Fantasy Baseball Outfielder Rankings: Seiya Suzuki vs. George Springer vs. Oneil Cruz

The outfield pocket in the 90–110 ADP range is loaded with upside, but each profile comes with a very different path to returning fantasy baseball value in 2026. Seiya Suzuki, George Springer and Oneil Cruz offer power, speed and lineup opportunity—yet their floors hinge on batting average, health and approach changes.

OF21 – Seiya Suzuki, Chicago Cubs (NFBC ADP – 100)

In 2024, I was high on Suzuki due to his contact batting average (.382) and his rising average hit rate (1.701). He failed to have a breakout in power, while upping his contact batting average (.412). Last year, his bat reached new heights in home runs (32) and RBIs (103), thanks to a new top in his average hit rate (1.950). On the downside, his quest for power led to a lower contact batting average (.344 – four-year low).

Suzuki opened the year with a high value in home runs (14) and RBIs (52) over his first 216 at-bats while hitting .273 with 33 runs and one steal. His bat lost value after the All-Star break (.213/22/7/26/3 over 202 at-bats). The Cubs gave him 84.0% of his at-bats in the third slot in the batting order. His strikeout rate (25.2) remains higher than the league average while maintaining a high floor in his walk rate (10.9).

His exit velocity (91.3) and hard-hit rate (48.7%) aligned with his past two seasons. Suzuki had a spike in his barrels (69 – 16.6%). He has become a high-fly ball hitter (46.7%) over the past two years while setting a new high with his launch angle (17.9).

Seiya Suzuki 2026 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Fantasy Outlook: If Suzuki regains his batting average and his 2024 success in stolen bases (16), he would move to a top 30 hitter. Last year, he finished 54th in FPGscore (2.17) for hitters. His run total has been about league average over the past three seasons, an area that also needs improvement. Intriguing player if all of his pieces come together. Possible .280 with 90 runs, 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 10 steals.

OF22 – George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays (NFBC ADP – 103)

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder George Springer (4) runs after hitting a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Springer was another great value pick in 2025 after underperforming the previous season. He comes off the best all-around year of his career at age 36. His FPGscore (7.09) ranked 10th for hitters, highlighted by a massive jump in his contact batting average (.398 – .279 in 2024).

His exit velocity (89.9) improved by 2.4 mph from 2024 while matching his career-best in 2015. His hard-hit rate (46.7%) and barrel rate (15.8%) were also well above his previous career path. Springer regained his flyball swing (40.9%), with a four-year high in his launch angle (17.3).

He had a minimal rise in his favorable strikeout rate (18.9%). Springer took the most walks (11.8%) since 2019. His swing was a beast against right-handed pitching (.327/85/24/67/17 over 376 at-bats). Over the final three months, he hit .358 with 64 runs, 21 home runs, 44 RBIs, and nine steals over 243 at-bats. Springer missed 18 days midsummer with a concussion. He will be a free agent in 2027.

George Springer 2026 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Fantasy Outlook: Springer came to the majors with speed on his minor league profile, but his best value in steals came over the past four seasons (14, 20, 16, and 18). He has only been caught twice over his last 36 attempts, suggesting a double-digit floor.

I’m not a fan of buying players after career seasons, especially when their underlying metrics are well about their recent resume. I sense some underlying JUICE in his bat that may not be in his equation in 2026. Let’s bring his outlook down to .265 with 75 runs, 25 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 10 steals. On the positive side, the Blue Jays should hit him in the top four slots in the lineup on most nights. Over the past nine years, Springer missed 18.7% of his possible 1,356 games.

OF23 – Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates (NFBC ADP – 104)

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) slides into third base on an RBI triple against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

After losing his shortstop eligibility this year, the fantasy market has lost its luster for Cruz. He led the National League in steals (38) while failing to improve his strikeout rate (32.0%). His walk rate (11.8%) moved into a winning area. Cruz brings a rising average hit rate (1.894), but his contact batting average (.316) was well below 2024 (.389) and 2022 (.376).

Cruz missed time last year with a finger issue, a back injury, and a concussion. His failure continues to come against left-handed pitching (.102/8/1/8/5 over 108 at-bats with 44 strikeouts), painting him as a platoon player in 2026. For his career, Cruz hit .172 vs. lefties with 35 runs, 10 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases over 361 at-bats.

Over his final 197 at-bats last year, his bat delivered only 16 runs, five home runs, 26 RBIs, and 11 steals while hitting .183.

His exit velocity (95.8), hard-hit rate (56.6%), and barrel rate (17.9%) are elite. Cruz has a sliding launch angle (8.1), leading to a high groundball rate (48.0%).

Oneil Cruz 2026 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Fantasy Outlook: There aren’t many players in baseball with a 20/35 skill set, even with some missed time. The path to stardom is clear for Cruz: get your strikeout rate closer to the 26% level and find a way to stay in the lineup against left-handed pitching. He hits the ball hard with enough barrels to smash 40 bombs if more balls are in play.

Last year, he wanted to run, and his success rate (88.0%) with Pittsburgh points to an active role again in 2026. For fantasy team punting batting average, Cruz will be priced to pay off this year. My starting point is .240 with 70 runs, 25 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases.

Seiya Suzuki vs. George Springer vs. Oneil Cruz

Suzuki brings the cleanest five-category ceiling if the average and steals rebound, Springer is the classic regression-vs.-skills debate after a career year, and Cruz remains the ultimate risk/reward league-winner for managers willing to absorb the batting average hit. How you value this tier will likely come down to roster construction, because each player can dramatically swing a fantasy season in a different way. Ultimately, Suzuki is the guy to target in this tier.