Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2017: Best Outfielder Value Picks

When it comes to approaching the outfield position in 2017 fantasy baseball drafts, my advice is simple: Just wait.

Whereas last season the position felt remarkably thin, it is decidedly deeper heading into the 2017 campaign. While you're probably going to want to grab one or two stud outfielders with your first couple picks because the drop-off between the Top 12 and the middle tier is fairly steep, it makes sense to target other positions in the middle rounds, then resume filling out your OF depth later.

Whether it's a post-hype breakout candidate (hello there, Byron Buxton), a player looking to return to form after injury (get well soon, Michael Brantley), or a young burgeoning star ready to take the next step forward (Nomar Mazara became just the 11th player to hit 20-plus home runs at 21 or younger last year, joining a decent group of Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton, Justin Upton, Carlos Correa, Freddie Freeman, Albert Pujols, Adrian Beltre, Miguel Cabrera, and Ryan Zimmerman), there is an abundance of sleepers and value picks available after the Top 100 picks. Even if you're in a league where you need to start five outfielders, you shouldn't feel upset if you end up with two or three after the eighth or ninth round.

With that in mind, you can click through the gallery for some of my favorite outfielder bargains and breakout picks for the 2017 season. Note that we're using average draft position data from FantasyPros.com and only looking at players who are outside the Top 30 at the position. (Getty)

Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston Red Sox

Average Draft Position: 35 OF, 121 Overall

2016 Stats: .267 AVG, .349 OBP, 94 runs, 26 home runs, 87 RBI, 9 SB

2017 Outlook: It's understandable to believe that there might be some regression coming from Bradley. His run total could take a hit with David Ortiz no longer in the middle of the lineup, and his overall numbers in 2016 were significantly worse over the second half.

But honestly, those concerns are built into his price. He's being drafted 15 outfield spots below where he finished last year, when he essentially had the same season as George Springer, who is older and who is being drafted in the third round. Ultimately, Bradley's power isn't expected to regress, the RBI opportunities will be there hitting behind Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Hanley Ramirez, and he's going to contribute good run and steal totals. (Getty)

Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins

Average Draft Position: 46 OF, 173 Overall

2016 Stats: .225 AVG, .284 OBP, 44 runs, 10 home runs, 38 RBI, 10 stolen bases

2017 Outlook: Admittedly, I'm not in love with Buxton's average draft position, as you'll soon see there are some players I like who are being drafted a little later.

Still, if you want massive upside and potential, this is your guy. Though he has mostly disappointed in his several stints with the Twins, he was rushed to the majors far too soon. He's still only 23 years old, and he finally showed glimpses of his talent last September and October, hitting .287/.357/.653 with 24 runs, nine homers and 22 RBI in just 113 plate appearances. It's a small sample, but it's enough to suggest he can still be the player most thought he was when he was drafted second overall in 2012. Even if he still provides a low average, the home run-stolen base potential is mouth-watering. (Getty)

Marcell Ozuna, Miami Marlins

Average Draft Position: OF 49, Overall 185

2016 Stats: .266 AVG, .321 OBP, 75 runs, 23 home runs, 76 RBI, 0 stolen bases

2017 Outlook: Ozuna's final 2016 stats look solid, but they could have been much better. From the start of the season through June 24, he hit .320/.375/.574 with 47 runs, 16 homers and 44 RBI in 299 plate appearances.

Then he suffered a left wrist injury. It only forced him to miss a couple games in both June and September, but it certainly appeared to affect him all year. From June 25 through the end of the season, he hit just .214/.269/.337 with 28 runs, seven homers and 32 RBI in 309 plate appearances.

At this point in the draft, I'm willing to gamble that I'm getting the first-half Ozuna, who is still only 26 years old and has lots of room for improvement. (Getty)

Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians

Average Draft Position: 50 OF, 186 Overall

2016 Stats: .231 AVG, .279 OBP, 5 runs, 0 home runs, 7 RBI, 1 stolen bases

2017 Outlook: Brantley is seven months removed from right biceps surgery and just getting back to on-field batting practice. It's unclear when he'll be ready to play.

That said, his average draft position suggests you're spending a 16th-round pick on him. At that point in the draft, you're taking players who will very possibly be off your roster by the time May rolls around. As such, you might as well go with an upside pick in Brantley, who had an absurd two-year average of .319/.382/.494 with 81 runs, 18 homers, 90 RBI and 19 stolen bases between 2014 and 2015.

At the worst, his recovery from injury doesn't go well and you drop him after a month. At the best, he returns to being a five-category stud. This is easily one of my favorite late-round gambles. (Getty)

Joc Pederson, Los Angeles Dodgers

Average Draft Position: 51 OF, 194 Overall

2016 Stats: .246 AVG, .352 OBP 64 runs, 25 home runs, 68 RBI, 6 stolen bases

2017 Outlook: After a wild rookie season that saw him light the league on fire in the first half and crash back to earth horribly in the second half, Pederson was far more consistent in 2016 and ultimately improved his batting average by 36 points and his OPS by a whopping 84 points.

At only 24 years of age and clearly on the upswing, he's already an OBP stud, there is still room to improve on his 64 runs, 25 home runs and 68 RBI, as he may not platoon as heavily this year, and double-digit stolen base upside is still there. Even if he just repeats what he did last year, he'll be a fine choice at his current ADP. If he continues to improve, he's a downright steal. (Getty)