Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 300 cheat sheet for 2021

Matt Lutovsky

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Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 300 cheat sheet for 2021 image

If you thought last year's fantasy baseball drafts were weird, welcome to 2021 where we know even less than usual (and did we really ever know that much?). That doesn't mean we didn't put a lot of careful thought into our top 300 rankings -- it just means it's more difficult than ever to balance previous stats (particularly last season) and what to expect this season, both in terms of performance and missed games. Nevertheless, there are still top-tier stars and late-round sleepers, and fantasy owners need to know how to discern between them and all the potential busts in between.

At the very least, it's just fun to look at rankings and think about how much smarter you are than the person who put them together, right? So, whether you are earnestly seeking help with your draft or you just want to feel superior to the fantasy baseball pros, we're here for you.

2021 FANTASY BASEBALL RANKINGS:
Catcher | First | Second | Third | Short | Outfield | Starter | Reliever

Our big board starts with a bit of a surprise, as we're tapping Juan Soto as our No. 1 player. Many will opt for Ronald Acuna Jr. because of his higher SB potential, but Soto has a slightly higher average and RBI upside while also showing the ability to steal 15-20 SBs. You're going to be a winner with whoever you go with -- and that includes Mookie Betts or even Fernando Tatis Jr. -- but it's always fun to debate the top spot, so have at it.

The first few rounds are obviously going to be strong, and depending how you like to build your team, you could go in a variety of directions. Outfield, shortstop and third base are all particularly loaded positions -- and first base and starting pitcher are strong, as well -- but even more than deciding what positions to target, figuring out which categories to target will be key. Steals are once again at a bit of a premium, so getting at least one 20-SB guy early should be a priority for many owners. 

Regardless of your early-round draft strategy, chances are the top 30 or 40 players in our rankings will be most of the top 30 or 40 players selected in your draft. After that, though, anything goes. This top 300 isn't a glorified mock draft -- just a rough outline for the overall value of players in a vacuum. 

We generally don't value pitchers quite as highly as some other fantasy sites. This year, that's probably more prudent than ever, as no pitcher threw many innings last year and serious injuries are even more of a risk. Throw in the unpredictability of wins and saves, as well as the variance of WHIP and ERA, and you have an extremely volatile position. There also seem to be more closer committees this year, so reaching for RPs doesn't really make sense. 

Ultimately, it all comes down to your league's settings, draft strategy, and the players you already have on your team. It's all about being flexible and pivoting based on position and category needs. That might mean it makes more sense to draft someone ranked 180 over someone ranked 130 on this list, but that's just how it works in fantasy baseball.

If you don't know that by now, then you'll probably have a lot of fun making fun of these rankings.

We'll be updating this list frequently as needed, so check back for the latest player movement throughout the spring. 

Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 300 cheat sheet

Rankings based on 5x5 H2H leagues with ERA, WHIP, Ks, Wins, and Saves as pitching categories and Rs, HRs, RBIs, SBs, and Batting Average as hitting categories. 

Position eligibility based on Yahoo's default settings

* = player not eligible at a position on draft day but expected to play there during the season

