Guess what, everyone? It’s March! That means that regular season baseball is just weeks away! For the first time, every major league team will begin play on Thursday, March 30. For certain, fantasy drafts will be popping up swiftly across the land. Of course, we at Belly Up have been preparing managers for all matters related to fantasy baseball for some time now and there is no end in sight! As proof, please find my previous article on fantasy baseball shortstop values here. In this installment, I take a look at the fantasy baseball outfielder values. With the excitement building, let’s jump right in, shall we?

Jesse Winker, Milwaukee Brewers

First out of the gate, we must discuss Jesse Winker. Last season, Winker went from the Reds to the Mariners and to put it bluntly, his game went straight to the dogs. As evidence, glance at his .219-14-53 stat line in 136 games. Simply stated, Winker wound up on a lot of league’s waiver wires in 2022. On the bright side, Winker walked a career high 84 times, which led to an excellent .344 OBP. His .251 BAbip was significantly under his career .297 average, indicating better days are ahead.

His output was so terrible managers will forget that just the season before, Winker was an N.L. All-Star, hitting .305-24-71, while scoring 77 runs in 110 games. Obviously, the move to Seattle didn’t work out for him, his team or his fantasy managers. There is no need to worry about the left coast in 2o23, however, as he was acquired by Milwaukee in the offseason. The Brewers’ home park is a much better match for hitters than Seattle, and Winker will see a rebound in 2023.

Those concerned about Winker’s health coming off of knee and neck surgery can relax, as it is reported that his recovery is ahead of schedule. The Brewers are easing him in as the designated hitter during the spring with the intention of him taking the outfield late in camp. As of this writing, FantasyPros has Winker ranked far down the list of outfielders (61) and overall (237). That late in the draft, managers can take a chance on him with little risk. Winker has earned his place on this fantasy baseball outfielder values edition.

Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians

Those looking for outfield values a little earlier in the draft should cast their attention to Steven Kwan. In his rookie season in 2022, Kwan hit .298-6-52 with a .373/.400/.773 slash line in 147 games. In this day and age, however, his most amazing stat was that he struck out just 60 times while actually walking more (62) in 563 at-bats. How many players can state that fact? Not many, that is for sure. That is something that managers can count on from Kwan, as he walked 89 times while striking out just 82 in his last two minor league seasons.

Those looking for speed need search no further. While not eye popping, Kwan did steal 19 bases while getting caught five times. With the new rules coming into effect this season (found here), expect the steals to rise. Kwan’s minor league stats indicate that managers should be confident that the hitting he displayed as a rookie will continue moving forward. His .323 BAbip is probably not sustainable, but a big fall off shouldn’t be expected, either.

Currently, FantasyPros has Kwan ranked as the 28 best outfielder and 114th overall. Those that find themselves without quality at the position in the 10th or so round can select Kwan’s and come away with a solid, young player (he is only 25). As a left-handed hitter, he will benefit from those new rules found above. No question of it, having Kwan on the roster will make many a fantasy manager quite pleased in 2023.

Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks

For those managers not wanting to wait on Kwan, there is another young, exciting player that certainly qualifies as one of this year’s top fantasy baseball outfielder values. That player’s name is Corbin Carroll. Although Carroll doesn’t have the sample size that Kwan has, what he does have should increase anyone’s pulse rate. In just 32 major league games, Carroll hit .260-4-14 and scored 13 runs in 32 games. Not much to go on, right? No worries, just keep reading.

Before being called up, Carroll torched minor league pitching. In 93 games, he hit .307-24-62 with a ridiculous .425/.611/1.036 slash line. Further, he scored 89 runs while stealing 31 bases and getting thrown out just five times. If Carroll can come anywhere close to stats like that, he will be a terror to major league pitchers as well. As a young player, Kwan is used to and will be comfortable playing under the new MLB rules in 2023. He also bats from the left side.

