2022 OUTFIELDERS
(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire)
by Doug Gruber
When considering that a standard 15-team league requires a minimum of 60 outfielders, the number of multi-asset targets is not as deep as you might think. Ten outfielders are going off the board within the first two rounds and it’s all the big names you would expect. But after those 10, BABS lists only 28 more as full-timers with multiple assets.
Still, for us BABS-savvy owners, a game plan can be developed to grab more than our fair share, as many of these have a market price after pick 100, with a handful available later in the 200s. A closer look:
| ADP | R$ | OUTFIELDERS | Pos | Tm | PT | Pw | Sp | Av | * | Rg | Sk | Inj | Ex | Ag | Rg | RISK | |
| 8 | $37 | Ohtani,Shohei | 1 | LAA | F | P+ | SB | a | * | 0.00 | |||||||
| 15 | $31 | Betts,Mookie | o98 | LA | F | PW | SB | AV | * | inj- | 3.00 | ||||||
| 64 | $17 | Buxton,Byron | 8o | MIN | F | PW | SB | AV | INJ | Rg- | 3.25 | ||||||
| 12 | $33 | Acuna,Ronald | o9 | ATL | F | P+ | s | a | * | INJ | 5.00 | ||||||
| 29 | $25 | Marte,Starling | 8o | NYM | F | S+ | AV | inj- | Rg- | 3.50 | |||||||
| 4 | $44 | Soto,Juan | o9 | WAS | F | PW | A+ | * | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 10 | $35 | Harper,Bryce | o9 | PHI | F | P+ | AV | * | Rg- | 0.25 | |||||||
| 15 | $31 | Trout,Mike | 8o | LAA | F | P+ | AV | * | INJ | Rg- | 5.25 | ||||||
| 32 | $24 | Alvarez,Yordan | 0o7 | HOU | F | P+ | AV | INJ | e | 7.00 | |||||||
| 39 | $22 | Judge,Aaron | o980 | NYY | F | P+ | AV | * | INJ | 5.00 | |||||||
| 61 | $18 | Castellanos,Nick | o9 | CIN | F | P+ | AV | 0.00 | |||||||||
| 12 | $33 | Tucker,Kyle | o9 | HOU | F | PW | s | AV | e | 2.00 | |||||||
| 563 | $(4) | Gordon,Nick | o8 | MIN | P | S+ | a | INJ | EX | 5.00 | |||||||
| 82 | $15 | Marte,Ketel | 8o4 | ARI | F | p | A+ | INJ | Rg- | 3.25 | |||||||
| 109 | $12 | Winker,Jesse | o7 | CIN | F | p | A+ | * | INJ | 3.00 | |||||||
| 33 | $24 | Hernandez,Teoscar | o97 | TOR | F | PW | s | a | inj- | 3.00 | |||||||
| 89 | $14 | Martinez,J.D. | 0o7 | BOS | F | PW | AV | 0.00 | |||||||||
| 221 | $5 | Pollock,A.J. | o7 | LA | M | PW | AV | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||||
| 18 | $29 | Robert,Luis | 8o | CHW | F | p | SB | a | INJ | e | Rg- | 7.25 | |||||
| 30 | $24 | Mullins II,Cedric | 8o | BAL | F | p | SB | a | Rg- | 0.25 | |||||||
| 58 | $18 | Arozarena,Randy | o79 | TAM | F | p | SB | a | e | 2.00 | |||||||
| 143 | $9 | Taylor,Chris | o8476 | LA | F | p | SB | a | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 310 | $2 | Greene,Riley | 9 | DET | M | p | SB | a | EX | 2.00 | |||||||
| 490 | $(3) | Taylor,Tyrone | o79 | MIL | P | p | SB | a | inj- | EX | 3.00 | ||||||
| 560 | $(4) | Siri,Jose | o | HOU | P | PW | S+ | -A | EX | Rg- | 5.25 | ||||||
| 684 | $(6) | Phillips,Brett | o89 | TAM | P | PW | S+ | -A | inj- | e | 5.00 | ||||||
