The good news is the top 20 outfielders for 2025 fantasy baseball are better than the top 20 3rd basemen. The unfortunate news is, if you had a five-outfielder league, you need at least 60 of these guys in a 12-teamer, and, by the time we get through 40 in our next post, we will have already run dry of solid outfielders. Outfield isn’t shallow, but I wouldn’t say it’s deep either. This end-of-the-year ranking is from our Fantasy Baseball Player Rater with my comments. The Player Rater allows me to be impartial while looking at how I ranked them in the preseason (or at least appear to be impartial). Anyway, here’s the top 20 outfielders for 2025 fantasy baseball and how they compare to where I originally ranked them:
1. Aaron Judge – Somehow he was ranked 1st for outfielders in the preseason by me and he was still underrated. In the postseason, he hit a ball off Jays’ Varland that was a 100 MPH and six inches inside. He roped it into the foul pole. (By the way, I wanted to see the Aaron Judge home run again, so I went to Twitter and searched “Judge six inches” and A) That did not yield the results I expected. B) Guys, no one thinks that’s six inches. It’s barely four. C) There’s no C.) One home run is not everything, obviously, but if a guy can turn on a 100 MPH fastball that far inside and keep it fair? He’s about as special as they come. Now, out of curiosity I’m going to see if anyone else has ever said, “As special as they come,” and “Judge six inches.” Preseason Rank #1, 2025 Projections: 104/46/112/.307/10 in 509 ABs, Final Numbers: 137/53/114/.331/12 in 541 ABs
2. Juan Soto – Sexy Dr. Pepper stole 38 bags! He had 40 total since 2020! Last year he stole seven! I’m sorry, I do not know how to account for The Naylor-27. I’m being 100% serious. How do you project for something as unpredictable as, “This guy has 7-12 steal speed but could steal 40.” It’s the pitch clock, I mean, I know the reason, but what do you do with that? If Soto (or Naylor) could steal that many bags, a guy with real speed like, say, Corbin Carroll could steal 75+ bags. Not sure if in the history of baseball there’s ever been a stat as much dictated by, “How badly do you want you it?” Preseason Rank #2, 2025 Projections: 93/37/111/.288/11 in 564 ABs, Final Numbers: 120/43/105/.263/38 in 577 ABs
3. Julio Rodriguez – And this is hitting .204 in April with one homer in June. My thoughts on JRod are summed up by: Imagine how great he can be if he starts hitting in April, but I’m equally frightened thinking about what if he doesn’t start hitting in the 2nd half? Preseason Rank #6, 2025 Projections: 96/32/101/.272/33 in 605 ABs, Final Numbers: 106/32/95/.267/30 in 652 ABs
4. George Springer – Couldn’t have been more wrong on Springer, which is why I have this bite out of my brain where you can see the Zombino’s teeth. Springer’s year is why there’s no such thing as being dead after a bad draft in March. Not just Zombinos, I mean fantasy teams being dead. There’s lottery tickets littered all throughout the draft. Did I expect Springer to do this? No, but no one did. If you drafted Cal Raleigh, Trevor Story, Buxton and Springer, and fell into a six-month coma, I know why your friends are pissed at you. No coma sympathy because you won your fantasy league without making any moves! Preseason Rank #80, 2025 Projections: 68/16/52/.223/15 in 511 ABs, Final Numbers: 106/32/84/.309/18 in 498 ABs
5. Corbin Carroll – Steals were down a bit for him, but runs and average were up and that’s how you can be ranked fifth in the preseason, end up at 5th and not have a lot of your projections be that close. He now has 35 and 32 steals in back to back years so gonna have to project him for around 33 steals in 2026, and that’s when he steals 80. Preseason Rank #5, 2025 Projections: 117/28/75/.272/48 in 571 ABs, Final Numbers: 107/31/84/.259/32 in 564 ABs
