Fantasy Baseball Draft Steals: 5 Outfielders to Target

At the end of last week, I wrapped up my fantasy baseball average draft position breakdowns of every position. Now, I wanted to go back through the positions and highlight some potential draft steals and busts.

I'll provide explanations of my picks at every position. First, we will start with outfielders, taking a look at draft steal options - check back for the outfielder draft bust story. I'll keep things to five players or less in every article.

Here are the early-season ADP breakdowns by position: relief pitchers, second basemen, first basemen, catchers, starting pitchers, shortstops, third basemen, outfielders and designated hitters, plus an overall look.

More fantasy baseball average draft position data can be found on FantasySP. Draft Genius now has custom head-to-head scoring options and on demand AI expert help for every pick.

Jackson Chourio - Milwaukee Brewers

Chourio is not even 22 years old yet, but is already entering his third full year in the big leagues. He's currently OF11, going at pick 39 on average.

He was OF19 last season using ESPN scoring, and that's with playing just 131 games. Chourio had a .270 average and .308 on-base percentage. He had as much pop and run production as he did in a 148-game season in 2024.

I think Chourio takes another step forward this season, and it will help him be a fantasy draft steal in my eyes. I think he offers good draft value at his ADP, but could easily finish higher than that with a fully healthy season, or even just some improvement in the OBP department.

If you miss out on some of the top-end fantasy outfielders, don't be afraid to take Chourio as your top guy. If you land him as a second outfielder, you're headed to great things at the position.

Cody Bellinger - New York Yankees

Bellinger was the No. 3 fantasy outfielder a season ago. He's OF14 and going near pick 50 right now - that's simply too late.

He's also eligible to maybe play first base too, and if that's the case, Bellinger's fantasy value is even higher. For some reason, he's really underdrafted right now, so if you draft soon, take advantage of things and grab Bellinger.

He's still just 30 years old, and I don't see his numbers dropping off drastically from the past couple years. Bellinger should be hitting in the heart of a stacked Yankees' lineup, and if Belli stays healthy, the sky is the limit for him as a fantasy asset.

I expect his ADP to rise significantly between now and the season, but you shouldn't be afraid to take him even if he's going 20 or more picks earlier - look at last season's numbers as a justification for that take.

Jackson Merrill - San Diego Padres

Merrill is coming off a down 2025 season in which he missed a ton of games with injuries. That's really hurt his ADP so far in 2026 - he's the 16th OF taken so far, going around pick 63 on average.

He starred as a rookie, and a healthier season should help Merrill get back to that level of play. Sure, there's some risk based on what happened last year, but if he bounces back, he could end up playing to a level of 40 or more picks earlier.

Expect Merrill to hit early in the Padres' lineup in 2026, and with San Diego expected to be a good-hitting team, I expect Merrill to bounce back and shine, like he did a couple seasons ago.

Take a bit of a gamble on Merrill, especially if you can land him as your second outfield choice.

Steven Kwan - Cleveland Guardians

Kwan is another outfielder who was great in 2025, but isn't seeing that reflected in his ADP so far. He was the 10th fantasy outfielder in points leagues, but is OF24 and going around pick 97 right now.

Kwan isn't the power threat that most other outfielders are, but with a good average, OBP, some stolen bases and not many strikeouts, he still delivers good fantasy results.

He also got in 156 games last season, which is a great thing for fantasy purposes. Hitting atop a good top-end Cleveland lineup, I expect Kwan to deliver big again in 2026.

If you land him as a second outfielder, I'd be happy, but most could get him as a third option, and if that happens, you should be ecstatic. He might regress a bit overall this coming year, but I still see him greatly outproducing his ADP. 

Taylor Ward - Baltimore Orioles

Ward was a fantasy surprise in 2025, finishing as OF13 overall. He's OF35 and going around pick 130 right now.

He's gone from the Angels to the Orioles, which is a plus for his fantasy outlook. Ward might not hit for a high average, but good walk numbers help his OBP to a good mark, and he flashed a ton of power last year.

If he is close to the hitter he was last season, he'll be in for a career year with a much better lineup around him. Ward is expected to leadoff for the Orioles, and hitting ahead of Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso and Adley Rutschman, Ward could really shine in Baltimore.

Getting him as a third outfielder is fine in my eyes. Take him as a fourth outfielder if you took a gamble on one of your top-three outfielders, and Ward could end up starting most of the year for you.