Texas has the top prospects of the division on lock down, and the outfield is no exception. All six of the high profile names are Rangers or Astros. Only a few of the "best of the rest" aren't from those two clubs. Those exceptions are with Seattle. Overall, I have 31 names to share, some of whom have much brighter futures than others.
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AL West Outfield Dynasty Rankings
1. Nomar Mazara (OF, TEX, AAA)
Stats: 88 PA, .358/.409/.444, 1 HR, 0 SB, 11.4% K rate, 5.7% BB rate
Age 20
Entering his age 21 season, Mazara is a contender for top prospect in baseball. He's a hitter, pure and simple. Most of his 2015 was spent at Double-A where he hit .284/.357/.443 with 13 home runs as one of the youngest players in the league. He also posted respectable walk and strikeout rates.
Mazara features a sweet left-handed swing that should tally 25 to 30 home runs annually in his prime. He's on the 40-man roster, although an extended call up in 2016 seems unlikely. The Rangers have enough outfield depth to tinker with his service time. They also need to get a look at a couple others before Mazara blocks them permanently. Mazara's performance and the demands of a contending roster could change the script.
2. Lewis Brinson (OF, TEX, AA)
Stats: 120 PA, .291/.328/.545, 6 HR, 2 SB, 23.3% K rate, 5.0% BB rate
Age 21
Brinson is another guy who could be the top prospect in baseball within a few months time. The above quoted stats are misleading as Brinson wrecked Single-A, hit well in Double-A, and destroyed Triple-A (37 PA). He'll be ticketed back to the top level this year.
The former first round pick is not on the 40-man roster, putting his timetable behind Mazara. His swing has enough leverage to hit 20 home runs (he did last season). His plus speed should let him stick in center field and swipe around 20 bags a year. His contact skills and plate discipline seem to be trending positively too.
3. Joey Gallo (OF, TEX, MLB)
Stats: 123 PA, .204/.301/417, 6 HR, 3 SB, 46.3% K rate, 12.2% BB rate
Age 22
As if the Rangers needed more top outfield prospects, most assume Gallo is ticketed for left field. Or first base. Or designated hitter. He probably isn't returning to his natural position of third base.
Gallo has 80 grade power, and it's his carrying tool. Chances are, you know about the strikeouts. I'm sure the club wants him working every day to make more consistent contact. It's hard to succeed in the majors when you give away over 40 percent of your plate appearances.
In his prime, we could be looking at a low average, 40 home run threat. The 2012 version of Adam Dunn is probably a good example of what we hope he'll become. Recall, that was the "last hurrah" version of Dunn. Even that requires quite a bit more contact than he's shown. The bust risk is glaringly obvious.
4. Kyle Tucker (OF, HOU, R)
Stats: 121 PA, .286/.322/.393, 1 HR, 14 SB, 12.4% K rate, 5.8% BB rate
Age 19
The fifth overall pick of the 2015 draft split his season between two rookie ball levels. His brother, Preston Tucker, is coming off a solid rookie season, but everybody in the baseball world prefers Kyle.
Like Mazara, he's a sweet-swinging lefty with the potential for 20 or more home runs down the line. He didn't show much power in his professional debut, but it's a little early to adjust the scouting report. From the videos I've watched, I see a few small adjustments he could make to really upgrade the power projection.
Tucker also has plenty of speed. If he stays svelte, he might snag upwards of 20 bases a year in the majors. Personally, I see him filling out as he ages. He'll probably become more of a 10 to 15 steal guy in the process. Distance from the majors is the biggest detracting factor for Tucker.
5. Daz Cameron (OF, HOU, R)
Stats: 124 PA, .272/.372/.350, 0 HR, 11 SB, 25.0% K rate, 12.9% BB rate
Age 19
The Astros had the ridiculously good fortune to possess the second (Alex Bregman), fifth (Tucker), and 37th (Cameron) overall picks last summer, and they used them to select three of the top 10 prospects in the draft. Savings from Bregman and Tucker were applied to Cameron who Baseball America tabbed as the fifth best prospect in the draft - one spot behind Bregman and three ahead of Tucker. Other outlets had Cameron no lower than 12th overall.
Cameron currently has some contact issues against quality competition, but most scouts think his plus bat speed will help him to improve. He already has a good plan at the plate as evidenced by his walk rate. Power may take time to develop and isn't likely to be a carrying tool. He has the speed to be a terror on the bases. His line drive-oriented stroke and patience should lead to high OBPs.
6. Derek Fisher (OF, HOU, A+)
Stats: 398 PA, .262/.354/.471, 16 HR, 23 SB, 23.9% K rate, 11.8% BB rate
Age 22
The third overall pick of the 2014 draft, Fisher is quite a bit closer to the majors than the other top Astros outfielders. He thrived in High-A and should be ticketed for a full year at Double-A. Tucker's skill set may play up for fantasy owners with the potential for 25 or more home runs and stolen bases per season.
Some scouts cite worries about his contact rates. They may crop up with more frequency against better pitching. For now, he's shown plate discipline and enough quality contact to be a desirable prospect. If he fizzles a bit in the upper minors, consider buying low while hoping he adjusts.
Other Prospect Names To Watch
Alex Jackson (OF, SEA, A)
Scouts love Jackson and many would probably rate him above Fisher or even Cameron. Nobody questions his ability to work a count. His power upside could include 25 to 30 home runs. The 20-year-old is still a breakout away from being "can't miss."