6. Pete Crow-Armstrong – Here’s what I wrote in the preseason, “I was so close to writing a PCA sleeper to the point where I searched through my sleeper posts twice looking for it, thinking I did write it. I guess I hadn’t, but I really wanted to. The truly hilarious thing is I don’t know why I didn’t write it. Maybe it was because I felt like he was properly ranked. That’s a point that isn’t made enough. It seems to be that I write a sleeper post and it puts a flashing light on a guy, but just because I didn’t write a post about a guy doesn’t mean he’s not well-liked by me. He’s just well-liked by everyone, maybe. PCA’s ADP seems to fall into that category.” And that’s me quoting me! So, I guess, congrats to everyone. Or sucks for everyone that he hit six homers and .216 in the 2nd half, and looked completely exposed. His O-Swing% is gnarly but got better in the 2nd half. The problem is did that make him less aggressive for the worse? (Yes.) Preseason Rank #29, 2025 Projections: 59/14/66/.248/32 in 510 ABs, Final Numbers: 91/31/95/.247/35 in 591 ABs
7. Byron Buxton – I drafted him in one league and it was going to be the only type of league where I’d ever get him: An auction league, because I never would’ve actively drafted him, I was only getting him if I bid, expecting someone to bid more and coming away with him by accident. The ol’ career year at 31, and the underrated funny thing here is he still couldn’t make it to 500 ABs, and only played in 126 games. His healthiest year was marred by multiple injuries. Preseason Rank #59, 2025 Projections: 66/20/63/.253/8 in 414 ABs, Final Numbers: 97/35/83/.264/24 in 488 ABs
8. Fernando Tatis Jr. – FTJ, like PCA, took some of those summer months off, hitting five homers from May 28th thru September 1st. He did have his 2nd best month in September, and I think that means Fun The Jewels is just a hot bat, not necessarily a great April or September bat. That’s instructive though, as I told you to sell him in May, you know if he comes out of the gate hot, then unload him because there are going to be months of coldness. Preseason Rank #4, 2025 Projections: 93/34/96/.281/28 in 586 ABs, Final Numbers: 111/25/71/.268/32 in 594 ABs
9. Christian Yelich – Him and Cody Bellinger Thelma & Louise’ing their hands together as they provide fantasy value again, partially rekindling that glorious 2019. Yelich hit his most homers since 2019, and one less homer than his previous two years combined. Whatever lower back injection Yelich was receiving this year, stick that shizz into his lumbar region for the rest of his career. Preseason Rank #35, 2025 Projections: 68/13/63/.281/22 in 461 ABs, Final Numbers: 88/29/103/.264/16 in 573 ABs
10. Cody Bellinger – Already went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2025 fantasy baseball.
11. Hunter Goodman – See his recap at the top 20 catchers for 2025 fantasy baseball.
12. Riley Greene – Love Greene last year, loved him this year, and almost all that is predicated on a guy who I know has great power but stealing some bags, which he never steals. I love a guy for what he doesn’t do, figure that shizz out. As they say, you love what you can’t have. What a bummer. Preseason Rank #23, 2025 Projections: 74/27/86/.274/7 in 527 ABs, Final Numbers: 84/36/111/.258/2 in 600 ABs
13. James Wood – Almost nailed his preseason ranking, and he was worthwhile for fantasy, but I have to be honest (for once): I did not enjoy rostering him in the 2nd half and he didn’t really hit as I expected overall. I thought more speed, and better average. Until he came on in September with five homers, he was miserable in the 2nd half. From July 10th until September 21st, he went 24/3/20/.202/3 in 233 ABs. James Woof. Preseason Rank #15, 2025 Projections: 89/26/77/.272/25 in 556 ABs, Final Numbers: 87/31/94/.256/15 in 598 ABs
14. Randy Arozarena – Bit of a Zombino, but he only had one down year, so it wasn’t like he seemed to be retired and playing out his contract only to stick his hand through the soil to the Horror! Horror! Horror! of onlookers. The Rice Bowl having his best power and nearly best steals year (32 in 2022 was only better) doesn’t really make sense until you remember they were feeding The Ass Man bouncy balls. I kid (maybe). Preseason Rank #36, 2025 Projections: 72/19/74/.225/24 in 556 ABs, Final Numbers: 95/27/76/.238/31 in 613 ABs
