NFL Tickets
By Adam McGill
Like every position, the outfield has had its recent array of controversies; Ryan Braun was suspended for 50 games for substance abuse and Manny Ramirez was doing yoga with senior citizens in an attempt to repair his image after his own 50-game suspension. Outfielders have always been known for their pop, but in recent seasons fantasy owners have become more accustomed to guys who produce 30 HR-30 SB on a consistent basis. This causes a large disparity between the tenth best outfielder and the fiftieth best, making each pick more important than the last. Here are is off-season report for the outfield position:
Early Top-Ten:
1. Jose Bautista, TOR – “Joey Bats” crushed a league leading 43 home runs in 2011. He boasted a remarkable 44.7 On Base Percentage, which from a fantasy standpoint is almost a point per at bat. Bautista at times looks like he is hitting a beach ball at the plate and is the only player who can rival Albert Pujols as far as offensive production goes. He is a first rounder for sure and is one of the only sticks worth over 45 bucks.
2. Matt Kemp, LAD – Kemp was criticized all off-season for a mediocre 2011 season, but he responded with a MVP-type performance, even though it was undeservingly robbed from him. Kemp batted .324 and was walked 74 times in the course of the year. However, his fantasy dominance came from his unbelievable 39 HR, 126 RBI, 115 runs scored, and 40 stolen bases.
3. Curtis Granderson, NYY – The “”Grandy Man”” surprisingly led all Yankee sticks’ with 41 homers and finished first in the American League with 119 RBI. Granderson was much more patient at the plate in 2011 with 85 walks and a .364 OBP, which is extremely rare for a leadoff hitter. He will post similar numbers, but fantasy owners’ should be weary of his 40 HR-115 RBI plateau set last year.
4. Mike Stanton, MIA – Of all the young sluggers in the game, Stanton is by far projected to be one of the best. He combines bat speed with raw strength, making him the best power prospect since Evan Longoria came up with Tamp Bay. The rightfielder has already hit 56 home runs before his 23rd birth day, including a half dozen long balls that went for over 415 feet. Stanton has averaged a strikeout a game throughout his career, so there are things that the youngster has to correct in his swing. He still remains the best long-term keeper at the position and has another 300 plus homers in his future.
5. Josh Hamilton, TEX – Hamilton had an injury riddled 2011 season, but still managed to hit 25 long balls in only 121 games. He is one of the best power hitters in the game and when healthy he is a premier starting option in the field.
6. Andrew McCutchen, PIT – McCutchen has the most unique skill set of any players on this list, combining raw power with raw speed. He played in 158 games, drilling 23 homers and stealing 23 bases in the process. However, despite all this the most improved facet of the 25 year old’s game has been his eye. His walk total went from 70 in 2010 to a very respectable 89 this past year, as he has potential to average 100 bases on balls a year in the future. McCutchen will be a hot commodity on draft day, so do not hesitate to reach on this kid in dynasty leagues, if he is not already gone that is. “McCutch” will only get better from here on out, and thus more expensive.
7. Matt Holliday, STL – Holiday, who along with Hamilton held down the “H” section of the Injured Reserve this past year, was forced out with an early season appendectomy and quad injury. Holiday played in only 124 games, which was his lowest total in a single season since 2004. He will enter the year without King Albert protecting him in the Cardinals’ lineup, so expect his stats to suffer a little. He is still a top-ten player at the position who can easily hit 35 homers and drive in 100 plus runs.
8. Ryan Braun, MIL – Braun was the most talked about player in the entire MLB this off-season, but unfortunately it was due to his recent positive testing for steroids. The 2011 MVP is slated to miss 50 games due to the suspension, but that number will likely get drastically reduced after an appeal. Braun is a top-ten outfielder even if he is still going to miss a couple dozen games, mainly because his value will go through the roof in any round after the fifth round.
9. Justin Upton, ARI – Upton never hit more than 26 home runs in a single season, but 2011’s 31 homers showed that the kid has a new dimension to his game. He has the speed the coaches covet on the base path and a very smooth swing, but his recent power surge bumps him into the top-ten.
10. Jay Bruce, CIN – Bruce may strikeout more than most outfielder’s (158 times), but he finally had the breakout season fantasy owners have been waiting for. Bruce is still only 24 years old, so there is definite room to grow for the Cincinnati Kid. He hit 32 home runs last season, as he had a robust .474 Slugging Percentage and .341 On Base Percentage. First baseman Joey Votto is behind him in the batting order, which will only help the franchise left fielder cross the plate at least 80 times a season.
Preseason Awards:
2012 MVP: Matt Kemp, LAD
2012 Rookie: Bryce Harper. WSH
2012 Breakout Players: Desmond Jennings, TB and Mike Morse, WSH
2012 Bust: Torii Hunter, LAA
Best Source of Home Runs: Jose Bautista, TOR
Best Source of Batting Average: Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS
Best Source of Steals: Michael Bourn, ATL
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