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We have seen several outfielders change teams since I last published my Top 80 Outfielder Rankings back on December 3rd, including:
- Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers all being traded to the Padres,
- Hanley Ramirez signing with the Red Sox,
- Nelson Cruz signing with the Mariners,
- Steven Souza moving to the Rays,
- Melky Cabrera signing with the White Sox,
- Marlon Byrd dealt to the Reds
There were other moves I didn't list, but they were some of the more significant moves of the offseason to date. Here are some quick thoughts on some of the players moving in my rankings:
Hanley Ramirez, Red Sox
Yes, Hanley will be moving to the outfield in Boston and I am ranking him in my top 12 outfielders for 2015 as he is one of the best hitters in the game when healthy. He moves from a very good Dodgers lineup to an equally good Red Sox lineup. I see a 20+ home run, 80+ RBIm .290 batting average from Hanley this season, with upside to the RBI total if he can stay healthy for 130+ games. I imagine that is what the Red Sox are thinking by moving him to the outfield.
I know Hanley won't be eligible in the outfield on draft day, but am sure I will be asked where I will rank him since he slated to play there.
George Springer, Astros
Could he put up a 30+ home run, 20+ stolen base season in 2015? Yes, I think he can, and he has some upside to those numbers. There is risk in rankings Springer as my #9 outfielder, as he has a problem making contact, whiffing at a 30%+ rate, but when he makes contact, it is usually hard contact. He hit 20 home runs in less than 80 games in 2014, so 30 home runs is certainly within his reach.
Bryce Harper, Nationals
When does Harper finally break out? 2015? He is so young, he still has a few more years of playing time in MLB before we can label him a bust. If you want to draft him this season, you will have to grab him in the late second, early third round based on his potential to hit 25+ home runs, and drive in 80+ runs.
Mookie Betts, Red Sox
Some depth charts don't list Betts as the Red Sox center fielder….yet……but he will be. You can count on it. You can also count on him being the Red Sox leadoff hitter. I ranked him as my 29th ranked outfielder for the upcoming season, as he has the bat to put up double digits home runs, a solid batting average, 25-35 stolen bases, a .280+ batting average and plenty of runs scored hitting atop the Sox lineup.
Joc Pederson, Dodgers
I ranked Pederson as my #66 fantasy outfielder for 2015, as he should be the Dodgers starting center fielder. He is coming off a 30 home run, 30 stolen base season in AAA last year, so there's no question he has talent. Like most rookie hitters, he comes with risk, and the risk he brings in inexperience and he strikes out a bit. Then again, most power hitters do.
Let's take a look at my updated Top 100 Outfielder Rankings and let me know if you have any questions with any of the rankings.
Rank |
Name |
Team |
1 |
Mike Trout |
|
2 |
Giancarlo Stanton |
|
3 |
Andrew McCutchen |
|
4 |
Carlos Gomez |
|
5 |
Jose Bautista |
|
