2025 Fantasy Baseball rest-of-season rankings: Outfielders

We're a quarter of the way into the fresh baseball season. It's a fun and useful time to recalibrate the market. Last week, we tackled the starting pitchers, the sirens of our game. Today we hit the biggest part of the offense — the outfielders. We'll get to ranking the infield next week.
What has happened to this point is merely an audition. The goal with this project is to set up a cheat sheet or depth chart at a given position. You could use it for a fresh draft (the Yahoo Friends & Family Draft is coming soon!), or for trade and pickup ideas. You can use it to consider the strengths and weaknesses of your own teams.
[Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all]
The salaries are a combination of data, observation and special sauce. Players at the same number are considered even. The goal is to figure out where the clusters of talent lie.
Injured players are at the bottom, courtesy ranks. Those are not for debate, but I welcome your reasonable disagreement on anything else. Catch me on Twitter or Bluesky, and away we go.
$44 Aaron Judge
$39 Kyle Tucker
$38 Corbin Carroll
$37 Fernando Tatis Jr.
$34 Mookie Betts
$33 Kyle Schwarber
$33 Juan Soto
$32 Jackson Merrill
$29 Oneil Cruz
$27 Jackson Chourio
$23 Pete Crow-Armstrong
$21 Julio Rodríguez
$21 Jose Altuve
$20 Byron Buxton
$20 James Wood
It was tempting to slot Judge in his own tier. He's that ridiculous. His Baseball Reference tab is a sea of black ink, identifying his dominance. He's great at pretty much everything. As you'd expect, his Baseball Savant page is a glorious sea of red sliders, pinned to the right. Sure, the average might be an eyelash lucky, but Judge's expected slugging is actually .799. He's a barrel machine. He takes walks. He almost never chases, too, rare for a slugger of this caliber. The perfect hitter.
The Cubs have been the NL's best offense all season, with Tucker the trigger man from the No. 2 slot. His batting average is actually 31-points unlucky and his slugging is 53 points shy of where it should be, so Tucker could take a step forward. The Cubs have to be nervous that Tucker could turn into a one-year rental, but they had to take the chance. Chicago looks like a sure-bet playoff team and once you make the tournament, anything can happen.
Shockingly, Tucker only has just one top 5 MVP share on his resume, a combination of some bad luck and bad timing. He'll be a deep contender this year. Did you notice he's 21-for-21 on steals since the beginning of 2024? Another ballplayer who can do anything he wants on the field.
How do you get Merrill out, exactly? He's on a 14-for-23 binge since his return from injury, pushing his OPS up top 1.259. His hard-hit metrics are dreamy and he's also pulling the ball more this year, making opponents pay when they fall behind in the count. Merrill has never posted a great walk rate, but when you're this good at pitch recognition and barreling the baseball, I won't quibble about a modest walk count. He rarely swings at a bad pitch; you miss the zone, he spits at it. It's scary to think he merely turned 22 in April.
$19 Brent Rooker
$18 Wilyer Abreu
$17 Seiya Suzuki
$17 Steven Kwan
$17 Christian Yelich
$17 Wyatt Langford
$15 Trent Grisham
$15 Heliot Ramos
$15 Riley Greene
$15 Lawrence Butler
$14 Kerry Carpenter
$14 Jarren Duran
Sutter Health Park has been an offensive bonanza for the first six weeks, but Butler's oddly had trouble getting comfortable there (.628 OPS at home — with a .192 average — against a .754 OPS on the road). I believe in the breakout player Butler was last year. Although his expected stats aren't fun to look at right now, this is still a power-speed profile I'm willing to bet on.
Kwan is one of my favorite players because his approach is in direct contrast to the rest of the world. At a time where so many players sell out for velocity, Kwan lags at the bottom of the hard-hit metrics and the bat speed leaderboard. Forget trying to fool him or strike him out, of course; Kwan excels at contact. And it's not like he never has an explosive result — he has 18 home runs since the beginning of 2024. He's going to win a batting title someday, and despite mediocre speed, he's good for 15-25 steals a year, too.
The Red Sox aren't in a hurry to promote uber-prospect Roman Anthony, and part of that story is Abreu's breakthrough. We knew Abreu's glove would play — he's a plus-plus defender — but he's made himself into a dynamic offensive player, significantly improving his walk and strikeout rates this year while also bumping his home runs. Abreu is nothing special as a runner but he can grab 10-12 bases a year simply by being smart and athletic. Add it all up and this is one of the most underrated hitters in MLB.
$12 Jung Hoo Lee
$12 Andy Pages
$12 Randy Arozarena
$12 Jasson Domínguez
$12 Jordan Beck
$12 Brenton Doyle
$11 Brendan Donovan
$11 Brandon Nimmo
$11 Tyler Soderstrom
$10 Lars Nootbaar
$10 George Springer
$10 Victor Scott II
$10 Luis Robert Jr.
$10 Cody Bellinger
$10 Nick Castellanos
$10 Michael Harris II
$10 Kyle Stowers
$10 Bryan Reynolds
$10 Anthony Santander
$10 Kristian Campbell
$9 T.J. Friedl
$9 Cedric Mullins
$9 Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
$9 Adolis García
$9 Spencer Steer
$9 Josh Lowe
Santander's home run count last year was seven higher than it should have been, per Statcast, so the power drop isn't a shock. It can also be stressful to change teams on a big contract, the pressure that comes standard. With strikeout and walk rates moving in the wrong direction, this is the classic case of a player who's likely pressing. Moving forward, I'd bet on something around a .240 average, but with 20-24 homers to come.
We asked just two things of Scott two months ago — hit for a reasonable average and run rabbit, run. So far so good: a tidy 11-for-12 on swipes, with a .288 average and .355 OBP. Now it's fair to wonder if the Cardinals will consider promoting Scott in the lineup; he's been eighth or ninth just about all year.
$8 Mike Yastrzemski
$8 JJ Bleday
$8 Josh Smith
$7 Evan Carter
$7 Austin Hays
$7 Tyler O'Neill
$7 Dylan Moore
$6 Trevor Larnach
$6 Taylor Ward
$6 Jorge Soler
$6 Willi Castro
$5 Dylan Crews
$5 Miguel Andújar
$5 Jonathan India
$5 Michael Toglia
$5 Maikel Garcia
$4 Jake Meyers
$4 Harrison Bader
$4 Ceddanne Rafaela
$4 Sal Frelick
$4 Alec Burleson
$4 Chandler Simpson
$3 Max Kepler
$3 Kyle Isbel
$3 Andrew McCutchen
$3 Joc Pederson
Carter was a big deal two years ago, then hit the struggles that befall so many glittering prospects. I can't unsee that he was the No. 3-4 batter for the Rangers when they swept to the championship back in 2023. He's still just 22 and he was considered a top 5 prospect a year ago. His plate-discipline stats were good during the Triple-A reset, everything else was pedestrian. But sometimes you have to simply bet on talent. The light could go on at any moment.
Simpson is another rabbit who just needs to hit for an ordinary average to mark his territory on our rosters. He's grabbed seven bags on eight attempts over 20 games; this roughly equates to 56 on a full season. He's slugging .301, about what we expected. If this type of specialist is going to justify a roster spot, he needs to dominate in the area where he's skilled. Simpson can check that box. He's chasing a little more than we'd like, though his K/BB stats are in a good place.
$2 Eli White
$2 Kameron Misner
$2 Enrique Hernandez
$2 Isiah Kiner-Falefa
$2 Alek Thomas
$2 Jo Adell
$2 Jordan Walker
$2 Daulton Varsho
$2 Michael Conforto
$2 Nolan Jones
$1 Miguel Vargas
$1 Heston Kjerstad
$1 Jacob Young
$1 Alex Verdugo
$28 Yordan Álvarez
$25 Ronald Acuña Jr.
$21 Teoscar Hernández
$19 Jazz Chisholm Jr.
$12 Ian Happ
$11 Mike Trout
$9 Víctor Robles
$7 Colton Cowser
$7 Lane Thomas
$ 7 Tommy Edman
$ 6 Tyler Fitzgerald
$5 Andrew Benintendi
$5 Jurickson Profar (suspension)
$3 Dane Myers

