Top Young OFs

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 12:15 PM EST Comment 70 comments

I saw a post like this for pitchers and it seemed to get a lot of attention, so I thought I'd do the same thing for young outfielders. I'm not trying to list every good young outfielder (some have already proven what they are and so I'm leaving them off while others I'm intentionally omitting for the sake of the post). I'm going for mostly first and second year players and pre-MLB (with the exception of 1 or 2 for comparison purposes). So, How would you rank these top young OFs, both for 2010 and for the future (however-many years you'd like)? Specifically, I'm most interested in offense only (for fantasy purposes), but do as you'd like. I just want to get a good conversation going.

Please rank these players (listed alphabetically) both for 2010 and for the future:

Jay Bruce
Jacoby Ellsbury
Dexter Fowler
Carlos Gonzalez
Jason Heyward
Fernando Martinez
Cameron Maybin
Andrew McCutchen
Colby Rasmus
Travis Snider
Mike Stanton

Disclosure: The reason I'm posting this is selfish - it's for fantasy purposes, specifically for my Dynasty League. I have Bruce, Snider, Maybin, Fowler and Martinez on my team and may need to drop one to make room, so I'm really looking for who to drop and/or who to take in his place. You can take this conversation any way you'd like, though.

0 recs | Comment 70 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Read More: Carlos Gonzalez (CF - COL), Jacoby Ellsbury (CF - BOS), Mike Stanton (P - CHC), Colby Rasmus (CF - STL), Dexter Fowler (CF - COL), Andrew McCutchen (CF - PIT), Cameron Maybin (CF - FLA), Fernando Martinez (CF - NYM), Jason Heyward (RF - ATL), Jay Bruce (RF - CIN), Travis Snider (RF - TOR)

Comments

Please ignore the fact that Snider will probably be a DH.

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 12:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Don't know how anyone doesn't say Upton

and not just because he’s a Dback.

Upton is obviously the best current player on the list (.900ops as a 21 year old), and also is the 5th youngest on the list. Only younger players are Martinez (2 months younger), Snyder (6 months younger), and Heyward/Stanton (around 2 years younger).

Only thing I could possible see is if someone thinks Maybe Heyward develops into a better player, but I doubt Heyward will have Upton’s power and doesn’t have his speed

by ScottAZ on Jan 12, 2026 1:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

re Upton

Of course it’s Upton - I put him on there more as a gauge to see who’s just throwing names out. My assumption is that if Upton isn’t #1, people are biased.

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but I was looking more for a list. I'll remote Upton from the post.

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 1:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I meant "remove Upton" not "remote Upton"

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think a definite case can be made for Heyward over the long haul

Why do you doubt that Heyward will have Upton’s power? It’s not like Upton has shown massive power in the bigs thus far. I mean the .230 ISO and 26 HRs are very good, especially given his youth, but its not elite by any means. Heyward has also shown very good power in the minors and his power is right where Upton’s was at the same age (Heyward actually posted better a better AA ISO than Upton).

Personally, I think Heyward has a clear edge over Upton when it comes to contact ability and strike zone judgment. The two posted similar walk rates in their minor league careers, but Heyward strikes out at a significantly lower rate.

Heyward is never going to steal bases like Upton does, but that’s the only clear advantage I see for Upton in terms of tools/skills. I guess that does add significant value if we’re talking fantasy baseball, but in terms of who will be more productive to their team I don’t think its a huge deal.

by nixa37 on Jan 12, 2026 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

personally

I like Upton better than Heyward just because he’s proven that he can compete at a higher level. Statistically speaking, I would be very happy to have either on my team. At the end of the year, maybe I’ll change my opinion, but right now I like Upton.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the 1st or 2nd pick in my draft this year, so there’s no chance I’m going to get Heyward to play with Upton on my dynasty squad. I’m assuming Heyward then maybe Chapman go, leaving me with probably Pedro Alvarez at #3.