15. Jazz Chisholm Jr. – See his recap at the top 20 2nd basemen for 2025 fantasy baseball.
16. Kyle Tucker – Last year he had a fluky injury that he hid for a period of time that knocked him out for months, and this year he had a fluky injury that he hid for three months while continuing to play. If he strains his hamstring next year, assume he is playing without a lower half and he’s actually been stapled onto a llama’s body. Preseason Rank #3, 2025 Projections: 106/36/97/.296/23 in 569 ABs, Final Numbers: 91/22/73/.266/25 in 500 ABs
17. Brent Rooker – Something struck me as weird about his 30 homers and calling Bing Bong home, so I went to look at how many homers he would’ve hit if he called Bing Bong home and it’s 35. What is the meaning of this?! (I know it just means if he played 162 home games.) Rooker is consistently underrated and forgotten. If you asked someone to name the top 15 outfielders, I bet they’d never mention Rooker, and if they did, you should tell them he’s actually 17th so, no, that’s wrong. Preseason Rank #13, 2025 Projections: 86/36/105/.268/10 in 539 ABs, Final Numbers: 92/30/89/.262/6 in 626 ABs
18. Jackson Chourio – Was expecting more from Chourio, but he’s also 21 years old so stop being greedy! If I had to guess on a guy to get multiple 40/40 seasons from this group of outfielders, Chourio would be the top of the list. He needs health and the desire to run. The rest will be there at some point. I love him a lot. Preseason Rank #10, 2025 Projections: 102/26/84/.284/32 in 589 ABs, Final Numbers: 88/21/78/.270/21 in 549 ABs
19. Taylor Ward – One of the hardest guys to predict. The Warder They Come, The Harder To Predict, the Taylor Story. Not Trevor. Ward is a 23, 14, 25 homer guy the last three years, then 36. Okay, at 31 years of age? He’s around a career .255 hitter, then .228. Okay, what or why? He makes great contact (19.6 K%) one year then 26.4% last year? Only thing that makes sense is he has no speed. Watch next year he gets The Naylor-27 memo. Preseason Rank #48, 2025 Projections: 83/27/76/.253/7 in 561 ABs, Final Numbers: 86/36/103/.228/4 in 579 ABs
20. Brandon Nimmo – He might actually be one of the most underrated players in fantasy, and he’s so underrated if you were to say Nimmo’s underrated, people would roll their eyes. You think I’m fighting straw men like I’m the tin man, but think about how many times you’ve read positive things about Nimmo’s fantasy value. Zero? Yeah, I think so. Now to blow your mind: He was the 20th best outfielder last year too. This goes to my one big contribution to fantasy baseball that no one talks about ever: Lifetime ADP. Nimmo’s Lifetime ADP is under where it should be. Preseason Rank #43, 2025 Projections: 83/24/80/.241/10 in 557 ABs, Final Numbers: 81/25/92/.262/13 in 587 ABs
20 team- one catcher league
We as a group go far deeper than adp when drafting catchers (because of course). How far would you let Raleigh fall in a league like that before you think it’s reasonable to draft that particular catcher? Personally, I’m tempted if he’s available where Kurtz goes. Thank you.
I just googled Sblibie and I don’t know the language, but nothing there…top 30…I’d want Kurtz first
I don’t know anyone who knows the word either but my friends in junior high used to use it. It must be just our word.
Suzuki ranked 19th among OFs in my setting. His season stats were 75/32/103/.326 OBP. The OBP was lower than expected, but his power made up for it. He hit the ball harder, pulled more pitches, increased his fly balls, and reduced his ground ball rate.
What version of Suzuki will we see next year? Can he be trusted? He looked strong again late in the season, but had an UGLY 61-game stretch with only 2 home runs, including a 38-game homerless streak, before hitting home runs in his final four games.
Good question! I’d say we get less power but better AVG in ’26
Schwarber qualifies in OF in Yahoo next year too. 8 games played this year. He was not on this list. I play in an obp league with total bases too. He was 3rd OF behind judge and soto. He is such a good guy for fantasy where you can pretty much plug in a base case of 100/40/100 with a chance for more for everything including some steals
Yeah, totally, I just used the player rater which is ESPN eligibility but Schwarber was awesome
Who is a better dynasty OF’er for fantasy – PCA or Jackson Merrill?
PCA
PCA’s second half was scary bad. Pitchers adjusted to him and he couldn’t adjust back. Do you think he can overcome that? Or, did Merrill’s season expose him even more than PCA’s?
You’re asking if Jackson Merrill, who wasn’t good at all, or a guy who was a top six outfielder? I’m going with the guy who was just good…
These rankings are whack!
Oh man!
With all due respect and I say this with love and our friendship in mind… it really cheeses me I have to turn off my ad blocker now to read all Vins comments (oh and your posts too!)
Haha, in the name of cheesus then
There was a Fantasy Outlook post on PCA in November of 2023, so maybe that is confusing you. You projected 10 HR/24 SB/.234 but he hit 10 HR/27 SB/.237.
Yeah, that could be it
Oh, was this meant for Chuckie?
Whoever wants to admit to confusion.
Haha, everyone!
I read one/something this year. Not 2023. I know because it motivated me to act. This year.
In my rankings, I said I should’ve wrote a sleeper but didn’t so I don’t think it was me…It might’ve been another writer on the site like Coolwhip
Haha I could have sworn you wrote an Outlook post before his season too! Mandela effect…lol
Looking at Vin’s stat recap’s of the top 12 of each position as you (Grey) have pointed out it is still smart to draft a top SS then maybe a 1BM.
However trying to get 5 solid OF’s is tough if you wait till the 3rd round in redrafts.
Pick position would influence this for sure.
