We've already gone around the infield with a look at first base, second base, third base, and shortstop. Let's head to the outfield now to break down the long list of outfielders that have fantasy relevance in 2021 and beyond.
All of the players listed have outfield eligibility, although several will be used at shallower positions in fantasy leagues. Deciding whether to value a young, unproven prospect above a Major League veteran is a debate as old as baseball itself. One thing is for certain, there is no shortage of talent here.
Let's dive into the OF rankings as we prepare for the start of spring training!
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Dynasty Outfielder Rankings
Preseason Thoughts
It's going to take a while to get used to seeing Mike Trout below the top spot in any rankings. It was a disappointing 2020 season as he managed to finish only fifth in MVP voting and slumped to a career-low .280 average. Seriously, that's the worst he's done since his rookie year. What drops him from number one consideration is the lack of speed, as he only stole one base whereas Mookie Betts swiped 10 in 55 games. Soto has the age advantage, being just 22 years old, and Acuna has both speed and youth on his side, ergo number one outfielder status.
How long before Luis Robert joins Acuna near the top of this list? He has drawn mixed opinions in terms of redraft ADP value in 2021 but he is unlikely to reach his true ceiling for a while. There is the 32.2% K-rate that could use some work, along with the .226 xBA. Still, he's just 23 and there are few players who can boast high-end sprint speed and barrel rates, much less at such a young age. There's an argument to be made that he could be a more valuable dynasty asset than Bryce Harper or Eloy Jimenez already but Jimenez has already established himself as an elite hitter and is just 24 while Harper is a far safer bet to help in the short term and will also add in double-digit steals.
Kyle Tucker has all the tools to be a five-category contributor for the next decade but I'm almost afraid he's getting credit for something he hasn't accomplished just yet. He showed off his power/speed blend with nine HR and eight SB last year in 58 games. His 42 RBI tied for 10th in the bigs and runs shouldn't be a problem, especially if bounce-back seasons from Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are in store and Yordan Alvarez appears closer to the baseball diamond rather than the back of a milk carton. His .268 average following .269 the previous year is justified by his .267 and .258 xBA and may settle into the norm for him. Hitting in the bottom third of the order, as currently projected by RosterResource, won't do him any favors and limits his R+RBI potential. This isn't enough to keep him out of the top 10 outfielders but should be noted when considering how far away he is from his actual ceiling.
With Marcell Ozuna re-signing to stay in Atlanta for four years, we finally know what to expect from him in the remainder of his fantasy-relevant career. It may not be MVP-caliber excellence each time out, but he's a safe bet for 30 or more homers and a boatload of RBI in the heart of the Braves lineup. It buoys Acuna's value as well, since it promises to keep him in the leadoff spot and more prone to steal.
Giving up the farm to secure Randy Arozarena is not advisable regardless of how he performs in his true rookie season. Not because he's incapable of being the monster we saw in the postseason, although it's doubtful he consistently performs at that level over a full season, but because there's just no profit to be had. Arozarena can't possibly achieve anything greater than what we witnessed the last time live baseball was in action (can he???). It's best to wait until the season begins, hope for a slow start, then pounce on the disappointed manager with an offer.
The Twins moved on from Eddie Rosario because his WAR was slowly falling as his age was rising. It's not as if he had a bad season in 2020. He hit 13 home runs, slashed a decent .257/.316/.476 and posted a 110 wRC+. It was simply a matter of his contract being up and younger prospects in the wings ready to replace him. Still just 29, Rosario should bat in the heart of the Cleveland order and provide plenty of RBI. He could even go back to swiping a few bases now that he's with a team that runs a bit more compared to the Twins, who were dead last in SB attempts per game last year.
One of those potential replacements in Minnesota is Alex Kirilloff, their top-ranked prospect heading into 2021. AK76 has a good chance to break camp on the active roster and win the left field job but he'll have to fight off fellow rookie Brent Rooker. Kirilloff hadn't fully tapped into his power at the minor-league level so it may take some time before the results come. There's also thought that he or Rooker could move to first base eventually, but that would only help their fantasy value. While Max Kepler is a solid third outfielder, especially in points leagues, he'll never help in the batting average department and Kiriloff gets the nod right now due to age. I'm giving Byron Buxton another year before he finally drops out of my top 50.
Anthony Santander is a buy-low, buy-now candidate. He remains in Baltimore despite speculation he'll get dealt before the season. If he moves to a contending team, it only helps his R+RBI chances. If he stays in Baltimore, at least regular playing time and a spot near the top of the lineup are guaranteed. He was on a torrid pace before getting injured late in the season. By mid-August, Santander was hitting .298 with a 1.035 OPS, leading the American League in RBI and extra-base hits and was second in home runs through 23 games. During a 13-game hitting streak, he batted .363 with seven homers and 18 RBI. Entering his age-26 season, Santander's value could propel exponentially if a team like the Cardinals come calling.
Deeper Options to Watch
Estevan Florial isn't expected to start the season on the Major League roster but as soon as the annual injuries to Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge happen, he could get his shot. Florial took exactly one sip of espresso in his lone game for the Yanks last year, going 1-for-3. He has great tools, grading out at a 70 speed and 60 raw power with a throwing arm that's an 80(!!!). The question is whether he'll make enough contact to put those to good use. He's a risky prospect but one worth stashing in deep leagues.
Taylor Trammell is similarly talented but raw. Speed is his calling card and it will be put to good use in Seattle; the Mariners finished third in total stolen bases in 2020 and fifth in 2019. Like many others, the loss of a minor league season will slow his ascent to the bigs, meaning a late 2021 call-up is the best chance to see him in action. The former Futures Game MVP has yet to show he can hit for average at the upper levels, batting .234 at Double-A. If he begins to do so, pay close attention.
Brandon Marsh is typically overshadowed by Jo Adell but he could be more MLB-ready. At 23, Marsh is two years older than Adell and doesn't have the same power upside but he's potentially a low-end five-category contributor. The signing of Dexter Fowler means both outfielders will likely spend most of the season in the minors, however, meaning they are simply holds in dynasty.
Standing at a stout 6'4", 255 lb, Micker Adolfo is a bigger, younger slugging replacement for Edwin Encarnacion. Unlike E5, Adolfo has a lot more swing-and-miss to his game. Eric Longenhagen makes the comp to Jorge Soler, which seems apt. It also means it could be another couple of seasons before we see him break out.
If you're building for the future, some undervalued trade targets to consider include: Victor Victor Mesa in Miami, George Valera in Cleveland, and Hedbert Perez in Milwaukee. Each of these diminutive prospects stands under six feet tall but should bring some thump to the plate.
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