2016 Impact Rookies: Outfielders (1 of 3)

We’ve been running a series looking at the potential top rookie producers at each position around the baseball diamond for a few weeks now. This series should be valuable for anyone participating in a fantasy league that allows keepers. It could also help anyone playing in more traditional formats who may need to fill holes throughout the season or may be in need of a little spark.

This class of freshmen outfielders has a chance to be a really strong group this year, although there are a lot of questions marks in terms of playing time. Today, we’ll look at the players with the best shots at regular playing time. Next week, we’ll look at the bigger questions marks — although they’re outfielders that could still have a fantasy impact in 2016.

Previously:
Catchers
First Basemen
Second Basemen
Third Basemen
Shortstops

Top Targets:

Byron Buxton, Twins: This former top pick had a tough MLB debut in 2015 but retained his rookie eligibility and will try and use last year’s experience as a springboard to bigger and better things. He’s all but assured of a starting gig in center field on opening day thanks to the off-season trade of Aaron Hicks. If he can get his contact issues ironed out, Buxton has a massive ceiling and could develop into a five-tool talent in a very talented (but young) lineup. The speed value will show up first, followed by the batting average, and then the power.

Joey Gallo, Rangers: Speaking of power, this freshman has it in spades. Unfortunately, his lack of contact limits the value derived from the long ball since Gallo is likely to strike out more than 200 times with regular playing time. With continued health concerns surrounding veteran left-fielder Josh Hamilton, the rookie looks poised to receive significant opportunity to establish himself. Aside from hitting the ball really hard, Gallo doesn’t do a lot to help fantasy owners, although he does get on base at a solid clip and, with a veteran lineup around him, he should have a chance to score a fair number of runs.

Tyler Goeddel, Phillies: Like Roman Quinn a little further down, Goeddel has a solid shot at significant playing time in Philly in 2016. He doesn’t have a ton of power but he can hit the ball into the gap and he has the ability to steal 20-30 bases in a full season. There could also be more pop available with some adjustments to his swing. A former third baseman, Goeddel has transitioned to the outfield nicely but an occasional return to the infield could increase his fantasy value.

Mikie Mahtook, Rays: Mahtook quietly had one of the better debuts among outfielders in 2015 — especially when you consider he only appeared in 41 games (and didn’t exceed the 130 AB threshold to lose his rookie eligibility). He showed more power in that brief appearance than he ever had in the minors (nine homers in 105 ABs, good for a .324 ISO). And the Rays rewarded his efforts by adding even more depth and casting a shadow over his hopes of playing everyday in 2016. If he finds enough playing time, though, he could be a solid performer.

Roman Quinn, Phillies: The Phillies have a lot of open holes on their roster in 2016 and Quinn offers something that fantasy managers are always trying to get their hands on: Steals. His development, though, has been stalled by injuries and he’s only topped 80 games in a season once in his four-year career. Despite that fact, he’s topped 30 bases three times and just missed last year when he ended with 29 (in 39 tries). He’ll have a lot of competition (see Tyler Goeddel above) but Quinn could easily run away with a full-time gig in Philly once he shows he’s healthy.