It seems a guy could get lucky in the OF position during the draft for example this past year with Springer, Buxton, Ward, Nimmo, PCA types because of the sheer volume of outfielders needed, but it’s not smart to rely on luck.
Fun to think about and that’s why we all love to draft.
Yeah, totally! I think there’s a lot of luck with every position, but maybe more so with OF
Not sure which is more debilitating taking up so many waking hours of one’s life, Johnson Envy or Yankee Envy?
Any envy!
Has a post ever been deleted from your site? Because I know for a fact you wrote a PCA sleeper post. It made me aggressively start acquiring him in my dynasty leagues. I own him in 2 out of 4. Facts!
No, I don’t delete anything…Perhaps I should tho, ha
Yelich needed 1 more game in the OF to retain his position eligibility in RCLs.
He won’t be OF next year?
Yikes
Didn’t realize that (obviously)
The average stats for the top 12 outfielders:
2025: 567 AB/155 H/101 R/34 HR/95 RBI/21 SB/.273
2024: 578 AB/159 H/99 R/34 HR/96 RBI/16 SB/.275
(And that is the actual 12 top outfielders for 2024: Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Brent Rooker, Jarren Duran, Kyle Schwarber, Yordan Alvarez, Teoscar Hernandez, Corbin Carroll, Anthony Santander, Jackson Merrill, Jurickson Profar, Jazz Chisholm Jr.)
Very similar numbers.
Position comparison:
OF: 567 AB/155 H/101 R/34 HR/95 RBI/21 SB/.273
3B: 541 AB/141 H/82 R/27 HR/82 RBI/14 SB/.260
SS: 593 AB/163 H/93 R/22 HR/81 RBI/27 SB/.275
2B: 539 AB/143 H/80 R/20 HR/74 RBI/16 SB/.266
1B: 570 AB/159 H/85 R/29 HR/97 RBI/6 SB/.278
..C: 498 AB/130 H/70 R/26 HR/79 RBI/5 SB/.260
Vin, do you have a way to put a dollar value on these stats? Would be fun to look at. Thank you for all your posts.
The average value of the top 12 at each position. Values taken from the RAZZBALL PLAYER RATER.
Average Value……….. #1/#12
$17.08 CATCHER $46.80/$8.70
$20.81 1ST BASE $27.60/$16.90
$13.59 2ND BASE $22.30/$7.00
$22.39 SHORTSTOP $31.70/$16.10
$16.43 3RD BASE $34.50/$3.80
$29.44 OUTFIELD $50.60/$22.10
Tried each category value, but not sure how it works. I have Catcher and 3B each with an average batting average of .260, but with much different dollar values. So, I don’t know if these are significant numbers.
C: $2.52 R/$4.97 HR/$4.37 RBI/$0.93 SB/$3.29 AVE
1B: $4.08 R/$5.07 HR/$6.23 RBI/$0.11 SB/$4.29 AVE
2B: $3.03 R/$1.53 HR/$2.20 RBI/$3.05 SB/$2.78 AVE
SS: $5.41 R/$2.13 HR/$3.47 RBI/$6.46 SB/$3.93 AVE
3B: $3.37 R/$4.02 HR/$3.62 RBI/$2.34 SB/$2.07 AVE
OF: $6.96 R/$7.08 HR/$5.93 RBI/$4.70 SB/$3.73 AVE
This is awesome! Yikes on 2B
3B too.
Thank you.
Great stuff, Vin!
Wow, nearly identical
The overall overall rank on the RAZZBALL PLAYER RATER along with the RCL ADP in 24 drafts March 17 – 26.
RANK…………………ADP
01 Aaron Judge 3.5
04 Juan Soto 6.1
11 Julio Rodriguez 15.3
12 George Springer 217 (23 drafts)
15 Corbin Carroll 10.3
22 Pete Crow-Armstrong 122.4
25 Byron Buxton 212.7
27 Fernando Tatis Jr. 12.3
35 Christian Yelich 96.7
36 Cody Bellinger 61.6
40 Hunter Goodman 284 (3 drafts)
42 Riley Greene 86.4
45 James Wood 39.4
48 Randy Arozarena 121.1
51 Jazz Chisholm Jr. 21.6
56 Kyle Tucker 8
57 Brent Rooker 36.8
59 Jackson Chourio 14.3
60 Taylor Ward 153.3
62 Brandon Nimmo 150.2
I will list the rest of the outfielders and position stats for OF2, 3, 4, & 5 with the Top 40 post.)
Appreciate you!
Love these!
Three times this year I’ve said, “It looks like the Jays’ luck has run out,” but they keep coming back.
Their hitting has woke