Top 50 NL-Only Outfielder Rankings for 2016

For those of you who play in mono or "only" leagues, I will be publishing my Top 50 NL-only outfielder rankings today and my Top 50 AL-only outfielder rankings tomorrow. Ranking players at each position for an "only" league is highly recommended, as drafts are unpredictable and can take a turn that you did not expect, so it is smart to be prepared prior to your drafts.

The NL-only outfield landscape appears to be pretty deep this season, and it is the position which I seem to fill first every year in my NL only league drafts. I am not sure why, but you can usually find more multi-category hitters in the outfield than at other positions.

Heading my NL-only rankings is a top 3 pick in almost all drafts this season, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, who had a breakout season in 2015. Finally. Now we just have to figure out if that is what we can expect going forward, or if that is a one time fluke. I am in the camp that says he can repeat the 40 home run season, and with new first base coach Davey Lopes, I think the Nationals will be attempting more stolen bases this season.

Following Harper are two popular outfielders, Giancarlo Stanton and Andew McCutchen, both of whom have dropped in most mixed league drafts this season, mainly due to the big four third baseman moving into the top ten of most draft boards. Assuming good health, Stanton has the chance to hit 40+ home runs in the new dimensions in Marlins Park. McCutchen is one of the more consistent fantasy outfielders, one capable of putting up a 20-20 season in most years, but as he gets older, and smarter, he has focused on staying healthy and has reduced his stolen base opportunities.

McCutchen's teammate Starling Marte might be the better fantasy outfielder than McCutchen, especially after putting up a 19 home run, 30 stolen base season in 2015. Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is rehabbing from back surgery, but should be healthy come Opening Day. Expect another 20-20 season from him 2016.

Only one National League outfielder hit 20 or more home runs and drove in 100 runs last season, and his name is not Harper, Stanton, Braun, Yoenis Cespedes or Carlos Gonzalez. His name is Matt Kemp, the player many like to bash, yet he continues to put up solid power stats, even hitting in Petco Park, and steal double digit bags.

Last season, 13 NL outfielders hit 20 or more home runs, and eight more hitting 15 or more home runs. Two of those 20 home run hitting outfielders were A.J. Pollock and Ryan Braun. Of the 13 outfielders who hit 20+ home runs, six of them stole ten or more bases. Of the 20 home run hitting outfielders last season, six of them put up a 20+ HR, 80+ runs scored, 80+ RBI season in 2015. And of those six, four of them stole 10+ bases. Not bad.

Among NL outfielders with 200 or more plate appearances last season, 25 stole 10 or more bases, including Ben Revere, the Nationals new center fielder, who stole 24 bases in just 96 games. With Lopes as his new first base coach, I could see him stealing 40 + bases this season. Cubs new right fielder Jason Heyward stole 23 bases for a Cardinals team that doesn't attempt many steals, so his stolen base chances could increase under Joe Maddon in Chicago. Last season, 11 NL outfielders stole 20+ bases, and 15 stole 15 or more bases, so there are plenty of speed guys in NL outfields this season.

If you want a high batting average hitter in your outfield, you have plenty to choose from, as 22 NL outfielders with 200+ plate appearances hit .280 or higher last season, and 28 hit .270 or higher.

If you play in OBP leagues, 26 NL outfielders reached base at a .340 rate or higher, with 18 of them reaching base 35% of the time, and two, Harper and McCutchen, reached base at a 40% clip last season.

Top 50 NL-only Outfielder Rankings for 2016

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