Fantasy Baseball 2012: AL-Only/NL-Only Outfielder Rankings

Before we get to the AL/NL-Only Outfielder rankings for 2012, here are the rest of our league specific rankings:

Fake Teams League-Specific Ranks

Catcher

First Base

Second Base

Shortstop

Third Base

The Ryan Braun pending suspension changes the NL-Only league rankings, but maybe not as much as you think. Actually, when you think about it, the loss of Braun and Ryan Howard for at least the first month of the season, and probably longer for both, combined with the loss of Albert Pujols and possibly Prince Fielder to the American League, fantasy owners have to scratch and claw to find solid power hitters on draft day in NL-Only leagues.

We are in the middle of our 2012 AL-Only and NL-Only Rankings for those of you in "Only" leagues, and today we continue with our AL-Only and NL-Only Outfielder Rankings.

AL-Only

1. Jose Bautista, TOR

2. Curtis Granderson, NYY

3. Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS

4. Alex Gordon, KC

The rest of my AL-Only and NL-Only outfielder rankings after the jump:

Are you following us on Twitter? Follow @faketeams

5. Josh Hamilton, TEX

6. Carl Crawford, BOS

7. B.J. Upton, TB

8. Adam Jones, BAL

9. Desmond Jennings, TB

10. Ben Zobrist, TB

11. Shin-Soo Choo, CLE

12. Nelson Cruz, TEX

13. Nick Markakis, BAL

14. Brett Gardner, NYY

15. Ichiro Suzuki, SEA

16. Nick Swisher, NYY

17. Torii Hunter, LAA

18. Howie Kendrick, LAA

19. Matt Joyce, TB

20. Jeff Francoeur, KC

21. Coco Crisp, TBD

22. Peter Bourjos, LAA

23. Colby Rasmus, TOR

24. Alex Rios, CHW

25. Josh Willingham, MIN

26. Michael Brantley, CLE

27. Seth Smith, OAK

28. Denard Span, MIN

29. Austin Jackson, DET

30. Mike Carp, SEA

31. Delmon Young, DET

32. Lorenzo Cain, KC

33. Nolan Reimold, BAL

34. Ben Revere, MIN

35. Dayan Viciedo, CHW

36. Brennan Broesch, DET

37. Josh Reddick, OAK

38. Eric Thames, TOR

39. Bobby Abreu, LAA

40. Vernon Wells, LAA

41. Grady Sizemore, CLE

42. David Murphy, TEX

43. Alejandro de Aza, CHW

44. Jonny Gomes, OAK

45. Mitch Moreland, TEX

46. Mike Trout, LAA

47. Rajai Davis, TOR

48. Luke Scott, TB

49. Ryan Raburn, DET

50. Franklin Gutierrez, SEA

Is it me or is outfield shallow in the AL? Maybe its because this is my first time I am publishing AL-only rankings, but this list was not easy for me. Guys like Colby Rasmus and Alex Rios are bounce back candidates, and I have said it before, Rasmus needs to prove himself this season.

I own Adam Jones in an AL-only league, and I am trying to trade him. Up to about a week ago, the best offers I was getting was a late first round pick in the minor league portion of the draft. Jones is only 26 years old, and he increased his HR total last year from 19 to 25 and is usually good for double digit steals, so I think I should be able to get something better than a minor league pick for him. I am currently pondering an offer, but have not decided yet.

What are the Angels going to do with their outfield surplus? They have Hunter, Bourjos, Trout, Well and Abreu. Who sits? Trout will probably start the season in AAA, but he should be up at some point in 2012.

I ranked Ichiro Suzuki at 15 as I think he has one good year left in him. Last year was the worst of his career, but he still stole 40 bases. I see him returning to the .300 BA level again in 2012.

Due to his 50 game suspension for taking an unapproved prescription drug, Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun drops in the NL-Only and mixed league outfielder rankings. In NL-Only leagues, he still has plenty of value, but he won't put up another 30-30 season in just 112 games. Could he go 20-20 in 112 games? I think he can.

NL-Only

1. Matt Kemp, LAD

2. Justin Upton, ARI

3. Carlos Gonzalez, COL

4. Andrew McCutchen, PIT

5. Mike Stanton, FLA

6. Jay Bruce, CIN

7. Matt Holliday, STL

8. Ryan Braun, MIL

9. Hunter Pence, PHI

10. Shane Victorino, PHI

11. Chris Young, ARI

12. Corey Hart, MIL

13. Michael Morse, WAS

14. Jason Heyward, ATL

15. Michael Bourn, ATL

16. Carlos Beltran, STL

17. Lance Berkman, STL

18. Jayson Werth, WAS

19. Andre Ethier, LAD

20. Logan Morrison, FLA

21. Michael Cuddyer, COL

22. Drew Stubbs, CIN

23. Carlos Lee, HOU

24. Lucas Duda, NYM

25. Cameron Maybin, SD

26. Jason Bay, NYM

27. Bryce Harper, WAS

28. Jose Tabata, PIT

29. Yonder Alonso, CIN

30. Carlos Quentin, SD

31. Jason Kubel, ARI

32. Chris Heisey, CIN

33. Dexter Fowler, COL

34. Alfonso Soriano, CHC

35. Alex Presley, PIT

36. Marlon Byrd, CHC

37. Allen Craig, STL

38. Martin Prado, ATL

39. John Mayberry, PHI

40. Jerry Sands, LAD

41. Emilio Bonafacio, MIA

42. Garret Jones, PIT

43. Jon Jay, STL

44. J.D. Martinez, HOU

45. Gerardo Parra, ARI

46. Brandon Belt, SFG

47. Melky Cabrera, SFG

48. Angel Pagan, SFG

49. Andres Torres, NYM

50. Juan Rivera, LAD

A couple guys on this list who are looking to bounce back in 2012 are Jayson Werth, Jason Bay and Andre Ethier, and I think each will improve on their disappointing 2011 seasons. Werth may have pressed a good bit last year with the big contract hanging over his head. I look for him to improve the BA to the .265 range, and can see him hitting 23 HRs and stealing 15 bags as well.

Ethier was hobbled with a bad knee last year, which resulted in his power disappearing. He will be a free agent at the end of the 2012 season, and I look for this year to be his last in Los Angeles, barring a huge 2009 type season from him. I can see him hitting 20 HRs, driving in 90 runs and hitting close to .300 if healthy this season.

It was reported yesterday that Rockies outfielder Dexter Fowler has added some muscle to his thin frame this offseason, working out with Troy Tulowitzki and Jason Giambi. He had a very good second half last year, so he could be a breakout candidate on draft day.

I wrote about my expectations for Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and you can read it later this morning as it is scheduled to post at 9am EST.