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For 2010 I’d go:
1) Upton
2) Ellsbury
--
3) McCutchen
4) Gonzalez
5) Fowler
6) Rasmus
--
7) Maybin
8) Bruce
9) Snider
--
10) Heyward
11) Martinez
N/A - Stanton

Top tier’s not worth discussing because they’re both fantasy beasts already. McCutchen struck me as the most advanced in approach of the next tier, and while I don’t expect quite as much power from him as he flashed in his rookie campaign his development curve suggests he’ll be a very useful player this year. CarGo & Fowler I anticipate establishing themselves as a cornerstone LF/RF 1-2 combination in the Rox order for the next several years in Colorado. Fowler’s OBP skills in particular have me high on him, especially as he hones his basestealing skills. CarGo’s combination of tools could be scary good if he gets ‘em all in the box at the same time. Rasmus needs to find his legs again, but lack of steals aside he showed flashes of excellence over the course of his inconsistent rookie year, and I think he’ll be fine.

Maybin rebounded nicely in the minors last year after being rushed this year. I could see him overperforming this ranking easily this year, but he’s gotta get over that MLB hump before I fully buy him again. Bruce was a disaster last year but certainly has the skillset to be a decent flyer this year and a quality major leaguer going forward. And while I’m high on Snider’s pop, he needs to cut waaay down on his K’s to be useful at this early stage of his career.

Heyward and Martinez I don’t think we’ll see a lot of, but Heyward obviously has the edge in potential. I wouldn’t rate Heyward above Upton longterm until I see him do what Upton’s already done. He’s got great minor league numbers and to-the-moon cache as an uber-prospect, but it’s hard to state just how rarified Upton’s MLB effort has been to date for a player his age. He’s a 30/30 waiting to happen in his age 22 season.

Longterm I’d go Upton, Heyward, Ellsbury, McCutchen, Gonzalez, Fowler, Maybin, Rasmus, Martinez, Bruce, Snider, Stanton

by Tarasco's Secret Stash on Jan 12, 2026 2:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

thanks

thanks for the good writeup! I do disagree, however, about Bruce. Saying that he was a “disaster”, IMHO, is just not true. He didn’t perform as everybody thought he would, but unrealistic expectations were thrown on him (much like Wieters, Price, etc.). Yes, he struck out way too many times and his average was way lower than expected, but his power numbers were impressive (15 2Bs and 22 HRs in 101 games). I wouldn’t go so far as to say he was a “disaster” - just closer to average than everybody (including myself) expected. His OBP alone, however, was a complete disaster!

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bruce

was extremely unlucky last year. His BABIP was .222, but he improved his walk rate, cut his K rate, and showed more power than the year before. Unless you think he’s going to continue to post such low BABIP’s there isn’t much reason if any to not still be excited about him.

RIP Nick Adenhart

by gatling on Jan 12, 2026 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re Bruce

I was hoping somebody would chime in with something like this, I just didn’t have the numbers. Speaking of which, where do you get those numbers (BABIP, OPS+, FIP, etc.)? Do you calculate them or is there a website with all of the data?

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Go to..

fangraphs.com for the data, as an FYI, here are my thoughts on Bruce from an older thread…

Jay Bruce Future Average
I think a lot of people are underestimating Jay Bruce’s potential in the Batting Average department. Using the xBABIP tool that was developed by the fellows at Hardball Times (http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/fantasy/article/simple-xbabip-calculator/), we come up with an xBABIP of .293, based on current K rates, HR/FB rates, etc., that would be a batting average of .275. This is assuming no component improvements from someone who turns 23 around Opening Day next year.

On the component improvement note… Fangraphs wrote a great article describing how his Plate Discipline and Contact Rate both improved from 2008 to 2009. Article can be found here…
http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/believe-in-jay-bruce

All thngs considered, I wouldn’t call someone crazy if they saw Jay Bruce having a .320, 45 HR season in his future.

"God, I'm from Cleveland. When is it going to be our time?"

by BStal11 on Jan 12, 2026 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that's crazy...