| 249 | $4 | Brantley,Michael | o70 | HOU | M | A+ | inj- | 1.00 | |||||||||
| 99 | $13 | Bellinger,Cody | o8 | LA | F | p | s | a | * | Rg+ | INJ | 3.00 | |||||
| 101 | $13 | Yelich,Christian | o7 | MIL | F | p | s | a | * | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||
| 225 | $5 | Laureano,Ramon | o8 | OAK | M | p | s | a | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 59 | $18 | Springer,George | 8o0 | TOR | F | PW | a | * | INJ | 5.00 | |||||||
| 96 | $13 | Stanton,Giancarlo | 0o | NYY | F | PW | a | * | INJ | 3.00 | |||||||
| 109 | $12 | Haniger,Mitch | o90 | SEA | F | PW | a | INJ | 3.00 | ||||||||
| 125 | $10 | Schwarber,Kyle | o7 | BOS | F | PW | a | * | INJ | 3.00 | |||||||
| 130 | $10 | Reyes,Franmil | 0 | CLE | F | PW | a | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||||
| 234 | $4 | Sanchez,Jesus | o97 | MIA | M | PW | a | INJ | EX | Rg- | 5.25 | ||||||
| 279 | $3 | Myers,Wil | o9 | SD | F | PW | a | 0.00 | |||||||||
| 95 | $13 | Reynolds,Bryan | o8 | PIT | F | p | AV | * | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 143 | $9 | Gurriel,Lourdes | o7 | TOR | F | p | AV | 0.00 | |||||||||
| 161 | $8 | Rosario,Eddie | o7 | ATL | M | p | AV | INJ | 3.00 | ||||||||
| 49 | $20 | O Neill,Tyler | o7 | STL | F | PW | s | inj- | Rg- | 3.25 | |||||||
| 368 | $(0) | Margot,Manuel | o987 | TAM | M | SB | a | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||||
| 609 | $(5) | Kiermaier,Kevin | 8o | TAM | P | SB | a | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||||
| 160 | $8 | Baddoo,Akil | o87 | DET | F | p | SB | EX | 2.00 | ||||||||
| 458 | $(2) | Lowe,Josh | o | TAM | P | p | SB | * | EX | 2.00 | |||||||
| 278 | $3 | Hampson,Garrett | 8o4 | COL | P | p | S+ | -A | 3.00 | ||||||||
| 722 | $(7) | Cameron,Daz | o | DET | P | p | S+ | -A | INJ | EX | 8.00 | ||||||
| 702 | $(6) | Aquino,Aristides | o79 | CIN | P | P+ | s | -A | INJ | EX | 8.00 | ||||||
| 278 | $3 | Rodriguez,Julio | 9 | SEA | P | s | a | EX | 2.00 | ||||||||
| 571 | $(4) | Slater,Austin | o879 | SF | P | s | a | inj- | e | 2.00 | |||||||
| 688 | $(6) | Pillar,Kevin | o879 | NYM | P | s | a | 0.00 | |||||||||
| 63 | $17 | Jimenez,Eloy | o7 | CHW | F | p | a | INJ | e | 4.00 | |||||||
| 90 | $14 | Bryant,Kris | o579 | SF | F | p | a | * | inj- | 1.00 | |||||||
| 163 | $8 | Carlson,Dylan | o98 | STL | F | p | a | e | 1.00 | ||||||||
| 174 | $7 | Garcia,Avisail | o9 | MIA | F | p | a | inj- | 1.50 | ||||||||
| 188 | $6 | Conforto,Michael | o9 | FAN | F | p | a | * | Rg+ | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||
| 199 | $6 | Benintendi,Andrew | o7 | KC | F | p | a | INJ | 3.00 | ||||||||
| 219 | $5 | Ozuna,Marcell | o7 | ATL | M | p | a | Rg+ | INJ | 3.00 | |||||||
| 220 | $5 | Hernandez,Enrique | o84 | BOS | F | p | a | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||||
| 251 | $4 | Santander,Anthony | o90 | BAL | F | p | a | INJ | 3.00 | ||||||||
