Points Leagues: April Outfield Rankings

Last week, we took a look at how infield rankings had shuffled around since the start of the season. This week, we turn our attention toward how things are currently looking in the outfield. While we do have more data to work with than we did a week ago, we’re still talking very small sample sizes. So while there’s certainly been movement, don’t be surprised if things aren’t drastically different from what they were before. These aren’t power rankings in terms of what’s happened so far, it’s trying to rank how good guys will be going forward. This early in the season, I’m hesitant to make huge jumps one way or another, even if a player’s performance to date has set my heart aflutter or made me wretch in disgust.

Yes, I’m using the same pastry categories as last time to break this position up into its different tiers. It’s just who I am. Let’s get to it.

Eclairs

They’re like donuts, but better. For me, there’s no pastry that can beat the light and crispy choux bun, filled with pastry cream and coated in glossy chocolate. And there’s no beating these guys when it comes to filling your outfield slots.

• Skill has never been the question with Yordan. Health has. So far this season, he is healthy, and he is raking. Nice.
• FTJ’s underlying metrics look very good. His average and complete lack of power so far, not so much. I think a big part of both those issues comes from the fact that he’s only pulling 18.6% of his batted fly balls. If he starts pulling the ball more, good results should follow.
• Wood is still swinging and missing more often than you’d like to see. That could turn into a significant problem, especially since we’ve seen it be one so recently. And if you’re in a league where Ks cost you a full point, he doesn’t belong in this tier. Even so, he looks much more like the all-star he was the first half last season rather than whatever he was in the second half. Long may it continue.

Croissants

They’re flaky, buttery, and just generally delicious. Who doesn’t love a good croissant? The problem is, sometimes the layers don’t laminate, things conspire against you, and they aren’t so flaky or soft. Then you’re just left with bread. Which is still good. You were just hoping for something better.

These guys are good. Potentially great. But there’s enough risk about things going wrong that they’re not in that upper tier.

• Anthony has struggled to begin the season, no doubt about that. This ranking is betting on him figuring things out and getting back on track sooner than later. The fact that all the guys right behind him are injured is part of it, too.
• As just mentioned, Chourio, Rooker, and Springer were all drafted to be OF2, at worst. They’re currently all on the IL. Fun!
• Go take a look at PCA’s Savant page. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Did you see that? That was a whole lot of blue in places you don’t want to see blue. I was highly skeptical before the season, and nothing so far has changed my mind. He definitely has the tools to make me look stupid, but he hasn’t yet.

Turnovers

Turnovers are solid. They’re not my favorite, or something I generally go out of my way to find, but they do the job. And sometimes they surprise, either positively by being fresh and full of fruity goodness, or negatively by being dry and stale and hiding a flavor you’d rather avoid.

These guys are solid. They’re not your first options, but if you pass on them entirely, you’ll probably end up regretting it.

• Before the season started, I was skeptical of Pages in terms of both his performance and playing time based on how last season finished for him. So far, those skepticisms have been made to look pretty silly.
• I was about as negative as you could be about Oneil Cruz coming into the season. To this point, he has hit .339 with 4 HR and 6 SB. And yet, I’m still not buying in. Or at least, I’m not bought in across the board. On CBS, where hitter strikeouts only count for -.5 of a point, he’s been a standout, coming in as the second-highest scoring OF in the game, which is great. But on ESPN, where they count for a full -1, he’s only 24th. His 28.3 K% is an improvement on last year’s 32%, but it’s still in the bottom quarter of the league. If you took the chance on him during draft season, congratulations on the performance you’ve gotten so far. I’d at least be considering selling high if I could, though.
• Chase DeLauter was intriguing but entirely unproven before the season started. He has been completely ridiculous since it did. If he can avoid injury and continue to produce, he will be significantly higher than this next month. If you’ve got him, I’m jealous. Well done.

Macarons

Some people really love them. They seem so fancy. The flavors sound so appealing! But to me, they’re “meh.” And when it comes to making them? They’re not even close to being worth the amount of effort and headache relative to the payoff. And for this exercise, that’s what matters.

These guys have (or had) things about them that are (or were) incredibly appealing. But I have serious doubts about the actual payoff. If you find yourself drawn to them, I get it. But for me, they aren’t worth the frustration.

• Before this season, Luis Robert’s career best BB% was last year, when it was 9.3. So far this season it’s at 20%! Having watched him on a regular basis (when he actually managed to be on the field) during his time with the White Sox, I have no idea where this came from. It’s still to be seen whether he can maintain anything even close to that, or stay healthy, so enjoy it while you can.

Scones

It’s not that I dislike scones. They aren’t bad by any means. They’re just not particularly exciting.

These guys aren’t bad. Some of them could, and probably will, end up being very useful. They’re just not particularly exciting.

• Chase DeLauter might have barely been on my radar during spring, but Jordan Walker wasn’t on it at all. If these rankings were based solely on the season so far, he’d be way higher than he is. As it is, he’s the biggest riser so far, even if it might not look like it. If you have him, I would advise holding him rather than looking to sell-high. He was one of the highest rated, most anticipated prospects in the game a couple years ago, and it sure looks he’s making good on it now.
• Chandler Simpson’s value really depends on how your league scores stolen bases. If it’s 1 for each, he’s usable but replaceable. If it’s 2 points per swipe, he’s borderline must-start.