FanNation | The Dawg Barks | The Fantasy Wiz

This is my outfielder edition. Sorry it is so late, I just haven't had time to go onto my computer lately.

1. Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers

Magglio Ordonez had a career season last year. He hit .363 with 28 homeruns and a career-high 139 runs batted in. Maggs missed MVP because of Alex Rodriguez's 50 homerun season but Ordonez will be on the lookout again for an MVP award this year. Magglio got off to a somewhat slow start but he has really turned it on lately as he hit two homeruns on April 24th against the Texas Rangers. Maggs has a grand total of five homeruns so far this year and his 14 runs batted in aren't bad either, batting in front of a lineup that has had it's struggles so far this year. His .294 average should improve but don't expect the eye-popping average of .363 in 2007 considering that it is highly unlikely that he could repeat his magnificent season again. Maggs will be lucky to hit .340 this year, .320 - .330 might be more like it but a thing that he is headed for is a whole bucket of "ribbies." His speed has dropped quite a bit since his 25 stolen base 2001 season but now he has other attributes to make up for it.

Projected 2008 Stats: .328, 31, 152, 3

2. Matt Holliday, Colorado Rockies

Matt Holliday was another player who just missed out on MVP honors last year too - this time in the National league to SS Jimmy Rollins. I thought Holliday was more deserving of the award last year but this year he will be able to contend once again after getting the 2008 season off to a bang, hitting .325 with four homeruns, 13 runs batted in and five stolen bases. It's nice to see that his speed is finally coming around with those five swipes. Holliday will probably not see the monster numbers he put up last year like his .340 average or his 137 runs batted in but in other stat areas such as homeruns and stolen bases - he could improve in those areas as he gets older. Al in all, he will be a great player this year.

Projected 2008 Stats: .319, 39, 122, 34

3. Chris B. Young, Arizona Diamondbacks

While Chris B. Young may never be a great contact hitter, but he doesn't need to be one. Even so, his .237 average from last year and his .224 average so far this year will turn you off when you are looking for a key outfielder to help your fantasy team but lets look at some of his other stats. What about his 32 homeruns in only 148 games last year? And adding to that, what about his 27 steals? Face it, Young has all of the tools to be a 30-30 player this year and a 40-40 player in the future, 50-50 wouldn't be too crazy when he gets older. He will also give you around 75 runs batted in this year. Now back to the hitting. Yes, he hit for a lousy average last year and had 145 strikeouts but as he gets older, he will get less strikeouts and his average will go up. You could point to his .224 average this year but lets wait and judge his average after he has about 200 at-bats, not 85. This pick is risky but it could pay off for you big time.

Projected 2008 Stats: .263, 38, 79, 36

4. Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs

Alfonso Soriano didn't mee6t expectations last year but that is common with players going to a new team. Now he may be able to bring some hardware home (Most Improved Player) and of course, better stats. Soriano hit .299 last year which was just .001 behind his career high which shows you that you shouldn't take Soriano for hitting. His power and speed will help you a lot though. Soriano hit 33 homeruns last yera and that was only in 135 games. The year before that, we saw him hit 46. Anyway you look at it, Soriano will be giving you bombs but what about speed? He had marvelous speed with the New York Yankees in 2001-2003 where he stole 119 bases in three years but since then, he has only reached 40 steals once with the Washington Nationals in 2006. He swiped just 19 last year. Will he ragain some of his old speed or will he get a number around 20? Only time will tell - but I'm guessing around 30. He is a safer pick than Young but Young has more potential.

Projected 2008 Stats: .296, 40, 93, 30

5. Curtis Granderson, Detroit Tigers

Curtis Granderson had career highs in pretty much every offensive catagory last year and ended up with a 20-20-20-20 season (doubles, triples, homeruns, stolen bases) and hit .302 in the proccess. He got injured in Spring Training and missed the first two-three weeks of the season but he has the talent to make up for those lost weeks and put up stats as good as any. "Grandy" is hitting .375 with one homerun and three runs batted in through only two games. He also has four runs in only eight at-bats. Granderson will have a hard time reaching 23 triples again though. Quoted by Curtis "I hit the ball in the right places last year." Will he hit the ball in the right places again this year? Who knows. He will hit .300, 20 homeruns, 30 doubles and 20 stolen bases (maybe more) but his triples could go down.