Its time to draft! You've been planning your draft strategies all offseason and it all comes down to the heat of the moment when you lock in your picks. Spring training and the World Baseball Classic was a wild ride of injury reports, roster competitions, and a few flashes of potential breakout players. My up to date Top 250 Fantasy Baseball Rankings will help you build your championship team!
These rankings are for an ESPN standard league: both AL and NL players, 10 teams with 25 roster spots(C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, MI, CI, OFx5, Ut, SPx6, RPx3, BNx3), and Rotisserie 5x5 scoring(AVG, HR, RBI, SB and R for hitters, and W, SV, ERA, WHIP and K for pitchers).
Here's the general criteria I used for the rankings
60% - 2016 stats
20% - Track Record
10% - Health/Age
5% - Ballpark/Lineup Protection
5% - Position Value
I've included additional analysis on the highlighted players on this list. I explain some of my more controversial rankings and I'll include more player analysis upon request.
If you have any questions, requests, criticisms, etc, please share your feedback with me on twitter
https://twitter.com/WPB_Podcast
----- Last edited 4/1/17 -----
Top 250 Rankings
Mike Trout [ LAA / OF ]
Kris Bryant [ CHC / 3B, OF ]
Jose Altuve [ HOU / 2B ]
Mookie Betts [ BOS / OF ]
Paul Goldschmidt [ ARI / 1B ]
Nolan Arenado [ COL / 3B ]
Manny Machado [ BAL / 3B, SS ]
Josh Donaldson [ TOR / 3B ]
Clayton Kershaw [ LAD / SP ]
Anthony Rizzo [ CHC / 1B ]
Miguel Cabrera [ DET / 1B ]
Trea Turner [ WAS / OF, 2B ]
Charlie Blackmon [ COL / OF ]
Carlos Correa [ HOU / SS ]
Bryce Harper [ WAS / OF ]
Max Scherzer [ WAS / SP ]
Madison Bumgarner [ SF / SP ]
Corey Seager [ LAD / SS ]
Edwin Encarnacion [ CLE / 1B ]
Joey Votto [ CIN / 1B ]
Chris Sale [ BOS / SP ]
Corey Kluber [ CLE / SP ]
Noah Syndergaard [ NYM / SP ]
Daniel Murphy [ WAS / 2B, 1B ]
Robinson Cano [ SEA / 2B ]
Freddie Freeman [ ATL / 1B ]
Francisco Lindor [ CLE / SS ]
Brian Dozier [ MIN / 2B ]
Xander Bogaerts [ BOS / SS ]
Jon Lester [ CHC/ SP ]
Jake Arrieta [ CHC / SP ]
Justin Verlander [ DET / SP ]
Ryan Braun [ MIL / OF ]
Starling Marte [ PIT / OF ]
Carlos Gonzalez [ COL / OF ]
Nelson Cruz [ SEA / OF ]
Christian Yelich [ MIA / OF ]
Giancarlo Stanton [ MIA / OF ]
Wil Myers [ SD / 1B ]
Jonathan Villar [ MIL / 3B, SS ]
Ian Kinsler [ DET / 2B ]
Jose Abreu [ CWS / 1B ]
Johnny Cueto [ SF / SP ]
George Springer [ HOU / OF ]
AJ Pollock [ ARI / OF ]
Yoenis Cespedes [ NYM / OF ]
Jose Bautista [ TOR / OF ]
Trevor Story [ COL / SS ]
Kyle Seager [ SEA / 3B ]
Stephen Strasburg [ WAS / SP ]
Jacob DeGrom [ NYM / SP ]
Andrew Mccutchen [ PIT / OF ]
Masahiro Tanaka [ NYY / SP ]
Carlos Carrasco [ CLE / SP ]
Yu Darvish [ TEX / SP ]
Alex Bregman [ HOU / 3B ]
