I’ve been dreading this next stretch for a hot minute.
Well–not “dreading” dreading. That word doesn’t fit many contexts now the world is experiencing existential dread on a daily basis.
But the faux fear is realish enough that my point stands: infield feels like pretty solid ground for fantasy baseball purposes. Pretty much every league uses a catcher, shortstop and first, second and third basemen. Some use one catcher, some use middle and corner infielders, some use an IF spot, but the needs across leagues, and the depth of each position, are fairly standard.
Outfield and Pitcher feel like the dark arts. Snape describes them to Harry in book six, and Harry describes them to Dumbledore’s Army in book five, as a constantly shapeshifting, infinite battle for which there is no measure of readiness that reaches the level of being “prepared.”
You do the best you can and react when the world changes.
So that’s my task here, starting with the sequencing of the top 100 outfielders for 2021 dynasty baseball.
PS: This is a living document and an invitation to converse. I’m not set in stone on any of these, particularly not my Trout ranking, which feels a bit criminal but perhaps just (like Harry’s DA meetings). I will update and continue ranking outfielders until we’ve covered all the relevant paths to magic.
*Yordan Alvarez included for Yahoo! and other purposes.
Thanks for reading! I’m @theprospectitch on Twitter.
Good stuff!
I thought for sure Valera would be somewhere in the mid 60s
Thanks, IntendedSteb!
Valera is coming right up! Got grouped in w some similar dudes now he’s looking unlikely to run and is hunting power.
My Bruan or witt jr, or pearson for Brandon lowe
My same guys above for Mcmahon.
would you do either?
thanks.
im sorry Brujan*
I might offer Witt for Lowe if I can add a 2021 FYPD.
Wouldn’t have to be much, but I wouldn’t do any of these straight up.
Unless you really need 2B in 2020 and wanna push for a title in the condensed season.
If so I’d do Witt if I had to.
Good stuff Itch,
Are you still high on Brennen Davis? I’ve got a few shares of him and wonder how far out of the top 100 he is? Thanks for the insight!
Thanks, Ham Porter!
I actually woke up in the middle of last night wondering and worrying if I’d somehow lost Davis from the list!!
Will update soon. Had him in the 40-range.
No problem itch! I value your opinion and was just curious. In a 12 team NL only dynasty league, can roster 10 farm players. I have a full roster but would you drop Shewmake and Misner for any part of Jose Garcia, Luis Matos, Herbert Perez, Bryce Ball, or Nick Lodolo? I think I could probably get two of them. I also have Davis, Carlson, Bohm, Batt, Stott, Carrol, Luis Garcia, and Jesus Sanchez. Thanks for the input!
Oh, forgot Toglia too, but I’m on the fence about him, you know Rockies and all…
I’d want Matos and Hedbert.
If it’s Garcia the Nat I’d drop him for Garcia.
Shewmake might get picked up, but Misner might slide through.
Luis Matos #1.
It’s about to be a lifestyle.
yeah itch is higher on him than mostly anywhere so you can get him rounds later than he’d be doing in almost every league.
Nice list. I’m higher on Kekenic then some. He looks like a dangerous hitter.
Kelinic
Krazyivan,
Not sure what you’re saying here. A ranking of #31 as a dynasty player for Kelenic is exceptional. Julio Rodriguez clearly has a higher ceiling while Kelenic has less risk with his profile overall but not as much potential. So #20 at Rodriguez seems fair too.
Who do you think Kelenic should be ahead of? Carlson? Dominguez? I would disagree on both but that doesn’t mean you’re wrong to like Kelenic more. I think Carlson and Kelenic might be dead even but I prefer Carlson slightly. No way would I draft Kelenic ahead of Rodriguez or Dominguez.
Obviously, it’s an imperfect science but Itch does a very nice job here. So where do you think Kelenic belongs?
I agree with his rating. This is one of the places where I’ve seen Kelenic up so high. It is a nice list. I agree that 23 would be pretty aggressive especially since we haven’t seen him in AAA yet.
My bad Krazyivan.
I thought you were disappointed with Itch’s rating. It’s definitely a nice rating. I think Kelenic and Carlson are basically the same player.
Itch! Thanks for this report.
Just one observation that blew my mind when I read it. Juan Soto only 21. Feels like he’s been around for a long time. Already a world series champ. Man, that threw me for a loop.
Thanks Jolt!
I actually had Soto 2nd at one point, so wild is his age v level.
Hi, I would like an opinion on a potential keeper trade. I would be trading Snell and Bregman for Verlander and Tatis. My need is stolen bases, hence making this trade would help. All players would remain keepers going into next year with the exception of Verlander as I would most likely leave him unprotected or trade him for pick improvements if possible. It is a 12 team keeper.
Hi, Homers got the runs!
I want the Tatis side in general but especially w a SB need.
Thank you.
Time to move Jesus Sanchez to Miami.
Thanks, Charlie!
I’ve made some odd team flubs.
Had Andrelton Simmons on Atlanta . . .
Where would Yordan rank if eligible?
7th, see above.
Thanks, Byron!
Got this question enough that I realized I should just put him on the list.
Hey Itch, you have Ian Happ at 79 and 83. Great list have many of these OF’er’s on my three total teams.
Thanks MP!
Good lookin’ out!
Howdy! How you been man?
My head explodes looking at Oneil Cruz on this list. I hope you’re right on him. I was so excited to see him come to Lehigh Valley this year. Hopefully that still happens.
What up, NUX!?
Hope things are good (enough) on your end!
Itch, just want to say thanks for the great response to my White/Senzel trade question in your other thread! I’ll hold White as you suggested as that is also what my guy was telling me (because of how athletic he is). Really glad our comments are doing our best to keep your spirits up. I will say you are one of the most engaging and thoughtful people when it comes to readers responses, so you passion for helping us all out really comes through.
Thank you ?
Itch!
I see you have Matos at #51 despite his youth (18 years old). Please tell me more about this kid. Why so high on him? I’m intrigued by your Acuna comp!
Must know more …
Just got to this in the other post; I was tunnel-visioned into the next 50 and was thinking of the best way to discuss Matos. Still am, but here’s what I’ve got so far:
I’m still thinking about the best way to do this . . .
might be my first piece after this series
aggro comps and the times I don’t hate em, or something
For Matos there’s the size comp, the rounded game comp, the big league blood comp, the under the radar explosion comp, the rising system parallel, the baseball is easy parallel
Younger Acuña could spray liners anywhere at will and chose/found a power path as he aged.
Matos has a pretty linear swing plane today, but I don’t mind if that stays where it is for a while. High baseball acumen kid like him can add launch when the time is just right—another potential similarity to Acuña.
We can’t know yet how he’ll respond to better spin, velo, command, but so far he’s just cruising.
Adding now: I’m betting he’ll mostly cruise right on thru the minors. Might not struggle until AA, if then.
Good stuff! Appreciate the quick response. Definitely someone to remember!
Thanks!
I also see you have Kjerstad at #100. I like it!!