By Greg Fox
Rotowhine.com Assistant Editor
February 14, 2008

Each week leading up to the 2008 major league baseball regular season, Rotowhine.com will dissect the top players in both the American and National League at each key fantasy position.

Top 15 Outfielders - National League
As we undertake the task of ranking the National League’s top 15 outfielders, two things perplex us. First, how the NL improbably continues on paper to outdo the superior AL. Second, that the first name of the top dog in the AL outfield is a 25-year old white guy named Grady. It would probably behoove you to grab a player in the first round at a position with more scarcity, but this list has kid in a candy store appeal. You can pretty much throw a blanket over Matt Holliday, Ryan Braun, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman. Any of these guys can realistically put up the best numbers from this contingent. But it’s hard to imagine Matt Holliday not being the first outfielder, in either league, to be called first. The 28-year old Rockie is a four-category behemoth and will also give you double-digit steals. Braun, who should also qualify at third base in most leagues, possesses unlimited offensive potential. When all is said and done, we believe his numbers will rival Holliday’s. Soriano is 32 this season, but still has the arsenal to flirt with a 40/40 season. After the top six, your guess is as good as ours. With the help of a Ouija board, we’ve selected some players not rated in years past among the elite. As a matter of fact, for a guy like Hunter Pence (#10), there was no years past as he enters his sophomore season in Houston. We urge you to keep your good eye on Holliday’s outfield partners, Brad Hawpe(#7) and Willy Taveras (#15). Hawpe is just coming into his own as a run producer, while Taveras should surpass the 40-steal, 100-run mark with relative ease. Expect a bounceback season from the #12 guy on our list, Andruw Jones, but not close to the level of his 51-homer 2005 campaign. If you’re looking for some sleepers, Shane Victorino, Jeremy Hermida, Matt Kemp, Nate McLouth and Kosuke Fukodome fit the bill.

1. Matt Holliday, COL
2007 5×5 Stats: .340 BA, 120 R, 36 HR, 137 RBI, 11 SB
Age: 28 (1/15/80)
It’s always good to have someone who produces on a nightly basis and that is what Holliday does. The Rockies’ hard-nosed left fielder is as tough as they come. He doesn’t necessarily try to hit the ball out of the yard, but in the rarified air of Coors Field, the home runs come in droves for this triple crown threat. If he’s available in the second round, jump all over him like a cheap suit.
2008 Projections: .324 BA, 117 R, 36 HR, 126 RBI, 13 SB

2. Ryan Braun, MIL
2007 5×5 Stats: .324 BA, 91 R, 34 HR, 97 RBI, 15 SB
Age: 24 (11/17/83)
Makes the move from third base to left field, but all that will do is give him eligibility at a second position. In the immortal words of Mickey Goldsmith, “this guy is a wreckin’ machine.” Hitting in front of the equally talented Prince Fielder and playing half his games in a power hitter’s paradise, Braun could produce first round value. His staggering rookie numbers were accumulated in a mere 451 at bats. As long as he remains healthy, look for a big jump in every area except batting average. No need to concern yourself with a sophomore slump.
2008 Projections: .304 BA, 113 R, 41 HR, 117 RBI, 22 SB

3. Alfonso Soriano, CHC
2007 5×5 Stats: .299 BA, 97 R, 33 HR, 70 RBI, 19 SB
Age: 32 (1/7/76)
Soriano is beyond streaky, but when he is going well he puts up numbers in his sleep. In 2006, he delivered 119 runs, 46 homers and 95 RBI from the leadoff spot and added 41 steals for good measure to complete one of the most underrated fantasy seasons of all time. Last year, Soriano missed close to a month with a torn right quadriceps which limited him on the basepaths. A Soriano with two good wheels will steal at least 30. A case can be made for him with one of the first 10 picks of any draft.
2008 Projections: .292 BA, 112 R, 34 HR, 82 RBI, 32 SB

4. Carlos Beltran, NYM
2007 5×5 Stats: .276 BA, 93 R, 33 HR, 112 RBI, 23 SB
Age: 30 (4/24/77)
Despite the cascading jeers at Shea Stadium, Beltran has consistently been one of the major leagues’ top all-around players. You can count on one hand the players in the NL who can be relied on for 30 home runs, 100 RBI and 20 steals and Beltran is one of them. With Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo and David Wright on base in from of him, a healthy Beltran could be an absolute monster.
2008 Projections: .283 BA, 104 R, 35 HR, 109 RBI, 24 SB

5. Carlos Lee, HOU
2007 5×5 Stats: .303 BA, 93 R, 32 HR, 119 RBI, 10 SB
Age: 31 (6/20/76)
Typically under the radar, Lee has established himself as one of the game’s most dangerous hitters. He has smacked at least 31 homers and knocked in at least 113 runs in four of the past five seasons and 2008 should be no different. Despite being an enormous man, he has also racked up double figure steals for five straight seasons. Draft with confidence, but not until the third or fourth round.
2008 Projections: .287 BA, 93 R, 36 HR, 108 RBI, 10 SB

6. Lance Berkman, HOU
2007 5×5 Stats: .278 BA, 95 R, 34 HR, 102 RBI, 7 SB
Age: 32 (2/10/76)
While he won’t approach the magnificence of his 45-homer, 136 RBI 2006 season, the sweet-swinging Berkman is one of the safest bets out there. With lineup protection from Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejada, there should be nothing standing in his way from another highly productive campaign.
2008 Projections: .285 BA, 96 R, 35 HR, 106 RBI, 4 SB

7. Brad Hawpe, COL
2007 5×5 Stats: .291, 80 R, 29 HR, 116 RBI, 0 SB
Age: 28 (6/22/79)
Hawpe found his stroke last season and ended up one of the key reasons as to why the Rockies advanced to the World Series. His left-handed power bat is one of the league’s best and he has only scratched the surface. He is expected to play against both righties and lefties this season and should no doubt surpass the 30-homer plateau for the first time in his career.
2008 Projections: .282 BA, 91 R, 33 HR, 108 RBI, 2 SB

8. Eric Byrnes, ARZ
2007 5×5 Stats: .286 BA, 103 R, 21 HR, 83 RBI, 50 SB
Age: 32 (2/16/76)
Byrnes won many fantasy leagues for his owners with his Herculean 2007 effort. When we talk 20 homers and 50 steals we’re in Eric Davis territory and that’s what Byrnes accomplished. Now 32, he will probably begin a gradual descent from this stratosphere, but another tremendous fantasy season is on the way.
2008 Projections: .276 BA, 100 R, 19 HR, 72 RBI, 34 SB

9. Juan Pierre, LAD
2007 5×5 Stats: .293 BA, 96 R, 0 HR, 41 RBI, 64 SB
Age: 30 (8/14/77)
Over the past five years, Pierre has averaged a shade under 60 steals per season, which renders the otherwise mediocre outfielder fantasy gold. With Joe Torre at the Dodger helm, Pierre should remain either in the first or second spot in the order, and will motivate him to possibly the best year of his career. Steals are tough to come by, and other than Jose Reyes, this is the best out there.
2008 Projections: .302 BA, 102 R, 1 HR, 45 RBI, 61 SB

10. Hunter Pence, HOU
2007 5×5 Stats: .322 BA, 57 R, 17 HR, 69 RBI, 11 SB
Age: 24 (4/13/83)
Pence burst on the scene in ‘07 and made a huge impact for the Astros. Firmly entrenched in right field, there has been talk of him batting third in the Houston order. That’s lots of pressure for a second-year player, but he seems to have the makeup to handle it. Expect a nice jump in the power categories.
2008 Projections: .293 BA, 88 R, 24 HR, 88 RBI, 14 SB

11. Chris Young, ARZ
2007 5×5 Stats: .237 BA, 85 R, 32 HR, 68 RBI, 27 SB
Age: 34 (9/5/83)
Young possesses the ability to be the next Alfonso Soriano, but at time looks like the right-handed version of Corey Patterson. His tools are not in question, but his plate discipline is. The strikeouts need to drop and the walks must rise. If he gets it together, sit back and enjoy the ride. We feel that he is still a year away.
2008 Projections: .258 BA, 87 R, 28 HR, 74 RBI, 30 SB

12. Andruw Jones, LAD
2007 5×5 Stats: .222 BA, 83 R, 26 HR, 94 RBI, 5 SB
Age: 30 (4/23/77)
The move to Los Angeles should serve the longtime Brave well. Following a pair of monstrous seasons in ‘05 and ‘06, Jones slumped badly last year and was not signed by Atlanta. Joe Torre should be the perfect manager for Jones to put last year behind him. Expect numbers closer to his career norms.
2008 Projections: .265 BA, 89 R, 34 HR, 95 RBI, 6 SB

13. Adam Dunn, CIN
2007 5×5 Stats: .264 BA, 101 R, 40 HR, 106 RBI, 9 SB
Age: 28 (11/9/79)
Despite blasting at least 40 homers four straight years, Dunn is always on the verge of being traded. He does strike out at an alarming rate, but more than makes up for it with a high on-base percentage. More of the same is on the way for this mountain masquerading as a man.
2008 Projections: .254 BA, 93 R, 42 HR, 105 RBI, 6 SB

14. Jeff Francoeur, ATL
2007 5×5 Stats: .293 BA, 84 R, 19 HR, 105 RBI, 5 SB
Age: 24 (1/8/84)
An RBI machine in the middle of a solid Braves batting order. Has driven in over 100 runs in each of his first two full seasons, though his home run total fell by 10 in ‘07 from the previous season. Possesses terrific power to all fields, but still needs to learn to take more pitches. The best is yet to come.
2008 Projections: .294 BA, 88 R, 25 HR, 106 RBI, 4 SB

15. Willy Taveras, SF
2007 5×5 Stats: .320 BA, 64 R, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 33 SB
Age: 26 (12/25/81)
Taveras was well on his way to establishing a career best in stolen bases when a strained right quadriceps derailed his season. He is somewhat of a risky pick in ‘08, but if he stays healthy and hangs on to his job, we’re expecting a .300-plus average and close to 50 valuable steals for the Rockies leadoff hitter.
2008 Projections: .303 BA, 96 R, 5 HR, 51 RBI, 47 SB

Coming Monday (Feb. 18): Jeff Andriesse breaks down the American League outfielders ranked 15-30.