Rougned Odor [ TEX / 2B ]
Kenley Jansen [ LAD / RP ]
Adrian Beltre [ TEX / 3B ]
Carlos Martinez [ STL / SP ]
Chris Archer [ TB / SP ]
Zach Britton [ BAL / RP ]
Aroldis Chapman [ NYY / RP ]
Hanley Ramirez [ BOS / 1B ]
Kyle Hendricks [ CHC / SP ]
DJ LeMahieu [ COL / 2B ]
Gregory Polanco [ PIT / OF ]
Justin Upton [ DET / OF ]
Jackie Bradley Jr. [ BOS / OF ]
Buster Posey [ SF / C ]
Evan Longoria [ TB / 3B ]
Kyle Schwarber [ CHC / OF ]
Todd Frazier [ CWS / 3B ]
Khris Davis [ OAK / OF ]
Chris Davis [ BAL / 1B ]
Mark Trumbo [ BAL / OF ]
Gary Sanchez [ NYY / C ]
Mark Melancon [ SF / RP ]
Matt Carpenter [ STL / 1B, 2B, 3B ]
Adam Jones [ BAL / OF ]
Jean Segura [ SEA / 2B, SS ]
Billy Hamilton [ CIN / OF ]
Dee Gordon [ MIA / 2B ]
Dustin Pedroia [ BOS / 2B ]
Aledmys Diaz [ STL / SS ]
Carlos Santana [ CLE / 1B ]
Eric Hosmer [ KC / 1B ]
Rick Porcello [ BOS / SP ]
Jose Quintana [ CWS / SP ]
JD Martinez [ DET / OF ]
Zack Greinke [ ARI / SP ]
Stephen Piscotty [ STL / OF ]
Andrew Benintendi [ BOS / OF ]
Edwin Diaz [ SEA / RP ]
Anthony Rendon [ WAS / 3B ]
Aaron Sanchez [ TOR / SP ]
Justin Turner [ LAD / 3B ]
Roberto Osuna [ TOR / RP ]
Craig Kimbrel [ BOS / RP ]
Kenta Maeda [ LAD / SP ]
Seung Hwan Oh [ STL / RP ]
Gerrit Cole [ PIT / SP ]
Andrew Miller [ CLE / RP ]
Adam Eaton [ WAS / OF ]
Michael Brantley [ CLE / OF ]
Albert Pujols [ LAA / 1B ]
Matt Kemp [ ATL / OF ]
Cole Hamels [ TEX / SP ]
Kelvin Herrera [ KC / RP ]
Lorenzo Cain [ KC / OF ]
Addison Russell [ CHC / SS ]
Troy Tulowitzki [ TOR / SS ]
Ben Zobrist [ CHC / 2B, OF ]
Jason Kipnis [ CLE / 2B ]
Julio Teheran [ ATL / SP ]
Danny Salazar [ CLE / SP ]
Odubel Herrera [ PHI / OF ]
Tanner Roark [ WAS / SP ]
Kevin Gausman [ BAL / SP ]
Jose Ramirez [ CLE / 3B, OF ]
Jeurys Familia [ NYM / RP ]
Wade Davis [ CHC / RP ]
Marcell Ozuna [ MIA / OF ]
Jonathan Lucroy [ TEX / C ]
Mike Napoli [ TEX / 1B ]
Brandon Belt [ SF / 1B ]
Adrian Gonzalez [ LAD / 1B ]
Danny Duffy [ KC / SP, RP ]
Felix Hernandez [ SEA / SP ]
Jay Bruce [ NYM / OF ]
Carlos Beltran [ HOU / OF ]
Miguel Sano [ MIN / 3B, OF ]
Kendrys Morales [ TOR / DH ]
Michael Fulmer [ DET / SP ]
Jake Lamb [ ARI / 3B ]
Matt Harvey [ NYM / SP ]
John Lackey [ CHC / SP ]
Rich Hill [ LAD / SP ]
Kole Calhoun [ LAA / OF ]
Eduardo Nunez [ SF / 3B, SS ]
J.A. Happ [ TOR / SP ]
Marcus Stroman [ TOR / SP ]
David Robertson [ CWS / RP ]
Logan Forsythe [ LAD / 2B ]
Adam Duvall [ CIN / OF ]
Randal Grichuk [ STL / OF ]
Wilson Contreras [ CHC / C, OF ]
Ken Giles [ HOU / RP ]
Dellin Betances [ NYY / RP ]
JT Realmuto [ MIA / C ]
Dexter Fowler [ STL / OF ]
Hisashi Iwakuma [ SEA / SP ]
Drew Smyly [ SEA / SP ]
Victor Martinez [ DET / DH ]
Brad Miller [ TB / 1B, SS ]
Steven Matz [ NYM / SP ]
Maikel Franco [ PHI / 3B ]
Marco Estrada [ TOR / SP ]
Dallas Keuchel [ HOU / SP ]
