit, with the counting stats remaining. He’s in a strong lineup, so as long as he remains in the 2 or 3 hole, and there’s no reason he won’t produce. This is the type of solid, 5 category contributor that wins leagues. In two years, people will be bored of him and he’ll help shrew drafters win titles. He’s future Adam Jones, but with a walk rate above 0%. There’s still upside left here. Draft with confidence.

Yoenis Cespedes NYM (A, HR, IR) – I don’t understand how Cespedes is being ranked in the 80s this year. I get it, I’m as biased as they come, but this is a superstar. You can argue that he’s injury prone. You can also argue that his main trick, power, isn’t as rare is it once was. However, if healthy, this is a surefire 35 home runs. Cespedes has turned himself into a decent average hitter, batting around .285 in his Mets career. The counting stats will be there as he has power protecting him. He’s even learned how to walk. In baseball. He knew how in real life. If you have any fear, remember, he batted .292/.352/.540 last year. I’ll take a borderline .900 OPS at a discount. I suggest you do the same.

Solid #2 Tier

Khris Davis OAK (HR, D) – Khris Davis is so consistent, he hit exactly .247 for the last two seasons. No, that average is not good. What is good is his otherworldly power. Davis has hit 42 and 43 homers the past two seasons. No matter the era, elite power like this will also have a place on a fantasy team. 100 RBIs and 90 runs seem like a lock with those homers, and while the average won’t play, I doubt you’ll care. Interestingly, his OBP increased in each of the past three years. A power hitter learning to walk can only lead to good things. There’s no steals, so he won’t fit onto every team, but you can build around his power stats.

Lorenzo Cain MIL (A, S) – I feel like every year, Cain is disrespected. I guess people hate .300 hitters who consistently steal 25 bases. What makes Cain particularly intriguing is Miller Park. He’s never been a big homerun guy, but maybe Miller park pushes his total from the teens to 20. 20 homers and 25 steals with a .300 average is very useful. His counting stats should be solid in a potent lineup. There’s a lot to like here. Let other people pass on the boring name. There’s value here.

Justin Upton LAA (HR, D) – I get it. 100 runs, 100 RBIs, 35 HRs, 14 steals and a .273 average are great. In a roto league, I could see taking Justin Upton. But even there, he’s the streakiest hitter in baseball. For a month, you’ll think the guy is a top five player and an MVP candidate. And then for two months, you’ll wonder how he’s a major league payer. There’s almost no in between. Don’t forget, he hit .246 and .251 the previous two seasons. The average, and therefore his OBP, are a risk. Know what you’re getting into. The end numbers look pretty, but the roller coaster ride getting there is not. If you don’t mind puking several times during the season, Upton will provide good stats. I’d rather not take another spin though.

Andrew McCutchen SF (OB, HR) – He ain’t dead yet. McCutchen quieted doubters with a fine, all around fantasy season. The stolen bases aren’t in the 20s anymore, but he should get to double digits. He’s no longer a .300 hitter, but reaching .280 seems likely. The power could reduce a bit in San Francisco, but it should be over 20. The RBIs and runs should remain about the same, or maybe even increase a tick. Basically, he’s become a solid OF 3 that people will pass due to being boring. I get it, the dreads are gone, but this is still a very good hitter. He should be boosted in OBP leagues as well. He’s good for about .360, with the potential for more.

Speed Tier

Starling Marte PIT (A, S) – Are we sure Starling Marte is good? After he was caught with PED and suspended for 80 games, he came back and stole bases, but his average went down. He’s not much of a walker so he needs a good average to prop up his steals. He’s also not really a big time home run hitter, though 15 seems plausible. I don’t think his counting stats will be good on a bad Pirates team. Maybe I’m holding the PED thing over him too much, but he’s another speed guy that might go 10-40. That’s useful, but not 4^th round useful. Hope for a .300 average and he’ll return good value, but there’s guys who go later with only slightly worse steals totals.

