Top 50 Outfielder Rankings for 2016: George Springer and Mookie Betts are rising

Over the past week I have published some of my early position rankings, and you can find them in the links below:

Early 2016 Rankings

First Base

Second Base

Shortstop

Third Base

The outfield position appears deeper than ever with rising stars like George Springer, Starling Marte, Mookie Betts and others making significant moves in my rankings heading into the offseason.

I do not hide how much I like Springer, and I think he could have a Bryce Harper-like breakout in 2016. The only question for me is his health. He has returned from the disabled list, so I assume he will be 100% heading into spring training. In just 95 games this season, he has put up a 14 home run, 15 stolen base season. Most of that came in one month, but you can say that about plenty of hitters as well. With a full season of health, I can see Springer putting up a 30 home run, 25 stolen base season in 2016.

And Bryce Harper has unseated Mike Trout as the top fantasy outfielder heading into 2016.

I was high on Harper coming into this season but there was no way I was expecting 40+ home runs from him this season. He has always had the potential for 40+ home runs, and I could see him putting up several 40+ home run seasons over the next few years. Due to the leg injuries has has sustained over his first few seasons, Harper isn't running much these days and probably won't in the future either.

The same can be said for Angels outfielder Mike Trout. Like Harper, he isn't running much anymore as he is focusing his game on staying healthy and hitting for power. His 40 home runs are a career high and I expect a few more 40 home runs seasons from him in the near future.

Has Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun had the quietest 20-20 season or what? Braun has put up a 25 home run, 24 stolen base season in 2015, and his numbers would probably look better if catcher Jonathan Lucroy wasn't hurt for most of the season, as Lucroy usually hits ahead of Braun in the Brewers lineup, and gets on base quite a bit.

Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts is probably going to get a lot of love this offseason, and I may move him up a spot or two in my rankings later in the offseason. In his first full season in the big leagues, Betts has hit .293 with 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases hitting atop the Red Sox lineup. I see a 20 home run, 100 runs scored, 75 RBI, 20+ stolen base season from him in 2016.

Speaking of breakouts, Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain is having a career year for the Royals this season, hitting .305 with 16 home runs and 28 stolen bases. I actually might have him ranked a few spots too low. His FanGraphs Hard Hit % rose from 22% last season to 32% this season, partly explaining his breakout, but I wonder if that will be seen as a career best.

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