Opening Day for the 2016 MLB season is just around the corner, and that means draft time is here for fantasy baseball team owners. This year, there are a number of great players to pick from at the top of drafts, but the outfield position is particularly talented heading into the season.
Bryce Harper and Mike Trout are considered by many to be the best fantasy options overall heading into the season, and owners would be wise to target those players with their first picks. Harper and Trout are the top-ranked picks at the outfield position, while names like Giancarlo Stanton, Andrew McCutchen, AJ Pollock, Jose Bautista and Mookie Betts are also in the mix for fantasy owners.
Certain leagues put greater emphasis on pitching compared to others, but overall, it will be the offensive players that will lead teams to fantasy championships. Here is a look at some of the top outfielders to target in fantasy this season:
Bryce Harper, Nationals
Harper has always had the talent to be one of the best players in baseball, and he proved it last season while winning the NL MVP award. Harper put up career numbers for the Nationals, and he appears to be only getting better at the age of 23. Harper had 42 home runs, 99 RBI and 118 runs scored last season while posting a .330 batting average. This season, he could push those numbers even higher, and it makes him the best option among players at the outfield position.
Mike Trout, Angels
By Mike Trout standards, the 2015 season for the outfield was a slightly down year for Trout. While the outfielder put up a career-best 41 home runs, Trout had 90 RBI and a .299 batting average, down from his previous highs in runs batted in (111 in 2014) and batting average (.326 in 2012). Trout's numbers were still excellent last season, and he is in prime position to bounce back in 2016. Trout normally would be ranked number one, but after the way Harper played last season, he deserves that spot for 2016.
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
Stanton was on pace to have a monster season last year before injuries cut things short. Even with Stanton missing most of last season, he is still one of the best outfielder options in fantasy. Stanton had 27 home runs with 67 RBI and a .265 batting average in 74 games last season. The outfielder had the chance to get to 50 home runs, but injuries got in the way of that. This season, Stanton is healthy and should be in line to put up some major numbers for fantasy owners.
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
McCutchen is one of the best all-around players in baseball, and that makes him extremely valuable to fantasy owners. While McCutchen may not put up as many stolen bases as he used to, the outfielder still is very productive and is one of the best hitters in the NL. Last season, McCutchen hit 23 home runs, drove in 96 runs and posted a .292 batting average. McCutchen has only hit below .280 just once in his career, and he is a sure bet for fantasy owners in the outfield.
AJ Pollock, Diamondbacks
This spot easily could have went to Jose Bautista (it's basically a coin flip), but Pollock has shown the potential for braking out big in 2016. Last season, Pollock hit 20 home runs with 76 RBI and a .315 batting average for the D-Backs. All of those were career-high numbers, and Pollock now has the chance to do even more as he moves into his prime years at the age of 28. This season, he has the chance to be one of the best players in all of fantasy, and team owners should look at him as an elite option in drafts. While Pollock won't get the recognition of the other names on this list, he is worth a pick.
Bonus name: Mookie Betts, Red Sox
Betts is no longer a secret among baseball fans, but some fantasy owners may overlook him with just one full year of action under his belt. Betts has the chance to be one of the most productive players in baseball this season after what he did last year. The outfielder hit .291 with 18 home runs and 77 RBI last season, and he also led the majors in doubles with 42. Betts has the chance to be even better, and he comes in after finishing the season very hot, hitting close to .400 in September. Fantasy owners are hoping he can keep that up.