Byron Buxton MIN (S, D) – Before you read hundreds of pages calling for the Buxton breakout, I want to point you to September of 2016. Then, Buxton looked poised to be the breakout star for 2017. He started off by being awful for three full months of the season, and demoted, again. I understand he has some power and could easily swipe 30 bases. But let’s not pretend his average will be useful, or his counting stats will be elite. He doesn’t walk particularly well, and I’m tired of the hype. He very well break out this year, but he’ll do so on another roster. I’ll grab speed elsewhere.

Tommy Phan STL (S) – Consider me unsold. Pham came out of nowhere to complete a 23-25 season, where he hit over .300 and had a .931 OPS. That’s an elite season and if there was any expectation to repeat, he’d be a first round pick. Instead, he falls to the late single digit rounds, and I’m not sure I agree with him going that high. It just doesn’t seem like this is a likely. When you break out at 30 in this manner, usually it means it was a career year, or you were injecting some sort of banned substance. You can certainly argue that even a regression is a useful player, and that’s baked into the price. I agree, but I expect more than a slight regression.

Big Upside Tier

Yasiel Puig LAD (HR) – A funny thing happened to Puig’s superstar status. He was often injured, always a jerk, and seems to barely remain on the active roster on several occasions. Last year he looked like his old self, hitting 28 home runs a .346 OBP and over 70 runs and RBIs. He even chipped in 15 steals, which was a huge bonus. These numbers don’t sound elite, but he was batting 8th a lot of the year. Assuming he moves to a more prominent spot, his stats should be much better. He has both power and patience, but don’t reach. Puig could self-combust at any moment.

AJ Pollack ARI (S, IR) – Remember back in 2015 when Pollack looked to be the next big thing? It’s been a while. Why then, are people drafting him like he’s just removed from that season? Last year’s stats were not impressive and he’s going to suffer from the humidor, whatever the effects of that end up being. Pollack’s speed is his selling point, and he’ll need to reach around 30 steals to be worth his price. I think it’s possible, assuming he bats lead off. The power will reduce, and the average is a concern, but there’s talent here. There’s also a checkered injury history. I wouldn’t draft unless you love your team up until the 6^th round. Then, if you want to gamble, have fun.

Ronald Acuna ATL – The best, and most important advice I will give you this year is please, please, do NOT name your team Acuna Matata. Have some originality. This is like when everyone’s fantasy football teams where named Favre Dollar footlongs.

This is a rather aggressive ranking, but Acuna has the makings of a megastar. No, he won’t be Cody Bellinger or Aaron Judge, but he should be a 5 category contributor. He’s only 20, and the Braves are rebuilding, so expect the usual time clock manipulation where he will be sent down at least for two weeks. When he comes up, his stats will be up and down, but the growing pains should be worth it. In a perfect world, he’s your 4^th OF, but chances are you’ll have to reach. In a dynasty league, don’t hesitate.

Boring as Bran Flakes Tier

Adam Jones BAL (HR) – I remember the days when Adam Jones was exciting. He was the up and comer in Seattle who was traded to Baltimore, and then be exploded into a five category star. Now, he’s the boring old veteran nobody wants. You know what’s not boring? Getting a good value and know what you can expect for a player. His counting stats will both be in the 80s, 25+ Homers, and about a .270 average. He won’t walk – Jones doesn’t believe it that stuff, but he’s still decent. You should be able to get borderline OF3 value later than he should. Sometimes boring is the way to go.

Ryan Braun MIL (IR) – During a season where homers were launching left, right and even center, Braun chose not to participate. He only hit 17 homers, though his slugging percentage was fine (even if a little low for him). Part of the issue was a calf that sapped over a month’s worth of games. He did have a tremendous 2016, but he seems to be trending in the wrong direction. His speed is disappearing, he’s starting to have nagging injuries, the power is fading, oh, and he’s a lying filthy cheater. There’s no category for moral high grounds in fantasy, so Braun could work as a third OF. I just don’t see 2016 coming back unless he starts chewing on the HGH gummy bears again. (1B Likely)

Table Setters tier

Brett Gardner NYY (S) – Gardner is an underrated fantasy option, although he might just be underrated by me. He went 20-20 last year, while scoring 96 runs at the top of the Yankees lineup. I don’t think there’s any playing time concerns even with the addition of Stanton, which means the run total could be well over 100 if things break right. He’s played in at least 148 games the past three seasons and while the speed may decline at age 34, I thin 20 steals remains likely. The average is typically meh, but he walks a lot, so he should be boosted up in OBP leagues. A sneaky all around contributor.