Aaron Nola [ PHI / SP ]
Tony Watson [ PIT / RP ]
Alex Colome [ TB / RP ]
Cody Allen [ CLE / RP ]
Rajai Davis [ OAK / OF ]
Hunter Pence [ SF / OF ]
Sean Manaea [ OAK / SP ]
Vincent Velazquez [ PHI / SP ]
Javier Baez [ CHC / 2B, SS, 3B ]
James Paxton [ SEA / SP ]
Byron Buxton [ MIN / OF ]
Keon Broxton [ MIL / OF ]
Jonathan Schoop [ BAL / 2B ]
Nick Castellanos [ DET / 3B ]
Garrett Richards [ LAA / SP ]
Matt Shoemaker [ LAA / SP ]
Jon Gray [ COL / SP ]
Jacoby Ellsbury [ NYY / OF ]
Jake Odorizzi [ TB / SP ]
Robby Ray [ ARI / SP ]
Ender Inciarte [ ATL / OF ]
David Peralta [ ARI / OF ]
Yoan Moncada [ CWS / 3B ]
Blake Snell [ TB / SP ]
Joe Ross [ WAS / SP ]
Brandon Crawford [ SF / SS ]
Yasmani Grandal [ LAD / C ]
Brett Gardner [ NYY / OF ]
Elvis Andrus [ TEX / SS ]
Joc Pederson [ LAD / OF ]
Nomar Mazara [ TEX / OF ]
Yasiel Puig [ LAD / OF ]
Greg Bird [ NYY / 1B ]
Mike Moustakas [ KC / 3B ]
Devon Travis [ TOR / 2B ]
Starlin Castro [ NYY / 2B ]
Evan Gattis [ HOU / C ]
Carlos Rodon [ CWS / SP ]
Ryon Healy [ OAK / 3B ]
Jeff Samardzija [ SF / SP ]
Michael Pineda [ NYY / SP ]
Dansby Swanson [ ATL / SS ]
Ian Desmond [ COL / OF ]
Michael Conforto [ NYM / OF ]
Jedd Gyorko [ STL / 2B, SS, 3B ]
Jameson Taillon [ PIT / SP ]
Brian Mccann [ HOU / C ]
Yasmani Tomas [ ARI / OF ]
Jose Peraza [ CIN / OF , SS ]
Manuel Margot [ SD / OF ]
Kevin Pillar [ TOR / OF ]
Sonny Gray [ OAK / SP ]
Adam Wainwright [ STL / SP ]
Brandon Phillips [ CIN / 2B ]
Joe Panik [ SF / 2B ]
Marcus Semien [ OAK / SS ]
Matt Moore [ SF / SP ]
Chris Tillman [ BAL / SP ]
Neil Walker [ NYM / 2B ]
Tyler Skaggs [ LAA / SP ]
Josh Reddick [ HOU / OF ]
Jarrod Dyson [ SEA / OF ]
Salvador Perez [ KC / C ]
Sam Dyson [ TEX / RP ]
AJ Ramos [ MIA / RP ]
C.J. Cron [ LAA / 1B ]
Eduardo Rodriguez [ BOS / SP ]
Curtis Granderson [ NYM / OF ]
Melky Cabrera [ CWS / OF ]
David Dahl [ COL / OF ]
Hunter Renfroe [ SD / OF ]
Lance McCullers [ HOU / SP ]
Tim Anderson [ CWS / SS ]
Eugenio Suarez [ CIN / 3B ]
Cam Bedrosian [ LAA / RP ]
Kevin Kiermaier [ TB / OF ]
Josh Harrison [ PIT / 2B ]
Francisco Rodriguez [ DET / RP ]
Asdrubal Cabrera [ NYM / SS ]
Welington Castillo [ ARI / C ]
Russell Martin [ TOR / C ]
Ian Kennedy [ KC / SP ]
Yadier Molina [ STL / C ]
Gio Gonzalez [ WAS / SP ]
David Price [ BOS / SP ]
Max Kepler [ MIN / OF ]
Julio Urias [ LAD / SP ]
Mitch Haniger [ SEA / OF ]
Matt Wieters [ WAS / C ]
Carlos Gomez [ TEX / OF ]
Blake Treinen [ WAS / RP ]
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Player Analysis
"Trea Turner is ranked #12?!?!?! This guys has played like 2 months in the majors!!!"