…just kidding. Thanks for the info and the website!

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not a problem

I am glad to help!

"God, I'm from Cleveland. When is it going to be our time?"

by BStal11 on Jan 12, 2026 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BStal11

hooked you up there. Fangraphs is a great site really, highly recommend really looking through it.

I remembered someone posting something more informative on Bruce than what I posted here, and it was what BStal11 wrote previously and posted here. Saved me from having to look it up.

RIP Nick Adenhart

by gatling on Jan 12, 2026 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like the list as well, but I'd move up Bruce

and drop both Fowler and CarGon into the tier below. I’d even rank Bruce ahead of Rasmus. I believe this is the year that Bruce shakes the injury bug and breaks out.

I believe that Bruce can hit upwards of .260-.265 and probably even into the mid-.280’s assuming his BABIP is better than that of last year.

"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree

by JT12340 on Jan 13, 2026 12:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fowler

I wouldn’t think Fowler would be in the same tier as Bruce and McCutchen. What do you see as Fowler’s peak?

by rmarx on Jan 13, 2026 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Martinez

If we are talking fantasy which I believe is what the poster is most interested in I can’t see how Martinez doesn’t come in dead last by a good margin.

He is going to have to play half his games in a beast of a park not to mention the guy is always injured for one reason or another. I’m not saying he can’t be a good player but I give him a 10% chance of eclipsing Snider/Stanton/Bruce fantasy wise unless he gets traded.

That’s my 2 pennies.

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Jan 12, 2026 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

good call on the park

and yes, I’m selfishly looking from a fantasy perspective, but this thread can go any way people want to take it.

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 3:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i think the mets park effects

are a little overrated. it played like a roughly average park. the drop in some players numbers, namely david wright, wasn’t because of the park.

by auclairkeithbc on Jan 12, 2026 3:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lefty vs. righty

Citibank field may actually play well for left-handed power hitters who can turn on pitches. And the power-alleys in right will prove to be a doubles/triples factory to anyone who hits the ball there with authority.

by BlackCracks on Jan 13, 2026 10:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

SBN Fantasy?

I’ve noticed a lot of people (myself included) are very interesting in creating and replying to threads with a fantasy perspective. I know there are a lot of great SBN blogs (minorleagueball is by far my favorite), but I know this isn’t mean to be fantasy-based. Is there a fantasy-based thread on SBN, or has anybody in here ever thought of starting one up?

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 3:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Fake Teams

is the SBN Fantasy Blog. There should be a link on the main page here. Check over on the left hand side, not sure if it’s under baseball or other.

RIP Nick Adenhart

by gatling on Jan 12, 2026 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

I’ve come across that site a few times so now I’ve joined it. minorleagueball seems to be the one most visited, though (which is one of the reasons that this is always my starting point) - posts on other sites are months old!

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

Gatling. Rmarx.

I will post an article ranking these guys for fantasy purposes for either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Ray

raygu
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jan 12, 2026 5:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

great, thanks!

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 5:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My Rankings... (Oh and I added Desmond Jennings as well)

2010
Jacoby Ellsbury
Jay Bruce
Andrew McCutchen
Colby Rasmus
Dexter Fowler
Travis Snider
Carlos Gonzalez
Desmond Jennings
Jason Heyward
Cameron Maybin
Fernando Martinez
Mike Stanton

2010-2015
Jay Bruce
Jason Heyward
Desmond Jennings
Colby Rasmus
Andrew McCutchen
Dexter Fowler
Jacoby Ellsbury
Carlos Gonzalez
Travis Snider
Mike Stanton
Fernando Martinez
Cameron Maybin

"God, I'm from Cleveland. When is it going to be our time?"

by BStal11 on Jan 12, 2026 3:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Note...