Ender Inciarte ATL (A, S) – Here’s another consistent player that people overlook that may get better not because a change of his skills, but from the players around him. Inciarte is a lock for a near .300 average and roughly 20 steals. That alone is useful. He’s also hitting atop the Braves lineup, which used to be poor for runs, but now, might be very good. If Acuna breaks out like many assume, Inciarte has a good shot at 100+ runs. He gets on base roughly at 35% proficiency, which is pretty solid. He even provides close to double digit power. Typically a three category contributor, Inciarte should provide good value at all three of those categories. That’s not bad.

Adam Eaton WAS (A) – One of the all-around players in baseball, I rank Eaton this high because he’s the table setter on a good offense. All Eaton foes when he’s healthy is do everything good, but not great. He’ll be around a 15-15 line with a .290 average and plenty of runs. As the National’s likely lead off hitter, RBIs won’t be plentiful, but they won’t be awful either. He’s a solid player that fits every team construct, but you’ll want to take him later than I have him ranked. He’s likely a third OF you can get as your fourth.

The pivot tier

Domingo Santana MIL (HR, D) – If you looked at the 2017 results, Santana deserves to move up about 15 spots. He hit .278 with an excellent walk rate, stole 15 bases and hit 30 home runs. 30-15 players don’t grow on trees. The main reason for skepticism is a sky high BABIP. He’s more of a .250 hitter, which hurts his overall value. It doesn’t seem as though the speed is legit as Santana has never been the stolen base type. The team is also stacked at Outfield, so who’s the say Santana gets everyday at bats, even after his 2017. Somehow, he’s only the 4^th best outfielder on his team. What are the odds of that? Santana is an upside play, but due for heavy regression.

Eddie Rosario MIN – Here’s a guy who’s numbers were much better than I anticipated. Rosario hit .290, slugged 27 home runs and was just shy of 80 runs and RBIs each. That’s a very productive year. I worry about his complete disregard for walks, but he’s been slowly improving the past few seasons. At 26, he should only be improving, and the lineup around him should lead to plenty of counting stats. Just please Eddie, try to take a pitch. You may find you like it.

Billy Hamilton CIN (S, D) – There’s not much to say about Hamilton if you’ve been playing fantasy baseball for the past few years. He’s likely to league the league and steals, and maybe score a helpful amount of runs, and he’s a drain everywhere else. He does not hit for a good average and struggles to get on base. When he does make it to first, he’ll typically steal at least one base. There’s no power whatsoever, and he hasn’t shown much improvement. I see the appeal of locking up steals, but there’s too much negative with Hamilton. If you like him, that’s great. A lot of people do. I’m just not among them.

The once and future king tier

Michael Conforto (OB, IR) – I considered not ranking him because it hurts too much, but for the good of the players, I had to. Conforto will provide a good average, great on base skills, power, and counting stats. He’s a true four category player who’s slowly, but surely learning to handle lefties, his one obstacle to super stardom. Oh, and the fact that his shoulder ripped off his body last August. Conforto’s recovery from a torn posterior capsule places him at May, but I’d expect June. This is also an injury that could sap power permanently, but Conforto is only 25, so I anticipate a full recovery.

Am I telling you to draft Conforto here? Absolutely not. What I am saying is if your draft is going well, and you can afford a luxury, draft Conforto as a stash later on. Throw him on your DL spot and wait for his return. When he comes back, he’ll be in a prime spot in the lineup. Also good news, the Mets have new trainers, so they won’t accidentally diagnosis his shoulder injury as a sprained ankle. It’s the small victories that matter.

Young Guns Tier

Nomar Mazara TEX (D) – Considering Mazara only hit .253, he made use of his contact landing 103 RBIs. Mazara struggles with consistency but he’s still only 22 years old. Struggles are to be expected at that age. At some point, it should all click, and why not this year> His patience improved a tad, and he hit 17 more doubles than in 2016 with a similar at bat total. Drafting Mazara is projecting improvement, but even if he matches his 2017, he’s useful, minus the average. He’ll need to raise that a bit to be a fantasy force. Maybe hitting a lefty or two wouldn’t be so bad as well.