| 308 | $2 | Wade,LaMonte | o973 | SF | M | p | a | * | inj- | e | 2.00 | ||||||
| 351 | $0 | Joe,Connor | o7 | COL | M | p | a | * | inj- | EX | 3.00 | ||||||
| 400 | $(1) | Smith,Dominic | o7 | NYM | P | p | a | 0.00 | |||||||||
| 696 | $(6) | Dickerson,Alex | o7 | SF | P | p | a | inj- | e | 2.00 | |||||||
| 232 | $4 | Bader,Harrison | 8o | STL | F | p | s | INJ | 3.00 | ||||||||
| 158 | $8 | Verdugo,Alex | o789 | BOS | F | AV | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| 239 | $4 | Blackmon,Charlie | o9 | COL | F | AV | Ag | 0.25 | |||||||||
| 506 | $(3) | Cooper,Garrett | o9 | MIA | P | AV | INJ | e | Rg- | 4.25 | |||||||
| 648 | $(6) | Dickerson,Corey | o7 | TOR | M | AV | INJ | 3.00 | |||||||||
| 136 | $10 | Meadows,Austin | o70 | TAM | M | PW | inj- | 1.00 | |||||||||
| 189 | $6 | Happ,Ian | o78 | CHC | F | PW | * | 0.00 | |||||||||
| 194 | $6 | Soler,Jorge | o90 | ATL | M | PW | * | Rg+ | inj- | 1.00 | |||||||
| 275 | $3 | Yastrzemski,Mike | o98 | SF | M | PW | Rg+ | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||||
| 337 | $1 | McCutchen,Andrew | o7 | PHI | M | PW | * | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||||
| 473 | $(3) | Calhoun,Kole | o9 | TEX | M | PW | INJ | 3.25 | |||||||||
| 274 | $3 | Tapia,Raimel | o7 | COL | M | SB | AV | -P | inj- | 2.00 | |||||||
| 589 | $(5) | Alford,Anthony | o7 | PIT | P | PW | SB | -A | inj- | EX | Rg- | 6.25 | |||||
| 132 | $10 | Straw,Myles | 8o | CLE | F | S+ | -P | e | 2.00 | ||||||||
| 442 | $(2) | Mateo,Jorge | o | BAL | M | S+ | -A | INJ | EX | 8.00 | |||||||
| 734 | $(7) | McCarthy,Jake | o | ARI | P | S+ | -A | EX | 5.00 | ||||||||
| 739 | $(7) | Hill,Derek | 8o | DET | P | S+ | -A | inj- | EX | Rg- | 6.25 | ||||||
| 181 | $7 | Gallo,Joey | o97 | NYY | F | P+ | * | -A | 3.00 | ||||||||
| 224 | $5 | Duvall,Adam | o978 | ATL | M | P+ | -A | 3.00 | |||||||||
| 214 | $5 | Hays,Austin | o79 | BAL | F | a | INJ | e | 4.00 | ||||||||
| 294 | $2 | Nimmo,Brandon | o8 | NYM | F | a | * | INJ | 3.00 | ||||||||
| 349 | $0 | Naquin,Tyler | o879 | CIN | F | a | INJ | 3.00 | |||||||||
| 367 | $(0) | Smith,Pavin | o9387 | ARI | M | a | e | 1.00 | |||||||||
| 411 | $(1) | Calhoun,Willie | o70 | TEX | M | a | INJ | e | 4.00 | ||||||||
| 463 | $(2) | Senzel,Nick | 8o | CIN | P | a | INJ | e | 4.00 | ||||||||
| 480 | $(3) | Peralta,David | o7 | ARI | F | a | Rg+ | 0.00 | |||||||||
| 540 | $(4) | Ramirez,Harold | o798 | CHC | P | a | INJ | e | 4.00 | ||||||||
| 634 | $(5) | Hernandez,Yadiel | o7 | WAS | M | a | EX | 2.00 | |||||||||
| 637 | $(5) | Beaty,Matt | o739 | LA | P | a | e | Rg- | 1.25 | ||||||||
| 643 | $(6) | Herrera,Odubel | o87 | PHI | M | a | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| 689 | $(6) | Andujar,Miguel | o7 | NYY | P | a | INJ | e | 4.00 | ||||||||
| 697 | $(6) | Heyward,Jason | 9o | CHC | P | a | Rg+ | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||||
| 736 | $(7) | Dahl,David | o7 | MIL | P | a | INJ | 3.00 | |||||||||