Upton would be #1 on both lists if included

"God, I'm from Cleveland. When is it going to be our time?"

by BStal11 on Jan 12, 2026 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My tiers

In my opinion, the top tier of players here includes:
* Jay Bruce
* Jason Heyward

    * Jacoby Ellsbury
    * Dexter Fowler
    * Carlos Gonzalez
    * Fernando Martinez
    * Cameron Maybin
    * Andrew McCutchen
    * Colby Rasmus
    * Travis Snider
    * Mike Stanton

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 3:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

oops

didn’t mean to post that. Sorry. The idea is that Bruce and Heyward (and Upton if he’s still on) are in the top tier - I’m not sure how to really rank the others.

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Jones?

www.oriolesprospects.com | twitter @orioleprospects

by ravensfan3 on Jan 12, 2026 3:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

re Adam Jones

I’d have him above a lot of the players on the list. I didn’t try to get everybody on the list, but yes he is a great young OF! I’m sure that at least 1/2 of the teams could come up with a player who could go on the list, though.

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Your underestimating McCutchen

One he plays in a premier position and two his bat speed is in the elite category. McCutchen could be a 30-30 player IMO in two or three years and be one of the elite CF in baseball. Rasmus if he can’t hit a lefty will slide down the list oh and don’t get going on Ellsbury, this is his peak two years a .300 5 and 60 steals guy playing left field.

by Bravesin07 on Jan 12, 2026 5:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

McCutchen

I’ve heard he’s a great prospect, but I haven’t heard 30/30. I’ll have to see if I can steal him just for that upside. I don’t mind losing FMart and I have a few other pieces to play with.

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not really a prospect...

but he does have that upside. More like 320-30-40 upside. Not too likely to reach that, but I could see a a few years where he goes 310 25-40 with gold glove caliber defense, which is MVP calber if you ask me.

by joegonzo on Jan 12, 2026 8:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just because someone hits for power for a couple months does not mean he has that potential for a full year. If you look at everything about McCutchen, 25-30 hr’s is a mere pipe dream IMO.

by hybrid on Jan 12, 2026 9:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

I’d like to see him break the 20 hr plateau before saying he’s got 30 hr potential. I could see a .320-20-40 season, but at the same time, I could see a .300-15-30 career average which isn’t bad, but it’s not that special.

"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree

by JT12340 on Jan 13, 2026 12:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As a mets fan, may i suggest

Angel Paga… Wait, no, that’s not right. Jason B…no, the post asks for outfielders, not fielding liabilities. Oh, I know! Jeff Fran… Wait, it’s not 2006? Sigh If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go read dark poetry by candle light now to make myself feel better

You’re name has 2k9 in it — what are you some 8 year-old who makes Pillsbury Doughboy cookies and jerks off to that bullshit video game with Tim Lincecum on the cover--
Frederick0220

by Mets2k9 on Jan 12, 2026 6:16 PM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

carlos beltran

by matthewmafa on Jan 12, 2026 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

rec'd

it’s funny cuz it’s true!

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

seems like rasmus

is a guy that many people are split on…some see him as being a top 5 guy (on this list), while others think he is more of a bottome tier guy (again, on this list)

by miraclemets on Jan 12, 2026 6:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

bottom tier for me

I just don’t understand what all the love is for him.

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 7:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My take ...

Heward, Fowler, McCucheon, Bruce, Stanton (Bruce, Stanton, same guy), Maybin, Rasmus, Gonzales, Snider, Martinez, Ellsbury

Jay Bruce
Jacoby Ellsbury
Dexter Fowler
Carlos Gonzalez
Jason Heyward
Fernando Martinez
Cameron Maybin
Andrew McCutchen
Colby Rasmus
Travis Snider
Mike Stanto

by squarejaw on Jan 12, 2026 6:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

what are the two lists?

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 7:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

2010?

I’m guessing this is for the upcoming year, so it’s bizarre you list Maybin and Fmart above McCutchen…

by hybrid on Jan 12, 2026 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that

is part of what i was trying to figure out

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 10:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

Heyward
McCutchen
Gonzalez
Fowler
Ellsbury
Bruce
F- Mart
Maybin
Rasmus
Stanton
Snider

I’m not as high on Bruce as everyone else is. I don’t see him ever hitting more than 275 and sitting at 260 for most of his career.

by joegonzo on Jan 12, 2026 8:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Here is mine...