Manuel Margot (S) – This is a projection ranking, but Margot had a good showing as a 22 year old, hitting .260 with teen homers and speed. I envision this year, he reaches 20-20 and has the potential for plenty more upside. He’s a good contact hitter and with the addition of Eric Hosmer, the runs should increase. He could have sneaky good value this year, and outside of RBIs should contribute everywhere. That average could shoot closer to .300.

Delino DeShields TEX (OB, S) – I know, this rank is a bit high, but DeShields provides the stats most players overlook. His average is nothing to write home about, but DeShields’ patience is always his best trait. He will get on base and then can steal. If he increases his games played, 40 steals is in play. The power isn’t there, but good speed, good on base skills, and a good lineup means there should be a lot of runs. He has an outside shot of being Dee Gordon 15 rounds later. Just named the lead off man and starting center fielder, this is DeShields’ chance to show what he can be. A great target for speed.

“Proven” Veterans Tier

Jay Bruce NYM (HR, D) – Bruce offers one trick, power. Even though its value isn’t as high as it was a few years ago, Bruce is one of the league’s most consistent sources. He’s usually good for 30-100, and then everything else is up in the air. He should score his fair share of runs, and the average will hover around .250. You’ll need a team to cover that average, and even in OBP leagues, he fails to save himself there. At this point, you know what Bruce will give you. You make the call if you need it. (1B Likely)

Ian Desmond COL (S) – Desmond’s wrist injury last year was a death sentence. The worst injury a power hitter can suffer is a wrist one. Even when the wrist heals, there’s still a long recovering period to revive the strength in it. This means the pop in a big bat won’t exist for a few months after being diagnosed “healthy”. This is likely why Desmond hit seven homers in 339 at bats. Everything else is in line. There’s no reason Desmond won’t bounce back. I also don’t see why Desmond isn’t being talked about as the starting first baseman. I mean, that’s why they signed him, right? Don’t forget about his speed – Desmond chips in 20 steals, a passable average and hopefully power. The bounce back is real. (1B)

Odubal Herrera PHI (A) – Last year, Herrera regressed considerably. He lost all of his plate discipline gains and stopped running. Without his speed, he’s just another guy. I think he’s closer to the 2016 version than the 2017 one. The 2016 version stole 25 bases and got on base 36% of the time. That’s a player who belongs on fantasy rosters. He’s still only 26 and the team around him is getting better. If he’s hits in the two or three hole, he should contribute. He’ll also get caught watching homeruns that end up being 300 foot outs. He’s be way more entertaining if he wasn’t a disgusting Philly.

Breakout tier

Avisail Garcia CWS – I had no idea where to rank Garcia. Up until last season, he was a complete bust prospect. Then, he finally busted out, hitting a shocking .330. The power was middling and the speed was nonexistent, but it was a step in the right direction. Now, Garcia’s average was inflated and will not match .330 again. It also inflated the rest of his slash line which was unimpressive in a vacuum. He’s not a bad option, but I think 2017 is the ceiling. You’re hoping for either a .300 average or more power to justify his current draft price.

Bradley Zimmer CLE (S, D) – Zimmer’s 2017 debut was a mixed bag. While he managed to steal 18 bases and score 41 runs in 299 at bats, he only hit .241 and his .OBP was .307. This wouldn’t be the first time a touted prospect struggled in his rookie season. I’m not worried about Zimmer, and honestly, the level of speed he displayed despite his low on base percentage could be great for fantasy. In a full season, he’s have roughly 15 homers and 30 steals, and that assumes no improvements, which isn’t likely. Perhaps he ran more to cover his struggles at the plate, but I expect about 25 swipes. This is the type of speedster I want to draft, one who contributes elsewhere as opposed to being a one category wonder.