Of course, left-handed hitters are in fashion in all fantasy drafts coming into the season with the ban of shifts. FantasyPros has him as the 21st best outfielder and 77th best player overall. Let it be clearly said here that Carroll will outperform those rankings by a significant degree. Those managers wanting to draft him around the seventh round will find themselves quite pleased with the investment.

Michael Conforto, San Fransisco Giants

A former All-Star caliber player forgotten due to injury but looking to come back strong is Michael Conforto. There is no need to look for Conforto’s stats from 2022 because they don’t exist. The reason? Conforto dealt with a shoulder injury that hampered him in 2021 but kept him out for the entire season last year. However, all indications are that he is healthy this spring. San Fransisco certainly thought so, as they signed him to two-year contract with a one season opt out. That should give Conforto plenty of incentive to produce strong numbers this year.

Obviously, the question is: what can Conforto do in a fully healthy season? Get a load of this: in 2017, he hit 27 homers. In 2018, the number was 28 and lo and behold, 2019 was even better: 33 of his hits left the park. He gets on base, as he walked 84 times in both 2018 and 2019. Further, Conforto can drive in, and score runs in bunches (92 and 90 in 2018). In addition, Conforto can hit for average, as he demonstrated in the shortened season of 2020 (.322 BA).

Even with all of the above, where Conforto finds his value is that coming into the spring, he was ranked by FantasyPros 57th in the outfield and 221st overall. Once we get that deep into a draft, managers need to be looking for high floors and value with every pick. Without question, Conforto has both in spades. Keep an eye on him during exhibition play. When healthy, Conforto has proven that he can produce. If he looks like himself during the Cactus League season, pull the trigger with confidence.

Christopher Morel, Chicago Cubs

Last, but certainly not least, comes a player that set his franchise record by reaching base in his first 22 major league games. Without checking, do you have any idea who that player is? Let me introduce everyone to Christopher Morel, who clearly qualifies to be listed on this fantasy baseball outfielder values edition. Morel is especially valuable in leagues other than ESPN, where he is listed as a second baseman and outfielder. Other platforms show he is also qualified at short and third. In any case, that multi position eligibility secures Morel as a valuable fantasy piece.

For the season, Morel hit .235-16-47 with a .308/.433/.741 slash line. He strikes out too much (137) and walks too little (38) or his value would be truly through the roof. His .320 BAbip is headed for some regression, but probably not drastically. Morel’s minor league numbers indicate that he is capable of much more than he showed as a rookie, as he hit .306 with a .945 OPS before being called up to the majors. He also demonstrated speed, as he stole 18 bases and was caught just three times in 2021.

Just as with all of the players listed here, Morel’s real value is found where he can be taken in fantasy drafts. Currently, FantasyPros lists Morel as the 72nd best outfielder and 282nd best overall. Of course, we are talking about selecting him near the end of just about every feasible draft scenario, regardless of league size. At this point, drafting a player that qualifies in multiple positions with upside should be the goal of every fantasy manager. With that in mind, calling Morel’s name on draft day just plain makes sense.

Keep your eyes on the following player:

Checking your league settings is a must for a player like Amed Rosario of the Guardians. Some platforms, like ESPN, have him only listed as a shortstop. That doesn’t help his value. Others have him also listed as an outfielder. If that is the case in your league, make sure to reach out and draft Rosario. A shortstop and outfielder combination is almost impossible to find in fantasy. He will be a solid supplier of steals and also drove in 71 runs a season ago.

Would a player who has hit 60 home runs the past two seasons and is now in the same lineup as Ohtani and Trout interest you? What if he was only ranked as the 36th best outfielder and 143rd overall increase any interest? I thought so. Of course, the player in question is Hunter Renfroe. After driving in only 72 and scoring only 62 runs last season, expect a return to the numbers of 2021 in which he had 96 RBIs, scored 89 runs and had 33 doubles. That kind of production would certainly qualify him as a value in 2023 fantasy drafts.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball outfielder values edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. 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 for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news! The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball is a show that we do every Sunday night at 8 eastern. Make sure to tune in!