The outfield is loaded with talent. In fantasy it always will be. Just don't get caught up in thinking you can fill your needs at the end of the draft. Once the talent drops it can be tough. On the flip side, I see 15 of the Top 50 fantasy players being outfielders. UPDATE! let's you know who to take early and late, and who is a risky proposition at best.


Chicago Cubs
Comment: It's hard to improve on a .277 average with 46 home runs, 95 RBI, 119 runs and 41 steals. The steals were a career high. I see steals dropping to 30-35 this year, but expect the average and RBI totals to be even better. He'll have ample protection and RBI opportunities.


Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Comment: He has improved every year and he'll do it again this year. A rare blend of power and speed. Look for .303/26/86 and 54 steals this season. Watch out — this time next year he may be No. 1 on this list.


Houston Astros
Comment: I always have him higher than most. I've never seen a guy reach superstardom in such a low-key manor. Don't make the mistake of dropping him below Beltran or Guerrero. Added value: He's also a play at first base.


New York Mets
Comment: His numbers dropped in second half last season, from .279/25/68 with 12 steals to .269/16/48 with 6 steals. He is worthy of fourth (or higher). But beware: Beltran has disappointed before. This is a guy who took a called strike three to end the NLCS.


Los Angeles Angels
Comment: He may be this year's baseball version of LaDanian Tomlinson. I mean most people took L.J. or Alexander first, thinking L.T. had fallen. Most are doing the same with Vlad this spring. He has dropped out of the familiar top three in almost all rankings. But he is only 31, and has averaged .327 AVG, 34 HR, 116 RBI, 12 SB over the past three seasons.


Houston Astros
Comment: He has relocated to one of the best hitters' parks anywhere. At age 30, there is no reason to think he can't match last year's numbers: .300 AVG, 37 HR, 116 RBI, 19 SB.


Toronto Blue Jays
Comment: His numbers have improved across the board over the last three years. Like Soriano and Lee, he gives you surprising speed with his power and hit for a higher average than both last year.


Cleveland Indians
Comment: Love his last name! His numbers say he may not be worthy of this high a rating: .290 AVG, 28 HR, 76 RBI, 22 SB. But he is only 24 and we don't know were he'll top out at yet.


Pittsburgh Pirates
Comment: Stolen bases dropped from 21 to 11 last year, therefore his value dropped somewhat. Expect .296 AVG, 36 HR, 106 RBI, 12 SB.


Colorado Rockies
Comment: Holliday posted elite numbers: .326 AVG, 34 HR, 114 RBI, 10 SB. Move him up if you are a believer. Expect the steals to go down again but the power numbers to remain. One more year! I need to see him one more year and then I'll move him up.


New York Yankees
Comment: Like Guerrero, I think Abreu rebound. The adjustment period to a new team and league is over. Abreu should thrive in the Yankees' loaded lineup. He should return to Top 10 status by year's end.


Boston Red Sox
Comment: He missed 32 games and still hit .321 with 35 homers and 102 RBI. Look for an improvement this year to .316/39/126. Manny will be a good value this season.


Seattle Mariners
Comment: His home runs and RBI were down, but batting average and steals rose. Suzuki is 33 and you'll be OK if you don't expect improved numbers.


Los Angeles Dodgers
Comment: He has slipped in some owners eyes. Don't be one of them. He can dominate a category that may be the hardest to get. He's swiped 215 bases over the last 4 years.


Atlanta Braves
Comment: Jones is consistent. He slammed 20 home runs before the Break and 21 after. Expect about the same this season: .262 AVG, 41 HR, 129 RBI. Move him up if you believe in a walk-year surge.


Los Angeles Angels
Comment: No longer eligible at middle infielder de-value's him some. But he is the AL version of Juan Pierre. Figgins, 29, owns 114 steals in the past two seasons. He'll still see action at third base.


Chicago White Sox
Comment: The reluctant owner (myself included) has refused to draft Dye on the belief, "This will be the year he breaks down." He has been wonderfully consistent over the last three seasons. Yet he'll be hard-pressed to repeat last year's numbers: .315 AVG, 44 HR, 120 RBI.


