Outfield Overview

Outfield Overview:  In most of my leagues, I make sure I have an outfielder in the first four rounds.  There are about 15 solid outfielders who could go in the first four or five rounds, and I wouldn't mind having any on my team as my top outfielder.  Outfield is also the deepest position in baseball if you have a league that requires 3 and not 5 at the position.  Players to target late in this year's outfield class are Nick Swisher, Austin Jackson, Desmond Jennings, and Jose Tabata. 

Tier 1

Carlos Gonzalez

Carl Crawford

Ryan Braun

Josh Hamilton

Tier 2

Matt Holliday

Nelson Cruz

Andrew McCutchen 

Jayson Werth

Shin-Shoo Choo

Jose Bautista

Justin Upton

Ichiro

Jason Heyward

Jacoby Ellsbury

Andre Ethier

Matt Kemp

Tier 3

Mike Stanton

Alex Rios

Shane Victorino

Chris Young

Hunter Pence

Corey Hart

B.J. Upton

Curtis Granderson 

Tier 4

Aubrey Huff

Vernon Wells

Nick Swisher

Delmon Young

Grady Sizemore

Jay Bruce

Jason Bay

Tier 5

Nick Markakis

Michael Cuddyer

Adam Jones

Michael Bourn

Colby Rasmus

Carlos Beltran

Austin Jackson

Domonic Brown

Breakout: Mike Stanton

Stanton sometimes struggled to make contact in his rookie season, but when he did he put up big numbers.  In only 359 at bats Stanton batted .259 with over 20 homers and doubles while driving in 59 runs.  In his first full season you could expect over 30 home runs and 100 rbi's.  He should struggle to bat over .280 this early in his career, so draft him accordingly.

Sleeper: Curtis Granderson

People gave Granderson a lot of flak for struggling in his first season in the Bronx, but it was kind of expected.  It's tough for a playing moving to the bright lights of New York and he should rebound this year.  I'm not expecting Granderson to hit .247 again and for his stolen base total to be like last season's 12.  Granderson is a player who could easily hit 30 home runs with 20 stolen bases that you can get late in mixed draft.

Bust: J.D. Drew

The usually consistent Drew really showed his age last season.  Not only did he have his normal struggles with injuries, but his numbers slipped when he was in the lineup.  The emergence of Ryan Kalish, and  Mike Cameron still in Boston gives the Red Sox another option if Drew struggles.  Even in the deepest of leagues I'd stay away from Drew.