2010

Jacoby Ellsbury - most proven and his sb in fantasy are golden
Carlos Gonzalez - Cargo and McCutch are fairly interchangable for me this year, but I prefer hitters who can contribute in all cat’s
Andrew McCutchen
Jay Bruce - him and Snider are similiar but Bruce is more highly regarded and has had more experience
Travis Snider
Dexter Fowler - I believe in his batting eye and that he will hit for avg this year more so than Rasmus developing after just one year
Colby Rasmus
Jason Heyward - If he gets the PA’s he should do fairly well
Cameron Maybin - over Fmart cause I like his tools more
Fernando Martinez
Mike Stanton - don’t see him doing much, farthest away

I will do my other list later…

by hybrid on Jan 12, 2026 9:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i like it

For 2010, that’s very close to what I’d have. I’d put Bruce at or near the top, though. I’m looking forward to seeing your other list!

by rmarx on Jan 12, 2026 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fake Teams rankings

scheduled to post tomorrow morning at 9am

raygu
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jan 12, 2026 10:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

made it 8:00 am

instead….check it out over at FT.

raygu
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jan 12, 2026 10:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

If you think Bruce is going to put things together I could see him being listed #2 here. I just think Cargo/McCutch won’t really hurt you in a stat (possibly rbi since both seem to be leading off or 2nd) while Bruce will possibly be lacking in sb/avg. That said he can defiantly make up for it if his power numbers are good enough, but I think it might take him another year to reach it.

by hybrid on Jan 13, 2026 2:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

www.sbnation.com/fantasy

I posted my rankings for 2010 and beyond over at SB Nations fantasy baseball site this evening, and they will be posted over at Fake Teams at 8:00 am tomorrow morning.

raygu
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jan 12, 2026 11:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I love it!

Thanks!!!

by rmarx on Jan 13, 2026 9:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Future List

2011-2015

Jason Heyward - Might be a bit of a reach putting him here when he will have the least experience sans Stanton and be 21-25 (thus not even his “peak years”) but he has that potential and the fewest flaws of the people listed.

Jacoby Ellsbury - I still think he will have the legs to be considered elite in Fantasy, and I wouldn’t put it past him to hit for a higher avg/obp thus scoring more in that park/team

Jay Bruce - Should have basically 2 1/2 years worth of AB’s and I think he will come around even if his avg peaks at .270’s

Carlos Gonzalez & Andrew McCutchen - I keep sandwiching these guys together but I think they are pretty similiar, one just hitting for a bit more pop while the other runs more. If Cargo developes into a middle of the order type guy it could help him a bit more w/ rbi stats

Travis Snider - Like Bruce in a few ways, just wonder if it will take a bit more time like it did w/ Bruce

Dexter Fowler - If his power ever comes around he could go higher, i just think he will be more limited to 10 hr seasons

Colby Rasmus - Tough to rank him going future, I’m more sure about Fowlers bat, which is what seperates them right now for me

Mike Stanton - Like Maybin with his tools, but I know for sure he will show one of those at the MLB level, he has power to spare

Cameron Maybin - has the tools but is fairly raw still, it’s now that terrible to be ranked down here considering who is on the list

Fernando Martinez - I simply just don’t see a tool that will stand out to really help him in fantasy

by hybrid on Jan 13, 2026 3:02 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'll take a shot at my own rankings for 2011+

Tier 1:
Jason Heyward / Jay Bruce

Tier 2:
Carlos Gonzalez
Andrew McCutchen
Jacoby Ellsbury

Tier 3:
Colby Rasmus
Travis Snider
Cameron Maybin

Tier 4:
Dexter Fowler
Mike Stanton
Fernando Martinez

Heyward and Bruce are interchangeable for me right now. I think CarGo will develop (soon) into a middle-of-the-order bat, and it does help that he has a good lineup around him and he plays in COL. I’m not as high on Rasmus as most, and I have no idea why. I just don’t think Stanton will hit the ball enough to make an impact.

