For the fifth season, About.com Baseball is back with its comprehensive fantasy baseball rankings. We've added some tweaks to the formula for 2013 and are confident the rankings are as accurate as ever. They'll be updated weekly in March, looking at trends, injuries and other developments.
We're presenting the players in tiers this season, another more popular way of attacking a draft. In short, it factors scarcity into the equation.
Baseball guide Scott Kendrick has been with About.com since 2007, has been playing fantasy baseball for 20 years and has ranked players for the last decade. He's perused just about every preseason magazine, scoured the other baseball websites and taken some of the best expert opinions into account.
The rapid ascent of the No. 1 outfielder -- who was in Triple-A in April 2012 -- was one of the biggest stories of last season, and he's perhaps the No. 1 overall pick in the rotisserie format.
On to the rankings of outfielders, looking at the top 20 prospects:
TIER 1: No-brainers
1. Mike Trout, Angels
- Age on opening day: 21
- 2012 stats: .326, 30 HR, 83 RBI, 49 SB, .963 OPS
- Three-year average: .306, 17 HR, 49 RBI, 26 SB, .911 OPS
2. Ryan Braun, Brewers
- Age on opening day: 29
- 2012 stats: ,319, 41 HR, 112 RBI, 30 SB, .987 OPS
- Three-year average: .318, 33 HR, 108 RBI, 25 SB, .947 OPS
3. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
- Age on opening day: 26
- 2012 stats: .327, 31 HR, 96 RBI, 20 SB, .953 OPS
- Three-year average: .291, 23 HR, 80 RBI, 25 SB, .863 OPS
4. Matt Kemp, Dodgers
- Age on opening day: 28
- 2012 stats: .303, 23 HR, 69 RBI, 9 SB, .906 OPS
- Three-year average: .291, 30 HR, 94 RBI, 22 SB, .882 OPS
5. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
- Age on opening day: 32
- 2012 stats: .285, 43 HR, 128 RBI, .930 OPS
- Three-year average: .271, 41 HR, 97 RBI, .992 OPS
6. Josh Hamilton, Angels
- Age on opening day: 31
- 2012 stats: .285, 43 HR, 128 RBI, .930 OPS
- Three-year average: .313, 33 HR, 107 RBI, .952 OPS
TIER 2: Elite
7. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
- Age on opening day: 27
- 2012 stats: .303, 22 HR, 85 RBI, 20 SB, .881 OPS
- Three-year average: .313, 27 HR, 98 RBI, 22 SB, .918 OPS
8. Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
- Age on opening day: 23
- 2012 stats: .290, 37 HR, 86 RBI, .969 OPS
- Three-year average: .270, 31 HR, 77 RBI, .903 OPS
9. Matt Holliday, Cardinals
- Age on opening day: 33
- 2012 stats: .295, 27 HR, 102 RBI, .877 OPS
- Three-year average: .302, 25 HR, 93 RBI, .903 OPS
10. Bryce Harper, Nationals
- Age on opening day: 20
- 2012 stats: .270, 22 HR, 59 RBI, 18 SB, .817 OPS
- Three-year average: .270, 22 HR, 59 RBI, 18 SB, .817 OPS
11. Ben Zobrist, Rays
- Age on opening day: 31
- 2012 stats: .270, 20 HR, 74 RBI, .848 OPS
- Three-year average: .259, 16 HR, 80 RBI, .791 OPS
- Note: Likely also eligible at second base and shortstop, which is why he's ranked so highly.