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Fox Sports

22 minutes ago

• Fox Sports

Lefty Shota Imanaga Will Rejoin Chicago Cubs Next Week in St. Louis

Left-hander Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Chicago Cubs early next week in St. Louis following a sharp Triple-A rehab start on Friday, manager Craig Counsell said Saturday. Counsell wasn't sure when Imanaga would be slotted into Chicago's rotation but said before the Cubs' game against the Seattle Mariners that the 31-year-old "is gonna make his next start in the big leagues." Imanaga, who was 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA as a rookie last season, is coming back from a left hamstring strain. He got hurt covering first base during the sixth inning of a 4-0 loss at Milwaukee on May 4. Imanaga is 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA in eight starts for the Cubs this season. His return is expected to provide a lift for the NL Central leaders, who entered Saturday 4.5 games in front of Milwaukee and St. Louis. Imanaga tossed 4.1 scoreless innings of two-hit ball for Triple-A Iowa at Nashville on Friday night. He struck out eight and walked two. "Everything went great," Counsell said. "Did what we hoped he would do. He's in a position to be ready. So he's going to join us in St. Louis and we'll figure out the next steps." Before the transition to Iowa, Imanaga pitched six scoreless innings over two rehab starts in the Arizona Complex League. He had a bullpen session in Arizona last Tuesday. Imanaga signed a $53 million, four-year contract with Chicago in January 2024. He often dazzled in 29 starts last season, making the National League All-Star team and finishing fourth in balloting for the NL Rookie of the Year. Also, on Saturday, the Cubs recalled right-hander Nate Pearson from Iowa and designated lefty Genesis Cabrera for assignment. Pearson is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 19 appearances since he was optioned to Iowa on April 15. Cabrera had an 8.68 ERA in nine games with the Cubs. He signed with Chicago on May 29 after being designated for assignment by the New York Mets. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Major League Baseball Chicago Cubs Shota Imanaga recommended Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

Indianapolis Star

27 minutes ago

• Indianapolis Star

NBA Finals Game 7 predictions: Can Pacers pull off championship upset? Belief is rising

