The outfield is always a fun position for fantasy baseball players since there are so many options to choose from. Since every MLB team stocks its outfield with multiple options and alignments, the position is usually extremely deep from top to bottom. Due to the defensive demands of the position, it’s also where some of the top pure athletes play, while the very top of the position includes some of the best hitters in the game. Even if you miss out on the elite producers, there are some other strong picks who can fit in nicely with your overall offensive strategy.
Whether you prefer season-long leagues, DFS contests, or DraftKings Best Ball, DK Network will have you covered throughout the upcoming season. To begin our coverage, we went through potential breakouts at each position: AL SP Breakouts, NL SP Breakouts, AL OF Breakouts, NL OF Breakouts, Catcher Breakouts, 1B Breakouts, 2B Breakouts, 3B Breakouts and SS Breakouts. In my NL outfield breakouts, I highlighted Jackson Chourio, Heliot Ramos and TJ Friedl. I also snuck in Michael Toglia, Hunter Goodman and Tyler Fitzgerald at other positions where they are eligible. In addition to those breakout candidates, let’s take a look at three fantasy baseball sleepers I like in the outfield.
Jurickson Profar, Atlanta Braves
Profar signed a one-year deal with the Padres last year at the end of February and had a great season in San Diego. He turned that into a three-year deal with the Braves this offseason that is worth $42 million. Profar has spent his entire career in either the AL West or the NL West, but now he’ll head to the NL East and join a strong lineup in Atlanta.
Last year, the switch-hitter hit a career-high 24 home runs while setting personal bests in runs (94), RBI (85) and games played (158). He finished with a .280 batting average, .365 wOBA and 44.2% hard-hit rate per Statcast, which was by far the highest mark of his career as well.
The Braves believe that is the kind of hitter he’ll be going forward and literally “bought into” his breakout to lock him in as their everyday left fielder. Where he’ll hit in the order is still to be determined, but manager Brian Snitker made it clear he could hit leadoff to start the season with Ronald Acuna Jr. working his way back from injury.
Profar’s breakout last year came much later than for most prospects, but his untraditional path to success has him still going as a late-round pick in many formats. Right now, he’s going as the No. 40 OF by ADP, which makes him one of the better mid-round fantasy baseball sleepers with the potential to post even better numbers as part of the Braves’ core after his move eastward.
Garrett Mitchell, Milwaukee Brewers
If you are shopping for a late-round player that brings upside to be one of this year’s best fantasy baseball sleepers, keep an eye on Mitchell’s availability. The 26-year-old has flashed a high ceiling with both power and speed potential but has struggled to stay healthy.
The lefty was on track for his MLB debut early in 2022 but suffered a strained oblique that delayed his arrival until late August. Once he got to the majors, he suffered a labrum injury which needed surgery and cost him nearly all of 2023. Last season, Mitchell was poised to be Milwaukee’s primary leadoff hitter, but he broke his left hand on a swing while taking extra live batting practice and wasn’t able to return to action until July 1.
In his 69 games after returning, he hit eight homers and stole 11 bases while posting a .255 batting average and a .351 wOBA. He posted his highest walk rate and lowest strikeout rate, showing that his plate approach is progressing.
In his 116 career games, Mitchell has 13 homers and 20 stolen bases while hitting .255 with a .349 wOBA. He and Blake Perkins could split time in center field to start the year, but Mitchell could grow into a full-time role as the season progresses.
He has the potential to produce both power and speed, and could grow into the top-of-the-order bat. While Jackson Chourio has become the cornerstone of the outfield, Mitchell still could emerge as a strong contributor as one of the best fantasy baseball sleepers available outside the top-75 outfielders by ADP.
Jesus Sanchez , Miami Marlins
Sanchez has played more than 60 games in each of the last four seasons for the Marlins, but he’s still just 27 coming into this season. He’s expected to play right field primarily, but manager Clayton McCullough said he may play some games in centerfield as well.
Sanchez hit a career-high 18 homers and also had a career-high 16 stolen bases while hitting .252 with a .317 wOBA last season. He did set a career-high in strikeouts but his strikeout rate was consistent with the previous year.
Sanchez is currently going after 80 other outfielders have been drafted, but he has 20-20 potential and should hit in the middle of Miami’s order. He hit just .162 against lefties, but had a .343 wOBA and 118 wRC+ against righties. He did most of his damage at home, where he had a .350 wOBA and 120 wRC+.
Throughout his career, Sanchez has been streaky, but he finished last year on a nice roll. After July 1, he hit .271 with 11 of his 18 homers, a .346 wOBA and a 120 wRC+. That could just be a good streak for Sanchez, or he could have turned a bit of a corner. If he can sustain that production for a full season and get to the 20-20 level, he could be one of the best fantasy baseball sleepers available for outfield depth at the end of drafts.