| 133 | $10 | Kelenic,Jarred | o8 | SEA | F | p | EX | 2.00 | |||||||||
| 230 | $5 | Vaughn,Andrew | o7 | CHW | F | p | EX | 2.00 | |||||||||
| 279 | $3 | Kepler,Max | o98 | MIN | F | p | * | inj- | 1.00 | ||||||||
| 365 | $(0) | Grichuk,Randal | o89 | TOR | F | p | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| 426 | $(2) | Pederson,Joc | o798 | ATL | M | p | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| 447 | $(2) | Sheets,Gavin | 0 | CHW | P | p | EX | 2.00 | |||||||||
| 630 | $(5) | Pinder,Chad | o9 | OAK | P | p | INJ | 3.00 | |||||||||
| 376 | $(0) | Hilliard,Sam | o8 | COL | M | PW | s | Rg+ | -A | EX | 5.00 | ||||||
| 414 | $(1) | Cain,Lorenzo | 8o | MIL | M | SB | a | -P | INJ | Ag | 4.25 | ||||||
| 621 | $(5) | Reyes,Victor | o98 | DET | P | SB | a | -P | inj- | e | Rg- | 3.25 | |||||
| 736 | $(7) | Kingery,Scott | o | PHI | P | p | SB | -A | inj- | 4.00 | |||||||
| 523 | $(4) | Garcia,Leury | o4987 | CHW | F | s | a | -P | INJ | 4.00 | |||||||
| 164 | $8 | Garcia,Adolis | o89 | TEX | F | p | s | -A | e | Rg- | 4.25 | ||||||
| 443 | $(2) | McCormick,Chas | o789 | HOU | P | p | s | -A | EX | Rg- | 5.25 | ||||||
| 133 | $10 | Grisham,Trent | 8o | SD | F | * | inj- | e | 2.00 | ||||||||
| 179 | $7 | Grossman,Robert | o79 | DET | F | * | 0.00 | ||||||||||
| 267 | $3 | Pham,Tommy | o7 | SD | M | * | INJ | 3.00 | |||||||||
| 581 | $(5) | Thomas,Alek | 8 | ARI | P | EX | 2.00 | ||||||||||
| 604 | $(5) | Meyers,Jake | o8 | HOU | P | INJ | EX | Rg- | 5.25 | ||||||||
| 648 | $(6) | Bradley,Jackie | o8 | BOS | P | Rg+ | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| 657 | $(6) | Gamel,Ben | o78 | PIT | F | * | inj- | 1.00 | |||||||||
| 745 | $(7) | Schrock,Max | o7 | CIN | P | inj- | EX | Rg- | 3.25 | ||||||||
| 751 | $(7) | Adrianza,Ehire | o | ATL | P | 0.00 | |||||||||||
| 170 | $7 | Renfroe,Hunter | o9 | MIL | F | PW | -A | 3.25 | |||||||||
| 485 | $(3) | Brown,Seth | o9 | OAK | P | PW | -A | EX | 5.00 |
ASSETS: PT (Playing time), Pw (Power), Sp (Speed), Av (Batting Effectiveness), * (OBP help), Rg (Regression help). LIABILITIES: Sk (Skills risk), Inj (Injury), Ex (Inexperience), Ag (Age decline), Rg (Regression hurt), Risk cost
Byron Buxton (PW,SB,AV) immediately jumps off the page, sharing the top asset group with Mookie Betts. Previous Buxton (pictured) owners may be gun shy, but the Twins committed seven more years, and his risk cost is lower than more expensive investments. His stat line from only 61 games last year (19 HR, .306 BA, 9 steals) speaks to his potential ceiling.
- Player A (Career): 124 games, 521 PA, 24 HR, 15 SB, .294 BA.
- Player B (Career): 183 games, 703 PA, 28 HR, 26 SB, .276 BA.
Player A is Luis Robert, flying off the board by pick 18. Player B is Randy Arozarena. BABS places both players in the (p,SB,a) asset group, but Arozarena has a three round ADP discount with a much less risky liability ledger.
