Z - MLB Positional Outlook

Outfielders Outlook

June 22, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Michael Egnak and Bryce McRae
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

OUTFIELDERS

Table: Do not bench list

Player	Team	Player	Team
Magglio Ordonez	DET	Jason Bay	PIT
Vladimir Guerrero	LAA	Manny Ramirez	BOS
Matt Holliday	COL	Hideki Matsui	NYY
Carl Crawford	TB	Juan Pierre	LAD
Grady Sizemore	CLE	Bobby Abreu	NYY
Carlos Beltran	NYM	Adam Dunn	CIN
Torii Hunter	MIN	Jeff Francoeur	ATL
Ichiro Suzuki	SEA	Michael Cuddyer	MIN
Carlos Lee	HOU	Mark Teahen	KC
Alfonso Soriano	CHC	Ken Griffey Jr.	CIN
Alex Rios	TOR	Nick Swisher	OAK
Gary Matthews Jr.	LAA	Hunter Pence	HOU

UPPER ECHELON

Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays

Schedule: 7 games - @MIN (4), @SEA (3)

Analysis: Wells has been disappointing this year, with his .244 batting average on pace to be the lowest of his career. Wells is averaging a home run every 44.3 at-bats, also one of the lowest figures of his career. With six home runs, 34 RBI and five steals on the season, he has been playing more like a midlevel outfielder this year. The outlook for the upcoming week doesn't look much better so far, either. He hit .214 (3-for-14) with one run scored against the Minnesota Twins earlier this season. However, he does have a .312 (53-for-170) career batting average against the Seattle Mariners, with 11 home runs and seven stolen bases. If you have someone who is clearly outperforming Wells, feel free to throw him in the lineup.

Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox

Schedule: 7 games - @TB (4), @KC (3)

Analysis: With 11 home runs this season, Dye is helping fantasy teams with some power. However, his .232 batting average and 35 RBI are a little less than what some owners were expecting. He has cooled off on the home runs as of late, hitting just one so far in June. He is hitting .300 over his past seven day, though, and could be beginning to turn it around for this month. He did well against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays earlier this season. He hit .300 against them with one RBI and one run scored. He has struggled against the Royals though, hitting just .190 (4-for-21) with one RBI and two runs scored. Dye is making solid contact over his past seven games, which could benefit some fantasy teams.

Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves

Schedule: 6 games - WAS (3), @FLA (3)

Analysis: Another disappointment this year, Jones is hitting just .202 with 11 home runs and 42 RBI this season. Even worse is that his batting average in June is .132, and he is hitless in his last four games. To make matters even worse, Jones has struggled against both the Marlins and Nationals this season. He's hitting just .206 (7-for-34) with two home runs and eight RBI against the Washington Nationals and .182 (6-for-33) with one home run and five RBI against the Florida Marlins. The power is nice, but only use Jones if you're willing to put up with a putrid batting average from him.

Delmon Young, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Schedule: 7 games - CHW (4), @CLE (3)

Analysis: Young has been inconsistent in his sophomore season, but he is on a hot streak for his fantasy owners. He's hitting .313 so far in June and is on a six-game hitting streak. On the season, Young is hitting .270 with eight home runs, 39 RBI and five stolen bases. Young did well in his first series against the White Sox, hitting .500 (4-for-8) with two RBI and two runs scored. However, he hit just .167 (2-for-12) with three runs scored and one steal against the Cleveland Indians earlier this year. He's worth using in fantasy leagues, as he's on a hot streak and will be facing a team he did well against earlier.

Bill Hall, Milwaukee Brewers

Schedule: 6 games - HOU (3), @CHC (3)

Analysis: After a slow start in April, Hall is also coming around this month. He's hitting .315 in June with two home runs and 12 RBI. He has eight home runs and 32 RBI on the season. Hall is doing decently against the Houston Astros this year, hitting .263 (5-for-19) with one home run and two RBI. He has been horrible against the Cubs, though, batting just .125 (4-for-32) with two runs scored. He is doing well in June, so start him if you feel he is beginning to turn his season around, which appears to be the case.

Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants

Schedule: 6 games - SD (3), ARI (3)

Analysis: After an abysmal May, when he hit just .194, he's back on track in batting average with a .319 average in June. He is a little light in everything else this month, hitting just two dingers and six RBI so far. He has struggled against the San Diego Padres this year, hitting just .222 with one home run, one steal and three RBI so far. He has been smacking the Arizona Diamondbacks around, though, with a .500 (9-for-18) average to go along with his three home runs and five RBI. Bonds should be started in almost every league.

Johnny Damon, New York Yankees

Schedule: 6 games - @BAL (3), OAK (3)

Analysis: Damon (abdominal) is hitting .212 this month, and an abdominal strain has severely limited his effectiveness, especially at the plate. He has just six hits in his last 29 at-bats. Fantasy owners should probably bench the former "Do not bench list" resident based on these facts alone. A stint on the disabled list is possible, too. Damon has historically had a lot of success against both of this week's opponents, especially the Baltimore Orioles (.296, 19 home runs in 592 at-bats). The Orioles have much-improved pitching, though, and the Oakland Athletics have the top staff in the AL. Damon should rest, even if it's just for your fantasy team.

MIDRANGE

Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles

Schedule: 6 games - NYY (3), LAA (3)

Analysis: Markakis hasn't found his power swing in June yet, but he is hitting .312 with four swiped bases this month. On the year, Markakis is hitting .278 with nine home runs, 42 RBI and seven stolen bases. Markakis has done well against both teams so far in 2007. He's hitting .467 (7-for-15) with one home run and three RBI against the Yankees. He has four RBI with a .286 (4-for-14) average against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He's worth using for the upcoming week.

Curtis Granderson, Detroit Tigers

Schedule: 7 games - TEX (4), MIN (3)

Analysis: Granderson isn't hitting as many home runs as he was earlier in the season, but he's still hitting for a high average and bringing in runners at a decent clip. He's hitting .297 with nine dingers, 38 RBI, eight steals and 52 runs scored this year. Granderson knocked the Texas Rangers around in his first series against them, hitting .500 (5-for-10) with four RBI and three runs scored. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to get going against the Twins this year. He's hitting just .217 (5-for-23) against them with three RBI and one steal. He's still worth using in fantasy leagues.

Raul Ibanez, Seattle Mariners

Schedule: 6 games - BOS (3), TOR (3)

Analysis: After hitting a total of just one home run in April and May, Ibanez is already up to four homers in June. He's also hitting .282 this month with 16 RBI. On the year, Ibanez has a .279 average with five home runs, 45 RBI and 38 runs scored. Ibanez hasn't had much success against the Boston Red Sox this year. He's 0-for-11 against them, so he has really had no success against them. Ibanez hasn't faced the Blue Jays this year, but he does have a .271 (45-for-166) average against them with six home runs. He's worth throwing into the lineup while he's still hitting home runs.

Chris B. Young, Arizona Diamondbacks

Schedule: 7 games - LAD (4), @SF (3)

Analysis: It has been an up-and-down season for Young so far. He's either hitting for a high average with little power, or he's hitting home runs with a low batting average. He has four home runs so far in June, but he's hitting just .179 this month. Over his past six games, he's hitting .238 with two home runs. He'll face the Los Angeles Dodgers this week, a team he is hitting .200 (4-for-20) against with two home runs and three RBI. He's also hitting .219 (7-for-32) with two home runs and two RBI against the Giants this year. He's worth using if you're willing to sacrifice some of your batting average for the chance at some home runs.

Aaron Rowand, Philadelphia Phillies

Schedule: 7 games - CIN (3), NYM (4)

Analysis: After a disappointing first season with the Phillies, Rowand is putting up respectable numbers to go along with his above-average defense. Rowand is back on track in June, after cooling off a bit in May. He's hitting .299 this month with three home runs and 13 RBI. He's hitting .316 with 10 homers, 39 RBI and 45 runs scored this year. He has done well against both teams this year. Rowand hit .417 (5-for-12) against the Reds earlier this year, with one home run and three runs scored. He's batting .381 (8-for-30) with four RBI and seven runs scored against the New York Mets so far in 2007. Of Rowand's 10 home runs this year, eight have come at home. With seven home games on the schedule for next week, he should be used in most fantasy lineups.

Eric Byrnes, Arizona Diamondbacks

Schedule: 7 games - LAD (4), @SF (3)

Analysis: Byrnes has been great this year, finding a way to chip in across the board for fantasy teams. He's hitting .318 with 11 dingers, 14 steals, 39 RBI and 44 runs so far this season. Byrnes has done well against both teams this year. He's hitting .400 (8-for-20) against the Dodgers with two RBI and two stolen bases. He's .333 (10-for-30) with two stolen bases and four runs scored against the Giants. Byrnes should be used in most fantasy lineups for the upcoming week.

OTHERS FOR CONSIDERATION

Brad Hawpe, Colorado Rockies

Schedule: 7 games - @CHC (3), @HOU (4)

Analysis: Hawpe has come on strong recently with six RBI, three home runs and four runs scored in the past week. His average is still a bit low (.261) but over the past month it is sitting at .305. He also has seven home runs, 15 runs and 22 RBI in that time. This will be the first time Hawpe plays in either of these parks this season; in his career he has a .206 average at Wrigley Field and a .296 average at Minute Maid Park. He also has one home run in each stadium. With his recent hot streak, fantasy owners should consider Hawpe for a starting spot this week.

Randy Winn, San Francisco Giants

Schedule: 6 games - SD (3), ARI (3)

Analysis: Winn's number have dropped off recently, as he is hitting just .250 with two home runs, seven RBI, 12 runs and three stolen bases over the past month. They have been even worse over the past week with just a .130 average, one run, one stolen base and one RBI. Those numbers aren't too inspiring, and looking at his home numbers this season, it doesn't look like they will improve any time soon. In 32 home games this year, Winn is hitting just .264 with eight RBI and 14 runs. He has no home runs or stolen bases at home. All this means Winn should likely take a spot on your bench until he breaks out of his slump.

Jose Guillen, Seattle Mariners

Schedule: 6 games - BOS (3), TOR (3)

Analysis: After a stellar May, Guillen appears to have dropped off in June, although luckily for fantasy owners, he is still doing better than his April form. In 19 games this month, Guillen is hitting .257 with three home runs, 11 RBI and 11 runs. He has slumped a bit over the past week, hitting just .190 with one run, one home run and one RBI. With that said, he will be playing six games at home next week, where he is .268 with four home runs, 18 RBI and 17 runs in 31 games. He will also be facing the Red Sox, whom he hit .500 against with three RBI and two runs in a three-game series earlier this season. Guillen's numbers aren't great, but because of a return home, he could be considered for a spot in your outfield this week.

Shane Victorino, Philadelphia Phillies

Schedule: 7 games - CIN (3), NYM (4)

Analysis: The man with one of the best names in baseball is having himself a pretty good week. In the past seven days, he is hitting .333 with four runs, two home runs, five RBI and two stolen bases. Those numbers have helped him improve his June numbers to a .278 batting average, four home runs, 11 runs, seven RBI and six stolen bases. However, in the coming week, those numbers could take a hit with seven games at home. In 36 home games, he is hitting just .233 with three home runs, 12 RBI, 19 runs and eight stolen bases. He fills up the box score so well that Victorino should still be considered for a starting spot this week, unless you need help in the average department.

Reggie Willits, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Schedule: 6 games - KC (3), @BAL (3)

Analysis: Willits is having himself a spectacular first half and is likely under consideration for the American League Rookie of the Year Award. In the past month, he is hitting .325 with 17 runs, 13 RBI and eight stolen bases. He has stepped it up lately with a .471 average, four runs, six RBI and three stolen bases in the past week. On the season, Willits is hitting .337 with 20 RBI, 37 runs and 18 stolen bases. The only caveat with Willits is his lack of power. In 184 at-bats this season, he has yet to knock one out of the yard. With a .297 home average and a .376 road average, Willits would make a solid start in both of the Angels' series this week.

Josh Willingham, Florida Marlins

Schedule: 6 games - PIT (3), ATL (3)

Analysis: After hitting just .232 with 14 runs, three home runs and 16 RBI in the past month, Willingham appears to be turning things around. In the past week, he is hitting .321 with four runs, one home run, two RBI and one stolen base. However, his hot streak could be put on hold in the coming week with six games at home. In 32 home games this season, Willingham is hitting just .205 with 15 runs, four home runs, 17 RBI and two stolen bases. He has also hit poorly against both opponents this year, going 2-for-15 against the Pittsburgh Pirates and 4-for-24 against the Braves. If you are struggling with a low team average, Willingham should likely be put on the bench this week. If not, then consider him for a starting spot.

Willy Taveras, Colorado Rockies

Schedule: 7 games - @CHC (3), @HOU (4)

Analysis: Over the past month, Taveras is hitting .324 with eight RBI, two home runs, 15 runs and eight stolen bases. However, his six games in the past week have accounted for seven of those runs, one of those home runs, three of those RBI and three of the stolen bases. His average is .333 in the past week, and he is at .315 on the season. Part of what makes him an option for your team is his contributions in average and stolen bases. In his career he has hit .214 in 11 games at Wrigley Field. Taveras is a former outfielder for the Astros, so has hit .287 in 154 games at Minute Maid Park. Unless you are starving for home runs, Taveras should be considered strongly for your fantasy lineup.

Mike Cameron, San Diego Padres

Schedule: 6 games - @SF (3), @LAD (3)

Analysis: Cameron has really come on in the past month, hitting .309 with 16 runs, five home runs and 18 RBI. In the past week, Cameron is hitting .429 with six runs, two home runs and six RBI. It looks as though Cameron appears to be finally over his slow start to the season, in which he hit .192 with no home runs, four RBI and seven runs in April. In three games at AT&T Park earlier this season, Cameron hit .231 with one run scored. He has also played three games at Dodger Stadium this season, hitting .077 with one RBI. Even though those numbers don't suggest he should be played, his hot streak over the past month means he should be strongly considered for a spot in your outfield.

Felix Pie, Chicago Cubs

Schedule: 6 games - COL (3), MIL (3)

Analysis: Since being called up Sunday, June 3, Pie is hitting .239 with 11 runs, one home run, 11 RBI and six stolen bases. The average and home run totals are a bit low, but he provides decent runs, RBI and stolen bases for a third outfielder. Pie has struggled over the past week and is hitting just .087 with no runs, two RBI and one stolen base. He will be playing all six games at home this week, where Pie has been struggling. He is hitting for a better average at Wrigley Field than on the road (.241 to .226); however, he has only six runs and four RBI in 19 home games. He has yet to hit a home run at Wrigley. Unless you really need the stolen bases, or are desperate for runs or RBI, Pie should probably be left on the bench this week.

KEY PLAYERS ON DL

Ryan Freel, Cincinnati Reds - Out indefinitely

Rocco Baldelli, Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Out indefinitely

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Author Bio

Michael Egnak
Michael Egnak is a Hot Off The Wire Analyst at KFFL and has been with the company since 2005. Covering both NFL and MLB, Egnak is also a key contributor to KFFL's fantasy services.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.