Fantasy Baseball 2013: Ryan Braun and my Top 50 NL-Only Outfielder Rankings

The news last night that Ryan Braun's name appears on the client records of Miami-based anti-aging clinic Biogenesis is certainly going to rock the baseball world today. But, it will also rock the fantasy rankings amongst fantasy baseball writers across the internet, as well.

This makes the second year in a row that we are addressing Braun's links to PED use. Last season, he failed a drug test, but got off due to a chain of custody error. MLB is looking to eliminate PED use in baseball for good, but some players are doing their best to gain an advantage however they can. Multi-million contracts are the carrot, and players will do anything to add a few more million to their next contract.

With all that said, I am not changing my ranking of Braun in my overall outfielder rankings or in my NL-only outfielder rankings. He is still my #1 outfielder until we hear more on this case.

Where would I rank him should he be suspended for 50 games? I ranked him at #1 in our 2013 Consensus Outfielder Rankings, and #1 in my NL-only outfielder rankings below. Should he be suspended, I would drop him to around the 13-14 range,right behind Bryce Harper. Braun hit .319-.391-.595 with 41 HRs, 108 runs scored, 112 RBI and 30 stolen bases last season. He could still put up a 25 HR, 85 RBI, 20 stolen base season in 110 games, should he be suspended, so he still represents solid value on draft day.

Now let's take a look at my 2013 NL-Only Outfielder Rankings:

Here are a couple quick thoughts on a few of my Top 50 NL-only outfielders:

Matt Kemp, LAD

Kemp stated a few weeks ago that he isn't concerned with being ready for the start of spring training, as he is more concerned with being ready for the start of the regular season. That's certainly not comforting to fantasy owners who will be watching him closely after his offseason shoulder surgery was worse than expected.

Giancarlo Stanton, MIA

Some readers are concerned that Stanton won't see any pitches to hit this season, so his power numbers will drop after the Marlins decimated their roster this offseason. Don't panic, Stanton will get pitches to hit this season. Consider this: Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano hit is a very bad Cubs lineup last season and managed to hit 32 home runs and drive in 108 runs. Stanton has way more power than Soriano, so he should be fine.

Shin-Soo Choo, CIN

Choo's trade to Cincinnati improves his fantasy value in a big way, as he leaves a pitcher-friendly park in Cleveland to one of the better hitters parks in baseball, Great American Ball Park. He easily could score 100 runs leading off for the Reds while putting up a 20-20 season.

B.J Upton, ATL

i think the older Upton could push his younger brother Justin for the family title in home runs this season. His home run totals have gone up every year since 2009, and I think he could reach the 30 home run level this season.

Hunter Pence, SFG

I might be a little optimistic on Pence here in my rankings. His performance as a Giant last season tells the story:

BA/OBP/SLG - .219/.287/.384

HR - 7

Runs - 28

RBI - 45

K/BB - 60-19 in 219 at bats

Pence moved from a hitter's park in Philly to one of the best pitchers parks in baseball, and I don't see him driving in 100+ runs in 2013, or ever.