This is the time of the year to try and fill rosters with upside prospects or add that last piece to get a trade done. These are the 10 outfield prospects to target now in your dynasty leagues. Some will be big names and will start the year in the majors or be up soon. Others on this list are stash candidates to help near the end of the season or in 2024.
The season is not here yet, but why not get a head start and jump in a Fantrax Classic Draft contest? Get a jump on the season with a Best Ball league or maybe a Draft and Hold. Or put some green on the line with a new season-long league to try and conquer. There’s no better time than now to get your baseball on!
Outfield Prospects to Grab Right Now
Jordan Walker, STL
There is no doubt about the amazing season Jordan Walker put up in 2022 playing the whole year at Double-A Springfield. The 20-year-old third base prospect spent the majority of the year learning how to play the outfield which seems to be the only need for the Cardinals.
Despite learning a new position, Walker continued to hit, slashing .306/.388/.510 with 31 doubles, 19 home runs, and 22 stolen bases in 119 games played. Walker led the Texas League in runs scored and was top 10 in average and doubles. Walker’s invited to spring training and is in the running to make the Opening Day roster with a strong spring.
Oscar Colas, CHW
Making his stateside debut Oscar Colas did not disappoint White Sox’s fans hoping for the next great Cuban outfield talent to grace Guaranteed Rate Field. The 24-year-old Colas bounded up the minor leagues making stops in Winston Salem, Birmingham, and finally resting in AAA Charlotte. On the season Colas slashed .314/.371/.524 with 24 doubles, 4 triples, 23 home runs, and 3 stolen bases.
The contact skills were on full display as Colas never had an average below .306 or had his OBP dip below .364 at any stop this season. The White Sox have invited Colas to big league camp and have been a favorite to win a spot in the outfield for the Sox in 2023.
Tyler Gentry, KCR
The irony of the Royals outfield being manned by Gentry is not lost on me. In all seriousness Gentry has proven to be a great value for the Royals in the third round of the 2020 draft out of Alabama. Gentry’s smooth swing was on full display last season as he rose two levels finishing in Double-A Northwest Arkansas. In both stops combined Gentry Slashed .326/.422/.542 in 108 games played while crushing 21 home runs and stealing 10 bases. Gentry is one of the best-performing bats in the Royals farm system right now and should have no problem shagging fly balls in the “K” by mid-season.
Will Brennan, CLE
Last season was a productive season for Will Brennan as he continued to refine his game and move through two levels before ultimately making his major league debut in September. Brennan was the model of consistency last season, slashing .314/.371/.479 across Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus hitting 40 doubles, 13 home runs, and swiping 20 bags before getting the call to Cleveland.
Once in the majors, he kept hitting slashing .357/.400/.500 in 42 AB notching his first home run and a stolen base in the process. After watching Brennan the last couple of seasons I could not get the comp of Michael Brantley out of my mind and the minor league numbers are very similar. He can be an inexpensive player to add to trades or pick up on the wire that could hit for average, OBP and swipe a few bags for the Guardians.
Matt Wallner, MIN
If you are looking to add that one piece to your trade to put it over the edge check out Matt Wallner. The 25-year-old 6’5” Wallner ascended two levels in 2022 to make his major league debut with the Twins showing signs of power and OBP in his short sample size. During the minor league season, Wallner slashed .277/.412/.541 with 27 home runs, 32 doubles, 95 RBIs, and 9 stolen bases in 128 games. Wallner will more than likely not hit for a high average at the major league level probably in the .245-.260 range but the raw power is a 30-plus home run bat in a full season.
Outfield Prospects to Grab And Stash
Vaun Brown, SFG
Who doesn’t like power and speed profiles that have shown a surprisingly stellar bat? Vaun Brown looks to be the total package for dynasty managers, making him a true outfield prospect to target now. Brown climbed three levels in 2022 finishing the year in Double-A Richmond and slashing a combined .346/.437/.623 with 23 home runs, 75 RBIs, and converting 44 out of 50 stolen base attempts in 103 games. The numbers were fantastic for Brown and the thought is he will start the season in Double-A but could get a late-season call-up if he continues to hit.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, CHC
PCA came back from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder with questions on how much the Cubs would push him in his first full season since being drafted. The answer was no restrictions for PCA as he ascended two levels to finish the year in A+ South Bend and hit for a combined slash line of .312/.376/.520 with 16 home runs, 20 doubles, 10 triples, and 32 stolen bases in 101 games played.
The strong season has resulted in an invite to big league camp and an off chance of making the Opening Day roster. The storyline would be fantastic but realistically PCA will start the year as a 21-year-old at Double-A with the Tennessee Smokies with a chance to crack the majors by year’s end.
Evan Carter, TEX
The last two seasons have seen multiple Rangers prospects skyrocket up rankings with no one jumping higher than Evan Carter. The 20-year-old Carter looked fantastic in A+ Hickory, taking major steps forward in driving the ball for power. Carter finished the season at Double-A Frisco having a combined slash line of .295/.397/.489 with 12 home runs, 21 doubles, 10 triples, 78 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases in 106 games. Carter will start the season back at Frisco but should be in the mix for a late-season call-up if the Rangers are in the playoff hunt.
Grant McCray, SFG
Athletic outfielders that offer above-average to plus defense tend to get longer leashes at the major league level for the bat to shine. Grant McCray has shown to be a plus defender and continued to show the ability to hit for average, power, and show off the wheels on the base paths. Across two levels, McCray slashed .289/.383/.514 with 23 home runs, 23 doubles, 9 triples, and 43 stolen bases in 120 games in 2022. McCray should start the season in Double-A Richmond as a 22-year-old and could be a potential September call-up for the Giants.
Kameron Misner, TB
This is one of my favorite guys to “throw” into a deal on the fence that gets it done and leaves you smiling. Misner was acquired by the Rays in 2022 for Joey Wendle and had a solid season in Double-A Montgomery, slashing .251/.384/.431 with 16 home runs, 25 doubles, 80 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases in 117 games. Misner is known for being a power and speed outfield prospect that has swing-and-miss tendencies but draws walks at 16.9% BB/9 and has had an OBP below .380 only one time. At 25 years old Misner is a prime candidate to make the jump to the Rays at some point this season and could be interesting to watch.
Deep league extras:
- Luis Mieses, CHW: An interesting bat from the left side with a lofty swing. Ascended two levels (A+ and AA) , slashing .284/.325/.447 with 39 doubles, 15 home runs and 88 RBI.
- Jeremy De La Rosa, WSN: A strong bat from the left side with speed. Ascended two levels (A- and A+) Slashing .280/.358/.436 23 doubles, 11 home runs and 39 stolen bases.
- Jesse Franklin, ATL: Franklin had Tommy John in 2022 after just 15 games at AA. In 2021 he slashed .244/.320/.522 with 24 HR, 24 doubles and 19 stolen bases in 101 games at A+ Rome.
Are you buying in on Tyler’s favorite bounce-back players? For more great analysis check out the 2023 FantraxHQ Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit!