With spring training underway across the majors, the countdown to Opening Day 2017 is on with the big focus for many across the country on getting ready for another fantasy season. While there are some obvious superstar names at the top of every draft board the real difference in most leagues will come down to finding value in sleeper depth picks instead of drafting busts. We took the time to break down a handful of players that we think can really be hit or miss this season in the outfield positions. Here is a look at some potential MLB fantasy outfield sleepers and busts for 2017.
Sleepers
Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
Buxton has been highly touted as a top prospect for years and while he has struggled to reach his potential at the major league level, this could be the season it all comes together for him. Buxton was on fire to finish the 2017 season when he posted a 1.011 OPS with six doubles and nine home runs over the final month of the 2016 season and there is a lot of people that think he is bound to pick up from where he left off at the start of the 2017 season.
One of the keys to his situation is opportunity. The Twins are among the worst teams in baseball, so they need as much help as they can get in their rebuilding process. That means developing young prospects like Buxton in the hope that he becomes a foundational piece.
Buxton has all of the tools to be a star outfielder for Minnesota this season and now that he is finally flying under the radar a little bit he could be primed for a big year as an MLB fantasy sleeper pick.
Keon Broxton, Milwaukee Brewers
Broxton is another prospect that could be in line for a big season as a sleeper pick among outfielders if everything comes together in 2017. The 26-year-old finished last season on fire following a minor league demotion as he hit .294 with eight home runs and 16 stolen bases over his final 46 games. Broxton will have to beat out Lewis Brinson for a starting job in spring training but if he picks up where he left off in the spring then make sure you keep an eye out for him as an MLB fantasy sleeper pick in the outfield this season.
Busts
David Dahl, Colorado Rockies
Dahl definitely has the potential to be a productive fantasy outfielder this season but the problem is that he is being drafted way too early in most leagues. Dahl hit .315 with seven home runs in 63 games last season but his average will be hard to sustain thanks to a .404 BABIP that ranked second among qualified hitters. Dahl could still be a quality outfield pick just make sure you don’t take him too high since there is the potential for some regression. The thin Colorado air should definitely help his stock but remember that Dahl still has to play half of his games on the road in opposition ballparks.
He’s one of those guys that has more value in reality than fantasy. Yes, he plays at Coors Field and yes, he’s a good looking fantasy prospect, but don’t over-invest with Dahl.
Tyler Naquin, Cleveland Indians
While Dahl ranked second among qualified hitters in BABIP, Naquin ranked first in that category and could also be due for a small correction. Naquin has all of the tools to still be a quality hitter but he doesn’t have elite power and a small hit to his batting average could temper his overall stock. Naquin is definitely still worth drafting in fantasy baseball leagues just make sure you don’t take him too high and end up helping him earn that reputation as a fantasy bust in your MLB fantasy league. The good news is that the Indians have shown that they need help at the plate, so they are going to leave no stones unturned to get the bats that they need to support their stellar pitching and get over the hump.
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