After cruising through the top infield prospects in the game, the time is now to jump into the incredibly deep outfield pool. Go ahead, the pool is so deep you can do a cannonball if you desire. Or you can get really cocky and try to do some Olympic level dive only to mess it up and end up doing a belly flop. Whatever your preferred method of getting into a pool may be, this outfield pool of top prospects can support it.
Just look at the first few tiers and try not to get excited. Go ahead try. Couldn’t do it could you? You’re a little excited now, I can tell. Well, I’ll stop rambling and let you dive into the pure bliss that is the top outfield prospects in the game. The heck with a top-25 or top-50, I went 100 deep and added many more in the “Others to Monitor” section. Enjoy!
Other Positions: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | RHP | LHP |
Check out all of Eric’s top-25 team by team prospect rankings here and don’t miss his top-250 overall prospect rankings for dynasty leagues. Also, make sure to check out the Fantrax Dynasty Podcast with Nathan Dokken, Van Lee, and Ron Rigney.
Top Prospects by Position – Outfield
*Overall rank in my top-250 overall prospect rankings will be in parenthesis*
Tier 1
1. Eloy Jimenez, Chicago White Sox (2)
2. Victor Robles, Washington Nationals (4)
3. Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels (7)
4. Alex Kirilloff, Minnesota Twins (8)
5. Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros (9)
6. Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds (11)
7. Taylor Trammell, Cincinnati Reds (13)
Yes, I already included Nick Senzel in my third base article, but with the Reds working him out in center field with the potential to start there on opening day, I included him here for reference.
This tier is freaking sexy as you know what. Outfield is always deep with top-notch prospects, but this year seven of my top-13 in my overall top-250 were outfielders as you can see above. We have a nice little mix of prospects in this tier too. Any conversation regarding outfield prospects needs to start with the powerful slugging machine, Eloy Jimenez. When it comes to raw power, Jimenez has arguably the most in the minors, or is at least top-3. The gaudy homer totals haven’t come yet, but this is a legit 40-homer bat that can also hit for a high average as well.
Eloy Jimenez crushing some BP. I could watch this all day. pic.twitter.com/sieNgAIkKi
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 15, 2019
Right behind him with a different but equally as enticing skill set is Victor Robles. There’s some power in Robles bat, but more in the 15-20 range annually for dingers. But power isn’t necessarily why you want Robles on your dynasty team. His ability to hit above .300 and add 30-plus steals to those 15-20 homers are what makes him one of the top overall prospects in the game. While not quite at the same level, Taylor Trammell has a similar skill set to Robles with an above-average hit tool, 15-plus homer pop, and plus speed.
There are two guys in this tier that are in the running for the top overall dynasty prospect once the top guys graduate this season. First, we have maybe the best overall athlete in the minors in Jo Adell of the Los Angeles California Angels of Anaheim/potentially Long Beach. Just move all around the state of California why don’t you. In 2025, they’ll probably be in Sacramento or something. Let’s stop to appreciate the greatness of Adell’s minor league stats for a second. In 148 games (599 AB), Adell has registered a .302/.362/.539/.901 slash line with 80 extra-base hits, 25 homers, 23 steals (in 28 attempts), 107 RBI, and 126 runs scored. Hot damn. The approach could use some fine-tuning but it’s not every day we have a prospect with .300/30/30 upside.
The other that could challenge for the role of alpha dog is Alex Kirilloff. While he doesn’t provide much speed, Kirilloff is one of the best pure hitters in the minors with batting title potential and the power to hit 30-plus taters.
Tier 2
8. Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox (20)
9. Jarred Kelenic, Seattle Mariners (23)
10. Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros (25)
11. Trevor Larnach, Minnesota Twins (29)
12. Kristian Robinson, Arizona Diamondbacks (32)
13. Jesus Sanchez, Tampa Bay Rays (35)
14. Estevan Florial, New York Yankees (37)
15. Cristian Pache, Atlanta Braves (43)
16. Drew Waters, Atlanta Braves (46)
We have a bunch of new faces to this tier this season, including two from the 2018 FYPD. In my opinion, both Jarred Kelenic and Trevor Larnach should be top-5 picks in any FYPD for their combination of upside and floor. Larnach is one of the most polished hitters from the 2018 draft with tools to hit for both average and power. As a prep bat, Kelenic’s floor is a little harder to nail down, but he has one of the prettiest left-handed swings you’ll see in the minors right now and possesses a very intriguing power/speed profile with above-average contact skills.
