The excellent news is the highest 20 outfielders for 2024 fantasy baseball are higher than the highest 20 third basemen. The unlucky information is, in case you had a five-outfielder league, you want at the very least 60 of those guys in a 12-teamer, and, by the point we get via 40 in our subsequent publish, we may have already run dry of stable outfielders. Outfield isn’t shallow, however I wouldn’t say it’s deep both. This end-of-the-year rating is from our Fantasy Baseball Participant Rater with my feedback. The Participant Rater permits me to be neutral whereas how I ranked them within the preseason. Anyway, right here’s the highest 20 outfielders for 2024 fantasy baseball and the way they evaluate to the place I initially ranked them:
1. Aaron Decide – On reflection, did we give Decide sufficient respect within the preseason ranks? I’d contend (for the featherweight title) that we did. I ranked him within the high 10 total (sure, the highest 10 was heavy with outfielders), and he offers no actual velocity and was coming off a season that’s his main downside: Accidents. When a man is seven-feet tall, he has an additional two ft than you or I for accidents. That is how accidents work. Don’t ask questions, I’m a health care provider. Physician of Good Hair! Very good mutton chops, by the best way. Will Decide transfer up a bit subsequent yr? Sure, seemingly, however his outcomes are all the time going to be 35-65 HRs, 3-20 SBs, .260-.325. That’s a loopy big range of outcomes. Most guys are Bregmen – 25-28 HRs, 3-5 SBs or .260-.280. Okay, nobody is kind of as predictable as Bregman, however they’re not Decide both. This yr was one more Greatest Case Situation. Two of the previous three years it was a BCS. If Decide retains getting the BCS, he’s going to be taking over Navy within the Rose Bowl. Preseason Rank #7, 2024 Projections: 88/44/101/.284/7 in 491 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 122/58/144/.322/10 in 559 ABs
2. Juan Soto – He may be a surefire HOFer by the point he’s 30, after which have 5 to seven years of padding his stats. Attractive Dr. Pepper may be in The Pantheon by the point his profession is over. We’re solely in yr 5 of his gloriousness and it retains getting higher. 110/35/110/.280/10 have turn out to be locks for him, barring harm, which now we have not seen–Shh, I’m not making an attempt to jinx issues right here. Attractive Dr. Pepper has the proper steadiness of energy and plate self-discipline. I like him. Decide and Attractive back-to-back is one other good instance one of many worst questions I hear within the preseason is, “Do you suppose it’s okay if I draft these two gamers from the identical workforce? What occurs once they go on a street journey to a troublesome park or another nonsense this query is all the time so dangerous why am I even asking Gray?” I don’t know. Preseason Rank #8, 2024 Projections: 114/41/112/.286/12 in 559 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 128/41/109/.288/7 in 576 ABs
3. Brent Rooker – Didn’t bear in mind rating Rooker as excessive as I did within the preseason. In equity, my projections are usually not superb and I seemingly ought to’ve ranked him decrease. Shocked that I used to be in a position to seize him off waivers in my Fundamental Occasion league (15-team blended). He was coming off a 30-homer season and hit .246. He may’ve been unfairly maligned within the preseason as a result of he had 69 RBIs and 61 runs with these 30 homers, and folks figured the A’s could be A’ss as soon as once more. They weren’t. No because of John Fisher. Rooker has one of many prettiest Statcast pages and he appears so apparent, on reflection. Prolly extra of a .255 hitter, however not a ton in his profile screaming fluke, like a crazed fisherman. Preseason Rank #69, 2024 Projections: 58/26/64/.228/3 in 487 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 82/39/112/.293/11 in 546 ABs
4. Jarren Duran – Fairly proud of how aggressively I drafted Duran this previous yr. I had just a few league wins, and Duran was part of that. Right here’s what I mentioned within the preseason, “Duran, particularly, ought to’ve seemingly acquired a sleeper. Right here’s one thing that I seen on our 15-team rankings. Duran is marked as having no worth in runs, RBIs or energy. I’ll quibble a bit on the facility being unfavorable, however that’s private opinion. Ya know, if a man who hits 10 homers in Triple-A in 68 video games is an opinion and never a truth, however no matter. That’s fantastic. The place I’m having a tough time is he’s hitting leadoff, greater than seemingly, so no worth in runs is not sensible. He has to have the worth of Yoshida in runs, at the very least! If his energy holds from Triple-A, and he hit eight HRs final yr in 332 ABs, so it appears to be holding, then he must be pretty much as good at energy because the 15-homer man Yoshida. Perhaps Duran hits for a decrease common than Yoshida. He didn’t final yr, however let’s say he hits .260. So, he’s decrease in common, similar in energy, at the very least similar in runs and decrease in RBIs (assuming leadoff, however assuming leadoff and never giving him runs over Yoshida is not sensible). Subsequently, to make up the distinction, Duran would want to double Yoshida’s 10 steals projections. Let’s see. Dot dot dot. Spoiler alert! He clears 20 steals by lots! In some way Duran is buried in early drafts, however he’s a 15/30/.260 hitter with upside from there. The one legit concern is he platoons. Why would he platoon? He was a .289 hitter vs. lefties final yr, he’s good with the glove and who’s enjoying heart now as an alternative of him? A scarecrow in a Verdugo jersey.” And that’s me quoting me! Hey, when you will have a clearcut victory lap to take, I’ll allow you to take it too. Preseason Rank #37, 2024 Projections: 86/15/55/.266/31 in 511 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 111/21/75/.285/34 in 671 ABs