Just like they've been every game in the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers are underdogs. The Oklahoma City Thunder are 7.5-point favorites for Sunday's Game 7 in OKC. But despite the hefty spread, there seems to be more belief in the Pacers than in previous games. That's likely because few expected Indiana to push the series this deep and also the manner in which they forced a Game 7 with its Game 6 demolition. Here are our IndyStar staff predictions, plus some from around the web: ∎ Dustin Dopirak, IndyStar: Pacers 111, Thunder 109. I honestly have no idea what's going to happen in this game. But the most fitting thing considering the way these playoffs have gone would be for the Pacers to win on a Tyrese Haliburton game-winning 3. So let's go with that. ∎ Gregg Doyel, IndyStar: Pacers I've got the Pacers winning game seven, because I think the Pacers are better. Don't ask me why one team won 68 games but the team I think is better won 50. But that's what I think. ∎ Matt Glenesk, IndyStar: Pacers 108, Thunder 104 I've picked the Pacers throughout the playoffs, so I'm not about to stop now. After Game 6, you feel there's real belief among the Pacers. And after OKC's dud in Game 6, you'd imagine there's some doubt within the Thunder. It's been a great series, and it's only fitting we get a Game 7. More: Pacers have a chance to be 'the most unusual, unexpected NBA champion in the history of the sport' Making history: Pacers do something that's never been done in NBA playoffs ∎ Nat Newell, IndyStar: Thunder 115, Pacers 109 Thunder will be ready for a less mobile Tyrese Haliburton but this all comes down to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The MVP can't turn in another lackluster performance … and he won't. ∎ Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Pacers Oklahoma City has unloaded its arsenal on the Pacers, and they're still kicking. If anything, they showed OKC its weakness in Game 6 in a way nobody else really has in these playoffs. Confidence is a dangerous thing, and Indiana has it in abundance. Pacers win close, late. ∎ Nathan Baird, IndyStar: Pacers I love taking the Pacers and the points here. I'm less excited about picking them to win outright. But I will, because the team of destiny vibe that built over the first three rounds has never dissipated. ∎ Dana Hunsinger Benbow, IndyStar: Pacers After six games of deep analysis, the Pacers have OKC figured out. Pacers win. Proving home court advantage at this point doesn't mean squat. And finally winning one for Herbie means everything. ∎ Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman: Thunder 111, Pacers 107 Maybe Rick Carlisle has another team of destiny on his hands after leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 2011 title over the Miami Heat. Maybe the oddsmakers in Las Vegas were wildly wrong about this series for once. Maybe it's too soon for the young Thunder to fully take the NBA by storm. But I don't think it is. I'm still going with OKC, which has played significantly better at home this postseason. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will surely bounce back after a rough Game 6, and the Thunder's defense will surely return to its disruptive ways. Give me OKC to win it all. ∎ USA TODAY Sports staff made their predictions for Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals: ∎ SBNation writers make their predictions: via BetMGM Game 7 favorite: Thunder by 7.5 points Over/under: 214.5 total points Moneyline: Pacers +260, Thunder -325 ESPN's matchup predictor gives the Thunder a 59.3% chance of winning.

NBC Sports

27 minutes ago

• NBC Sports

Lefty Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Cubs next week in St. Louis

Eric Samulski explains why the Rafael Devers trade could accelerate Masataka Yoshida's return, arguing that he could offer some fantasy value in the middle of the Boston Red Sox's lineup. CHICAGO — Left-hander Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Chicago Cubs early next week in St. Louis following a sharp Triple-A rehab start on Friday, manager Craig Counsell said Saturday. Counsell wasn't sure when Imanaga would be slotted into Chicago's rotation but said before the Cubs' game against the Seattle Mariners that the 31-year-old 'is gonna make his next start in the big leagues.' Imanaga, who was 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA as a rookie last season, is coming back from a left hamstring strain. He got hurt covering first base during the sixth inning of a 4-0 loss at Milwaukee on May 4. Imanaga is 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA in eight starts for the Cubs this season. His return is expected to provide a lift to the NL Central leaders, who entered Saturday 4 1/2 games in front of Milwaukee and St. Louis. Imanaga tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings of two-hit ball for Triple-A Iowa at Nashville on Friday night. He struck out eight and walked two. 'Everything went great,' Counsell said. 'Did what we hoped he would do. He's in a position to be ready. So he's going to join us in St. Louis and we'll figure out the next steps.' Before the transition to Iowa, Imanaga pitched six scoreless innings over two rehab starts in the Arizona Complex League. He had a bullpen session in Arizona last Tuesday. Imanaga signed a $53 million, four-year contract with Chicago in January 2024. He often dazzled in 29 starts last season, making the NL All-Star team and finishing fourth in balloting for the NL Rookie of the Year. Also Saturday, the Cubs recalled right-hander Nate Pearson from Iowa and designated lefty Génesis Cabrera for assignment. Pearson is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 19 appearances since he was optioned to Iowa on April 15. Cabrera had an 8.68 ERA in nine games with the Cubs. He signed with Chicago on May 29 after being designated for assignment by the Mets.