AL Tiered Outfielder Ranks: July 2016
It once again is time for the monthly update for my AL Outfield Tiers! As always, these are my rest of the season ranks for the position and you can check out my previous versions below as well as Alex Chamberlain’s NL versions.
AL Tiered Outfielder Rankings: Preseason
NL Outfield Rankings: March/April
AL Tiered Outfielder Rankings: April 2016
AL Tiered Outfielder Rankings: May 2016
AL Tiered Outfield Rankings: June 2016
This month’s is a tad bit abbreviated partially due to me being on vacation last week and partially due to the fact the trade deadline could drastically change these ranks.
This week I have named the tiers by the best characters from the show The League.
Tier 1: Pete
Still the best in the game.
Tier 2: Taco
Finally gets his own tier. Mookie has proved me wrong two years in a row.
Tier 3: Kevin
Springer isn’t running how I expected him to. He has only attempted one stolen base in the month of July. It maybe AJ Hinch giving him the stop sign, but I think they’ll come back, just not to the level I had hoped for.
I am waiting for Trumbo to have that second half slump that we have grown accustomed to and he has started the second half a bit slow but he has already hit seven home runs and hit .253/.330/.544 in the month of July. I am going to bank that he can sustain most of the first half gains.
Tier 4: Ruxin
Justin Upton
Bautista has returned from the DL and would have joined his normal spot in Tier 3, but I am a bit concerned about the turf toe issue resurfacing.
Hanley’s power surge since the break is a bit surprising. I don’t expect it to continue, but he has been a solid contributor. Good sell candidate for those rebuilding in keeper/dynasty formats, as he loses OF eligibility next year.
Khris Davis continues to tear the cover off the ball. Four home runs so far in the second half with a .262/.326/.595 and a .921 OPS.
Tier 5: Andre
JD Martinez
Melvin Upton
JD Martinez is working his way back from an elbow injury. I am a bit concerned that he is only DH-ing so far in his rehab assignment.
Mazara has slowed down since his call up, but it is not uncommon for rookies to have slumps. The injuries to Choo and Fielder should help cement his playing time a bit, so I am confident he will rebound and he has looked good since the break. He needs to improve against lefties, but that will come with time.
I believe in some of the changes we have seen from Melvin Upton. He moves to a better park, team and division, but he has a history of reverting back to poor habits, so that keeps him from moving up in my ranks.
Gallo has come up and he hit a bomb yesterday. He could see some decent playing time with Fielder on the DL and has the power upside to hit a ton of home runs in the second half.
Tier 6: Jenny
Brantley is still without a timetable to return. At some point, you have to wonder if he will be back before September.
Tier 7: Ellie
Steven Souza
Gomez and Dickerson are improving, but after their awful starts to the year (and my heavy investment in them), I am being cautious before believing in them again.
While Kepler’s, number don’t jump off the page, he has been pretty good in the last six weeks for the Twins and getting regular playing time since the break. I believe in his talent and his approach and as long as he is getting the at bats, I expect him to be a steady contributor.
The value of the Indians trio of Davis, Naquin and Ramirez could see their value change dramatically soon. Davis and Ramirez have slowed down since the break and could see serious threats to their playing time if the Indians make a move at the trade deadline or call up either Frazier or Zimmer who have recently been promoted to Triple-A.
Tier 8: Shiva
Delino DeShields has returned to the Majors, but I still see him as no more than a #4 outfielder in real life.
Hyun Soo Kim should see increased playing time with Rickard on the DL, but he still has limited upside.
Tier 9: Rafi and Dirty Randy
Just like Rafi and Dirty Randy, this tier has redeeming qualities, but usually do more harm than good.
Tier 10: Ted
Both Frazier and Zimmer have been moved to Triple-A and could make a real impact when called up. We have to wait and see if the Indians make any trade for an outfielder that could slow their arrival time.
Justin is the co-host on The Sleeper and The Bust Podcast and writes for Rotographs covering the Roto Riteup as well as other periodic articles. In addition to his work at Rotographs, Justin is the lead fantasy writer/analyst and co-owner for FriendswithFantasyBenefits.com, and the owner of The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational. He is also a certified addiction treatment counselor. Follow Justin on Twitter @JustinMasonFWFB.
Sad that Buxton is way down in tier 7 and yet that still seems bullish.
Speaking of “oddball herrera” – where is he?
AL only
I am somewhat bullish on Buxton, however I want to believe that his tools will show through at somepoint. The speed should play enough and the Twins need to see what they have in him in a lost season,