Andrew Aplin (OF, HOU, AAA)
Aplin is on the cusp of the majors and should be one of the team's first call ups in the event of injury. He's a plus runner who usually walks more than he strikes out in the minors. The soon-to-be 25-year-old has nothing left to prove in the minors. With the Astros outfield depth, look for him to be a defensive replacement and part time starter.
Tony Kemp (OF, HOU, AAA)
Kemp can stick at second base, but this guy named Jose Altuve is in the way. He's a small guy who lacks home run power. As you'd expect, he can snag bases with aplomb - 35 last year. He also hits for average and walks at a good clip.
Tyler O'Neill (OF, SEA, OF)
Gallo is a world renowned prospect. Quietly, O'Neill offers a discount version of the same profile. He doesn't walk as often as Gallo, but he makes up for it with some stolen base potential. The 20-year-old will head to Double-A this season.
Boog Powell (OF, SEA, AAA)
Given his minimal power, Powell doesn't look like a future fantasy stud. He does have good plate discipline, contact skills, and 20 stolen base upside. He could be a sneaky good waiver snag once he reaches the majors. There's a chance he can sneak into the top of the Mariners lineup.
Jairo Beras (OF, TEX, A)
Beras, 20, is highly regarded. He's still pre-breakout. He's coming off a solid season in Single-A with nine home runs and nine stolen bases. He and Mazara were once spoken of in the same sentences, but Mazara sprinted away from him.
Teoscar Hernandez (OF, HOU, AA)
Raw tools and plate discipline issues characterize this 23-year-old. He hit 17 home runs and stole 33 bases, but he also posted a lousy .219/.275/.362 line. A third try at Double-A seems warranted.
Leodys Taveras (OF, TEX, DNP)
Taveras was a top IFA last summer. He's a switch hitter who may eventually hit for power and contact. He may even steal bases. He's also half a decade from the majors at a minimum.
Patrick Kivlehan (OF, TEX, AAA)
Texas snagged Kivlehan, 26, as third base and outfield depth. He hit 22 home runs with 14 steals for the Mariners last year at Triple-A. He projects to be a replacement level player, but the power and speed are always welcome on the fantasy field.
Jahmai Jones (OF, LAA, R)
Jones is the best of a terrible Angels crop. The 18-year-old was the Halos 2015 second round pick. His debut was solid. He's a future center fielder with speed and potential for 10 home run power.
Skye Bolt (OF, OAK, A-)
The A's system is barren. Bolt's advanced plate discipline earns him a nod on this list, but the 22-year-old needs to put it together fast to become fantasy relevant.
Jake Smolinski (OF, OAK, MLB)
Smolinski is no longer a rookie. His profile reads as a Quad-A guy who could be a star in the KBO. If he's ever given a chance to settle in, he might be a league average player. Lack of standout tools will give him few opportunities.
Chad Hinshaw (OF, LAA, AA)
Hinshaw, 25, could fit as a fourth outfielder thanks to plus speed. He has contact problems which case his patient approach to play down.
Jason Martin (OF, HOU, A)
Martin, 20, doesn't receive much prospect plaudits, but he's shown the skills that make a decent ball player. He has a good approach at the plate and makes plenty of contact. Without a power breakout, he's a future fourth outfielder.
Ayendy Perez (OF, LAA, A)
Perez is a little old for his levels, but he's posted solid plate discipline numbers with standout speed. He lacks for power.
Jon Kemmer (OF, HOU, AA)
Kemmer, 25, hit 18 home runs with nine steals at Double-A. He also posted a 10 percent walk rate, 20 percent strikeout rate, and hit for good power. He might be worth a closer look than his pedigree suggests.
Christopher Garia (OF, TEX, AAA)
Garia, 23, spent most of the year in High-A and will probably head back to Double-A. He's a speed guy who showed some power potential for the first time in his professional career. I don't have a scouting report on him.
Stefen Romero (OF, SEA, MLB)
Romero has already blown his rookie eligibility. I mention him because he's easy to overlook and could hit 15 home runs with 10 stolen bases over a full season. I can't fathom him getting the opportunity though.
Dario Pizzano (OF, SEA, AA)
Pizzano, 24, is interesting in that he has a very high contact rate. He may have a 10 home run ceiling, making Joe Panik a best case scenario. He may get a shot at Triple-A this year, making him a sleeper for MLB work if injuries stack up.
Austin Wilson (OF, SEA, A+)
Wilson, 24, profiles as a fourth outfielder or fringy third outfielder. If he's starting, he could hit over 10 home runs with upwards of 10 steals.
Ryan Cordell (OF, TEX, AA)
Cordell his 18 home runs and stole 20 bases in 551 plate appearances. That by itself is interesting, although the soon-to-be 24-year-old looked overmatched at Double-A.
Gareth Morgan (OF, SEA, R)
Morgan, a 19-year-old Canadian, is overmatched at the plate. He has impressive raw power if he ever catches up to the competition.
Carlos Arroyo (OF, TEX, A)
The Rangers rewarded Arroyo with a brief stint in Triple-A, but he's not ready for that level. The organization likes him enough to move him up so he could continue to play after A-Ball shut down. I don't have a scouting report.
Danry Vasquez (OF, HOU, AA)
Vasquez is described a solid hitter. He may be too thin to tap into any kind of power or survive a full major league season. That can be addressed over time, but it does seem to cap his near future potential.
Caleb Adams (OF, LAA, A+)
Across three levels, Adams hit nine home runs and stole nine bases in 525 plate appearances. He also struck out way to much and relied on sky-high BABIPs.
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