When selecting your outfielders you often want to look for a combination of speed and power. After all, your corner infielders are usually your source for power, while your middle infielders are speedsters with high averages.
Sometimes fantasy managers will nab a specialist in the outfield such as Ichiro or Michael Bourn. Making such a selection requires balance, as you will have to make up for the loss of power at another position. On that note, one-dimensional speedsters often go well with middle infield sluggers such as JJ Hardy and Dan Uggla.
Here are the top 50 fantasy baseball outfielders for the upcoming season:
1. Matt Kemp, Dodgers
Fresh off an MVP caliber season, Kemp has set 50 home runs and 50 steals as goals for this season. At the very least 30-30 seems like a safe bet and aside from one season, his power and speed usually come with a high average.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox
One of the most exciting fantasy players because he has swiped as many as 70 bases in a season and now has 30-home run power as well. Ellsbury can hit for a high average and will score plenty of runs atop the Red Sox lineup.
3. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
There is some concern about his second half slump, but Bautista now has two seasons of being the best power hitter on the planet under his belt.
4. Justin Upton, Diamondbacks
He may have the most upside of any player in the Majors. Upton has great power and speed, but unlike his older brother, Justin has proved capable of offering a high average as well.
5. Ryan Braun, Brewers
The off-season controversy was unfortunate, but it’s the loss of Prince Fielder that will have the greater impact. Braun will rely on the injury-prone Aramis Ramirez and Rickie Weeks for protection in the Brewers lineup.
6. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
He was a bit disappointing last season, but Gonzalez is still one of the few fantasy talents who can help in all categories.
7. Mike Stanton, Marlins
It would not surprise me one bit to see Stanton lead the Major Leagues in home runs. It’s also nice to have Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez batting in front of him.
8. Josh Hamilton, Rangers
He could hit .350 with 45 home runs, but as is always the case for Hamilton there is a great deal of risk both for injuries and personal issues.
9. Hunter Pence, Phillies
One of the more complete players in baseball, the move to Philly leads to greater run production, plus the ballpark is a homer-friendly setting.
10. Curtis Granderson, Yankees
He has 40-home run ability, which was proven last season. He could move into the top five on this list if his batting average could return to at least the .280s.
11. Nelson Cruz, Rangers
An elite fantasy option when healthy, Cruz has yet to play 130 games in a season. His stolen bases have also declined in back-to-back seasons.
12. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
A source for power and speed, McCutchen’s struggles towards the end of last season lowered his 2012 expectations, making him an undervalued star come draft time.
13. Jay Bruce, Reds
One of the best sluggers in baseball, this could be the season that Bruce reaches 40 round-trippers.
14. Adam Jones, Orioles
He improves each season and has a nice combination of power and speed. If he drew more walks, Jones would offer even more steals and better run production.
15. Michael Cuddyer, Rockies
After spending several years at the pitcher-friendly Target Field, Cuddyer is now expected to offer much-improved power production while playing at Coors Field in Colorado.
16. Michael Morse, Nationals
He offers everything but stolen bases, but will need another stellar season to prove that 2011 was not a fluke.
17. Carl Crawford, Red Sox
The most important thing is for Crawford to get healthy. Once he does he should be able to put his dismal 2011 season behind him. Unfortunately, he opened spring training nursing an injury.
18. Matt Holliday, Cardinals
The loss of Pujols hurts the most, but another issue is that Holliday no longer brings speed to the table.
19. Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
He enjoyed a bounce back season while playing in two pitcher-friendly ballparks last season. He should flourish in St. Louis with 25-plus home runs and a solid average.
20. Lance Berkman, Cardinals
Berkman turned back the clock last season and once again could be a fine source for power and run production.
21. Alex Gordon, Royals
Fresh off his breakout season, Alex Gordon is a solid all-around option who will score plenty of runs as long as he continues to lead off.
22. Nick Markakis, Orioles
It looks like the power never will translate to many home runs, but even still Markakis is a solid fantasy option who helps in all categories.
23. Cory Hart, Brewers
He’s a bit injury-prone, but Hart has a lot of power and will be depended upon more for run production with Fielder now in Detroit.
24. Michael Bourn, Braves
A three-dimensional fantasy star, Bourn will help out in steals, average, and runs scored.