12. Justin Upton, Braves
- Age on opening day: 25
- 2012 stats: .280, 17 HR, 67 RBI, 18 SB, .785 OPS
- Three-year average: .281, 21 HR, 74 RBI, 19 SB, .830 OPS
13. Adam Jones, Orioles
- Age on opening day: 27
- 2012 stats: .287, 32 HR, 82 RBI, .839 OPS
- Three-year average: .284, 25 HR, 78 RBI, .799 OPS
14. Yoenis Cespedes, A's
- Age on opening day: 27
- 2012 stats: .292, 23 HR, 82 RBI, .861 OPS
- Three-year average: .292, 23 HR, 82 RBI, .861 OPS
15. Jay Bruce, Reds
- Age on opening day: 25
- 2012 stats: .252, 34 HR, 99 RBI, .841 OPS
- Three-year average: .262, 30 HR, 88 RBI, .833 OPS
TIER 3: Solid starters
16. Jason Heyward, Braves
- Age on opening day: 23
- 2012 stats: .269, 27 HR, 82 RBI, 21 SB, .814 OPS
- Three-year average: .261, 19 HR, 65 RBI, .799 OPS
17. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox
- Age on opening day: 29
- 2012 stats: .271, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 14 SB, .682 OPS
- Three-year average: .297, 12 HR, 45 RBI, 20 SB, .824 OPS
- Note: Push into elite tier in 5x5 rotisserie-style leagues.
18. Austin Jackson, Tigers
- Age on opening day: 26
- 2012 stats: .300, 16 HR, 66 RBI, 12 SB, .856 OPS
- Three-year average: .280, 10 HR, 50 RBI, 20 SB, .761 OPS
19. Shin-Soo Choo, Reds
- Age on opening day: 30
- 2012 stats: .283, 16 HR, 67 RBI, 21 SB, .815 OPS
- Three-year average: .284, 15 HR, 64 RBI, 18 SB, .824 OPS
20. Alex Gordon, Royals
- Age on opening day: 29
- 2012 stats: .294, 14 HR, 72 RBI, .822 OPS
- Three-year average: .285, 15 HR, 59 RBI, .821 OPS
21. B.J. Upton, Braves
- Age on opening day: 28
- 2012 stats: .246, 28 HR, 78 RBI, 31 SB, .752 OPS
- Three-year average: .242, 23 HR, 73 RBI, 36 SB, .753 OPS
- Note: Move up at least five spots in rotisserie-style 5x5 leagues.
22. Desmond Jennings, Rays
- Age on opening day: 26
- 2012 stats: .246, 13 HR, 47 RBI, 31 SB, .702 OPS
- Three-year average: .248, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 17 SB, .733 OPS
- Note: Move up at least five spots in rotisserie-style 5x5 leagues.
23. Alex Rios, White Sox
- Age on opening day: 32
- 2012 stats: .304, 25 HR, 91 RBI, 23 SB, .850 OPS
- Three-year average: .273, 19 HR, 743 RBI, 22 SB, .756 OPS
24. Josh Willingham, Twins
- Age on opening day: 34
- 2012 stats: .260, 35 HR, 110 RBI, .890 OPS
- Three-year average: .257, 26 HR, 88 RBI, .851 OPS
25. Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
- Age on opening day: 35
- 2012 stats: .269, 32 HR, 97 RBI, .842 OPS
- Three-year average: .279, 20 HR, 69 RBI, .857 OPS
26. Curtis Granderson, Yankees
- Age on opening day: 32
- 2012 stats: .232, 43 HR, 106 RBI, .811 OPS
- Three-year average: .247, 36 HR, 97 RBI, .843 OPS
- Note: Out for first month with broken arm
27. Michael Bourn, Indians
- Age on opening day: 30
- 2012 stats: .274, 9 HR, 57 RBI, 42 SB, .739 OPS
- Three-year average: .279, 4 HR, 48 RBI, 51 SB, .722 OPS
- Note: Move up at least five spots in rotisserie-style 5x5 leagues.
