We continue with our fantasy rankings in anticipation of the upcoming 2017 fantasy baseball season (which cannot get here soon enough). Check out my Top 20 Outfielders article from yesterday if you missed it and we're moving on today with the Top 40 Outfielders for the season ahead.
Tier 3: La Tigre
21. Christian Yelich (Miami Marlins) - Christian Yelich had kind of a wonky year last season, at least, not what you'd expect from Christian Yelich. Up until this point, Yelich had been a high-average, decent steal, low power guy. He was someone who'd bat .290-.300, hit like 10 home runs max, and steal 15-20 bases. A super useful player, but not even close to what he became last year, which was a .298 hitter with 21 home runs and nine steals. You almost expect the steals and home run totals to be flipped, that's more like the Christian Yelich we've come to know. So the obvious question is, is this legit? Is Yelich a power hitter now? Is he going the Brett Gardner route, cutting down on steals and focusing on power? Well, I don't necessarily see him as a 20 home run guy, but he could be close. His hard-hit rate shot up to a career-high 38% last year. Before that, the best it had been was 34.3%. That's not necessarily insane, in fact I would say that it's encouraging, suggesting that he's making better contact. Other evidence that suggests that is that his groundballs dropped to a career-low, his line drives went up to a career-high, and, perhaps the most interesting info of all, his wRAA against Curveballs and Changeups shot way up. I think Yelich is seeing the ball better and is developing his power more than people expected. Now, his 23.6% HR/FB rate suggests to me that the power will decrease a little, but I think a 15/15 season with a shot at 20/20 while batting ..285-.295 is perfectly realistic.
Im having a hard time understanding this list Ben, is this list based on what you feel there potential is? What you feel they will do for 2017? What criteria are you using to base this listing?