While in the shadow of Kyle Tucker and Forrest Whitley, Yordan Alvarez has quietly become one of the top prospects in all of baseball with the upside to hit for power and a strong batting average. Speaking of quietly, Drew Waters quietly shot up prospect rankings with a strong 2018 showing. Another strong showing in 2019 will vault him into top-25 considerating. Same can be said for his organizational teammate Cristian Pache if his enticing raw tools continue to develop.
While the upside of each and every prospect in this tier is obviously very high, none might be as high as Kristian Robinson. The 18-year-old Bahamian outfielder is quite advance for his age and is beginning to tap into his plus-plus raw power. Don’t be surprised if he’s inside my top-20 overall next spring. And yes, I’m still crazy high on Luis Robert as his ranking shows. Last season was a lost season for him, but all the tools are still there. Buy low in dynasty if you can.
Beast in the making!
2018 Instructs Kristian Robinson https://t.co/SsmbEPgJgS via @YouTube
— Geoff Pontes (@GeoffPontesBA) October 13, 2018
Tier 3
17. Alex Verdugo, Los Angeles Dodgers (52)
18. George Valera, Cleveland Indians (60)
19. Victor Victor Mesa, Miami Marlins (62)
20. Yusniel Diaz, Baltimore Orioles (63)
21. Brandon Marsh, Los Angeles Angels (73)
22. Khalil Lee, Kansas City Royals (85)
23. Julio Pablo Martinez, Texas Rangers (87)
24. Heliot Ramos, San Francisco Giants (91)
25. Leody Taveras, Texas Rangers (97)
26. Bubba Thompson, Texas Rangers (101)
27. Ryan McKenna, Baltimore Orioles (102)
28. Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (105)
This is probably the most interesting tier on the list with a wide mix of prospects. The “boring” floor guys in the group are Alex Verdugo and Yusniel Diaz. Neither will wow you with their counting stats, but both possess a plus hit tool and enough power and speed to approach some 20/20 seasons. Now only if the Dodgers will give Verdugo a full-time chance.
There’s not one, not two, but three Texas Rangers outfield prospects in this tier. I’ve gone back and forth a million and one times on the order of the three, and the current order will likely change by May. With that being said, Leody Taveras is trending down after a so-so showing in 2018 while Bubba Thompson is heading in the opposite direction. It wouldn’t shock me if Thompson continues his ascension to the top of the outfield ranks in the Texas system.
Another prospect that had a rough 2018 was Heliot Ramos of the Giants. Before the season, Ramos was a borderline top-50 overall prospect but has slid after a .245/11/8 showing as an 18-year-old in the full-season Single-A South Atlantic League. But remember, he was an 18-year-old in the full-season Single-A South Atlantic League. Seeing him struggle isn’t a big shock to me. The tools are all still there which is why he’s still within my top-100 overall.
George Valera has played six minor league games and is already approaching top-50 overall status. When that happens, you know the tools are impressive. I’ve seen some calling him the next Soto. First off, Juan Soto is a beast so calm your rear end down, but Valera does exhibit a hit/power profile that can make him an offensive star down the road.
Another one to keep an eye on that could make a big jump in 2019 is Julio Rodriguez. In addition to being a great guy to follow on Twitter, Rodriguez has the upside to hit for both average and power while adding in 15-20 steals along with it. He started off strong in the DSL last year and will be one of the prospects I’ll be watching closely in 2019 when he comes to the states.
Tier 4
29. Monte Harrison, Miami Marlins (108)
30. Travis Swaggerty, Pittsburgh Pirates (111)
31. Seuly Matias, Kansas City Royals (114)
32. Daz Cameron, Detroit Tigers (117)
33. Jordyn Adams, Los Angeles Angels (119)
34. Brent Rooker, Minnesota Twins (121)
35. Austin Beck, Oakland Athletics (125)
36. Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks (129)
37. Jhon Torres, St. Louis Cardinals (132)
38. Lazaro Armenteros, Oakland Athletics (134)
39. Adam Haseley, Philadelphia Phillies (135)
40. Luis Alexander Basabe, Chicago White Sox (138)
41. Seth Beer, Houston Astros (139)
This is a tier with several breakout candidates. First and foremost, I love what Alek Thomas brings to the table. He has future leadoff hitter written all over him with a plus hit tool, plus speed, and an advance plate approach. Get used to seeing his name within the top-100 as soon as my mid-season update. Fellow 2018 FYPD outfielder, Jordyn Adams, is another with speed for days and 15-20 homer pop. He just needs to work on pitch selection and cleaning up his swing to take off as a prospect.
The power bats here are Seuly Matias and Brent Rooker. Matias has crazy stupid raw power, but the approach and contact skills could hold him back some. Same can be said for Monte Harrison, who struck out a ridiculous 36.9% of the time last season. He’s made some adjustments near the end of the season and into the Arizona Fall League, so I’m still hopeful that he makes enough contact to hit in the .250 range to go along with his 25/25 upside.
Tier 5
42. Blake Rutherford, Chicago White Sox (144)
43. Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays (146)
44. Akil Baddoo, Minnesota Twins (147)
45. Jose Siri, Cincinnati Reds (151)
46. Randy Arozarena, St. Louis Cardinals (152)
47. Greyson Jenista, Atlanta Braves (156)
48. Mike Siani, Cincinnati Reds (161)
49. Jake McCarthy, Arizona Diamondbacks (163)
50. Austin Hays, Baltimore Orioles (164)
51. Corey Ray. Milwaukee Brewers (168)
52. Calvin Mitchell, Pittsburgh Pirates (171)
53. Tirso Ornelas, San Diego Padres (174)
54. Christin Stewart, Detroit Tigers (176)
Some might be a little shocked to see Christin Stewart this low. The 25-30 homer pop is nice, but I’m not sure he hits for enough power to become anything more than what Jay Bruce currently is. A nice prospect, but not one I’m going to break the bank for. Around 12 months ago, you might have had to break the bank, or at least pay a decent amount to acquire Austin Hays in dynasty. But after an up and down 2018 campaign, his price is lower than it’s ever been, making him a solid buy-low candidate.
From the 2018 FYPD crop, Greyson Jenista, Mike Siani, and Jake McCarthy are all names that I think could approach top-100 status by this time next year. Same goes for the toolsy duo of Akil Baddo and Jose Siri. I’m personally trying to grab some stock in all of these guys before their prices go up. Throw a bone to Tirso Ornelas while you’re at it. The soon to be 19-year-old held his own in Single-A last season and has major breakout appeal in 2019.
I still remember my first reaction to seeing #Padres Tirso Ornelas.
“He’s HOW old?!”
Set to turn 19 in March, the 6’3, 200 pound OF was “kinda pudgy” when first discovered, according to a scout.
If healthy, he’s set to turn heads again in 2019. #PadresOnDeck pic.twitter.com/IJo5rdjQU2
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) December 18, 2018
Tier 6
55. Micker Adolfo, Chicago White Sox (180)
56. Jameson Hannah, Oakland Athletics (184)
57. Alexander Canario, San Francisco Giants (194)
58. Parker Meadows, Detroit Tigers (195)
59. Tristan Pompey, Miami Marlins (201)
60. D.J. Peters, Los Angeles Dodgers (203)
61. Jhailyn Ortiz, Philadelphia Phillies (205)
62. Moises Gomez, Tampa Bay Rays (206)
63. Mariel Bautista, Cincinnati Reds (207)
64. D’Shawn Knowles, Los Angeles Angels (213)
65. Lolo Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates (214)
66. Gilberto Celestino, Minnesota Twins (215)
67. Connor Scott, Miami Marlins (220)
68. Buddy Reed, San Diego Padres (222)
69. Kyle Isbel, Kansas City Royals (223)
70. Cole Roederer, Chicago Cubs (225)
71. Antonio Cabello, New York Yankees (228)
Tier 7
72. Myles Straw, Houston Astros (229)
73. Joe Gray, Milwaukee Brewers (231)
74. Nick Schnell, Tampa Bay Rays (233)
75. Misael Urbina, Minnesota Twins (238)
76. Kyle Lewis, Seattle Mariners (241)
77. Brock Deatherage, Detroit Tigers (244)
78. Jake Fraley, Seattle Mariners (245)
79. Chavez Young, Toronto Blue Jays (246)
80. Adrian Hernandez, New York Mets (248)
81. Gabriel Maciel, Milwaukee Brewers
82. Edward Olivares, San Diego Padres
83. Griffin Conine, Toronto Blue Jays
84. Oscar Mercado, Cleveland Indians
85. Braden Bishop, Seattle Mariners
86. Jared Oliva, Pittsburgh Pirates
87. Anthony Alford, Toronto Blue Jays
88. Alex McKenna, Houston Astros
89. Jeisson Rosario, San Diego Padres
90. Everson Pereira, New York Yankees
91. Steele Walker, Chicago White Sox
92. Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates
93. Heath Quinn, San Francisco Giants
94. Luis Gonzalez, Chicago White Sox
95. Dylan Carlson, St. Louis Cardinals
96. Skye Bolt, Oakland Athletics
97. Brewer Hicklen, Kansas City Royals
98. Matt Vierling, Philadelphia Phillies
99. Josh Stowers, New York Yankees
100. Freddy Valdez, New York Mets
Others to Monitor
Marcus Wilson, Arizona Diamondbacks | Jorge Barrosa, Arizona Diamondbacks | Alvin Guzman, Arizona Diamondbacks | Izzy Wilson, Atlanta Braves | Andrew Moritz, Atlanta Braves | Nick Decker, Boston Red Sox | Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox | Brennan Davis, Chicago Cubs | Nelson Velasquez, Chicago Cubs | Stuart Fairchild, Cincinnati Reds | Michael Beltre, Cincinnati Reds | TJ Friedl, Cincinnati Reds | Will Benson, Cleveland Indians | Sam Hilliard, Colorado Rockies | Jose De La Cruz, Detroit Tigers | Jake Robson, Detroit Tigers | J.J. Matijevic, Houston Astros | Michael Gigliotti, Kansas City Royals | Blake Perkins, Kansas City Royals | Trent Deveaux, Los Angeles Angels | Brennon Lund, Los Angeles Angels | Michael Hermosillo, Los Angeles Angels | Jeren Kendall, Los Angeles Dodgers | Carlos Rincon, Los Angeles Dodgers |
Brian Miller, Miami Marlins | Tristen Lutz, Milwaukee Brewers | Je’Von Ward, Milwaukee Brewers | Trent Grisham, Milwaukee Brewers | Micah Bello, Milwaukee Brewers | Tyler Ramirez, Oakland Athletics | Dylan Cozens, Philadelphia Phillies | Mickey Moniak, Philadelphia Phillies | Chris Shaw, San Francisco Giants | Diego Rincones, San Francisco Giants | Sandro Fabian, San Francisco Giants | Jairo Pomares, San Francisco Giants | Dom Thompson-Williams, Seattle Mariners | Connor Capel, St Louis Cardinals | Joerlin De Los Santos, St Louis Cardinals | Justin Williams, St Louis Cardinals | Josh Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays | Garrett Whitley, Tampa Bay Rays | Joe McCarthy, Tampa Bay Rays | Telmito Agustin, Washington Nationals | Gage Canning, Washington Nationals
Spring Training games have started! It’s time you got your fantasy baseball season started as well. Leagues are already forming at Fantrax.com, so head on over and get your league started today.
Photo/Video Credit: Emily Waldon, Chuck Garfien, Ralph Lifshitz
Eric Cross is the lead MLB/Fantasy Baseball writer and MiLB prospect analyst for FantraxHQ and has been with the site since March 2017. In the past, he wrote for FantasyPros and FanSided. He is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). For more from Eric, check out his author page and follow him on Twitter @EricCross04.
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