Even if you draft one or two outfielders in the top 100 (which you should), you’ll still need to identify some late bargains. The top 20, 40, 60 and 80 outfielders for 2009 fantasy baseball can be found under the 2009 fantasy baseball rankings. This is by no means all the outfielders I’d draft for one of my teams. This is a list of guys that will go late and could provide some healthy returns. Where applicable, click on the players name to read more about them or to see their 2009 projections. Anyway, here’s some outfielders to target for 2009 fantasy baseball:
Colby Rasmus – Razzle-Dazzle, baby. Razzle. Dazzle.
Nelson Cruz – He’s never hit well in the majors for longer than a month. He’s had lots of opportunities. Might be the Ludwick pick of the draft or might be on waivers by the 2nd week in April. Recognize! Or don’t. These are your decisions.
Cameron Maybin – Could be a cheap Victorino without the average. Not a cheap Victorian, i.e. Is she using rat tails to tie up her bodice? Then again, perhaps Maybin is Carlos Lee with less power, more speed and no average. Or he’s just Mike Cameron.
Fred Lewis – Giants hit him third in a spring training game. Beans don’t burn on the grill!
Ryan Spilborghs – If he’s the starter then he deserves a spot on NL-Only teams, but I really wish he’d break something to open the door for Carlos Gonzalez, Matt Murton, Ian Stewart or…
Dexter Fowler – Should be the Rockies center fielder. Will he? Doubtful, but in keeper leagues, you should own him leaving your draft.
Franklin Gutierrez – The Big FraGu is going to get his chance to put up 15/15 numbers.
Delmon Young – It’s still very early in spring training and I try not to pay too much attention just yet to who’s hitting well, but Young is hitting well.
Shin-Soo Choo – Get on the Shin-Soo Choo train.
Elijah Dukes – As long as he doesn’t flip out and prove Carl Jung right about aptronyms, you’ll be fine. For what it’s worth, Carl Jung was never very good at fantasy baseball.
Justin Upton – I put him last because I want to highlight him. Justin Upton could take the biggest jump of anyone on this list. He has the potential to be a number two outfielder while being drafted as a four or a five. His ceiling is, “Superstar.”
