Consensus Position Rankings/Projections: Top 75 Outfielders for 2014, Part 1

Alex Kantecki opened Outfielder week here at Fake Teams with the fantasy state of the position earlier this morning. Now we bring you part 1 of our consensus fantasy outfielder rankings for 2014. We used a points system for each of the 75 outfielders ranked by each of the Fake Teams writers who participated in the consensus rankings series.

Below you will find links to all of our position rankings and projections that we have published to date:

Catcher: Part 1| Part 2

First Base: Part 1| Part 2

Second Base: Part 1| Part 2

Shortstop: Part 1| Part 2

Third Base: Part 1| Part 2

We feel that providing you with our consensus position rankings, you get an average ranking from the Fake Teams writers, rather than just my updated rankings throughout the offseason. You will see some players ranked higher by one Fake Teams writer than the others, so this helps the reader see both sides of the argument for/against a certain player who might be getting too much love this offseason.

The outfielder rankings will be split into three parts, rankings, player profiles and projections for outfielders ranked 1 - 25 in part 1, and rankings, player profiles and projections for outfielders ranked 26 - 50 in part 2 to be published on Wednesday morning, and outfielders ranked 51-75 on Friday morning. I probaby won't write about each of the outfielders ranked, but will provide comments on players that I like/dislike for 2014. Consensus rankings should bring about discussion amongst you, our readers, and the Fake Teams writers who participated in this series.

In addition to the rankings, we are now offering your 2014 projections for each player ranked, courtesy of Dan Schwartz from Fake Teams and Rotobanter. He has spent all offseason on his projections, and to learn more about how he calculates his projections, you can read his explanations here: Part 1| Part 2| Part 3. Part 1 details his projection approach, Part 2 details how he calculates his hitter projections and part 3 details how he calculates his pitcher projections.

We didn't stop at just providing you rankings and projections, as we are also providing you with auction values, courtesy of Dan, along with the Equivalent Fantasy Average for each player ranked, courtesy of Daniel Kelley. The equivalent fantasy average can be used to compare players at the same position.

Here is a brief explanation of Equivalent Fantasy Average, from Daniel's Fantasy Average Positional Breakdown piece a few weeks ago:

Those who have been around the last week or two probably saw my Fantasy Average piece, in which I attempted to use standard deviations to present every offensive players' fantasy contributions in terms of a batting average-like number. That presentation is a useful ranking tool and, since it's on a scale we're all familiar with, is a heck of a shorthand for overall strength. If your guy hit ".300" by Fantasy Average, he's a heck of a player.

And all of this is consolidated, with player photos, into statistical tables thanks to the work of Jason Hunt.

2014 Outfielder Rankings

Now let's take a look at part 1 of our Top 75 Fantasy Outfielder Rankings for 2014:

Rank	Player	Team	Ranking Points	Ray	Matt	Brian	Alex	Daniel	Joe	Jason	Zack
1	Mike Trout	LAA	616	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
2	Andrew McCutchen	PIT	607	2	2	3	2	2	2	2	2
3	Carlos Gonzalez	COL	597	5	3	4	3	3	3	3	3
4	Ryan Braun	MIL	590	3	4	2	4	8	5	4	4
5	Adam Jones	BAL	574	4	9	8	6	6	4	6	7
6	Bryce Harper	WSN	565	6	5	7	8	10	7	5	11
7	Jay Bruce	CIN	555	9	11	10	9	5	6	9	10
8	Carlos Gomez	MIL	544	10	16	15	7	7	12	8	5
9	Shin-Soo Choo	TEX	540	8	21	9	12	4	9	13	8
10	Justin Upton	ATL	537	13	7	5	10	17	8	10	17
11	Jacoby Ellsbury	NYY	530	21	10	11	5	12	22	7	6
12	Giancarlo Stanton	MIA	522	11	6	12	13	21	15	11	13
13	Yasiel Puig	LAD	520	7	8	6	14	22	10	12	25
14	Jose Bautista	TOR	506	12	13	20	11	20	18	15	9
15	Matt Holliday	STL	501	16	18	13	18	9	17	16	16
16	Hunter Pence	SFG	490	17	19	18	17	13	14	17	19
17	Jason Heyward	ATL	485	19	12	19	16	25	13	14	21
18	Wil Myers	TBR	474	24	14	17	15	15	20	21	24
19	Alex Rios	TEX	471	14	22	24	19	11	28	23	12
20	Alex Gordon	KCR	470	22	29	16	24	14	16	19	14
21	Starling Marte	PIT	459	23	17	27	20	16	11	22	29
22	Yoenis Cespedes	OAK	454	20	23	22	21	32	19	18	15
23	Matt Kemp	LAD	437	15	15	14	23	24	50	24	22
24	Allen Craig	STL	427	31	26	23	29	18	24	20	26
25	Jayson Werth	WSN	416	18	30	30	22	19	40	31	18

Player Profiles

Before I get into the player profiles, I wanted to let you know I will probably not write a profile for every one of the Top 75 outfielders, but will do my best. If I don't write about the player, you will still get the 2014 projection for him, courtesy of Dan Schwartz at Rotobanter.