28. Hunter Pence, Giants
- Age on opening day: 29
- 2012 stats: .253, 24 HR, 104 RBI, .743 OPS
- Three-year average: .283, 23 HR, 97 RBI, .800 OPS
29. Melky Cabrera, Blue Jays
- Age on opening day: 28
- 2012 stats: .346, 11 HR, 60 RBI, .906 OPS
- Three-year average: .285, 15 HR, 59 RBI, .821 OPS
TIER 4: Worth a look
30. Torii Hunter, Tigers
- Age on opening day: 37
- 2012 stats: .313, 16 HR, 92 RBI, .817 OPS
- Three-year average: .285, 20 HR, 88 RBI, .800 OPS
31. Shane Victorino, Red Sox
- Age on opening day: 32
- 2012 stats: .255, 11 HR, 55 RBI, 39 SB, .704 OPS
- Three-year average: .264, 15 HR, 61 RBI, 30 SB, .766 OPS
32. Carlos Gomez, Brewers
- Age on opening day: 27
- 2012 stats: .260, 19 HR, 51 RBI, 37 SB, .768 OPS
- Three-year average: .248, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 23 SB, .711 OPS
- Note: Move up to solid starter in rotisserie-style 5x5 leagues.
33. Nelson Cruz, Rangers
- Age on opening day: 32
- 2012 stats: .260, 24 HR, 90 RBI, .779 OPS
- Three-year average: .277, 25 HR, 85 RBI, .840 OPS
34. Angel Pagan, Giants
- Age on opening day: 31
- 2012 stats: .288, 8 HR, 56 RBI, 29 SB, .778 OPS
- Three-year average: .281, 8 HR, 60 RBI, 32 SB, .749 OPS
- Note: Move up to solid starter in rotisserie-style 5x5 leagues.
35. Nick Markakis, Orioles
- Age on opening day: 29
- 2012 stats: .298, 13 HR, 54 RBI, .834 OPS
- Three-year average: .292, 13 HR, 62 RBI, .794 OPS
36. Jason Kubel, Diamondbacks
- Age on opening day: 30
- 2012 stats: .253, 30 HR, 90 RBI, .833 OPS
- Three-year average: .257, 21 HR, 80 RBI, .784 OPS
37. Dexter Fowler, Rockies
- Age on opening day: 27
- 2012 stats: .300, 13 HR, 53 RBI, .863 OPS
- Three-year average: .275, 8 HR, 44 RBI, .806 OPS
38. Alejandro De Aza, White Sox
- Age on opening day: 28
- 2012 stats: .281, 9 HR, 50 RBI, 26 SB, .760 OPS
- Three-year average: .292, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 13 SB, .793 OPS
39. Norichika Aoki, Brewers
- Age on opening day: 31
- 2012 stats: .288, 10 HR, 50 RBI, 30 SB, .787 OPS
- Three-year average: .288, 10 HR, 50 RBI, 30 SB, .787 OPS
- Note: Move up at least five spots in rotisserie-style 5x5 leagues.
40. Andre Ethier, Dodgers
- Age on opening day: 30
- 2012 stats: .284, 20 HR, 89 RBI, .812 OPS
- Three-year average: .289, 18 HR, 77 RBI, .820 OPS
41. Ben Revere, Phillies
- Age on opening day: 24
- 2012 stats: .294, 0 HR, 32 RBI, 40 SB, .675 OPS
- Three-year average: .278, 0 HR, 23 RBI, 24 SB, .642 OPS
- Note: Move up at least five spots in rotisserie-style 5x5 leagues.
42. Josh Reddick, A's
- Age on opening day: 26
- 2012 stats: .242, 32 HR, 85 RBI, .768 OPS
- Three-year average: .249, 13 HR, 39 RBI, .757 OPS
43. Nick Swisher, Indians
- Age on opening day: 32
- 2012 stats: .272, 24 HR, 93 RBI, .837 OPS
- Three-year average: .274, 25 HR, 89 RBI, .844 OPS
- Other potential eligibility: 1B
44. Carl Crawford, Dodgers
- Age on opening day: 31
- 2012 stats: .282, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 5 SB, .785 OPS
- Three-year average: .283, 11 HR, 55 RBI, 23 SB, .780 OPS
- Note: Move up at least five spots in rotisserie-style 5x5 leagues.
