Last week we covered corner infielders and three weeks ago we went over the middle infielders, so this week we’re going to talk about the catchers and outfielders (a weird combo, I know, but if it is good enough for Daulton Varsho, it is good enough for me) who have risen and fallen this season, with a special shoutout for Shohei Ohtani.

Coming into the season, Adley Rutschman was the first catcher selected in pretty much every single league, but finds himself finishing outside the top five of the position (and possibly outside the top 200 players overall). Instead, William Contreras will end the season as the best fantasy catcher, in my opinion, in both re-draft and dynasty formats, and for the second season in a row. It’s also the third consecutive season he has finished higher in the rankings than Rutschman did. Methinks the rankings and ADP’s for 2025 are sure to flip between these two. Yainer Diaz proved the Astros right, excelling tremendously as the number one catcher and getting additional at-bats at 1B and DH. Salvador Perez had a huge year for the playoff hopeful Royals, as he had the second-best season of his career, extending his 20 or more home run streak to eight (non-covid) seasons and his second career 100 RBI season.

Ronald Acuna was THE first pick in all drafts this past season, but, unfortunately, another torn ACL ended his season in May, putting his availability for the beginning of 2025 into doubt and hurting his managers this year. In my opinion, the overwhelming favorite for the #1 OF spot in 2025 will be the mammoth man himself, Aaron Judge. He just might hit 60 home runs a second time, has been able to stay healthy and, if Juan Soto does indeed re-sign with the Yankees, will form the best 1-2 offensive duo in the entire league. Speaking of Soto, he will be one of the top three outfielders for 2025, especially if he stays in New York, but probably regardless of where he ends up. Others that flew up the rankings and should get drafted much higher (and that we will talk about below) are Jarren Duran – breakout year in Boston, Jackson Merrill – Rookie of the Year while learning one of the most demanding positions in baseball?, Brenton Doyle – is there a 30/30 season on the horizon?, and Jackson Chourio – how high is the ceiling, really?

Finally, what can we say about Shohei Ohtani? He reset the definition of dominance. Though he will not hit 60 home runs and steal 60 bases, if he ends the season at his current 53 home runs and 56 stolen bases, it will still be a season to remember. He should finish the season as one of only four (or five or six, depending on Corbin Carroll & Gunnar Henderson) players to score 120 or more runs and will probably be the only one to score 130 or more, one of only two to hit 50 or more home runs (he and Aaron Judge), one of two to drive in 125 or more runs (he and Aaron Judge, who has 142), one of two to steal 50 or more bases (he and Elly De La Cruz, who has 65) and one of six (or seven depending on Yainer Diaz) players to bat 0.300 or better. Absolute insanity and it the season isn’t really being given the respect it deserves because baseball isn’t as popular/as loved as basketball or football. He will definitely be the #1 overall pick in every single league next year, especially if you get to have him as both a hitter and a pitcher, but even if it is hitter only, he will probably still be the top pick in every draft. We may never see another fantasy season like the one we just witnessed from Ohtani, so I hope everyone has truly enjoyed the show he put on during the regular season.

RISERS

Tyler Stephenson will end the 2024 season as a career year, setting new highs for doubles, home runs, runs, RBI and WAR. It is his second season over 500 plate appearances and should result in him moving up draft boards and catcher rankings in the off-season. He raised both his barrel (9%) and hard-hit (44%) rates, leading to a career high average exit velocity (90.3 MPH) and posted his highest full season fly ball rate of his career (33.1%). Though he does hit more ground balls than you’d like, he raised his contact rate over 4%, from 74.2% to 78.5%, from 2023 to 2024, so even with the high ground ball rate, at least more balls in play means more chances at hits and counting stats. The Reds offense is young and aggressive on the basepaths and could take a step forward with more consistent play from their outfielders (or if they could just stay healthy) and continued growth from Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, Christian Encarnacion-Strand (who should be healthy next year), Spencer Steer and Matt McLain (again, someone who should be healthy next year). 550 plate appearances out of Tyler Stephenson in 2025 could lead to a top three ranking at the end of the season, something I might just be willing to bet on.

Want to get access to the rest of Anthony’s article? You’ll need to have a FANTASYPASS membership. Click here to learn more and sign up!
Premium Access Required