5. Kyle Schwarber – And that is the alternative of a victory lap. Schwarber acquired me good within the preseason. I didn’t see how he was hitting above .200. The whole lot gave the impression to be trending within the mistaken path like my crypto portfolio. His final two years have been .218, .197. I may’ve sworn from my SAT Prep programs the following quantity is .191. Thanks lots, Kaplan! What’s fascinating about Schwarber’s common increase this yr is he stayed aggressive, however, as he continued to hit the ball exhausting, he didn’t do it with as a lot loft, whereas nonetheless banging homers. I don’t know if this modification in method can maintain, however it may. Preseason Rank #31, 2024 Projections: 97/41/96/.191 in 579 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 110/38/104/.248/5 in 573 ABs
6. Yordan Alvarez – The years of me saying Captain Woo Cubano has to have at the very least one 50-homer season in his bat are dwindling. At a sure level, even his greatest fan (me) should concede he’s a 37-homer hitter with upside, not a 45-homer hitter with upside. Although, on the finish of the day, I mainly nailed his rating and projections with a skosh an excessive amount of optimism. However who’s actually at fault when a man doesn’t attain his potential? Me or him? Preseason Rank #9, 2024 Projections: 89/41/102/.303/1 in 492 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 88/35/86/.308/6 in 552 ABs
7. Teoscar Hernandez – He cooled a tad with energy and ribbies within the 2nd half, however my oft-repeated factor about Teoscar within the 1st half holds: It was so apparent he was going to be nice for counting stats in that lineup I ought to’ve been extra in on him. My projections are fairly shut too, so I knew this season was coming. Actually, all of us ought to’ve recognized this was coming. I blame you since you blame me. Preseason Rank #21, 2024 Projections: 83/32/91/.263/7 in 529 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 84/33/99/.272/12 in 589 ABs
8. Corbin Carroll – Right here’s what I mentioned late-September, ” He had two homers via the primary 87 video games. I’m going to say that shizz yet one more time, as a result of I feel it won’t get via everybody’s big melons. By way of July sixth, three gamers performed day-after-day and had two homers or much less: Corbin Carroll, Luis Arraez and Sal Frelick. Bo Bichette had 4 homers by that time. That’s greater than midway via the season. Two homers. Corbin Carroll hit two homers yesterday. He was hitting .210 via 87 video games with two homers! That’s insane. From July seventh till yesterday, Sal Frelick nonetheless has two homers. Luis Arraez now has 4 homers. Corbin Carroll? He has 19 homers since then. The highest residence run hitter since then is Eugenio Suarez with solely 22. Solely two guys have been higher for fantasy since July seventh: Shohei Ohtani (20 HRs, 30 SBs) and Decide.” And that’s me quoting me! Have a sense there’s gonna be a pleasant low cost on Corbin subsequent yr too, due to all of the individuals who have been burned by him and all of the individuals who checked out early when Corbin was nonetheless dangerous. Any man who can hit 25 HRs and steal 30 luggage (simply) is tough for me to disregard. I would even be the excessive man on Corbin subsequent yr, if others are very down on him. Energy and velocity guidelines fantasy. Preseason Rank #3, 2024 Projections: 114/28/83/.291/58 in 591 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 121/22/74/.231/35 in 589 ABs
9. Anthony Santander – He mainly took Schwarber’s outdated profile and mentioned, “Give me that,” just like the outdated Black man from I Assume You Ought to Go away. The whole lot turned absurdly elevated for Santander’s season to occur, which is okay, however it’s gonna damage his common long-term. Subsequent yr 35 HRs, .210 shall be on the record of doable outcomes if he doesn’t maintain the place he’s and sells out much more. One can solely promote out a lot for energy, see Eric Adams for extra on this. Preseason Rank #28, 2024 Projections: 76/29/88/.247/5 in 583 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 91/44/102/.235/2 in 595 ABs
10. Jackson Merrill – Already went over him within the high 20 shortstops for 2024 fantasy baseball.
11. Jurickson Profar – I compounded errors right here. I unranked him, then grabbed him in a single league loopy late within the draft, and after a scorching week early on, I dropped him. Typically the perfect transfer is the transfer not made. Undecided how I may’ve anticipated this yr, even on reflection. He’s a profession .245 hitter in 1115+ video games and hadn’t even hit greater than 20 homers in a season, coming off a yr when he went 9/1/.242 at 30. If this have been 1998, I’d be screaming to piss check him. Now I don’t know what to check for, inexperienced smoothies? Woke ruined my stunning sport. Preseason Unranked, Ultimate Numbers: 94/24/85/.280/10 in 564 ABs