45. Ichiro Suzuki, Yankees
- Age on opening day: 39
- 2012 stats: .283, 9 HR, 55 RBI, 29 SB, .696 OPS
- Three-year average: .290, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 37 SB, .699 OPS
- Note: Move up at least five spots in rotisserie-style 5x5 leagues.
TIER 5: Backups only
46. Coco Crisp, A's
- Age on opening day: 33
- 2012 stats: .259, 11 HR, 46 RBI, 39 SB, .742 OPS
- Three-year average: .266, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 40 SB, .730 OPS
- Note: Move up to Tier 4 in rotisserie-style 5x5 leagues.
47. Michael Morse, Mariners
- Age on opening day: 31
- 2012 stats: .291, 18 HR, 62 RBI, .791 OPS
- Three-year average: .296, 21 HR, 66 RBI, .861 OPS
48. Brett Gardner, Yankees
- Age on opening day: 29
- 2012 stats: .323, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2 SB, .804 OPS
- Three-year average: .269, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 32 SB, .740 OPS
49. Jayson Werth, Nationals
- Age on opening day: 33
- 2012 stats: .300, 5 HR, 31 RBI, .827 OPS
- Three-year average: .271, 17 HR, 58 RBI, .821 OPS
50. Carlos Quentin, Padres
- Age on opening day: 30
- 2012 stats: .261, 16 HR, 46 RBI, .877 OPS
- Three-year average: .251, 22 HR, 70 RBI, .841 OPS
51. Michael Cuddyer, Rockies
- Age on opening day: 34
- 2012 stats: .260, 16 HR, 58 RBI, .806 OPS
- Three-year average: .273, 16 HR, 69 RBI, .784 OPS
- Other potential eligibility: 1B
52. Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
- Age on opening day: 37
- 2012 stats: .262, 32 HR, 108 RBI, .821 OPS
- Three-year average: .255, 27 HR, 91 RBI, .801 OPS
53. Dayan Viciedo, White Sox
- Age on opening day: 24
- 2012 stats: .255, 25 HR, 78 RBI, .744 OPS
- Three-year average: .263, 10 HR, 32 RBI, .743 OPS
54. David Murphy, Rangers
- Age on opening day: 31
- 2012 stats: .304, 15 HR, 61 RBI, .859 OPS
- Three-year average: .291, 12 HR, 57 RBI, .801 OPS
55. Ryan Ludwick, Reds
- Age on opening day: 34
- 2012 stats: .275, 26 HR, 80 RBI, .877 OPS
- Three-year average: .253, 18 HR, 74 RBI, .759 OPS
56. Garrett Jones, Pirates
- Age on opening day: 31
- 2012 stats: .274, 27 HR, 86 RBI, .832 OPS
- Three-year average: .254, 21 HR, 76 RBI, .765 OPS
- Other potential eligibility: 1B
57. Wil Myers, Rays
- Age on opening day: 22
- 2012 stats: NA
- Three-year average: NA
58. Cody Ross, Diamondbacks
- Age on opening day: 32
- 2012 stats: .267, 22 HR, 81 RBI, .807 OPS
- Three-year average: .260, 16 HR, 66 RBI, .758 OPS
59. Jon Jay, Cardinals
- Age on opening day: 28
- 2012 stats: .305, 4 HR, 40 RBI, .773 OPS
- Three-year average: .300, 6 HR, 34 RBI, .773 OPS
60. Lorenzo Cain, Royals
- Age on opening day: 26
- 2012 stats: .266, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 10 SB, .734 OPS
- Three-year average: .281, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 5 SB, .739 OPS
NEXT 10: Denard Span, Nationals; Adam Eaton, Diamondbacks; Colby Rasmus, Blue Jays; Matt Joyce, Rays; Emilio Bonifacio, Blue Jays, Logan Morrison, Marlins; Justin Ruggiano, Marlins; Drew Stubbs, Indians; Starling Marte, Pirates, Michael Saunders, Mariners
UNRANKED SPEEDSTERS (more valuable in a 5x5 rotisserie-style league): Cameron Maybin, Padres; Juan Pierre, Marlins
2013 position rankings