6 |
Adam Jones |
|
7 |
Matt Kemp |
Padres |
8 |
Ryan Braun |
Brewers |
9 |
George Springer |
Astros |
10 |
Justin Upton |
Padres |
11 |
Bryce Harper |
Nationals |
12 |
Hanley Ramirez |
Red Sox |
13 |
Michael Brantley |
|
14 |
Hunter Pence |
|
15 |
Yasiel Puig |
Dodgers |
16 |
Matt Holliday |
|
17 |
Carlos Gonzalez |
|
18 |
Starling Marte |
Pirates |
19 |
Charlie Blackmon |
Rockies |
20 |
Corey Dickerson |
Rockies |
21 |
Jacoby Ellsbury |
|
22 |
Nelson Cruz |
Mariners |
23 |
Alex Gordon |
|
24 |
Yoenis Cespedes |
|
25 |
Billy Hamilton |
Reds |
26 |
Shin-Soo Choo |
|
27 |
Jay Bruce |
Reds |
28 |
Jayson Werth |
Nationals |
29 |
Mookie Betts |
Red Sox |
30 |
Jorge Soler |
|
31 |
Jason Heyward |
Cardinals |
32 |
Brett Gardner |
Yankees |
33 |
Marcell Ozuna |
Marlins |
34 |
Christian Yelich |
Marlins |
35 |
Mark Trumbo |
|
36 |
Wil Myers |
Padres |
37 |
Ryan Zimmerman |
Nationals |
38 |
Gregory Polanco |
Pirates |
39 |
Melky Cabrera |
Blue Jays |
40 |
Marlon Byrd |
Reds |
41 |
Kole Calhoun |
Angels |
42 |
Yasmany Tomas |
Diamondbacks |
43 |
Khris Davis |
Brewers |
44 |
Josh Harrison |
Pirates |
45 |
Rusney Castillo |
Red Sox |
46 |
J.D. Martinez |
Tigers |
47 |
Oswaldo Arcia |
|
48 |
A.J. Pollock |
Diamondbacks |
49 |
Curtis Granderson |
|
50 |
Carl Crawford |
Dodgers |
51 |
Ben Revere |
|
52 |
Ben Zobrist |
Rays |
53 |
Brandon Moss |
Indians |
54 |
Lorenzo Cain |
Royals |
55 |
Denard Span |
Nationals |
56 |
Carlos Beltran |
Yankees |
57 |
Drew Stubbs |
Rockies |
58 |
Adam Eaton |
White Sox |
59 |
Michael Cuddyer |
Mets |
60 |
Josh Hamilton |
Angels |
61 |
Michael Saunders |
Blue Jays |
62 |
Shane Victorino |
Red Sox |
63 |
Steven Souza |
Rays |
64 |
Desmond Jennings |
Rays |
65 |
Dustin Ackley |
Mariners |
66 |
Joc Pederson |
Dodgers |
67 |
Arismendy Alcantara |
Cubs |
68 |
Danny Santana |
Twins |
69 |
Leonys Martin |
Rangers |
70 |
Austin Jackson |
Mariners |
71 |
Dexter Fowler |
Astros |
72 |
Allen Craig |
Red Sox |
73 |
Seth Smith |
Mariners |
74 |
Steve Pearce |
Orioles |
75 |
Torii Hunter |
Twins |
76 |
Jon Jay |
Cardinals |
77 |
Nick Markakis |
|
78 |
Evan Gattis |
Braves |
79 |
Domonic Brown |
Phillies |
80 |
Coco Crisp |
|
81 |
Alex Rios |
Royals |
82 |
Josh Reddick |
Athletics |
83 |
Angel Pagan |
Giants |
84 |
Rajai Davis |
Tigers |
85 |
Alejandro De Aza |
Orioles |
86 |
Michael Morse |
Marlins |
87 |
Jarrod Dyson |
Royals |
88 |
Nori Aoki |
Royals |
89 |
Colby Rasmus |
Blue Jays |
90 |
Darin Ruf |
Phillies |
91 |
Matt Joyce |
Angels |
92 |
Avisail Garcia |
White Sox |
93 |
B.J. Upton |
Braves |
94 |
Dalton Pompey |
Blue Jays |
95 |
Jordan Schafer |
Twins |
96 |
Michael Bourn |
Indians |
97 |
Robbie Grossman |
Astros |
98 |
Jake Marisnick |
Astros |
99 |
Ender Inciarte |
Diamondbacks |
100 |
Juan Lagares |
Mets |
Other 2015 Rankings
If you are looking for my other 2015 position rankings, check out the links below:
Top 30 Second Baseman for 2015
Top 100 Starting Pitchers for 2015
Fantasy Rundown
If you are looking for more fantasy baseball, football or basketball articles and rankings, make sure you check out Fantasy Rundown for links to the best fantasy sites on the 'net.