I’d like to hear people’s thoughts on Snider and Maybin – they were such highly touted so recently that I can’t see them falling off the face of the earth like some people have ranked them. I think Snider will mash and can put up a .280 average with 35 HRs and 100+ RBI. IMHO Maybin can be a 20-50 guy along the lines of (gulp) 2007 Eric Byrnes if he learns to harness his speed more at the major league level.

by rmarx on Jan 13, 2026 9:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Is this a 5x5 or points?

If it’s 5×5 Ellsbury is near the top…If it’s points, he’s near the bottom (long-term at least).

by nivarsity on Jan 13, 2026 1:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

you can treat it as a 5x5, though it's more like an 8x8

by rmarx on Jan 13, 2026 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My Take

Tier 1: Heyward/McCutchen Both perennial all stars IMO
Tier 2: Gonzalez/Bruce/Stanton A few AS seasons
Tier 3: Ellsbury/Snider: Solid everyday players
Tier 4: Rasmus: Will never cure hitting lefties, platoon bat
Tier 5: Fernando Martinez/Maybin: Busts

by Bravesin07 on Jan 13, 2026 3:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bruce

I think you’re undervaluing Bruce by quite a bit. The links that BStal11 posted above are very helpful in recognizing the steps he took last year. IMHO, I think there’s no way that McCutchen turns out to be a better hitter than Bruce.

by rmarx on Jan 13, 2026 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

McCutchen is far and away a better player than Bruce

What has Bruce done besides hit 20 HR’s. BP’s already comparing him to Tom Brunsky on their site.

by Bravesin07 on Jan 13, 2026 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

they've each had parts of 5 minor league seasons

I’ll take Bruce’s .917 OPS in 1359 ABs over McCutchen’s .783 OPS in 2967 ABs. If you want to compare a single major league season for McCutchen against a season and a half for Bruce (who was injured) then I can see your argument, but I can’t see it.

by rmarx on Jan 13, 2026 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

typo

supposed to be McCutchen’s 1967 ABs, not 2967 ABs

by rmarx on Jan 13, 2026 5:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

example of why minor league OPS are overrated

Hanley Ramirez had the same OPS are McCutchen in 1536 AB’s.
Delmon Young had an OPS of .881 in 1413 AB’s

by Bravesin07 on Jan 13, 2026 10:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Stop

you just compared two totally different body types for one. Secondly you compared McCutch to one who has reached his outmost ceiling. Anyone can just reach and take numbers out of context, this isn’t new… stop, please.

by hybrid on Jan 14, 2026 12:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't always compare body types, there's a thing called bat speed that is involved as well

by Bravesin07 on Jan 14, 2026 4:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

how about

you compare two guys with the same body type and bat speed, so it makes more sense then…

by hybrid on Jan 14, 2026 9:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fernando Martinez is a bust?

He is still just a kid. And last season he had one of the best age-adjusted offensive seasons in AAA. He did get injured and he flopped in his major league debut, but he is a top prospect.

by auclairkeithbc on Jan 13, 2026 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I must admit I am a bit surprised how Ellsbury is not #1 of everyones list at this point. He has proven himself beyond doubt that he is an elite fantasy talent while the majority of this list has not proven that or are still elite prospect status.

Ellsbury——-Proven elite fantasy talent

Bruce
McCutchen
Heyward—Does he belong in this tier with no MLB talent. I guess we will see.
Rasmus

Gonzalez
Fowler

Snider—-I need to see something before he moves past this tier

Stanton-I will need to see improvement in AA before he moves to next tier.
Maybin—Skills but has failed at the big league level to this point.
Martinez-21 and in the bigs, impressive. however does career .281/.337 warrant this, we will see. Someone had to be last on this list.

by rupertoooo on Feb 5, 2026 8:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs