Friday, 30 March 2012

For What it's Werth: Top 15 Outfield Sleepers

Bmac's Picks

Jason Heyward- Most experts have Heyward ranked in the mid 20’s among outfielders but he could easily finish within the top 20. Heyward is motivated coming off a sophomore slump and he has a lot of potential. He is only turning 23 this year so he is getting better and stronger every season. Heyward would be a solid grab if he drops in the later rounds of your draft.






Player Profile: http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=518792#gameType=%27S%27&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level=%27ALL%27
 
Projections: 280 AVG, 84 R, 24 HR, 81 RBI, 10 SB


Jayson Werth- The Nationals paid all that money to Werth for a reason. He is only 33 and still has plenty of pop. It’s normal for a player to struggle after signing a huge contract, because of the pressure involved. Now, it’s a year later and Werth should bounce back to his old ways of hitting bombs to left field. 













Player Profile: http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=150029#gameType=%27S%27

Projections: .275 AVG, 91 R, 27 HR, 79 RBI, 18 SB


Carlos Beltran- Beltran isn’t in most experts top 30 for outfielders, but he still has some top 30 life left in him. He is probably lower down on lists, because he has had some trouble with injuries in the past. Last year he was able to play in 142 games and had good success at the plate. You’re not going to get steals from Beltran like you used to, but you’ll still get good stats everywhere else.












Player Profile: http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=136860#gameType=%27S%27

Projections: .298 AVG, 83 R, 23 HR, 78 RBI, 3 SB



Jeff Francoeur- Experts seem to think Francoeur’s season last year was a fluke, because he is not listed amongst the top 40 outfielders in most expert lists. Jeff is 28, in his prime, and he’s ready to rock. He’s hitting 5th behind Butler and Hosmer, so he should get good RBI opportunities again and still has plenty of speed on the base paths.





 
Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=425796#gameType=%27S%27&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level=%27ALL%27

Projections: 287 AVG, 78 R, 19 HR, 89 RBI, 18 SB


Nick Swisher- Swisher is ranked around 40th in outfielders by most analysts, but he has been “Mr. Consistent” the last few years with solid numbers. In each of the last 3 seasons he has played in exactly 150 games, his run totals are within 10 of each other, his RBI totals are all in the 80’s, and homerun numbers are all in the 20’s. It helps when you’re in the Yankees line-up every year. Thus, Swisher should once again be a reliable player to bring you 80, 20, 80 for R, HR, and RBI.





Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=430897&c_id=nyy&player_name=Nick-Swisher#gameType=%27S%27&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level=%27ALL%27
 
Projections: 272 AVG, 85 R, 25 HR, 88 RBI, 1 SB


Mtaness's Monster

Alex Rios- Like a few players mentioned, last year was easily Alex Rios’ worst statistical output of his career. Being at the young age of 31 cannot be to blame for the horrendous performance Rios displayed last year, as if he suddenly turned into John MacDonald overnight…nobody wants John MacDonald syndrome. But he doesn’t suffer from this incurable disease, and he in fact just went through a bout of “I-can’t-hit-itus” and was cured in the off season. Expect a big bounce back so draft with confidence.





Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=425567#gameType=%27S%27&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level=%27ALL%27
 
Projections: .277 AVG, 77 R, 18 HR, 74 RBI, 18 SB


Denard Span- Having been drafted 20th overall into the majors, having 2 out of 4 successful seasons at the place, and now at the age of 28, and returning from an injury shortened season, Denard Span could perhaps make the largest climb out of the basement of the fantasy world, and place himself into the top 25 of the outfield class. The only category he will not deliver in is power, but as long as he finds grass with the bat, then everything else will follow.





Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=452655#gameType=%27S%27
 
Projections: .283 AVG, 86 R, 7 HR, 61 RBI, 22 SB


Michael Cuddyer- All you have to do to make a prediction here is take the average year by Cuddyer and bump the numbers slightly, since this year Cuddyer leaves the deep pitted Target Field for the hitter friendly confines of Coors Field. Playing in Colorado takes any average hitter and helps them over produce. So draft Cuddyer late as his numbers will definitely benefit from hitting in a higher altitude, and if you doubt me then watch the MythBusters episode examining baseball in Colorado. 

Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=150212#gameType=%27S%27&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level=%27ALL%27
 
Projections: .287 AVG, 95 R, 24 HR, 84 RBI, 7 SB


Alex Presley- Not too much to say here other than he is hitting the lovely prime rib age of 27, has tremendous speed, good contact and is leading off for the up and coming Pittsburgh Pirates. His stats don’t suggest being a relative of the great Elvis, but my instinct is that Alex will make his own name stand out amongst top 25 outfielders in the game. 




Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=502100#gameType=%27S%27
 
Projections: .281 AVG, 84 R, 12 HR, 63 RBI, 28 SB


Nolan Reimold- He is 29 this year and yet to play in the majors for an entire season. However, Reimold has always been on the brink of breaking out, but has been set back by season ending injuries. He is a man with surprising speed, tremendous pop in his bat, and finally looking fully healthy this year. He has won the starting job, but don’t pull the trigger early and wait until the last couple rounds to draft him as nobody will have Nolan under their noses. 












Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=460099#gameType=%27S%27&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level=%27ALL%27
 
Projections: .268 AVG, 75 R, 28 HR, 79 RBI, 13 SB


Where Great Minds Think Alike

Carl Crawford- Although you may have to wait to see Crawford in action, expect to lose your voice, along with the barrage of Red Sox fans, as Carl’s bat will be unstoppable this season. An off year caused primarily by an improper batting stance has been corrected, and the top ten outfielder from 2010 will reemerge. 







Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=408307#gameType=%27S%27&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level=%27ALL%27

Projections: .305 AVG, 92 R, 14 HR, 75 RBI, 45 SB (based on a 140 game season)


Logan Morrison- Having already demonstrated big power and good contact, Morrison is now in his third year hitting in a very deep lineup and primed for big numbers. Expected to be batting 5th or 6th in the lineup with plenty of opportunity for RBI, Logan Morrison should hit the top 20 ranks of outfielders this year. Plug him in as your second or third outfielder and you will be heavily rewarded.












Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=489149#gameType=%27S%27

Projections:  .272 AVG, 65 R, 28 HR, 89 RBI, 3 SB

Brennan Boesch- A left-handed batter who hits exceptionally well off of lefties is as rare as finding gold in the street, but that is precisely what you have in Boesch. He in fact performed better last season against lefties than righties posting a .302 AVG and .276 AVG respectively, but his power was only present against right-handed pitchers. Nevertheless, Boesch still slugged 16 homeruns in 115 games last year proving he has 20-25 homerun power. He will be left in the streets overlooked and neglected, but once plugged into your lineup his true gold essence will emerge as a number producing machine.









Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=453269#gameType=%27S%27&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level=%27ALL%27
 
Projections: .285 AVG, 92 R, 24 HR, 70 RBI, 8 SB


Colby Rasmus- The only promise to be found in Colby Rasmus’ profile, for one day shooting out of the deep cavernous hole he dug himself last season statistically, is the fact that he was a high draft pick and had one good year at the plate. However, this is enough to convince us that Colby will perform closer to his 2010 numbers. He has big power and speed working for him, but he must connect for base hits in order for his talent to shine through. We believe playing in a more relaxed Toronto environment will help the timid 26 year old focus at the plate and deliver excitement.





Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=458675#gameType=%27S%27&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level=%27ALL%27

Projections: .267 AVG, 80 R, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 10 SB


Andre Ethier- Power wise, last season was Andre Ethier’s worst year. He is only 30, which means last year’s performance was a weird blip on the screen that should be ignored in comparison to the three 20+ homerun seasons he has posted. Expect his average to drop slightly, but it’s a small price to pay when you should expect at least double the homeruns and more RBI. Draft him and don’t look back.













Player Profile:  http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=444843#gameType=%27S%27&sectionType=career&statType=1&season=2012&level=%27ALL%27
 
Projections: .283 AVG, 85 R, 24 HR, 79 RBI, 3 SB

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