...is probably your initial reaction. Turner's tiny sample size in the majors made him a top NL ROY candidate. He posted an insane .342 AVG with 53 runs, 40 rbis, 13 homers, and 33 stolen bases in just 73 games! Translate that to a full season, he'd post a .342 AVG, 103 runs, 78 rbis, 25 homers, and 64 stolen bases! Even accounting for substantial regression in his first full season, its safe to assume his floor is somewhere around a .280 avg with 90 runs, 60 rbis, 10 homers, and 40 steals. In other words, even a down year would be very productive. Most of the security in drafting him is the stolen base production, but we've already seen what he can do when he incorporates AVG and power. This kid has showed us every sign that he's gonna be a superstar, and I'm all in.
You were the chosen one, Bryce Harper! Why did you have to go and hit .243 with just 24 homers following your MVP season! There is no question Harper fell off the top of the fantasy baseball pyramid, but he hasn't fallen too far. We've seen both extremes for Harper, so its impossible to determine what he will do next season. That's where most of his value is lost; the uncertainty. Don't get me wrong, he still put up a 20hr/20sb season in his down year, so that's a very impressive floor. We are all hoping for a great comeback season, but I'm not using my first round draft pick on him.
Nelson Cruz always seems to sneak through the first 4-5 rounds of fantasy drafts, but he's had 3 consecutive 40 hr seasons with a very safe batting avg, a rare commodity in today's game. He is certainly worth a 4th round pick.
Giancarlo Stanton has been a first round pick in recent years, but I have had enough of the injury shortened seasons. Every year is supposed to be the year he puts it all together and mashes 50+ homers, but that assumption is in the past. His power is still unmatched when he is healthy, but he isn't safe enough health wise to crack the first 3 rounds, especially considering the abundance of power throughout the league now.
Stephen Strasburg is the pitcher version of Stanton. There always seems to be some minor injury throwing him off his game, which leads to a lot of missed starts or unproductive starts. When fully healthy, he is one of the best pitchers in the game. Consistency is his main flaw.
Alex Bregman is way too high on this list. I don't have too much to back this ranking statistically, but I wholeheartedly believe he is going to break out in a huge way. If you need some sort of arbitrary stat, he had an OPS of .917 from August 3rd to the end of the season, which is around the end of that ice cold start he had in the big leagues. Bregman is an incredible athlete that rose through the minors rapidly with his bat. I can see him having a Mookie Betts type season in a big role starting at 3B for the Astros. This ranking is a bold one, but I want him on my team when he breaks out. There is too much talent to be ignored.