Mitch Haniger SEA – Haniger was one of the more popular sleepers last season, and didn’t disappoint, doing a little bit of everything in 369 at bats. He was injured, derailing his breakout, but all of his numbers were very useful. So why isn’t anyone talking about him? Because he got hurt? That’s stupid. He’s pretty much met every sleeper expectation and has assured playing time. The people whole liked him last year should like him again. I think he’s a 4^th OF with upside for more and he’s at a very affordable price. Unless he’s in jail and I didn’t do enough research on him, this seems like a value.

Kyle Schwarber CHC (OB, HR, D) – Without being crude, Schwarber sucked all kinds of thing last season. He was so poor, he was demoted to the minors for several weeks to find himself. That demotion did work, and Schwarber was very good for the rest of the year. Considering his awful first half, and his overall .211 average, Schwarber’s 30 home runs and .467 slugging were awfully impressive. If you need a sole power option, Schwarber is my pick. He’s a nightmare defensively, but he can mash and should hit 40 homers if his head’s on straight. He also if a patient hitter, which is surprising that he struggled for so long. He seemed to have righted the ship now.

 

Riskier Upside Tier

Willie Calhoun TEX – Quickly becoming one of my favorite sleepers, if Calhoun gets to plying time, he could be a stud. Calhoun has big time power, but also makes great contact. This is a rare combination reserved for the best hitters. Playing in Texas will only help his overall value. His walk rate is nothing special, but I’m not afraid of that with his elite contact rates. He may struggle against lefties, but he began hitting them in 2017, so don’t rule him a platoon guy just yet. He’s a great fantasy bench bat with the potential for so much more.

Gregory Polanco PIT (S, D) – I’m getting tired of waiting for the breakout. Every year, there’s Polanco hype and every year he disappoints. Last year, he failed to crack double digit homers in 341 plate appearances. He doesn’t run as much as he was supposed to, and his power has never translated despite his large frame. This is the last real shot Polanco has for fantasy relevance. He either needs to improve his all-around game, or develop a standout trick. Being a disappointment doesn’t count as a standout trick.

Michael Brantley CLE (A, IR) – A healthy season from Michael Brantley might be a myth at this point. After his star making 2015, Brantley has suffered every ailment under the sun. This typically saps power away from a batter, but Brantley makes his headway on being a contact hitter. When healthy, Brantley is capable of a .300 average with about 15 steals and good counting stats as he’d likely hit 3^rd in the order. The problem is how long will he be healthy? I like the gamble. Even in the juiced ball era, he would max out at 20 home runs, but it doesn’t mean he’s powerless – he went for 45 doubles in 2015. Keep expectations low, but he could be a bargain as a third OF if everything broke right.

Michael Taylor WAS (S) – After a few years of middling averages, Taylor broke out and hit .271. In 399 at bats, he hit 19 homers and swiped 17 bags. Despite the breakout, there’s a potential playing time issue. The Nationals top prospect, Victor Robles, is closer to the majors than you might think. If Taylor stumbles at all, the Nationals, in win now mode, could go to Robles. Taylor doesn’t have the cleanest injury history, but then again, if he stays healthy and Robles gets calls up, Bryce Harper might be injured by then. I think Taylor has potential, but he’s the odd man out by the end of the year in Washington.

Jose Martinez STL – In 272 At Bats, Martinez hit .309, hit 14 homers and walked about 7% of the time. This was an otherworldly debut for a rookie, but there is a catch – he’s already 29. He’s basically a finished product, and while the stats were very good, he projects more of a lefty killer. There’s a change he carves an everyday role for himself, and based on his sample size he should get a chance, but the Cardinals have a lot of good hitters and the numbers seem a bit fluky. He’ll be a great add for daily leagues, but not ideal in weekly. (1B)

Jesse Winker (OB) – The Reds have caught the Oakland Athletics disease. All of their outfielders are one trick ponies that don’t get on base at all. Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler are 30 home, nothing else mashers and Billy Hamilton is a 60 steal, nothing ese speedster. It’s an odd setup. Maybe they assume Joey Votto will just do everything for them (They aren’t wrong). Winkler is the table setter the Reds have sought out for years. He’s had a .395 OBP in the minors and a .375 in his 47 games in the majors. He hits for a good average, but I wouldn’t expect much power. Oddly enough he hit more homers in the majors (7) than he did in double the games in the minors (2). He’s obviously more valuable in OBP leagues but there’s a lot to like here. He’s the type

Old Busted tier

David Peralta ARI (A) – Peralta has always been a bit of a righty killer. He’ll deliver a solid average, and chip in elsewhere, but nothing extreme. He’s the type of player who helps pull your team’s averages up, and the counting stats are a bonus. The biggest concern with Peralta is the Humidor. If it truly saps power, you could be talking about a .290 slap hitter. That’s not worth drafting at all. Hopefully, the projected effects are overstated.

