We covered the top infielders, so that means it’s time to rank the top 15 outfielders for the 2017 MLB season.



Be sure to check out our first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop rankings as well.

Here we go…

15. J.D. Martinez, Detroit Tigers

2016 stats: .307/.373/.535, 22 HR, 68 RBI, 1.8 WAR

J.D. Martinez absolutely mashes, but what puts him so low on this list is his atrocious defense. If he can figure that out, his WAR will skyrocket along with his ranking on this list.

14. Ben Zobrist, Chicago Cubs

2016 stats: .272/.386/.446, 18 HR, 76 RBI, 3.8 WAR

Super utility man Ben Zobrist will primarily play in the outfield this season for the Cubs. That’s because Javy Baez and Addison Russell will hold down the middle of the infield. At age 35, Zobrist isn’t quite the player he was in his Rays days. Nonetheless, he should be a solid asset to the defending champs again this year.

13. Dexter Fowler, St. Louis Cardinals

2016 stats: .276/.393/.447, 13 HR, 48 RBI, 4.2 WAR

This defending champ will be wearing enemy colors this season. Fowler signed with the rival Cardinals after celebrating a World Series with the Cubs. The 30-year-old is coming off the best seasons of his career and is a fantastic addition for a St. Louis team that needed an outfielder of his caliber.

12. Yoenis Cespedes, New York Mets

2016 stats: .280/.354/.530, 31 HR, 86 RBI, 2.9 WAR

One word to sum Cespedes up: Flashy. That how I’d describe his power, his throwing arm, his cars, and his neon sleeve. They’re all great, but the truth is others on this list deserve a lot more attention than the Mets slugger but don’t get it because they aren’t as flamboyant. That isn’t meant to take anything away from Cespedes. He’s a phenomenal player, and the Mets signing him to a mega deal this offseason was the right move

11. Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates

2016 stats: .311/.362/.456, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 47 SB, 4.9 WAR

Starling Marte has been one of the most underrated players in baseball the past few seasons. When he does get attention, it’s mostly for his defense. But if you look at the numbers above, you’ll see he’s a serious threat at the plate and on the bath paths too. Marte will move to center field this season, shifting the team’s ex-MVP Andrew McCutchen to right field.

10. Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies

2016 stats: .324/.381/.552, 29 HR, 82 RBI, 4.4 WAR

Charlie Blackmon focused more on raking in 2016 than on the speed aspect of his game. He had career highs in homers, RBI, hits, and OPS. Meanwhile, he only swiped 17 bases as opposed to his 43 in 2015. Either way, he’s still emerged as one of the top outfielders in the game. The Rockies’ outfield goes toe to toe with almost every outfield in MLB.

9. George Springer, Houston Astros

2016 stats: .261/.359/.457, 29 HR, 82 RBI, 5.0 WAR

Springer played in just 180 games in 2014 and 15 combined. 2016, however, was his year. He played in all 162 games and was outstanding. He’ll have to work on cutting down on those strikeouts, but other than that it’s hard to find flaws in the UConn alum’s game.

8. Christian Yelich, Miami Marlins

2016 stats: .298/.376/.483, 21 HR, 98 RBI, 5.3 WAR

Christian Yelich was simply awesome in 2016 and by far the best player in Miami’s lineup. The 25-year-old had career highs in pretty much every offensive category and finally proved he can be a leader in this struggling Marlins organization.

7. Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston Red Sox

2016 stats: .267/.349/.486, 26 HR, 87 RBI, 5.3 WAR

“ABOUT TIME.” – Impatient Red Sox fans when the talented JBJ finally had his breakout season in 2016. Just when it seemed like Bradley was a bust at the major league level, he went and had himself one of the best campaigns any outfielder had last season. Bradley-Betts-Benintendi will be an unbelievable outfield for years to come.

6. Adam Eaton, Washington Nationals

2016 stats: .284/.362/.428, 14 HR, 59 RBI, 6.2 WAR

The White Sox struggled last year, but Adam Eaton sure as hell did not. The 27-year-old joined the Washington Nationals this offseason and will look to double down on what was the best season of his career thus far. You might be able to make a serious argument right now that Eaton is the most talented player in baseball that doesn’t get enough attention. That should all change this season when Eaton finally plays on a winning squad.

5. Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins

2016 stats: .240/.326/.489, 27 HR, 74 RBI, 2.5 WAR

2016 just wasn’t Stanton’s year, but you better believe the Marlins slugger is poised for a comeback. Regardless of his down season, Stanton had to be in the top 5. It’d be disrespectful to leave the three-time All Star and former NL MVP runner-up out of this top tier.

4. A.J. Pollock, Arizona Diamondbacks

2015 stats (only 12 games in 2016): .315/.367/.498, 20 HR, 76 RBI, 39 SB, 7.4 WAR

A.J. Pollock is perhaps the best player in baseball casual fans have never heard of. The D’Backs outfielder missed basically the entirety of 2016 with a fractured elbow in spring training and a pulled groin in late August. But if you check out his 2015 numbers above, you’ll see he was simply incredible. Those are MVP-caliber stats. Hopefully the 29-year-old can stay healthy in 2017 and we can witness another season like that.

3. Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

2016 stats: .243/.373/.441, 24 HR, 86 RBI, 1.6 WAR

Like Stanton, 2016 just wasn’t Harpers season. The 2015 MVP started off hot, but cooled down in May and never ended up figuring it out. You have to figure Harper will get back on track, though, so keeping him in the top 3 had to be done. If he has a down year once again, then we’ll talk about moving him far down this list.

2. Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox

2016 stats: .318/.363/.534, 31 HR, 113 RBI, 9.6 WAR

The Red Sox hit the lottery with Mookie Betts. The 2016 AL MVP runner-up should be a serious contender for the award again this season and it isn’t hard to see why. Expectations are sky-high for the 24-year-old star as he anchors the Red Sox outfield and looks to blossom into a leader for this Boston ballclub.

1. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

2016 stats: .315/.441/.550, 29 HR, 100 RBI, 30 SB, 10.6 WAR

Obviously.

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JUST MISSED THE CUT: Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies), Odubel Herrera (Phillies), Gregory Polanco (Pirates), Ryan Braun (Brewers), Kole Calhoun (Angels), Andrew Benintendi (Red Sox), Kevin Kiermaier (Rays), Kevin Pillar (Blue Jays).