We can debate Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera all day.
The same goes for Jose Bautista and the two five-category studs who follow him in the outfield rankings - Matt Kemp and Jacoby Ellsbury.
In my mind, though, there is no question when it comes to Ryan Braun. Not now, anyway.
The Brewers outfielder and reigning National League MVP had his 50-game suspension for testing positive for having an elevated testosterone level overturned because of a technicality.
Bud Selig's pain is our gain, as Braun now vaults to the top of our outfield rankings and is No. 3 overall - a gain of 14 and 39 spots, respectively.
Braun's average season in his five-year career is a .312 average, 101 runs, 32 homers, 106 RBI and 19 stolen bases. He's so good we were willing to draft him in the fourth round in a 12-team league, even if he was going to miss almost one-third of the season.
That's no longer an issue. And there now is no debate when it comes to the top spot below.
(Note: Players are listed only at the position at which they are expected to spend the most time in 2012, not every position at which they are eligible.)
Best of the best
1. Ryan Braun, Brewers: The last three years, he has batted .318 with norms of 108 runs, 30 homers, 109 RBI and 22 steals.
2. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: Joey Bats upped his batting average from .260 to .302, and still produced big power numbers (43 homers, 103 RBI).
3. Matt Kemp, Dodgers: He has the huge contract (eight years, $160 million), huge numbers (.324, 115 runs, 39 homers, 126 RBI and 40 steals) and big strikeout numbers (a combined 329 the last two years).
4. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: He bested his previous career highs of nine homers and 60 RBI by racking up 32 homers and 105 RBI, to go with a .321 average, 119 runs and 39 steals.
5. Curtis Granderson, Yankees: He won't hit much better than .260, but he is a stud in the other categories (136 runs, 41 homers, 119 RBI and 25 steals in 2011).
6. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: He wasn't as productive last season as he was the year before, largely because of a wrist injury, but he still has the potential to hit .300 with 100 runs, 30 homers, 100 RBI and 20 steals.
7. Justin Upton, Diamondbacks: He reached career highs in runs (105), homers (31), RBI (88) and steals (21) last year, and he hit .289.
8. Josh Hamilton, Rangers: He was limited to 487 at-bats in 2011, but hit .298 with 25 homers and 94 RBI.
9. Matt Holliday, Cardinals: He was good in 2011, but even better in 2009 and '10 (a combined .313 average with norms of 95 runs, 26 homers, 106 RBI and 12 steals).
10. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: He had 23 homers, 89 RBI and 23 steals in 2011, but his average dipped from a combined .286 in 2009 and '10 to .259.
11. Hunter Pence, Phillies: His half-season in Philadelphia finished off the best season of his career.
12. Giancarlo (Mike) Stanton, Marlins: He had 34 homers in 516 at-bats last year, but he's fanned 289 times in 875 at-bats in his two-year career.
13. Shane Victorino, Phillies: The only concern: Victorino averaged 33 steals from 2007 to '10, but swiped only 19 bases last season.
14. Alex Gordon, Royals: He's a .262 career hitter who was phenomenal in 2011 (.303, 101 runs, 23 homers, 87 RBI and 17 steals).
15. Nelson Cruz, Rangers: Aside from his average (.263 last year), he is very good. He's also an injury risk (Cruz has 462, 399 and 475 at-bats the last three seasons).
16. Jay Bruce, Reds: He won't hit for average (.256 career) and he will strike out a ton (158 last year). He'll also put up big power numbers (32 homers and 97 RBI in 2011).
17. Shin-Soo Choo, Indians: He was terrible last season and very good in 2009 and '10 (a .300 average with norms of 84 runs, 21 homers, 88 RBI and 22 steals).
18. Michael Bourn, Braves: He has stolen 174 bases the last three seasons, and he batted .294 in 2011.
19. Desmond Jennings, Rays: The phenom started fast, then cooled off as a rookie. He finished with a .259 average, 10 homers, 25 RBI, 20 steals and 44 runs in 247 at-bats.
20. Carl Crawford, Red Sox: He is recovering from wrist surgery, along with a bruised ego following a nightmarish first season in Beantown.
A quick look at the rest
21. Michael Morse, Nationals
22. Chris Young, Diamondbacks
23. Michael Cuddyer, Rockies
24. Jason Heyward, Braves
25. Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
26. Andre Ethier, Dodgers
27. Adam Jones, Orioles
28. Jeff Francoeur, Royals
29. Jayson Werth, Nationals
30. Martin Prado, Braves
31. Melky Cabrera, Giants
32. Nick Markakis, Orioles
34. B.J. Upton, Rays
35. Nick Swisher, Yankees
36. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
37. Drew Stubbs, Reds
38. Coco Crisp, Athletics
39. Logan Morrison, Marlins
40. Delmon Young, Tigers
41. Brett Gardner, Yankees
42. Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins
43. Alex Rios, White Sox
44. Matt Joyce, Rays
45. Carlos Quentin, Padres
46. Brennan Boesch, Tigers
47. Cameron Maybin, Padres
48. Angel Pagan, Giants
49. Torii Hunter, Angels
50. Peter Bourjos, Angels
51. Colby Rasmus, Blue Jays
52. Jose Tabata, Pirates
53. Lucas Duda, Mets
54. Jason Kubel, Diamondbacks
55. Josh Willingham, Twins
56. Vernon Wells, Angels
57. John Mayberry, Phillies
58. Austin Jackson, Tigers
59. Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
60. Dexter Fowler, Rockies
Eligibility notes
The Rays' Ben Zobrist is eligible in the outfield, but is more valuable at second base. ... Lance Berkman is moving from the outfield to Albert Pujols' former home, first base in St. Louis.
Others to watch
Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics: He signed a four-year, $36 million contract with the A’s, of all teams, after defecting from Cuba. He owns the Cuban League’s single-season home-run record at 32.
Denard Span, Twins: Three years ago, he was one of the year's biggest surprises (.311, 97 runs, 68 RBI and 23 steals).
Jon Jay, Cardinals: He should get more than the 455 at-bats he had last year, when Jay hit .297 with 10 homers.
More 2012 fantasy rankings:
Top 20 catchers: In a weak and banged-up crop of catchers, Indians youngster Carlos Santana could be poised for a breakout third season.
Top 20 first basemen: Albert Pujols should find American League pitching to his liking.
Top 20 second basemen: Robinson Cano is the top choice at a surprisingly deep position.
Top 20 shortstops: It's Troy Tulowitzki's time to be the top shortstop, assuming you can shrug off the injury risks.
Top 20 third basemen: The top two choices -- Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez -- didn't even play that position last season.
Top 10 designated hitters: Michael Young might be able to help your team at several positions, but he's a default DH.
Top 80 starting pitchers: Where do big-potential starters such as Stephen Strasburg and Yu Darvish fit in?
Top 20 closers: Don't jump on a closer too early in a draft; there are many decent options.
Top 100 overall: Plus links to other draft tips.