Rank Player (bats/throws) Age (as of 4/1) Team Position(s)
1 Juan Soto (L) 22 Nationals OF
2 Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) 23 Braves OF
3 Mookie Betts (R) 28 Dodgers OF
4 Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) 22 Padres SS
5 Christian Yelich (L) 29 Brewers OF
6 Trea Turner (R) 27 Nationals SS
7 Mike Trout (R) 29 Angels OF
8 Trevor Story (R) 28 Rockies SS
9 Jose Ramirez (S) 28 Indians 3B
10 Shane Bieber (R) 25 Indians P
11 Jacob deGrom (R) 32 Mets P
12 Francisco Lindor (S) 27 Mets SS
13 Manny Machado (R) 28 Padres 3B, SS
14 Freddie Freeman (L) 31 Braves 1B
15 Cody Bellinger (L) 25 Dodgers 1B, OF
16 Anthony Rendon (R) 30 Angels 3B
17 Alex Bregman (R) 27 Astros 3B, SS
18 Trevor Bauer (R) 30 Dodgers P
19 Gerrit Cole (R) 30 Yankees P
20 Bryce Harper (L) 28 Phillies OF
21 Jose Abreu (R) 34 White Sox 1B
22 Pete Alonso (R) 26 Mets 1B
23 DJ LeMahieu (R) 32 Yankees 1B, 2B, 3B
24 Eugenio Suarez (R) 31 Reds 3B
25 Nolan Arenado (R) 29 Cardinals 3B
26 Xander Bogaerts (R) 28 Red Sox SS
27 Yu Darvish (R) 34 Padres P
28 Max Scherzer (R) 36 Nationals P
29 Luis Robert (R) 23 White Sox OF
30 Bo Bichette (R) 23 Blue Jays SS
31 Adalberto Mondesi (S) 25 Royals SS
32 Kyle Tucker (L) 24 Astros OF
33 Trent Grisham (L) 24 Padres OF
34 Rafael Devers (L) 24 Red Sox 3B
35 Aaron Judge (R) 28 Yankees OF
36 George Springer (R) 31 Blue Jays OF
37 Luis Castillo (R) 28 Reds P
38 Walker Buehler (R) 26 Dodgers P
39 Eloy Jimenez (R) 24 White Sox OF
40 Keston Hiura (R) 24 Brewers 1B*, 2B
41 Whit Merrifield (R) 32 Royals 2B, OF
42 Blake Snell (L) 28 Padres P
43 Aaron Nola (R) 27 Phillies P
44 J.D. Martinez (R) 33 Red Sox OF
45 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 22 Blue Jays 1B, 3B
46 Ozzie Albies (S) 24 Braves 2B
47 Gleyber Torres (R) 24 Yankees 2B, SS
48 Lucas Giolito (R) 26 White Sox P
49 Marcell Ozuna (R) 30 Braves OF
50 Tim Anderson (R) 27 White Sox SS
51 Brandon Woodruff (R) 28 Brewers P
52 Clayton Kershaw (L) 33 Dodgers P
53 Luke Voit (R) 30 Yankees 1B
54 Paul Goldschmidt (R) 33 Cardinals 1B
55 Anthony Rizzo (L) 31 Cubs 1B
56 Sonny Gray (R) 32 Reds P
57 Corey Seager (L) 26 Dodgers SS
58 Jack Flaherty (R) 25 Cardinals P
59 J.T. Realmuto (R) 30 Phillies C
60 Nelson Cruz (R) 40 Twins UTIL
61 Yordan Alvarez (L) 23 Astros OF
62 Jorge Soler (R) 29 Royals OF
63 Stephen Strasburg (R) 32 Nationals P
64 Charlie Blackmon (L) 34 Rockies OF
65 Zack Greinke (R) 37 Astros P
66 Brandon Lowe (L) 26 Rays 1B, 2B, OF
67 Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) 27 Blue Jays 2B, OF
68 Joey Gallo (L) 27 Rangers OF
69 Javier Baez (R) 28 Cubs SS
70 Marcus Semien (R) 30 Blue Jays 2B*, SS
71 Starling Marte (R) 32 Marlins OF
72 Liam Hendricks (R) 32 White Sox RP
