Spring training games are underway in Florida and Arizona! Mercifully, the sounds of the game can be seen and heard, either in person or on television. Of course, that means that fantasy mangers can fully gear up for the regular season, which now begins April 7th. Previously, we at Belly Up ranked the top second basemen and shortstops, found here. In this edition, the fantasy baseball top outfielders are presented for discussion and debate. In addition to this article, these players were broken down in much fuller detail on the Belly Up Fantasy Live Baseball Show. The show featured Vince Stover, Nick Macaronis and myself. Let’s not delay another moment and dive right in!

Kevin’s Top Ten Fantasy Outfielders

1. Juan Soto, Wash, Age: 23, 151 games, .313-29-95, 111 runs, 145 BB, 93 Ks, .465 OBP, .999 OPS, 150+ games last 2 full seasons
2. Bryce Harper, Phil, Age: 29, 141 games, .307-35-84, 101 runs, 42 2B, 100 BB, 134 Ks, .427 OBP, 1.040 OPS
3. Kyle Tucker, Hou, Age: 25, 140 games, .294-30-92, 83 runs, 53 BB, 90 Ks, .359 OBP, .916 OPS
4. Mookie Betts, LAD, Age: 29, 121 games, .262-23-58, 93 runs, 68 BBs, 86 Ks, .366 OBP, .852 OPS
5. Mike Trout, LAA, Age: 30, 36 games, .333-8-18, .466 OBP, 1.090 OPS, health, .291-45-104 2019
6. Luis Robert, ChWS, Age: 24, 68 games, .336-13-43, .376 OBP, .942 OPS, after hip, .350-12-35 final 43 games
7. Ronald Acuna, Atl, Age: 24, 82 games, .283-24-52, 17 SB, .394 OBP, .990 OPS, ACL health key
8. Starling Marte, NYM, Age:33, 120 games Mia/Oak, .306-12-55, 89 runs, 47 SB, 5 CS, .379 OBP, .833 OPS
9. Aaron Judge, NYY, Age: 29, 148 games, most since 2017, .284-39-98, .284 ties career high, 89 runs, 75 BB, 158 Ks, .370 OBP, .908 OPS
10. Teoscar Hernandez, Tor, Age: 29, 143 games, .296-32-116, 92 runs, 36 BB, 148 Ks, 12 SB, .346 OBP, .870 OPS, Tor cleanup hitter, career highs across the board

Vince’s Top Ten Fantasy Outfielders

1. Soto
2. Betts
3. Harper
4. Trout
5. Fernando Tatis, SD, Age: 23, 130 games, .282-42-97, 99 runs, 25 SB, 4 CS, 62 BB, 153 Ks, .364 OBP, .975 OPS, injured, out for 3 months
6. Acuna
7. George Springer, Tor, Age: 32, 78 games, .264-22-50, 37 BB, 79 Ks, .352 OBP, .907 OPS, not over 140 games since 2016, 122 games in 2019
8. Tucker
9. Kris Bryant, Col, Age: 30, 144 games, .265-25-73. 86 runs, 62 BB, 135 Ks, .353 OBP, 835 OPS
10. Nick Castellanos, Col, Age:30, 138 games, .309-34-100, 95 runs, 41 BB, 121 Ks, .362 OBP, .939 OPS

Nick’s Top Ten Fantasy Outfielders

1. Soto
2. Harper
3. Betts
4. Tucker
5. Acuna
6. Trout
7. Yordan Álvarez, Hou, Age: 24, 144 games, .277-33-104, 92 runs, 50 BB, 145 Ks, .346 OBP, .877 OPS
8. Cedric Mullins, Age: 27, 159 games, .287-30-59, 36 2B, 91 runs, 30 SB, 8 CS, .357 OBP, .870 OPS, 7 career HRs prior to last year
9. Castellanos
10. Hernandez

News and Notes-

Clearly, the top outfielder, and quite possibly, the best player in fantasy, is Soto. All three of us had him ranked number one, with good reason. His 145 walks against 93 strikeouts is unparalleled in the game. Those are the type of stats that Albert Pujols put up in his prime.

Soto hits for average, power, has speed and best of all, is in the lineup every day. If he is available while on the clock, don’t overthink it and simply select Soto. After doing so, enjoy the ride with him through the end of the season. Without doubt, there can be no higher recommendation given on this fantasy baseball top outfielders edition.

Injured Outfielders Update

Obviously, health will have a lot to do with how the above players will rank come draft day. Without doubt, Acuna, Trout and Springer are the outfielders needing the most monitoring during spring training. Trout, for his part, has already hit the field and looks great, having two hits against Cleveland Saturday. If healthy, he returns to his rightful place as one of the best players in all of baseball. Draft accordingly.

Further, updating Acuña’s situation, he is targeting May for his return. Somehow, if he lasts until the late second or even third round, it is the recommendation of this fantasy baseball top outfielders edition to draft him. Five months of Acuna is worth more than just a handful of players in fantasy.

As for Springer, he has yet to make his spring training debut. While manager Charlie Montoyo insists that the absence isn’t health related, it would still be worthwhile to see how Springer looks before deciding what to do with him. Springer is coming off a season in which he only appeared in 78 games because of knee, quad and oblique problems. Additionally, he is not a young buck anymore. It is advisable to practice caution when on the clock come draft day.

The Fernando Tatis Fantasy Debate

Without any question, the most interesting topic this draft season will be the approach of managers toward Tatis. As evidence of this, Vince still has him high on his draft list. That is all and well for him. Even so, this very subject was discussed in the last baseball fantasy article (link found above). Full disclosure, it is this humble correspondent’s opinion that missing three months of a season cancels Tatis’ value for a high draft selection. It is much better to let another assume all of that risk. Most assuredly, there are other Vinces out there in fantasy drafts.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball top outfielders edition! As always, I welcome suggestions, questions and input from all of my readers. Agree or disagree with any of the lists? Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks for the latest MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and all the sports news!