Last time out, the ridiculously deep NL Central was the topic of the day. Now we're moving west to the considerably shallower NL West. We've already profiled the AL Central, AL East, and NL East. Fantasy owners will find few distinguished prospects on the left coast, but there are still a few treasures available - 26 of them.

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The statistics reported are for the listed level only.

NL West Outfield Dynasty Rankings

1. David Dahl (OF, COL, AA)
Stats: 302 PA, .278/.304/.417, 6 HR, 22 SB, 23.8% K rate, 3.6% BB rate
Age 22

Dahl missed the second half of the 2015 season after a nasty career threatening outfield collision. It was the type of injury that could permanently lower his ceiling. To be clear, we'll need to see how he reacts on the field this season before amending past projections and reports.

Assuming he returns to full health, Dahl is an impatient hitter with contact issues, solid raw power, and above average speed. Coors Field features prominently in this article - the park ensures fantasy value for just about anybody worthy of starting. A future ceiling of 20 home runs with around 25 stolen bases is certainly enticing. First though, he needs to improve his plate patience and make better contact.

2. Raimel Tapia (OF, COL, A+)
Stats: 593 PA, .305/.33/467  12 HR, 26 SB, 17.7% K rate, 4.0% BB rate
Age 22

Another impatient Rockies hitter with some power and speed, Tapia won't need to improve his plate discipline in order to thrive in the majors. Unlike Dahl, Tapia is a high contact hitter. He could probably already fit as a fifth outfielder just purely on athleticism.

Tapia's skill set skews towards speed, although he's only above average in this regard. His future power is probably average even with the usual Coors Field boost. As such, look for a ceiling around 15 home runs, 25 stolen bases, and a .280 average.

3. Manuel Margot (OF, SDP, AA)
Stats: 282 PA, .271/.326/.419  3 HR, 19 SB, 12.8% K rate, 7.4% BB rate
Age 21

Acquired as the headliner in the Craig Kimbrel trade, Margot could be a future star in the making. He's reportedly working to improve his plate discipline which is evident in his uncharacteristically decent walk rate at Double-A. His profile includes plus speed and contact skills, leading to future projections of a high average with 40 stolen base potential.

Margot is on the 40-man roster. A batch of injuries or terrible performance out of Jon Jay and Melvin Upton could lead to his promotion. The club would probably prefer to promote him early in 2017 for service time reasons. He may eventually develop 10 home run power.

4. Socrates Brito (OF, ARI, AA)
Stats: 522 PA, .300/.339/.451 9  HR, 20 SB, 16.1% K rate, 5.6% BB rate
Age 23

The Diamondbacks starting outfield is set for now, but an injury could open the door for Brito. He received a 34 plate appearance trial last year with some success. Moreover, there just isn't any depth behind A.J. Pollock, David Peralta, and Yasmany Tomas. Brito may need to serve as the fourth outfielder even though that could negatively affect his development.

Brito isn't particularly powerful. If he played full time in 2016, he might not reach 10 home runs. His ceiling is somewhere around 15 big flies. While he's not a burner, he does have above average wheels - 20 stolen bases wouldn't shock anybody. With an impatient approach and possible contact problems against top-of-the-line pitching, expect to wait a few years before Brito is a regular asset.

5. Hunter Renfroe (OF, SDP, AAA)
Stats: 95 PA, .333/358/633 6 HR, 1 SB, 21.1% K rate, 4.2% BB rate
Age 24

Of the division's top prospects, Renfroe is nearest to the majors. Another well-rounded athlete, Renfroe's above average speed doesn't play on the bases. He'll probably soon have below average wheels as he ages. Power is the centerpiece of his profile with two straight 20 home run campaigns.

Renfroe was merely decent for most of the season at Double-A. Upon arriving in Triple-A, he went on a power binge. His walk rate took a big step backwards last year, but it's encouraging to know he's shown patience in the past. As with Margot, keep an eye on Jay and Upton. If they struggle, Renfroe should be the first call.

 

Other Prospect Names To Watch

Wes Rogers (OF, COL, A)

Rogers is set to make his High-A debut this spring. He could move quickly if he maintains his patience and contact rates. While he doesn't have much power, he does steal bases at an impressive rate. Last year, he took 53 in 358 plate appearances. He's a gap power guy who could really thrive at Coors Field. Or any large stadium.

Yusniel Diaz (OF, LAD, DNP)

Diaz may well be a top prospect. The 19-year-old Cuban is a high contact hitter with above average speed. He still needs to develop power. He may be a future Ben Revere type. The scouting reports I have aren't very good.