Mark Trumbo had a great season, but nobody seems to be on board with him. Everyone thinks he will regress back to 30 homers if he ends up leaving Baltimore. The main reason for his great numbers wasn't the ballpark; it was the stable role he had throughout the season. He wasn't trying to learn a new position or dealing with a platoon situation. He just went to work and hit homers. He has some of the most raw right handed power in all of baseball. He is perfectly capable repeating a 40+ homer season.
#IAMGARY. There is probably no player in all of baseball who is feeling more pressure to have a fantastic 2017 season than Gary Sanchez. How does a rookie follow up a season where he hit 20 homers in 200 ABs? Yankees fans are ready for the next wave of young talent to carry them to more World Series titles, but it might be a bit much to ask him keep his insane pace and hit 60 homers. It is, however, entirely possible he hits 30 homers with a solid batting avg as a catcher in the middle of the lineup. We've seen what he can do if gets hot, and you want him on your team when he does.
Jean Segura was one of the top fantasy performers last year with a great mix of speed, batting average, and power. With his move from Arizona to Seattle, however, I can't project the same power numbers for 2017. Very nice 2B/SS that will steal lots of bases and score runs, but probably won't contribute much more than that.
Aledmys Diaz had a great rookie season, but the counting stats were not as impressive due to a late season injury. In 404 ABs last season he hit .300 with 17 homers. Another positive stat was his 41 walks to only 60 strikeouts, giving him a .68 BB/K ratio to lead all rookies. This kid is one of the few rookie hitters I would project to hit between .280 and .300 to go along with 20 home run power. The only real uncertainty is where he will hit in the lineup for the Cardinals, but I'm confident he can produce a strong sophomore campaign.
Speaking of Cardinals rookies, Seung Hwan Oh was one of the most effective relief pitchers throughout the season. He posted an impressive 1.92 ERA with a .92 WHIP. To go along with that, he also had 11.64 K/9 and and a 5.72 K/BB ratio. He also racked up 19 saves after taking over the closer role mid season. Seeing as he'll have the closer role to start the season, he will pick up a lot more saves in 2017 to accompany those other great stats.
Edwin Diaz was another rookie reliever to take the league by storm by becoming the fastest pitcher to reach 50 career Ks IN THE MODERN ERA. With a monstrous 15.33 K/9 ratio, its no wonder he was quickly slotted into the closer role. He isn't quite as consistent as some other top closers, but he might be the most elite strikeout reliever in all of baseball.
Aaron Sanchez earned a spot the top 100 after his first full season as a starter. Workload was a concern last season, but he showed he's up for the task of a full season workload posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 15 wins, and 162 K's in 30 starts. His fastball-curveball combination is deadly, and I think he will continue to improve as his secondary pitches do. He is poised to have another great season, and there is a good chance he puts up even better numbers.
I analyze a lot of the exciting young players rising through the ranks, but don't sleep on the old guys. Albert Pujols and Carlos Beltran both put up great numbers last season, but people dismiss them because of their age and injury history. Well, the both played over 150 games last season, so there isn't as much "risk" in drafting these potential future Hall of Famers as you'd think.
Andrew Benintendi is the MLB.com #1 top prospect, but this kid is about as safe a pick as you can get. His pure hitting skills are fantastic, which is why looked right at home hitting .295 in his first stint in the majors last year. He is likely to hit second or third in a loaded Red Sox lineup. Didn't show off much of the power or the speed last year, but he definitely has plenty in store based on his minor league track record.
Logan Forsythe was always a solid player with the Rays, but he will play on a much bigger stage with the Dodgers next year. The biggest change for Forsythe is his probable role hitting leadoff. He has a strong chance to fly past his career high 76 runs scored with his new team.
