Out\Field of Dreams

Outfielders provide the total range of skills for fantasy players: some hit for power, some hit for average, some score a ton of runs while other steal loads of bases. The best do it all, and as a consequence, they are the most coveted players come draft time. Vladimr Guerrero used to be one such player, but a bad back forced him to stop swiping bases. Now Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano, and Grady Sizemore are vying for the mantle of best all around outfielder.

Who's hot in 2007? Here are a few names.

Carl Crawford
Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Is there another player that induces more hyperventilation than Crawford? And how can this guy only be 25 years old? Does Crawford have a ceiling, or will he keep getting better incrementally forever? So far, the evidence points to the latter, and with Tampa Bay's improved lineup, that should send fantasy players convulsing, drooling, speaking in tongues, etc. This will be the last year Crawford is available for a reasonable amount, so grab him.

Expected '07 Output: .315, 210 hits, 21 HR, 79 RBI, 124 runs, 61 SB.

Matt Holliday
Colorado Rockies

The question for Holliday coming into last season was whether his .307, 19 HRs and 87 RBI in 2005 was a fluke or a sign of things to come. His 2006 season erased all doubt: .326, 196 hits, 34 HRs, 114 RBI and 10 SBs should whet anyone's appetite considering he is just entering his prime and plays in Colorado. Even a slight dropoff in production looks pretty good.

Expected '07 Output: .309, 185 hits, 37 HR, 123 RBI, 104 runs, 8 SB.

Jeff Francoeur
Atlanta Braves

After hitting .300 in his rookie year, Francouer dropped to .261 in his first full season. His power improved, though, and he smacked 29 HRs with 103 RBIs for the Braves. Not bad for a 22-year old. Expect another step up for the Atlanta native.

Expected '07 Output: .282, 162 hits, 36 HR, 119 RBI, 94 runs, 4 SB.

Carlos Quentin
Arizona Diamondbacks

Quentin drew raves as Baseball America's top-rated Diamondbacks prospect last year, and then quietly smashed 9 home runs with 32 RBI in only 166 big-league at-bats (four of those HRs came in his first 21 ABs in August). As part of a serious youth movement in AZ, Quentin should build on his short but impressive rookie season. Look for a Vernon Wells-type breakout season.

Expected '07 Output: .270, 151 hits, 28 HR, 88 RBI, 84 runs, 3 SB.

Michael Cuddyer
Minnesota Twins

Cuddyer finally shed the labels of "prospect" and "potential" last season by mashing 24 HRs, driving in 109 runs and scoring 102 runs - all while hiding in the shadows of Justin Morneau's MVP season and Joe Mauer's breakout year. Cuddyer can hit too, and I expect him to reach 30 HRs in 2007. Along with Morneau, Mauer and Torii Hunter, the Twins' bats sure do look dangerous, don't you think?

Expected '07 Output: .291, 169 hits, 31 HR, 112 RBI, 98 runs, 5 SB.

Coco Crisp
Boston Red Sox

Don't forget about Covelli, who, if you remember, was poised to improve on his stellar '05 season before breaking a finger in the first week of last season. The Red Sox were all screwed up last year with injuries and I think now, as he finally emerges from the Damon shadow, he will show Boston fans what they want to see out of him. He'll probably hit seventh or eighth, but he'll finish the season with some nice numbers.

Expected '07 Output: .286, 157 hits, 17 HR, 72 RBI, 89 runs, 27 SB.

David DeJesus
Kansas City

DeJesus had a good season last year, hitting .295 with 145 hits, 8 HRs and 83 runs scored. But it is even more impressive considering he only had eight hits through the end of May! A full season (his mystical "27" year) with the productivity he achieved from June on should yield some sweet numbers.

Expected '07 Output: .307, 187 hits, 11 HR, 84 RBI, 103 runs, 10 SB.

Nick Markakis
Baltimore Orioles

Markakis surprised many with his impressive rookie season, hitting .291 with 16 HRs and 62 RBIs while mostly hitting out of the eight spot. There are several reasons to believe he will improve in 2007: his solid .311, 14 HR, 41 RBI in the second half and a permanent move to the two-hole - right in front of Tejada. He hit .313 with eight HRs in only 67 ABs batting second last year - think he'll get some more good pitches to swing at?

Expected '07 Output: .296, 171 hits, 19 HR, 75 RBI, 112 runs, 4 SB.

Rocco Baldelli
Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Baldelli is an easy choice. If you believe this guy is a .300 hitter (he hit .302 last season) and can hit 25 home runs a year, then he becomes Carl Crawford without as many steals. And that is pretty damn good. Hopefully, his injuries are well behind him.

Expected '07 Output: .312, 190 hits, 27 HR, 96 RBI, 107 runs, 22 SB.

Chris B. Young
Arizona Diamondbacks

Along with Quentin, Young will help make the snakes' outfield one of the youngest and least experienced, It will also make it one of the most talented. Young tore up Triple-A pitching last year and showed some of those skills in a late season call-up to the majors at the end of last year. A 5-tool threat, Young should step in and effortlessly produce.

Expected '07 Output: .276, 146 hits, 17 HR, 81 RBI, 97 runs, 23 SB.