Hunter Pence SF – Hunter Pence used to be in the same class as Adam Jones – a guy people were bored of, but could count on for solid production. Now, he’s barely hitting – .260 with 13 home runs and bad counting stats will not be worth drafting. He is surrounded by more talent now. Maybe there’s a chance he has a little more left in the tank, but I’m not drafting to see. He’s a waiver wire add at best.

Matt Kemp (IR) LAD – Kemp can still hit, but this problem is nobody wants him. After a solid .276, 19 HR, 64 RBI season in Atlanta in 115 games, he was traded back to LA in a salary dump. He can still play, but he’s been made out of glass for a while. If he stays in LA, the odds of him playing much are slim. If he is traded or cut, which seems likely, he may latch on somewhere and get playing time. Kemp can contribute, but he’s past his prime. He’s the type that might start off hot and then cool down after a month. Like the Dodgers, if you end up with Kemp, look to trade him after a few weeks.

Carlos Gonzales COL (IR) – Most of Gonzalez’s value has tied from playing at Coors field. It has also tied to his health, which, for him, has been pretty decent, missing 150 games for the first time in three years in 2017 with 137. Even with the relatively high total, the production wasn’t there. He only batted .262 with 14 homers. Gonzales seems to be declining but since he returned  to Coors, he probably deserves one more shot as a starting fantasy option.

Adam Duvall CIN (HR, D) – Home runs are cool. I don’t want to dismiss them. But all Duvall is good for is homers. He’s hit at least 30 the past two seasons, and with it come great RBIs and solid runs. It also comes with a sub .250 average and about a .300 OBP. That’s not enough juice. At this point in the draft, you should have some power. Duvall is the type of pick for a team who drafted Dee Gordon or Billy Hamilton and needs to even things out. On the average team, you don’t really need Duvall’s game.

Pure Counting Stat Juice tier

Cameron Maybin MIA (S, D, IR) – Who else are the Marlins going to play? No, that’s not a ringing endorsement for Maybin, it was an honest question. Is there anybody left on the roster? Was Maybin traded at the start of this paragraph? While the former top prospect never panned out, he’s a player who will swipe bases. He stole 33 in Houston last year, and Miami will be looking to generate offense anyway they can. I expect Maybin to run constantly. If you need speed late, Maybin is a good pick, just don’t expect literally anything else of use. He’s a drain everywhere else. So, basically Bill Hamilton without name recognition. Shots fired.

Kevin Kiermaier (S, IR) – If you select Kiermaier, you’re either in a very deep league, or hoping for some category juice. He’s a threat for 20-20 in a full season, and one of the few Rays who should play every day. The biggest problem is Kiermaier spends a ton of time on the DL. It’s part being injury prone and part his reckless fielding style that makes him one of, if not the, best defender in baseball. Unfortunately, defensive WAR is not a fantasy category, or else Kiermaier would make a lot more rosters. As it stands, he’s not worthy of a pick in standard formats.

Steven Souza ARI (OB, HR, D, IR) – Souza is coming off a 30-16 season where he finally managed to stay healthy. Yet despite this breakout season, the Rays traded him to Arizona which seemed odd. This trade would have been a boon to Souza’s production, but of course, the humidor killed any and all excitement for Arizona’s offense. While Souza can hit for power and knows how to draw a walk, he’s average will hurt you overall. The category juice is also in jeopardy, depending on how the playing time breaks down. I think he’s the odd man out, but if he gets every day at bats, he can be useful on a team built to take the average dip. In OBP leagues, he should be solid with an everyday job.

Corey Dickerson PIT – Maybe the Rays know something we don’t but Dickerson’s designation for assignment and ultimate trade was bizarre. He played really well for the team and they thanked him by treating him like a scrub. He’s not a bad hitter, but he doesn’t stand out in any particular field. He also is a bit unpredictable as he was really bad in 2016. He has decent power, but doesn’t walk much, and the Pirate lineup isn’t looking too strong. He’s a decent 4^th or 5^th of I suppose, but not someone who you want to count on for big things.

Scott Schebler CIN (HR, D) – You could take what was written for Adam Duvall and copy and paste it here. Schebler hit 30 homers, but has no other skills to add. He’s about a tier lower than Duvall because he’s only done it once, but nothing suggests he won’t do it again. It’s just the complete lack of anything else that disappointing. Sure, he works for a homer starved team, but not really anyone else. If you want raw power, there’s better, safer options.

Last round upside Tier

David Dahl COL (IR) – Dahl was on his way to being a third round pick this season, but he got hurt and failed to play a single major league game. Injuries are Dahl’s forte. It’s doubtful he’ll ever give you 150 games. However, remember how much hype was around him last year. Consider that he plays in Coors. I recommend a late round gamble on him. It could be huge for you.

Randal Grichuk TOR (HR, D) – This is kind of a projection, because Cardinal prospects rarely fail. The team had too many options, and while Grichuk played a good amount, he was never fully entranced in St. Louis. Always known for power he never put on full display, Grichuk heads to Toronto. Toronto is known for helping power hitters find their swing. Look at the resurrections in recent years – Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Justin Smoak, and the further evolution of Josh Donaldson. There’s a change for a huge, 35+ HR season. There’s also a reason he’s a late round flier. I like the gamble for a power-hungry team.

Stephen Piscotty OAK – Poor Piscotty suffered through an injury plagued year and his mom was diagnosed with ALS. It drained him. As part of a trade to clear room in the outfield, and part to help Piscotty, the Cardinals dealt him to Oakland to be closer to his mother. When healthy, he’s an all-around contributor in everything but steals. His game fits the Athletics, who don’t have anything but pure power hitters. I could see him batting second and becoming a great source of runs. Don’t forget about Piscotty on draft day. He’s a good bounce back candidate.

Austin Hays BAL – Originally projected to start for Baltimore, Hays’ minor league profile projects a great hitter for a team in need of someone to make contact. There isn’t much speed, and the walk rate is kind of terrible. However, he hit .330 in the minors last season, and had 32 homers at multiple levels. There’s a lot of offensive potential here but the plate discipline needs to shame up. If he makes the team in April, he’s worth a late round pick. Even if he doesn’t watch him as their will be an opening sooner than later

Rays Speed tier

Mallex Smith TB (S, D) – Here’s another one trick pony. Mallex Smith is fast. Like really, really fast. He struggles getting on base, though in limited time, he hit .270 last season. There’s no patience at the plate, and the power is non-existent, but he should get a chance to pay on Tampa. There’s worse lottery tickets than Smith, but if you have steals under control, don’t bother. He’s not helping in other categories.

Carlos Gomez TB (S, IR) – After rising to fantasy prominence earlier in the decade, it’s been a slow, injury filled decline for Gomez. He’s still not an awful player, but he’ll likely never reach the peak of his abilities again. Working in his favor is landing in Tampa, as the Rays aren’t playing for anything. They can take a shot on Gomez capturing some of his elite production. There’s 20-20 upside here, but I don’t think his health will allow it. A decent late round gamble.

For Five Outfielder Leagues tier

Dexter Fowler STL (OB) – In an OBP league, Fowler’s typically .360+ will make him more valuable. In standard leagues, you’re pretty much paying for runs and nothing else. There’s teen HR power, but all his other stats are just average. His job as a table setter should be safe, but unless he steals 20 bases, which seems unlikely at 32, there’s not much to be excited about. A high floor, low ceiling type of player.

