Outfield Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets for OBP Leagues (2025)

In leagues that score on-base percentage (OBP) as a category instead of batting average (AVG), fantasy managers should make a few tweaks to their draft board to ensure that they are set up for success.

For example, several players may produce a poor AVG due to weak contact skills but have an excellent walk rate, which is more valuable in this modified format. These players carry a significant move value in OBP formats compared to standard 5x5 formats. The ADP referenced in this piece is from the NFBC.

In this piece, we will look at five outfielders to push your draft board in OBP formats. Be sure to follow @RotoBallerMLB and me at @A_SMITH_FS on X for league-winning content all offseason. Let's dive in!

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Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers

ADP: 114.2

Christian Yelich was enjoying an MVP-caliber campaign in 2024 before suffering a season-ending back injury. Yelich underwent surgery in the offseason and is expected to be a full-go for spring training.

Across 73 contests last summer, the 2018 NL MVP posted a stellar .315/.406/.504 line with 12 doubles, 11 home runs, and 21 stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate with a 12.7 percent walk rate and a strong 18.4 percent strikeout rate.

All-Star starter Christian Yelich ties it up with his 10th home run of the year! pic.twitter.com/kCi2vvillz

— MLB (@MLB) July 7, 2024

His .294 xBA in 2024 was his highest mark since his 2019 MVP campaign. While his xBA sharply declined from 2020 through 2023, his walk rate remained constant.

During this stretch, the 33-year-old never saw his walk rate drop below 12.3 percent. He held a 13.0 percent or higher walk rate in three of these seasons, which were all within the 94th percentile among qualified hitters.

While Yelich could return to his MVP-caliber self following his surgery, his bat carries more risk than usual. However, fantasy managers in OBP leagues should confidently target Yelich at his current ADP, as he should continue to post one of the highest walk rates in the sport.

Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs

ADP: 127.4

Ian Happ posted a modest .243 AVG last season but held an excellent .341 OBP. The left fielder also hit a career-high 25 long balls and swiped 13 bags.

For the second straight season, Happ generated a walk rate of at least 12.0 percent. This past season, he had a 12.2 percent walk rate, a slight drop from the 14.3 percent he had in 2023. Since 2020, the Cincinnati product has only once seen his walk rate drop below 11.6 percent throughout his career.

However, during this span, Happ has only posted a batting average higher than .260 once, further suggesting how much value Happ holds in OBP formats compared to standard leagues.

In addition to his excellent walk rate, Happ has seen his power metrics slowly climb, only adding to his fantasy value. Last summer, the Gold Glover generated a 45.2 percent hard-hit and an 11.7 percent barrel rate, both significantly above the average marks according to Statcast. He also held a 30.4 percent fly-ball rate last summer, the highest of his career.

🚨 #YouHaveToSeeIt 🚨 Ian Happ -
OPB/Points league target ⭐️
✅ 3 straight seasons of .340+ OBP
✅ Career-high 25 HRs in ‘24
✅ Back-to-back 10+ SB seasons
✅ Elite 12.2% BB rate#MLB #FantasyBaseball
ADP (@TheReal_NFC - 127) pic.twitter.com/AQBgWTAIcS

— Andy Smith (@A_Smith_FS) January 30, 2025

Lastly, Happ has eclipsed 80 runs and 80 RBI in each of his past two seasons.

Slated as the everyday left fielder in a lineup that welcomes Kyle Tucker, Happ is a must-draft in this format.

Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets

ADP: 165.5

Brandon Nimmo saw his batting average drop to a disappointing .224 (second-lowest of his career) last season, but the 31-year-old still had high value in OBP formats thanks to his 11.6 percent walk rate.

While Nimmo's OBP (.327) was a drop from his typical production, fantasy managers should bet confidence on a bounce-back in 2025, given his track record.

In 2022 and 2023, Nimmo posted a .367 and.363 OBP, respectively, which were the seventh and 13th-highest in the National League.

In addition, since his sophomore campaign in 2017, Nimmo has never seen his walk rate drop below 10.5 percent and has held a 14.0 percent or higher rate in five of his previous eight seasons.

Lastly, even though Nimmo had a down year in 2024, he still generated a .261 xBA, suggesting he should return to form in 2025. Take the discount in drafts. Similar to Happ, the Mets will welcome a superstar bat to the lineup in Juan Soto, which will only improve Nimmo's counting stats.

Jurickson Profar, Atlanta Braves

ADP: 211.3

Earlier this offseason, the 31-year-old outfielder inked a three-year deal with the Atlanta Braves. Fantasy managers should expect him to be Atlanta's everyday left fielder during the 2025 season.

Last summer, Profar enjoyed a career season. He posted a .280/.380/.459 slash line, 29 doubles, 24 home runs, and 10 stolen bases. He also scored 94 runs and tallied 86 RBI.

However, Profar showed an incredible eye at the plate, with an 11.4 percent walk rate and a 15.1 percent strikeout rate, both within the 88th percentile among qualified hitters.

While fantasy managers could see his 2024 production as an outlier, as he never had a batting average higher than .250 in each of his previous four seasons, his walk rate remained elite. During these four years, Profar has held a walk rate of at least 11 percent in three of these four seasons.

Even if his bat regresses to his typical career marks, fantasy managers should expect his on-base percentage to remain reliable, given his consistent walk rate. In addition, joining a potent lineup, he should provide elite counting stats batting alongside Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna, Ozzie Albies, and a healthy Ronald Acuna Jr.

Lars Nootbaar, St. Louis Cardinals

ADP: 267.2

My final outfielder to highlight on your draft boards in OBP leagues is Lars Nootbaar. Over his past three seasons, Nootbaar has never seen his OBP drop below .340. He posted a career-best .367 OBP in 2023. However, during this stretch, his batting average only exceeded .260 on one occasion.

Like many names on this list, the USC product has much higher value in this format due to his ability to draw walks. During these three years, Nootbaar has held a walk rate within the top five percent of qualified batters. In 2022, he posted a career-best 14.7 percent walk rate. During this stretch, Nootbaar has held an overall .352 xwOBA.

While the left fielder possesses elite on-base skills, do not sleep on his bat. Last season, Nootbaar generated a 49.5 percent hard-hit rate (91st percentile) and the highest xSLG (.455) of his career.

Don’t sleep on Lars Nootbaar in H2H points leagues🌟 Despite a rough 2024, his .355 xwOBA points to a bounce back in 25'🚀
According to @ATCProjections only FIVE players are projected to have
<21% K, >11% BB, 10+ HR = elite company 🎯
ADP - 262 @TheReal_NFC #FantasyBaseball pic.twitter.com/CtwZk6UCJs

— Andy Smith (@A_Smith_FS) January 24, 2025

Based on the current ADP, Nootbaar is shaping up to be a steal in this format with strong power upside given his underlying metrics.

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