73 Josh Hader (L) 26 Brewers RP
74 Franmil Reyes (R) 25 Indians OF
75 Matt Olson (L) 27 A's 1B
76 Nick Castellanos (R) 29 Reds OF
77 Michael Conforto (L) 28 Mets OF
78 Giancarlo Stanton (R) 31 Yankees OF
79 Rhys Hoskins (R) 28 Phillies 1B
80 James Karinchak (R) 25 Indians RP
81 Kenta Maeda (R) 32 Twins P
82 Corbin Burnes (R) 26 Brewers P
83 Carlos Correa (R) 26 Astros SS
84 Aroldis Chapman (L) 33 Yankees RP
85 Jose Altuve (R) 30 Astros 2B
86 Cavan Biggio (L) 25 Blue Jays 2B, 3B, OF
87 Brad Hand (L) 31 Nationals RP
88 Hyun Jin Ryu (L) 34 Blue Jays P
89 Tyler Glasnow (R) 27 Rays P
90 Raisel Iglesias (R) 31 Angels RP
91 Edwin Diaz (R) 27 Mets RP
92 Ketel Marte (S) 27 D-backs 2B, SS, OF
93 Max Muncy (L) 30 Dodgers 1B, 2B, 3B
94 Mike Moustakas (L) 32 Reds 1B, 2B, 3B
95 Carlos Carrasco (R) 34 Mets P
96 Jesus Luzardo (L) 23 A's P
97 Zac Gallen (R) 25 D-backs P
98 AJ Pollock (L) 33 Dodgers OF
99 Matt Chapman (R) 27 A's 3B
100 Kris Bryant (R) 29 Cubs 3B, OF
101 Yoan Moncada (S) 25 White Sox 3B
102 Zach Plesac (R) 26 Indians P
103 Patrick Corbin (L) 31 Nationals P
104 Kyle Lewis (R) 25 Mariners OF
105 Will Smith (R) 26 Dodgers C
106 Salvador Perez (R) 30 Royals C
107 Josh Donaldson (R) 35 Twins 3B
108 Dylan Moore (R) 28 Mariners 2B, 3B, SS, OF
109 Christian Walker (R) 30 D-backs 1B
110 Ryan Pressly (R) 32 Astros RP
111 Kenley Jansen (R) 33 Dodgers RP
112 Kyle Hendricks (R) 31 Cubs P
113 Jeff McNeil (L) 28 Mets 2B, 3B, OF
114 Ian Happ (S) 26 Cubs 2B, 3B, OF
115 Nick Solak (R) 25 Rangers 2B, 3B, OF
116 Eddie Rosario (L) 29 Indians OF
117 Randy Arozarena (R) 26 Rays OF
118 Dinelson Lamet (R) 28 Padres P
119 Nick Anderson (R) 30 Rays RP
120 Kirby Yates (R) 34 Blue Jays RP
121 Mike Yastrzemski (L) 30 Giants OF
122 Austin Meadows (L) 25 Rays OF
123 Victor Robles (R) 23 Nationals OF
124 Tommy Pham (R) 33 Padres OF
125 Wil Myers (R) 30 Padres OF
126 Devin Williams (R) 26 Brewers RP
127 Archie Bradley (R) 28 Phillies RP
128 German Marquez (R) 26 Rockies P
129 Charlie Morton (R) 37 Braves P
130 Jean Segura (R) 31 Phillies 2B, 3B, SS
131 Marcus Stroman (R) 29 Mets P
132 Zack Wheeler (R) 30 Phillies P
133 Byron Buxton (R) 27 Twins OF
134 Richard Rodriguez (R) 31 Pirates RP
135 Drew Pomeranz (L) 32 Padres RP
136 Nick Senzel (R) 25 Reds OF
137 Michael Brantley (L) 33 Astros OF
138 Chris Paddack (R) 25 Padres P
139 Jose Berrios (R) 26 Twins P
140 James Paxton (L) 32 Mariners P
141 Alec Bohm (R) 24 Phillies 1B, 3B
142 Yasmani Grandal (S) 32 White Sox C, 1B
143 Willson Contreras (R) 28 Cubs C
144 Gary Sanchez (R) 28 Yankees C
145 Trevor Rosenthal (R) 30 A's RP
146 Justin Turner (R) 36 Dodgers 3B
147 Eduardo Escobar (S) 32 D-backs 2B, 3B
148 Ian Anderson (R) 22 Braves P
149 Joe Musgrove (R) 28 Padres P
150 Greg Holland (R) 35 Royals RP