Shin-Soo Choo TEX (OB) – If you like cheap, category juice, consider Choo in the late rounds. When healthy, he’s good for 20 homers, a few steals, and a middling average. What he excels at is on base skills, getting on at around .360. That’s a very good OBP. The average isn’t anything to write home about, but it won’t kill you. The counting stats are also very generous for his draft price. The biggest issue is playing time. It seems it’ll be him or Willie Calhoun for the last starting spot all year. I know who I hope wins the job by May. Hint – not Choo. Still, if it does play, he’ll be pretty solid.

Kole Calhoun LAA – The definition of “a guy”, Kole is not even the most exciting Calhoun in the outfield anymore. He’s certainly not a bad player, but teen home runs with no speed and a middling average won’t even give you a fantasy semi. He’s a deep league option, who might end up with good counting stats thanks to the lineup, but nothing more. He’s only worth it if you’re desperate.

Keon Broxton MIL (S, D) – Broxton has the power speed combination fantasy players dream up, and he even reached the 20-20 club last year. The reason he’s this low is because he hit .220, had a sub .300 OBP and was actually sent down to the minors for a fit. The Brewers have a crowded outfield, so it seems likely that Broxton will take a backseat to the other options there. He’s one to watch, but not really draft.

Jackie Bradley Jr BOS (D) – Can we stop pretending this guy is a super star Boston? He’s a streaky player who will look amazing for one month of the year, and then fall off the face of the earth for the next several. I don’t see how you can expect much more than a .250 average and 20 home runs. Maybe, maybe he gets hot and delivered 25, but that’s about it. He’s not worth a draft pick outside of deep leagues. I wouldn’t have ranked him, but I feel like this is a bad example of name recognition.

Prospects tier

Eloy Jimenez CWS – Jimenez is currently ripping up the minor leagues and shouldn’t be far off from a call up. The White Sox aren’t brimming with outfield talent, and his minor league production has been stellar. He just reached double A last season, and the White Sox are in no rush to start his clock, so I expect a mid-season call up, if not September. They will want him to be ready, but nothing has stopped him yet. There’s no speed, but the power could be game changing.

Lewis Brinson MIA – The prize received in the Christian Yellich trade, it’s kind of funny the Marlins got more for Yellich than they did for Stanton. Brinson has shown all five tools in the minors and could be a fantasy force sooner than later. There isn’t much competition for playing time, so he should be up as soon as the service time shenanigans. It’s pretty obvious the Marlins aren’t playing for a thing, so expect Brinson up by July. He’s got nothing to prove in the minors.

Austin Meadows PIT – Don’t put too much stock in Meadow’s 2017 line, which was minimized by injures. He’s been the top hitting prospect in the Pirates’ organization for a while but he’s been blocked with the Pirates three outfielders. Now, there’s opportunity available if he hits well to start the year in Triple A. I can’t see the Pirates keeping him down after any service time gets delayed. Except him to make his debut in the second half.

Victor Robles WAS – In order to make the majors, one of the Nationals outfielders would have to falter. The most likely candidate is Michael Taylor, though he seemed to turn a corner last season. Robles is only 20, so there’s no need to rush him. He has exceptional speed, and could pair well with Trea Turner and terrorize opposing pitchers. I wouldn’t anticipate Robles until next year, when Bryce Harper signs a 400 million dollar contract with the Yankees.

Tyler O’Neill (D) – O’Neill has game changing power. When he gets the call, you might hear one of his moonshots from across the country. There’s two problems with O’Neill. First, his plate discipline isn’t great. He’ll need to show more patience to succeed at the major league level. Secondly, the Cardinals are deep at outfield. They really didn’t need to acquire Marcel Ozuna, but they did. Chances are, this delays O’Neill’s debut. Truthfully, that might be for the best for his career. Let him figure out his craft, and hit the ground running in the majors.

Derek Fisher HOU – If it wasn’t for his name, I think Fisher would be a bit lost on the Astros. The team has too many options for Fisher to be guaranteed playing time. There’s a chance he wins the Left Field job in camp, and if so, he will shoot up my board. However, if he remains in Triple A, I wouldn’t worry about holding on to him. The Astros remain in win now mode, but with so many options, are we sure Fisher will play? I have serious doubts. The power and speed combo is there but he also hit .212 last year in a small sample size. Some seasoning is needed.