This year looked like the year Dellin Betances would take over the closer role for the Yankees until Chapman signed a 5 year contract this offseason. Betances is the only reliever on this list who is not projected to get more than a few saves. He's led all relievers in Ks each of the past 3 seasons. His career 14.28 K/9 speaks for itself too. He has a unique ability to contribute in K's, WHIP, and ERA despite not having a role that earns him wins or saves.
Aaron Nola had a rough season after showing a glimpse of his potential in April and May. The end product 4.78 ERA and 1.31 WHIP should be undraftable, but I think Nola has potential for a strong bounce-back. In 2016, his season ended after landing on the DL with with a minor elbow ligament strain. He did receive platelet-rich plasma injections and is expected to be 100% ready for spring training. The reason I trust Nola's comeback more than others is because he is not your typical young flamethrower. He has exceptional command and has a good feel for 4 pitches. The ceiling is high for this polished, young pitcher.
Tony Watson has been an extremely effective relief pitcher the last few years, but now he's filled to closer role since Melancon was traded. He is new to role, but as safe a reliever in terms of WHIP and ERA as you will find.
James Paxton has had his struggles his first few seasons, but he had somewhat of a career revival in 2016. Perhaps what was most shocking about his season was the 2 mph increase in his average fastball velocity. He also brought up his K/9 from 7.5 to 8.7 and posted a FIP of 2.80. There are a lot of peripheral numbers to suggest he will be much better than a 3.79 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 2017.
No, I didn't rank Byron Buxton and Keon Broxton back to back because their names are similar. I ranked them both in the top 200 because speed is in high demand in this format. Both clearly have the ability to swipe 40 bags if they play, but the bats have been highly questionable. I was really encouraged by some of the power both of these guys flashed last season, especially Buxton's hot September with an OPS over .900. We all know Buxton has the potential to be one of the best players in baseball, so play it safe drafting him for his speed and be amazed if and when he emerges as a superstar.
Blake Snell is another young lefty everyone should keep their eye on. He had a SUPER high 1.61 WHIP last season, but he also struck out 98 batters in just 89 innings. This is a kid who flew through the minor leagues and ran into a bit of a learning curve in his first MLB stint. His fastball and curveball have really high spin rates that miss lots of bats. The most important thing is his arm is healthy, lively, and ready to strike everyone out next season.
I rode the Michael Conforto hype train as far as it could go, but I've had to accept the sad truth that he will not have a vital role on the Mets in 2017. Cespedes, Granderson, and Bruce are gonna see most of the time in the outfield while Conforto's potential will be wasted yet again as a fourth outfielder or, dare I say, in the minors! I still believe this kid will hit .300 with 20-30 homers at some point, but barring any injuries to the Met's OF starters, this will not be that year :(
Speed is the name of the game when it comes to late round picks, and one of the fastest players I can think of is Jarrod Dyson. He is the definition of a one category player, but with his new team in Seattle that can be an easy 30 stolen bases at the very least. He is gonna get plenty of playing time too considering his premium defense.
If you want to draft your speedy players with some more offensive upside, then Jose Peraza and Manuel Margot are the perfect fit. Both have incredible athleticism that translated to high stolen base totals in the majors and minors, but they can swing the sticks too. If power potential is more desirable for you, then Hunter Renfroe will pack plenty in his first full season. The main takeaway is that all 3 of these high upside players are playing for really bad, rebuilding teams, which means more security in playing time.
I'm not exactly excited about it, but Carlos Gomez still cracks the top 250 after his swift and brutal decline. If he plays, he still has enough power and speed to be draftable. For a player who was considered a top 20 pick only a few years ago, I find it sad that now I feel bold even having him in the top 250. On the off off off off off chance he makes a comeback, scoop him up with your last pick and see what he can do.
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Again, if you want analysis on any other players, let me know on twitter . I'd really appreciate any other feedback you have as well. Be on the lookout for more articles coming soon!
