Top 50 NL-only Outfielder Rankings for 2014

Now that we have completed our consensus position rankings for 2014, it is time to address rankings for those of you in AL only and NL only leagues. I will publish league specific position rankings each day, addressing one position at a time, starting with the NL only position rankings.

In case you missed them, below you will find links to all of our consensus 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

Outfielders: Part 1| Part 2| Part 3

Starting Pitcher: Part 1| Part 2| Part 3

Closers: Top 30 Closers for 2014

Closers in Waiting: 2014 Closers in Waiting

Top 100 Hitters: Top 100 Hitter Rankings for 2014

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is the fourth guy off draft boards in mixed leagues this season, and is the reigning NL MVP, so he garners the #1 spot this season. With that said, I think Ryan Braun could be the best NL outfielder this season, as I see him returning to the hitter he was before the 2013 season.

Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was on his way to the best season of his career in 2013, before getting hurt. If he can stay healthy, a big IF, he could be the #1 NL only outfielder this season as well. I ranked Jay Bruce ahead of Giancarlo Stanton as he has been able to stay healthy, and has two 30+ home run seasons under his belt.

I am higher than most on Matt Kemp, and I realize I am taking a risk here, but am willing to stick my head out and rank him ahead of a few other more consistent hitters. My ranking is based on him returning to good health this season. If he can, he could be a top 5 fantasy outfielder.

A little lower down in my rankings, you will find Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton ranked at #17. Of all outfielders drafted in NL only or mixed leagues this season, he is the one that carries the most risk, in my opinion. There are plenty of writers who think he will end up in AAA by July, and others who think he will steal 60-80 bases this season. The issue with Hamilton is we don't know how he will hit major league pitching in 2014, especially after his struggles at the plate in AAA last season.

I have been preaching that outfield in thinner than most positions and that is pretty evident in the National League. After you get past the top 20 or so outfielders, the position gets thin. You can argue that anyone from B.J. Upton to Michael Morse can be the 20th ranked NL only outfielder this season.

After Morse, the position gets even thinner, with a couple prospects, Oscar Taveras, Jake Marisnick and Gregory Polanco primed to see time in the majors at some point this season. The Pirates have let teams know that Jose Tabata is available via trade, so Polanco could be up before June. Pirates GM Neil Huntington was raving about him in a recent interview. Taveras has to prove his ankle, and leg, is healthy, so he will start the season in AAA. Once he proves he is healthy, and is raking, I could see him up with the Cardinals before July. It appears Marisnick is winning the center field battle with Marcell Ozuna, so I ranked him above Ozuna in my rankings.

Top 50 NL only Outfielder Rankings for 2014

Fantasy Rundown

If you are looking for more fantasy baseball or football rankings, make sure you check out Fantasy Rundown, your one place on the internet for fantasy rankings, news and information. They provide links to all of the top fantasy site on the 'net.