151 Matt Barnes (R) 30 Red Sox RP
152 Trey Mancini (R) 29 Orioles 1B, OF
153 Austin Riley (R) 23 Braves 3B, OF
154 Miguel Sano (R) 27 Twins 1B, 3B
155 Giovanny Gallegos (R) 29 Cardinals RP
156 Max Fried (L) 27 Braves P
157 Ryan McMahon (L) 26 Rockies 1B, 2B, 3B
158 Josh Bell (S) 28 Nationals 1B
159 Jose Leclerc (R) 27 Rangers RP
160 Amir Garrett (L) 28 Reds RP
161 Taylor Rogers (L) 30 Twins RP
162 Cristian Javier (R) 24 Astros P
163 Triston McKenzie (R) 23 Indians P
164 Max Kepler (L) 28 Twins OF
165 Ryan Mountcastle (R) 24 Orioles 1B, OF
166 Dominic Smith (L) 25 Mets 1B, OF
167 Anthony Santander (S) 26 Orioles OF
168 Teoscar Hernandez (R) 28 Blue Jays OF
169 Ke'Bryan Hayes (R) 24 Pirates 3B
170 Gio Urshela (R) 29 Yankees 3B
171 Kevin Gausman (R) 31 Giants P
172 Zach Eflin (R) 26 Phillies P
173 Framber Valdez (L) 27 Astros P
174 Lance Lynn (R) 33 White Sox P
175 Eric Hosmer (L) 31 Padres 1B
176 Yuli Gurriel (R) 36 Astros 1B, 3B
177 Anthony Bass (R) 33 Marlins RP
178 Joc Pederson (L) 28 Cubs 1B, OF
179 Marco Gonzales (L) 29 Mariners P
180 Frankie Montas (R) 28 A's P
181 Kolten Wong (L) 30 Brewers 2B
182 Tommy Edman (S) 25 Cardinals 2B, 3B, SS, OF
183 Hunter Renfroe (R) 29 Red Sox OF
184 Kyle Schwarber (L) 28 Nationals OF
185 Tony Gonsolin (R) 26 Dodgers P
186 Didi Gregorius (L) 31 Phillies SS
187 Dansby Swanson (R) 27 Braves SS
188 Dylan Bundy (R) 29 Angels P
189 David Price (L) 35 Dodgers P
190 Pablo Lopez (L) 25 Marlins P
191 Sixto Sanchez (R) 22 Marlins P
192 Shohei Ohtani (L) 26 Angels UTIL
193 Jesus Aguilar (R) 30 Marlins 1B
194 Jared Walsh (L) 27 Angels 1B
195 Clint Frazier (R) 26 Yankees OF
196 Aaron Hicks (S) 31 Yankees OF
197 Alex Verdugo (L) 24 Red Sox OF
198 Ramon Laureano (R) 26 A's OF
199 Garrett Hampson (R) 26 Rockies 2B, SS, OF
200 Nick Madrigal (R) 24 White Sox 2B
201 Aaron Civale (R) 25 Indians P
202 Eduardo Rodriguez (L) 27 Red Sox P
203 Leody Taveras (S) 22 Rangers OF
204 Corey Kluber (R) 34 Yankees P
205 Julio Urias (L) 24 Dodgers P
206 Andrew Heaney (L) 30 Angels P
207 Sean Murphy (R) 26 A's C
208 Kole Calhoun (L) 33 D-backs OF
209 Randal Grichuk (R) 29 Blue Jays OF
210 Mitch Haniger (R) 30 Mariners OF
211 Diego Castillo (R) 27 Rays RP
212 Christian Vazquez (R) 30 Red Sox C, 1B
213 Daulton Varsho (L) 24 D-backs C, OF
214 Jordan Hicks (R) 24 Cardinals RP
215 Alex Colome (R) 32 Twins RP
216 Kyle Seager (L) 33 Mariners 3B
217 Hunter Dozier (R) 29 Royals 1B, 3B, OF
218 Craig Kimbrel (R) 32 Cubs RP
219 Joakim Soria (R) 36 D-backs RP
220 Rafael Montero (R) 30 Mariners RP
221 Willy Adames (R) 25 Rays SS
222 Amed Rosario (R) 25 Indians SS
223 Elvis Andrus (R) 32 A's SS
224 Chris Bassitt (R) 32 A's P
225 Josh Lindblom (R) 33 Brewers P
226 Jake Cronenworth (L) 27 Padres 1B, 2B, SS