BABS offers two other OFs in the same (p,SB,a) group, one veteran and one who has yet to make his debut, and both are available at significantly reduced prices. Chris Taylor (p,SB,a) just inked a new 4-year deal with the Dodgers after providing a 20/73 season with 92 runs and 13 steals. BABS thinks Taylor is a bargain in the tenth round. And Tigers uber-prospect Riley Greene (p,SB,a) brings five-category potential and appears ready to assume the CF role… and it only costs a reserve round dart to see if he performs like Robert and Arozarena.
Ketel Marte (p,A+) and Jesse Winker (p,A+) occupy an intriguing asset group, combining an exceptional batting effectiveness rating to go with their power skills. These skills are just a small notch below Juan Soto’s (PW,A+) class but their acquisition cost is about 100 picks later. Marte has averaged .318 over the prior three seasons along with 48 HR. Winker went 24/71/.305 in 110 games before an injury wiped out his last six weeks. BABS says invest!
In the (PW,a) asset group that includes George Springer, you will find comparable skill sets with Mitch Haniger, Kyle Schwarber and Franmil Reyes. Haniger missed all of 2020 following sports hernia surgery and came back in a big way in 2021… 39 home runs and 100+ runs and RBIs. Schwarber had a career high .266 BA and .928 OPS, and smashed 32 home runs in only 113 games. Most owners certainly know of Reyes’ power skills, but few besides BABS may realize he also owns a career .260 BA, including .266 in 2021. This trio are all available 50 picks or more after Springer.
BABS rates Akil Baddoo (p,SB) as a late power/speed target, with a 12th round ADP. A Rule 5 selection a year ago, the athletic Baddoo became a Tiger fan favorite when he made the jump from A-ball to the big leagues, where he delivered 40 XBHs and stole 18 of 22 bases in only 124 games.
Here is a quintet of double asset performers, available after ADP 200, to help complete your outfield. Wil Myers (PW,a) continues to perform above average as measured by stats such as a wRC+ of 109. In his first season in KC, Andrew Benintendi (p,a) delivered a 17/73/.276 season, despite missing three weeks with a rib injury. His gold glove should also help keep his starting position secure. Kiki Hernandez (p,a) delivered career-best power metrics, even before his incredible power display (1.260 OPS) in the post season, while his improved plate skills elevated him to the Red Sox leadoff position for most of the season. Two separate injuries cost Harrison Bader (p,s) most of his 1st half, but he looked like this in the 2nd half… 11/37/.284 with 6 steals. He is available after round 15. Several injuries also slowed Anthony Santander (p,a) during 2021, keeping him from building on the skills he displayed in 2019 and 2020. The injury history needs to be considered, but a 17th round price tag is worth the risk.
BABS also identifies several mid-time outfielders who should provide value in multiple categories, including:
- Ramon Laureano’s (p,s,a) PED suspension will carry through April, but there is 20/20 potential if you can stash him.
- AJ Pollock (PW,AV) has delivered two consecutive $20+ campaigns and is available in Round 15.
- Michael Brantley (A+) continues to be part of the rare (A+) club, with five straight seasons of .299 or better, including .311 in 2021.
- Jesus Sanchez (PW,a) hit 14 HRs in 64 games, including 8 in September. He makes for a tantalizing but risky choice.
- Eddie Rosario (p,AV) is normally durable, but he missed two months, then went on a tear in September and through the post season. His 2022 landing spot is still TBD.
- Manual Margot (SB,a) is only 27, with significant speed skills and in the final year of his contract. He is available in the reserve rounds.
BABS places the part-timers within each asset group to remind us that players who demonstrate the skills are often only an injury away from increased playing time. BABS has identified several skillful veterans Garrett Hampson (p,S+|-A), Kevin Kiermaier (SB,a) and Dominic Smith (p,a) along with intriguing prospects Jose Siri (PW,S+|-A), Josh Lowe (p,SB) and Julio Rodriguez (s,a). Keep these outfielders handy for your later rounds.
NOTES: The chart above may vary slightly from the latest database update which was run after this analysis was written. To engage with other readers on this topic, head over to the Reader Forums. If you have a question that would be best answered by one of our experts and benefit everyone, submit it on our Contact Page and put MAILBAG in the Subject Line.