Regarding outfielder strategy, Zack Smith will be addressing that later in the week, but as I was updating my rankings last week, it appears that outfield is not as deep as in prior years. Once you get through the top 40 outfielders, the drop off is real, so it would be wise to grab a few outfielders early in drafts and wait on other positions like catcher and third base. The issue gets deeper in AL or NL only leagues. I plan to draft outfielders early in drafts this season. Of course, I usually do that anyway.

	# 1 Mike Trout (LAA)
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.323	109	27	97	33
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
716	0.432	0.557	15.3%	19.0%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.314	116	28	94	35
Auction Value: $ 38.25		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.307

You don't need me to tell you that Trout is the best player in the game, thus is our #1 ranked outfielder for 2014. After hitting .326-.399-.564 with 30 home runs, 129 runs, 83 RBI and 49 stolen bases in his first full season in the league, he followed that up with another MVP-like season, hitting .323-.432-.557 with 27 home runs, 109 runs, 97 RBI and 33 stolen bases last season. His stolen base total dropped last season, and he has already addressed that in spring training, stating that he wants to steal more bases this season. I expect another excellent season at the plate from him, and could see him putting up a 30 home run, 40 stolen base season in 2014.

If Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton are healthy this season and return to the hitters we all expected last season, we should see more runs scored from Trout. Trout has the potential to put up a 30 home run, 120 run, 90 RBI and 40 stolen base season in 2014.

	# 2 Andrew McCutchen (PIT)
Photo Credit: Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.317	97	21	84	27
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
674	0.404	0.508	11.6%	15.0%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.302	98	25	86	24
Auction Value: $ 27.17		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.293

McCutchen is being drafted at #4 in most drafts thus far this offseason, behind only Trout, Miguel Cabrera and Paul Goldschmidt. McCutchen is coming off an MVP season in 2013, where he hit .317-.404-.508 with 21 home runs, 97 runs, 84 RBI and 27 stolen bases.

McCutchen doesn't put up the gawdy numbers like Trout, but he has put up three consecutive 20 home run, 80 run, 80 RBI, 20 stolen base seasons:

2011: 23 HRs, 87 runs, 89 RBI, 23 SBs

2012: 31 HRs, 107 runs, 96 RBI, 20 SBs

2013: 21 HRs, 97 runs, 84 RBI, 27 SBs

He actually had a better overall season in 2012 than in 2013, but that's what happens when you make the playoffs for the first time in two decades. He doesn't hit enough fly balls to repeat the 30 home run season in 2012, and his 19.4% HR/FB rate now looks like an outlier.

	# 3 Carlos Gonzalez (COL)
Photo Credit: Rick Scuteri - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.302	72	26	70	21
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
436	0.367	0.591	9.4%	27.1%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.296	85	29	84	19
Auction Value: $ 22.78		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.288

CarGo is one of the best fantasy hitters in the game, but comes with injury risk. For some reason, Rockies manager Walt Weiss is considering playing Gonzalez in the spacious center field at Coors Field this season. For me, that only increases his risk of injury. But, he did admit recently that the decision is not set in stone, so he could return to old spot in left field before Opening Day.

Last season, Gonzalez hit .302-.367-.591 with 26 hone runs, 72 runs, 70 RBI and 21 stolen bases in just 110 games. He has never played more than 145 games, but yet has still been able to put up four straight 20 home run, 20 stolen base seasons. The risk is present, but when you know what you are getting with Gonzalez, year in and year out, the risk is worth taking.

	# 4 Ryan Braun (MIL)
Photo Credit: Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.298	30	9	38	4
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
253	0.372	0.498	10.67%	22.13%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.299	84	25	93	15
Auction Value: $ 22.51		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.287

We all know what happened to Braun last season, and some fantasy owners are willing to forgive him for the suspension, or think he is too risky since we don't know what kind of hitter he will be this season. He dealt with a thumb injury last season as well.