12. Jazz Chisholm Jr. – Already went over him within the high 20 third basemen for 2024 fantasy baseball.
13. Brenton Doyle – The Rockies have beat me. You win, Bud Black! I quit! I don’t know what to make of them. Nolan Jones? 20/20/.297 in 106 video games final yr, then this yr he Squatty Potty’d on high of fantasy groups. Final yr, Doyle hit .203 in 126 video games with a 35% Ok% and this yr he drops that to 25% and hits .260. Doubles his energy, however his actual attribute is his velocity, proper? Properly, he had extra steals, however contemplating how a lot he was on base, he ought to’ve stole 45+. Oh, and he may barely purchase a success within the remaining month. Bud Black, you evil genius, you’ve scrambled my mind! Preseason Rank #99, 2024 Projections: 51/14/54/.218/20 in 436 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 82/23/72/.260/30 in 542 ABs
14. Jackson Chourio – Seems like the first time shortly one among my Attractive Rookies really panned out. Merrill labored too, however Jordan Walker, Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter, all these O’s in addition to Cowser. Quite a bit rookies lately have been a bit iffy. Not Chourio although! Within the preseason, I mentioned he jogs my memory of Acuña, and he didn’t disappoint. By the by, The Pitch Clock Twelve performs havoc on my steals projections. The Pitch Clock Twelve pertains to the plus or minus 12 steals that each participant’s projections have with the pitch clock. With Chourio, it may be a plus or minus 25. I’d not shocked to see him steal 45 luggage subsequent yr. Or 20-ish once more. Preseason Rank #25, 2024 Projections: 71/19/76/.249/28 in 509 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 80/21/79/.275/22 in 528 ABs
15. Bryan Reynolds – Unrelated, however once I look via my preseason rankings now I see guys I completely forgot. Right here’s one: Esteury Ruiz. Member him? How about James Outman? Woof! Evan Carter? Yikes! Jung Hoo Lee? Extra like Jung Who Lee. Jack Suwinski? You don’t bear in mind how excessive we have been drafting him. Not a query. You don’t. As a result of I didn’t! One other Pirates’ outfielder who we weren’t excessive sufficient on was Reynolds. Boring? Yeah, his title is Bryawn. Predictably respectable? Sure, and has been for 4 straight years. Preseason Rank #32, 2024 Projections: 81/25/84/.260/7 in 552 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 73/24/88/.275/10 in 622 ABs
16. Ian Happ – Humorous factor about Happ (not humorous), whilst you roster him in leagues, and he’s producing high 20 OF stats? He’s extremely yawnstipating. Out of all the blokes on this high 20, he’s seemingly the main “Ought to I drop him?” remark getter. Although Profar is probably going a detailed 2nd early on. No less than I wish to consider that, as a result of I did drop Profar. I can’t overlook that. Mainly nailed Happ’s projections, however I missed on runs and RBIs and people are actually photographs at the hours of darkness. Preseason Rank #41, 2024 Projections: 74/20/78/.254/15 in 534 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 89/25/86/.243/13 in 569 ABs
17. Julio Rodriguez – Clearly, this was a disappointing season. [you lowering your head knowing a “but” is coming] However…[you sadly shake your head]…JRod reveals how A) Good he’s. He had a horrible season, and he was nonetheless fairly worthwhile. B) You’ll be able to solely go so mistaken with a participant if he has velocity and energy. 5-Cat cats rule. C) There’s no C. JRod’s peripherals and it’s exhausting to see how he was such a disappointment. My guess is he simply missed on a bunch of hittable pitches. If the season have been one other three months lengthy, I’d purchase JRod low. Is there a third half of the season? No? Oh effectively. Preseason Rank #2, 2024 Projections: 111/35/109/.283/32 in 607 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 76/20/68/.273/24 in 567 ABs
18. Seiya Suzuki – If I may toot my very own horn for a minute — I’d by no means depart my home and it will be extra like 30 seconds — I nailed Seiya’s projections too. Total, nailed Seiya, Reynolds, Happ, Chourio, Teoscar, Yordan, Decide, Soto and Duran. That’s not dangerous. It did really feel like a stable yr total, however it’s good to see it look that approach within the recaps. We’ll see how the highest 40 outfielders look subsequent. Or I assume, Seiya…Preseason Rank #23, 2024 Projections: 77/24/82/.276/11 in 502 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 74/21/73/.283/16 in 512 ABs
19. Mookie Betts – Already went over him within the high 20 2nd basemen for 2024 fantasy baseball.
20. Brandon Nimmo – Admittedly gave up on Nimmo approach too early, and was too down on him to start with within the preseason. Typically it’s exhausting to find Nimmo. He had a Matt Chapman-like uptick in velocity, however, in contrast to Chapman, Nimmo has all the time been quick. He simply solely ran on walks. He had a depressing yr on common, however that appears each BABIP and age-induced. One is luck and one is as much as the portray within the attic. Preseason Rank #43, 2024 Projections: 101/20/63/.269/3 in 582 ABs, Ultimate Numbers: 88/23/90/.224/15 in 571 ABs