227 Will Smith (L) 31 Braves RP
228 Jeimer Candelario (S) 27 Tigers 1B, 3B
229 Tyler Mahle (R) 26 Reds P
230 Gavin Lux (L) 23 Dodgers 2B
231 Shohei Ohtani (R) 26 Angels P
232 Griffin Canning (R) 24 Angels P
233 Daniel Bard (R) 35 Rockies RP
234 Emilio Pagan (R) 29 Padres RP
235 Travis d'Arnaud (R) 32 Braves C, 1B
236 Mitch Garver (R) 30 Twins C
237 Dallas Keuchel (L) 33 White Sox P
238 Lance McCullers (R) 27 Astros P
239 Mike Soroka (R) 23 Braves P
240 Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 26 Rangers C, 3B, SS
241 Jake McGee (L) 34 Giants RP
242 Corey Dickerson (R) 31 Marlins OF
243 Andrew McCutchen (R) 34 Phillies OF
244 Andrew Benintendi (L) 26 Royals OF
245 Stefan Crichton (R) 29 D-backs RP
246 Sean Doolittle (L) 34 Reds RP
247 Austin Nola (R) 31 Padres C, 1B, 2B
248 Chris Archer (R) 32 Rays P
249 Dane Dunning (R) 26 Rangers P
250 Jose Urquidy (R) 25 Astros P
251 Jesse Winker (L) 27 Reds OF
252 Nate Lowe (L) 25 Rangers 1B
253 Bobby Dalbec (R) 25 Red Sox 1B
254 Justin Upton (R) 33 Angels OF
255 Willie Calhoun (L) 26 Rangers OF
256 Victor Reyes (S) 26 Tigers OF
257 Spencer Turnbull (R) 28 Tigers P
258 Sandy Alcantara (R) 25 Marlins P
259 Dustin May (R) 23 Dodgers P
260 Jordan Montgomery (L) 28 Yankees P
261 Chris Sale (L) 32 Red Sox P
262 Khris Davis (R) 33 Rangers UTIL
263 Joey Votto (L) 37 Reds 1B
264 Brandon Belt (L) 32 Giants 1B, OF
265 Carlos Santana (S) 34 Royals 1B
266 Andrew Vaughn (R) 22 White Sox 1B
267 Manuel Margot (R) 26 Rays OF
268 Deivi Garcia (R) 21 Yankees P
269 Adbert Alzolay (R) 26 Cubs P
270 Justus Sheffield (L) 24 Mariners P
271 Jonathan Schoop (R) 29 Tigers 2B
272 Paul DeJong (R) 27 Cardinals SS
273 Dylan Carlson (S) 22 Cardinals OF
274 Austin Hays (R) 25 Orioles OF
275 Adam Eaton (L) 32 White Sox OF
276 Lorenzo Cain (R) 34 Brewers OF
277 Michael Pineda (R) 32 Twins P
278 Drew Smyly (L) 31 Braves P
279 Sean Manaea (L) 29 A's P
280 Jorge Polanco (S) 27 Twins SS
281 Carter Kieboom (R) 23 Nationals 3B, SS
282 Noah Syndergaard (R) 28 Mets P
283 Luis Severino (R) 27 Yankees P
284 Rougned Odor (L) 27 Rangers 2B, 3B*
285 Bryan Garcia (R) 25 Tigers RP
286 Tanner Scott (L) 26 Orioles RP
287 Jonathan Villar (S) 29 Mets 2B, SS
288 Jon Berti (R) 30 Marlins 2B, 3B, SS, OF
289 Michael Kopech (R) 24 White Sox P
290 Raimel Tapia (L) 27 Rockies OF
291 Gregory Polanco (L) 29 Pirates OF
292 Avisail Garcia (R) 29 Brewers OF
293 David Peralta (L) 33 D-backs OF
294 Willi Castro (S) 23 Tigers 3B, SS
295 Brady Singer (R) 24 Royals P
296 Elieser Hernandez (R) 25 Marlins P
297 David Dahl (L) 27 Rangers OF
298 Mike Minor (L) 33 Royals P
299 Caleb Smith (L) 29 D-backs P
300 Jorge Alfaro (R) 27 Marlins C

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.