I see Braun returning to the hitter he was before the suspension last season, and wouldn't be surprised he has a real large chip on his shoulders to prove to his critics that he can be the same hitter he was before the PED suspension. I still think he is a first round pick in mixed league drafts, and can put up another 30 home run, 100 RBI, 20 stolen base, and .290 batting average season in 2014. Some think he is a risk in the first round, and I can see that argument. But others first round hitters bring injury risk, while Braun has played in 150 or more games in five consecutive seasons prior to 2013.

	# 5 Adam Jones (BAL)
Photo Credit: Derick E. Hingle - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.285	100	33	108	14
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
689	0.318	0.493	3.63%	19.74%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.282	96	30	98	14
Auction Value: $ 25.12		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.29

Jones has been one of the more consistent hitters in the game over the last few seasons, and we are seeing growth in his stats as well. Last season, Jones hit .285-.318-.493 with 33 home runs, 100 runs, 108 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 160 games.

He has now hit 30 or more home runs and scored 100+ runs in each of the last two seasons. Over the last five seasons, we have seen his home runs grow: he has hit 19, 19, 25, 32 and 33 home runs. The knock on Jones is that he doesn't walk enough, but while his power has increased, he hasn't sacrificed his batting average, as he has hit .277 or better in each of the last five seasons. If he could loft the ball to produce more fly balls, we could see him put up a 35+ home run season.

	# 6 Bryce Harper (WSN)
Photo Credit: Brad Barr - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.274	71	20	58	11
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
497	0.368	0.486	12.27%	18.91%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.281	91	25	73	14
Auction Value: $ 17.89		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.281

Harper is the one outfielder in the top 10 that could be ranked #1 next season. Really. I don't think he has sniffed his potential at the plate. As he matures, we will see him regularly hit 30+ home runs, with 90-100 RBI. If he can stay healthy, he could challenge Mike Trout as the #1 outfielder in the game as soon as this season.

His 2013 season was marred by injuries received when running into the outfield wall at Dodger Stadium and he dealt with a knee injury the rest of the season. Despite the injury, Harper hit .274-.368-.486 with 20 home runs, 71 runs, 58 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 118 games. Even though he missed 44 games, Harper saw growth at the plate as he reduced his strikeout rate while improving his walk rate. He will have to improve his 33% fly ball rate to reach the 30+ home run level in 2014.

	# 7 Jay Bruce (CIN)
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.262	89	30	109	7
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
697	0.329	0.478	9.04%	26.54%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.26	90	33	107	5
Auction Value: $ 20.25		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.284

Jay Bruce as the #7 ranked outfielder? Well, yes, why not? Bruce is one of the premiere power hitters in the game right now, entering his prime power seasons. Last season, Bruce hit .262-.329-.478 with 30 home runs, 89 runs, 109 RBI and 7 stolen bases. He won't help you much in the batting average category, but he won't hurt you much either. And he tosses in a few stolen bases as well.

Over the last three seasons, only three hitters have hit more home runs than Bruce - Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Beltre, and Jose Bautista, but he is only two home runs behind Beltre and Baustista, so he has been consistent with the power production. Only four hitters have more RBI over the last three seasons than Bruce - Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Adrian Gonzalez and Robinson Cano. The other key point with Bruce is that he is not an injury risk. Over the last four seasons, he has played 148, 157, 155 and 160 games, so he is in the lineup every day, in a ball park that suits his power perfectly.

	# 8 Carlos Gomez (MIL)
Photo Credit: Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.284	80	24	73	40
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
590	0.338	0.506	6.27%	24.75%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.26	78	21	61	34
Auction Value: $ 13.84		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.276

Gomez proved to everyone that his 2012 performance was no fluke last season, hitting .284-.338-.506 with 24 home runs, 80 runs, 73 RBI and 40 stolen bases. He has turned into a legitimate power threat to go along with his 35+ stolen base potential, and that makes him a second round pick in drafts this season.

We are seeing a growth in his power and his ability to hit for a high average. Some think he is a candidate to regress this season, but I would point out the fact that his line drive rate has risen in each of the last two seasons, to 21% in 2013, and his HR/FB% is rising as well. He hits in a hitter-friendly park and in a solid lineup with Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez returning from suspension and injury this season.

	# 9 Shin-Soo Choo (TEX)
Photo Credit: Tim Heitman - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.285	107	21	54	20
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
712	0.423	0.462	15.73%	18.68%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.28	104	19	63	17
Auction Value: $ 17.48		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.279

Perhaps my favorite offseason move for fantasy purposes, the Rangers signed Choo to a seven year, $130 million deal. He moves from one hitter's park to another, but actually has improved his fantasy value, in my opinion, as the Rangers have a slightly better lineup than the Reds did last season. Actually, it might be more than slightly.