Alex Verdugo (OF, LAD, A+)

A second round pick in 2014, Verdugo had a solid first full campaign. Good contact rates, nine home runs, and 14 stolen bases over 540 plate appearances is not bad for a 19-year-old. I'm expecting more power and less speed in future seasons. He's a high contact hitter, but more walks would be welcome.

Jordan Patterson (OF, COL, AA)

Patterson hit 17 home runs and stole 19 bases across three levels. He was either overmatched or fatigued in the AFL. As with Dahl and Tapia, any mix of power and speed plays WAY up at Coors Field. The 24-year-old is probably the first prospect on the Rockies call-up list.

Travis Jankowski (OF, SDP, MLB)

Jankowski, 24, had a 96 plate appearance trial in the majors last year. The contact hitter actually struggled to make contact, showing he was overmatched. A return to Triple-A could get him ready. Don't look for power - he's a pure speed and average guy. He may walk enough to bat leadoff.

Jabari Blash (OF, SDP, AAA)

The 26-year-old Rule 5 pick popped 32 home runs and stole eight bases in 476 plate appearances last season. With plenty of walks and strikeouts, he's an athletic three true outcomes hitter. He could easily snipe playing time from Upton and Jay. There are concerns he won't make enough contact in the majors.

Peter O'Brien (OF, ARI, AAA)

The Diamondbacks were the only team in the world that thought O'Brien could stick at catcher. Even now, they're slow about committing to him in the outfield. He was my top dynasty catcher (I've since warmed on Gary Sanchez), but he's fringy as an outfielder. The power is real as are the contact issues.

Jarrett Parker (OF, SFG, MLB)

Parker has tantalizing skills - big time power, above average speed, and patience. He also has Chris Carterian whiff rates. If he can replicate his hard hit rates from last season, he could be a more athletic Carter.

Trayce Thompson (OF, LAD, MLB)

Thompson had a fabulous debut in the majors last year. Now he's buried on the Dodgers depth chart. Thompson projects to be a fourth outfielder with a league average bat. I'm reminded of a more powerful Roger Bernadina. Sometimes, intangibles and opportunity can push these sorts of players into fantasy relevance.

Mac Williamson (OF, SFG, AAA)

Scouts like Williamson's raw power, but it doesn't show up in games. The 25-year-old is running out of time to tap into his power stroke. He has good plate discipline. A poor defender, he's entirely reliant on his bat.

Starling Heredia (OF, LAD, DNP)

The 16-year-old is reported to be a mammoth with power to spare. He's expected to lose his above average speed as he ages.

Max White (OF, COL, A)

White has fallen off the prospect radar. The former second round pick is a patient hitter with some power, plus speed, and contact issues. He hasn't put it together yet after four pro seasons, but it's encouraging to see him trending in the right direction.

Michael Gettys (OF, SDP, A)

When players have Gettys' 70 grade speed, it's always disappointing to see massive strikeout rates. He doesn't have much power and really needs to slash the whiffs. He'll be given plenty of chances as a former second rounder.

Gabriel Guerrero (OF, ARI, AA)

Part of the Mark Trumbo trade, Guerrero is related to the Guerrero so we know he has good bloodlines. Gabby is a free swinger just like his uncle Vlad. Unfortunately, he lacks the same raw power and contact skills. Maybe he's more of a Wilton.

Mitchell Haniger (OF, ARI, AA)

Arizona snagged Haniger as part of the Gerardo Parra trade in 2014. He's a well-rounded player without any standout tools. If he improves he may be a 15/15 threat with a decent average. If this is all he has, he won't even reach the majors as a fifth outfielder.

Zach Borenstein (OF, ARI, AAA)

Borenstein, 25, jumped onto prospect reports after hitting 29 home runs in 2013. Since then, the power has declined as has the contact ability. It's telling that no team picked him in the Rule 5 draft. He has enough time to turn it around, but things aren't looking up.

Colin Bray (OF, ARI, A)

Bray is an upside play with speed and defensive ability. He's been old for his levels, and he doesn't show any game power.

Hunter Cole (OF, SFG, AA)

Cole isn't a touted prospect, but the 23-year-old has performed reasonably well in the minors. He looks like a future fifth outfielder. Do no more than keep an eye on him.

Mike Tauchman (OF, COL, AA)

Tauchman, 25, is a high contact hitter with some speed. Don't be fooled by his 25 swipes last season - he was caught 13 times. He's a future fourth or fifth outfielder, but even Brandon Barnes has his moments of usefulness to fantasy owners. Tauchman, a lefty, could fill that sort of role.

Jacob Scavuzzo (OF, LAD, A+)

Scavuzzo made some in-season adjustments that might just might make him a future fantasy option. In particular, he's improved his contact rate and in-game power. He's not on anybody's watch list yet.

 

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