The 2023 Outfield Market is one loaded with stars as Juan Soto, Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Ronald Acuña at the top of the class but at least 10 options who all project to exceed 400 points this season. Additionally, the Activation Class is as star-studded as ever with Julio Rodriguez, Corbin Carroll, Michael Harris and Riley Greene all set to done RDBL uniforms on Opening Day.
Remaining on the prospect front, Jackson Chourio continues to try and play his way into the 1.1 conversation as the St. Joseph Jokers mull their top overall selection in the Reserve Draft.
Top RDBL Free Agents | Top Trade Candidates |
1. Juan Soto, Padres 2. Mike Trout, Angels 3. Mookie Betts, Dodgers 4. Ronald Acuña, Braves 5. George Springer, Blue Jays | 1. Ian Happ (2/$13), Falcons 2. A. Benintendi (2/$10), Falcons 3. N. Castellanos (3/$26), Clovers |
Top Available Prospects | Top RDBL Prospects |
1. Jackson Chourio, Brewers 2. James Wood, Nationals 3. Sal Frelick, Brewers 4. Oscar Colas, White Sox 5. Evan Carter, Rangers | 1. Julio Rodriguez (Fish) 2. Corbin Carroll (Stacks) 3. Michael Harris (Hops) 4. Riley Greene (Devils) 5. Druw Jones (Falcons) |
2022 Rankings | 2023 Projections |
1. Aaron Judge (Fish), 652.5 2. Yordan Alvarez (Goutfish), 471.0 3. Juan Soto (FA), 442.5 4. Mookie Betts (FA), 434.5 5. Brandon Nimmo (Taters), 413.0 | 1. Juan Soto (FA), 617.0 2. Aaron Judge (Fish), 567.0 3. Mike Trout (FA), 515.0 4. Yordan Alvarez (Goutfish), 511.5 5. Bryan Reynolds (Hops), 478.5 |
Team Needs
With five spots to fill, every team will be on the lookout to add multiple outfielders in the 2023 Auction though the Taters and Fightin' Fish are currently best positioned to be selective with their targets.
Top Free Agent
Juan Soto had somewhat of a down season, at least by his lofty standards, during the 2022 season. The outfielder hit .242 with a .401 on-base percentage, 27 home runs, and six stolen bases in 664 plate appearances split between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres. In a vacuum, it was still a strong season, but it marked the first time Soto has hit below .280 in the Majors. Now set to spend his first full year with the Padres, Soto should find much more success in 2023 as much of his struggles may have been down to a .242 BABIP. The 23-year-old's BABIP had never dropped below the .312 mark before. And while his barrel rate (12.4%), xwOBA (.401), and hard-hit rate (47.4%) all dropped a bit from his 2021 numbers, they were still elite. All three finished in the 86th percentile or better in the league. In short, an even more productive season may be coming for Soto, who should also see an uptick in RBI opportunities. After collecting just 62 in 2022, the slugger will spend the entirety of the 2023 season hitting in a lineup that will also feature Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, with Fernando Tatis Jr. set to return during the 2023 season as well. Fantasy managers shouldn't think twice about drafting the former National as a top-10 pick.--Ben Rosener - RotoBaller
Under the Radar Free Agent
Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida is poised to make a big impact after signing a five-year, $90 million contract. The Japanese star generated plenty of interest as soon as he was posted and ultimately settled on signing with Boston. Yoshida's 2023 NPB stats included an otherworldly .335/.447/.561 slash line with 21 homers, 89 RBI, 82 walks, and just 42 strikeouts. He put the ball in play and reached base at an impressive clip, all while keeping strikeouts to an absolute minimum. The left-hander has drawn comparisons to on-base machine and fantasy hero Luis Arraez; if Yoshida could post Arraez-like results, fantasy managers would be absolutely thrilled.
Top Trade Candidate
The Falcons remain open to discussing Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ who had arguably his best full offensive season in 2022. He set a career-high with a .271 batting average, hit 17 bombs, stole nine bases, and had 72 runs and RBI. Many of Happ's metrics weren't pretty, but he still hit the ball with force consistently (65th percentile average exit velocity), and his 6.5% barrel rate almost has to progress towards his career rate of 10.3%. Ground balls have been a problem for a while, but he still hit 54 homers over 363 games from 2020-2022 while running a ground ball rate above 47% which should be aided this season by the shift ban.
Top Prospect Available
Jackson Chourio was the breakout star of the minor-league season in 2022. Despite playing the entire campaign as an 18-year-old, he hit .288/.342/.538 with 20 home runs and 16 stolen bases split across three levels, including a cameo at Double-A. Chourio is a fantastic athlete with a dynamic (and well-above-average) power-speed combination who should have more room to add muscle to his frame as he matures. He did strike out in more than 26 percent of his plate appearances, though it's easy to forgive him for that based on his youth; he was four years younger than his average opponent in High-A, and six years younger in Double-A. There's a strong chance Chourio ends the year ranked as the best prospect in the game -- provided, of course, he hasn't forced the Brewers to push him along to the majors by then. He's currently in the mix for the top overall pick in the Reserve Draft which is currently held by the St. Joseph Jokers.
Top RDBL Prospect
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez walked away with the Rookie of the Year Award easily after posting a sweet .282/.343/.505 slash line while adding 28 homers and 25 steals. Now we have an uber-talented player at the age of 22 with an improving lineup behind him, and he's already shown the ability to dominate Major League pitching. He swings the bat with incredible force (117.2 max exit velocity, 51% hard-hit rate) and limits the strikeout enough (26% K%) to post great numbers all across the board. He enters 2023 as one of the best values in the RDBL for the Spokane Fightin' Fish who added Aaron Judge and Justin Verlander this off-season to an already loaded roster.
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