Baltimore Orioles
Comment: His numbers after the Break dropped to .274 AVG, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 14 SB compared to .287/10/35/31 in the first half. He should be fine. He's a good power-speed option in the middle rounds, especially if you need steals.


Cincinnati Reds
Comment: If you draft Joe Mauer at catcher (.347), then grab Dunn. Only then could you handle the .234 batting average. Think Rob Deer or Dave Kingman. That's because his 126 homers over the past three seasons are the third most in baseball.


Minnesota Twins
Comment: Hunter posted nice numbers a year ago: .278 AVG, 31 HR, 98 RBI, 12 SB. He was much better in the second half with a .298 average and 17 homers. Expect that to continue. And if you believe he will get off to a hot start, then move him up.

Minnesota Twins
Comment: He hit .284 with 24 homers and 109 RBI last season. Finally got over 500 at bats in the middle of a pretty good lineup, so expect a slight improvement this season. Sizemore says .287/28/108 are what you should get.


Baltimore Orioles
Comment: Turned it on in the second half: .311 AVG, 14 HR, 41 RBI. Probably won't go before round 10 or for more than $12. If you have a chance to get him later or cheaper, then do it. Caution: A lot of people like him. But he isn't a must have.


Milwaukee Brewers
Comment: Last year's second half numbers look like a sign of things to come: .270 AVG, 9 HR, 27 RBI. They have already said early in camp he'll play every day.


Detroit Tigers
Comment: He hit .255 with 28 homers and 92 RBI and he'll probably go for $6 or in the 15th round. You could do much worse as a fourth outfielder. Good value late in the draft — assuming he's still there.


Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Comment: If he gets 500-plus at bats this year, then look for .292 AVG, 23 HR, 88 RBI, 26 SB. Remember others in your league are thinking the same — don't jump too early or overpay. He has yet to prove himself.



Boston Red Sox
Comment: He has missed at least 44 games each of the past three seasons. He doesn't run as much now. He can still be of value but only late or cheap if others let him fall in the draft.


San Diego Padres
Comment: Don't get caught up ranking him on last year's numbers: .268 AVG, 22 HR, 83 RBI, 25 SB. If you draft him high hoping for a repeat you'll be disappointed.


St. Louis Cardinals
Comment: The frustrating thing with Edmonds is he's day-to-day a lot. You may not even know he's hurt. At 37 it'll only get worse.


Los Angeles Angels
Comment: Don't believe the hype! He was just average last year in 620 at bats, hitting .313 with 19 homers, 79 RBI and 10 steals. There will be better options in the mid-rounds or for $14. Don't Overpay.


Chicago White Sox
Comment: This one may surprise you. I like Dye, but not for $25 or a fourth round pick. If he's drafted in that position, then he'll have to match last year's numbers. Think .279 AVG, 32 HR, 96 RBI and you will do OK.



Washington Nationals
Comment: Watch his progress this spring. If he wins the job and gets 400 at bats, he will steal 30-40 bases. Think Tom Goodwin or Alex Sanchez during one of their better years.


Houston Astros
Comment: Could be a 20/20 guy with a .290 average if he plays everyday. Right now he projects to. Should also see action at second base.


Arizona Diamondbacks
Comment: He finished last season strong with 9 homers and 32 RBI in 166 at bats. Now calculate what he can do in 500 at bats. The Diamondbacks have turned the everyday job over to him.


Colorado Rockies
Comment: Baker may be the third-best hitter on the Rockies, behind only Holliday and Atkins. He'll push somebody, Helton or Hawpe out of town. Get Baker late in your draft. He will be available for most reserve rosters.


Florida Marlins
Comment: I think Hermida may be this years Michael Cuddyer. Just when you think he drops in everyone's eyes, he'll hit 25 homers and drive in 90 runs. If you have drafted him, then before draft him again. He owes you.