25. BJ Upton, Rays
The potential for even more remains, but you can count on Upton for some pop with plenty of stolen bases.
26. Shane Victorino, Phillies
With a nice combination of power and speed, Shane Victorino is a legitimate 20-20 threat each season.
27. Desmond Jennings, Rays
The Rays look at Desmond Jennings as a player who will remind fans of Carl Crawford. If you ignore the 0-24 swoon to end the regular season, Jennings was already an elite fantasy option in his rookie campaign.
28. Drew Stubbs, Reds
He struck out way too often and his batting average was way too low, but he did belt 15 home runs, scored 92 runs, and most impressively swiped 40 bases. If he can pick up that average Stubbs is a top-20 fantasy outfielder.
29. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
This is a tough call, but fantasy managers have to decide if last year was the beginning of the end or simply a down season for the future Hall of Famer. A move out of the leadoff spot could only hurt if Ichiro no longer steals bases as often.
30. Jason Heyward, Braves
He’s projected as a five-tool star, but disintegrated last season. Heyward’s ailing shoulder may explain the drop off, so if healthy he should bounce back.
31. Shin-Shoo Choo, Indians
This 20-20 star was dealt a blow last season because of injuries. While Indians fans may be nervous, this should not be a chronic situation in line with the deterioration of Grady Sizemore.
32. Jayson Werth, Nationals
Werth was not worth the money the Nationals are paying him, but his season was not as bad as some people made it out to be. Expect a bounce back, but keep expectations realistic.
33. Chris Young, Diamondbacks
By now you should know what Young offers. He has power and speed, but a low contact rate.
34. Brett Gardner, Yankees
He lacks power or a sterling batting average, but Gardner does reach base often and when he does he is dangerous.
35. Andre Ethier, Dodgers
He’s a solid player, but not a major power threat nor a speedster.
36. Logan Morrison, Marlins
Though he had some fits of frustration last year, Logan Morrison finished the season with solid numbers including 23 home runs and 72 RBI. LoMo will find himself in a better lineup this season and with another season’s worth of experience he should offer more consistency and elevate his game across the board.
37. Jeff Francoeur, Royals
Francoeur evolved as a stolen base threat last season while still maintaining a power bat with 20 home runs and 47 doubles. His lack of plate discipline can still result in inconsistency, but overall Francoeur earned his spot on this list.
38. Coco Crisp, OF, A’s
One of the top speedsters in baseball, Crisp also adds some pop but struggles to stay healthy.
39. Angel Pagan, OF, Giants
He’s a line drive machine who can steal 30-plus bases, but his lack of consistency forced him out of New York.
40. Colby Rasmus, OF, Blue Jays
A major talent now in a strong Blue Jays lineup while playing in the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre, Rasmus is a player to consider investing in.
41. Matt Joyce, Rays
A nice combination of power and the ability to reach base, Joyce even added speed to his repertoire.
42. Cameron Maybin, Padres
Despite what the pitcher-friendly PETCO confines, Maybin finally met his potential last season with nine home runs and 40 steals despite missing 35 games.
43. Torii Hunter, Angels
Though he has slowed down a bit on the base paths over the years, Hunter remains a valuable slugger with 20-plus home runs in 10 of the last 11 seasons.
44. Mike Trout, Angels
One of the top prospects in baseball, Mike Trout is projected to be a star. However, he is not likely to deliver All-Star caliber play this season.
45. Yoenis Cespedes, A’s
The Cuban import demonstrated all the tools in his spring training opener, which is sure to grab the attention of risk-inclined fantasy managers.
46. Brennan Boesch, Tigers
Boesch is a fine talent who with added playing time could break through with 20-plus home runs and 90-plus RBI.
47. Lucas Duda, Mets
The Mets best bet for power, Lucas Duda should benefit from the drawn in fences at Citi Field. Last season he offered plenty of power with impressive plate discipline. A step forward could result in 25 home runs.
48. Josh Willingham, Twins
He has a lot of power, but again calls home to a pitcher’s park in a lineup that has struggled to score runs in recent years.
49. Dexter Fowler, Rockies
Though it did not translate into home runs or stolen bases last season, Fowler does have some power and speed and could flourish in his fourth full season with the Rockies.
50. Allen Craig, Cardinals
The late bloomer has been a bit injury-prone, but when healthy he has plenty of power and is a stolen base threat.