Choo had his best season of his career last season, hitting .285-.423-.462 with 21 home runs, 107 runs, 54 RBI and 20 stolen bases. He is not the RBI guy he was in Cleveland as he hit leadoff for the Reds, and will do so for the Rangers. But his runs were up, his home run total was one off his career high, and his stolen bases stayed in the low 20 range.

He put up his third 20 home run, 20 stolen base season in 2013, one of nine hitters to do so. He owns a career .389 on base percentage, so he should continue to present the middle of the Rangers lineup plenty of RBI opportunities in 2014.

	# 10 Justin Upton (ATL)
Photo Credit: Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.263	94	27	70	8
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
643	0.354	0.464	11.66%	25.04%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.272	98	27	78	15
Auction Value: $ 19.68		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.283

Upton had a very hot start to the 2013 season, hitting 12 home runs in the month of April, resulting in some people calling him an MVP candidate. Well, that wasn't to be, as he slumped horribly in May and June, hitting just three home runs, driving in 18 runs and hitting no higher than .226. This is Justin Upton now. What does 2014 hold for him?

Probably more of the same, as he might be the Joey Votto of outfielders (with a lower OBP), as he doesn't drive in runs. Upton has driven in 67 and 70 runs in each of the last two seasons, placing him 30th among all qualified outfielders in that category. Could he repeat his 2011 season, where he hit .289 with 31 home runs, scored 105 runs, drove in a career high 88 runs and stolen 21 bases? Sure, but I think he won't be running as much in Atlanta under manager Fredi Gonzalez. Plus, have you ever seen how big Upton is? He seems BIG for an outfielder, with a big gut. Maybe my eyes are messing with me.

	# 11 Jacoby Ellsbury (NYY)
Photo Credit: Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.298	92	9	53	52
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
636	0.355	0.426	7.39%	14.47%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.279	84	10	53	31
Auction Value: $ 11.86		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.273

Ellsbury signed a seven year , $155 million deal with the Yankees this offseason, and will be their leadoff hitter when healthy. Ellsbury comes with plenty of injury risk, as he has missed a total of 264 games over the last four seasons, or an average of 66 games per season.

Last year, Ellsbury stayed relatively healthy, playing in 134 games, hitting .298-.355-.426 with 9 home runs, 92 runs, 53 RBI, and 52 stolen bases, his first 50 stolen base season since 2009. I honestly don't get the love for Ellsbury for two reasons. One, he is an injury risk, and two, he is a three category hitter- batting average, runs and stolen bases.

The move to Yankee Stadium could provide a boost to his home run total in 2014, but only to the low teens range.

	# 12 Giancarlo Stanton (MIA)
Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.249	62	24	62	1
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
504	0.365	0.48	14.68%	27.78%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.269	77	36	78	3
Auction Value: $ 14.84		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.278

Stanton has disappointed fantasy owners the last two seasons, as he, like a few others ranked ahead of him, hasn't been able to stay healthy. Last season, he hit just .249-.365-.480 with 24 home runs, 62 runs and 62 RBI in just 116 games, down from the 37 he hit in 137 games in 2012. Even though he had a bit of a down season due to injury, he did show growth at the plate, as he was able to reduce his strikeout rate from 29.4% to 27.8%, and he bumped his walk rate from 11.8% to 14.7%.

If he continues to shave off some of the strikeouts and improve/maintain the walk rate, we could see a monster power season from him in the next few seasons. He is capable of a 40 home run season if healthy, but a more conservative projection would be 30-35 home runs in 2014. His .290 batting average from 2012 appears to be a fluke at this point, but I wouldn't put it past him to approach the .270-.280 level again.

	# 13 Yasiel Puig (LAD)
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.319	66	19	42	11
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
432	0.391	0.534	8.33%	22.45%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.281	94	22	70	14
Auction Value: $ 16.78		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.279

To one of the more polarizing outfielders on draft boards this offseason. Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has plenty of people thinking that he is an MVP candidate, while others think he will have a sophomore slump in 2014.

Last season, Puig was one of the best players in baseball after his call up in early June. Puig hit .319-.391-.534 with 19 home runs, 66 runs, 42 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 19 attempts in 104 games. His batting average benefitted from an extremely high .383 batting average of balls in play, so that is likely to regress some. But, I am willing he could be one of those hitters with a .350ish BABIP. Puig struck out at a 22.5% rate while walking at an 8.3% rate, but his walk rate improved as the season went on. After walking just 7 times, or just 4.3% of his plate appearances, in the first half, he walked 29 times, or 10.7%, of his plate appearances in the second half.

