:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3887445/123421119.jpg)
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
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.