Puig reported to spring training about 26 pounds overweight, weighing in at 251 pounds, and Dodgers manager Don Mattingly is apparently watching him closely this spring. Mattingly has stated earlier this offseason that Puig will more than likely bat leadoff this season, so he could be running more this season. I can see him putting up a 20 home run, 20 stolen base season in 2014, with a chance for more than that.

Name and Rotobanter Projections	AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB	Auc $	EFA
# 14 Jose Bautista (TOR)	0.256	84	30	83	7	14.43	0.276
# 15 Matt Holliday (STL)	0.291	82	19	85	4	14.61	0.276
# 16 Hunter Pence (SFG)	0.276	85	23	89	13	17.51	0.28
# 17 Jason Heyward (ATL)	0.272	92	25	68	11	15	0.277

	# 18 Wil Myers (TBR)
Photo Credit: Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.293	50	13	53	5
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
373	0.354	0.478	8.85%	24.40%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.262	78	24	93	10
Auction Value: $ 13.8		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.276

Myers won the American League Rookie of the Year award last season after hitting .293-.354-.478 with 13 home runs, 50 runs, 53 RBI and 5 stolen bases in 88 games. He showed off some of the huge power potential with 36 extra base hits in 373 plate appearances. His batting average was bouyed by a .362 BABIP, so we should expect some regression there in 2014. He has 30 home run potential, as long as he can avoid the sophomore slump, and reduce his 24.4% strikeout rate, but I can see his batting average dropping to the .255-.265 range in 2014.

Name and Rotobanter Projections	AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB	Auc $	EFA
# 19 Alex Rios (TEX)	0.272	70	17	73	22	11.43	0.273

	# 20 Alex Gordon (KCR)
Photo Credit: Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.265	90	20	81	11
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
700	0.327	0.422	7.43%	20.14%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.276	89	19	86	10
Auction Value: $ 15.35		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.277

Gordon saw his home run total improve last season, but with that came a drop in his batting average. Gordon hit .265-.327-.422 with 20 home runs, 90 runs, 81 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 14 attempts. His batting average was impacted by a drop in his BABIP last season, but we should see that rebound in 2014, as his .310 BABIP was lower than in the previous two seasons (.358 in 2011 and .356 in 2012).

With the offseason trade for Norichika Aoki, the Royals will move Gordon from the leadoff spot in their lineup to the fifth spot, so we should see a slight drop in runs scored but a bump in RBI, and possibly a bit more power.

Name and Rotobanter Projections	AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB	Auc $	EFA
# 21 Starling Marte (PIT)	0.277	97	15	41	37	15.61	0.278
# 22 Yoenis Cespedes (OAK)	0.262	78	26	86	12	14.17	0.276

	# 23 Matt Kemp (LAD)
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USA Today Sports

2013 FANTASY STATISTICS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.27	35	6	33	9
2013 SECONDARY STATISTICS
PA	OBP%	SLG%	BB%	K%
290	0.328	0.395	7.59%	26.21%
2014 ROTOBANTER PROJECTIONS
AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
0.271	59	16	63	10
Auction Value: $ 3.83		Equivalent Fantasy Average: 0.263

Kemp is coming off an injury-riddled season in 2013 where he was limited to 73 games. At the beginning of the 2013, Kemp was still not 100%, as he was returning from offseason shoulder surgery. I thought he should have started the season on the DL. Then he dealt with several hamstring injuries and a season ending ankle injury.

He again had offseason shoulder and ankle surgery, as his ankle injury at one point this offseason was considered "career threatening". He has been working out and swinging the bat fine according to recent reports, but has not been approved to run the bases yet. He will more than likely begin the season on the disabled list, which will impact his draft day value. Kemp is scheduled for an MRI on his ankle this week, so we should learn more about the status of his recovery and when he can begin running again.

With four outfielders for three spots, the Dodgers are in no rush to push Kemp to return to the lineup, especially since they did rush off the DL a few times last season. When healthy, he is one of the best fantasy hitters in the game, but there is no assurance, at this point, that he is 100% yet.

Name and Rotobanter Projections	AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB	Auc $	EFA
# 24 Allen Craig (STL)	0.298	71	17	97	2	12.93	0.276
# 25 Jayson Werth (WSN)	0.275	67	15	71	9	6.73	0.266

Fantasy Rundown

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