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Early 2026 fantasy baseball outfield rankings, draft tiers for 5x5 mixed roto leagues (December updates). Our early tiered rankings for OF by Nick Mariano.
At RotoBaller HQ, we continue with our early fantasy baseball rankings series and focus on outfielders -- it's always baseball season here at RotoBaller! We are back with our MLB teams' 2026 fantasy baseball outfield rankings and tiers for 5x5 mixed roto leagues. These December rankings cover the top 80 outfielders for 2026.
There were several key transactions and rumors about floating trades/signings this offseason involving outfielders. Kyle Schwarber is returning to the Phillies after signing a five-year, $150 million contract on Tuesday. Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert is being linked to a trade with the Padres, while free agent Cody Bellinger is attracting plenty of interest from MLB teams. The MLB hot stove is starting to heat up, so expect more signings and trades as we enter the baseball winter meetings.
The outfield rankings below are specifically designed for traditional 5x5 Roto Mixed Leagues, put together by RotoBaller's lead MLB forecaster Nick Mariano. We're also writing fresh articles all throughout the off-season for fantasy baseball prospects, fantasy baseball dynasty, and so much more. Win more in 2026!
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2026 Fantasy Baseball Outfield Rankings (December)
Fantasy Baseball Outfield (OF) News
Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies
Left-handed designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies are finalizing a five-year, $150 million deal on Tuesday, sources tell ESPN's Jeff Passan. The New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, and even the Pittsburgh Pirates tried to lure Schwarber away in free agency, but ultimately, the reigning National League home run leader decided to return to Philly.
The 32-year-old finished second in MVP voting in 2025 after slashing .240/.365/.563 with 56 home runs and an NL-leading 132 RBI. He has slugged at least 38 home runs in each of his four seasons with the Phillies, and he played in all 162 regular-season games in 2025 for the first time in his career.
Schwarber became the 21st player in history to hit four homers in a game, and he was also one of five players with at least 100 walks. He has also been an important clubhouse leader and a clutch performer in the postseason, hitting 14 homers in 38 playoff games the last four years with the Phillies.
Cody Bellinger, Free Agent
Besides the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels, Cincinnati Reds, and Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in signing free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, according to his agent, Scott Boras. The Phillies just re-signed designated hitter Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million deal, so the Phillies are probably off the table for Bellinger.
The 30-year-old's market is robust following a strong year in the Bronx in 2025, in which he hit .272/.334/.480 with an .813 OPS, 29 home runs, 98 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases in 152 regular-season games. His 29 dingers were the most he's hit since his MVP campaign with the Dodgers in 2019. Moving away from Yankee Stadium won't be ideal for his 2026 fantasy value, but Bellinger is still a five-category asset that doesn't strike out often despite his big swing.
Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. is being linked to the San Diego Padres by Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Meanwhile, the White Sox are being linked to right-hander Dustin May, reliever Pete Fairbanks, and hitters Mike Tauchman, Ryan O'Hearn, and Jake Meyers. This offseason could finally be the time that the White Sox trade Robert after picking up his $20 million option for the 2026 season in early November.
The 28-year-old Cuban has elite physical skills both on offense and defense, but staying healthy has been an issue. Robert was unable to play more than 98 games in his first three years in the majors, and he's only played over 100 games in two of his six seasons. He has slashed just .223/.288/.372 while dealing with injuries the last two years, but his 38-homer, 20-steal season in 2023 continues to tempt teams. A trade to SD might only be possible if the Friars do the unthinkable and send Fernando Tatis Jr. packing.
Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that he's open to moving outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. back to the leadoff spot next season, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The vast majority of Acuna's big-league plate appearances have come in the leadoff spot for Atlanta. This year's National League Comeback Player of the Year has hit .294/.387/.535 with a .921 OPS in 3,091 plate appearances in the No. 1 spot in the batting order in Atlanta.
The 27-year-old former MVP was limited to 412 plate appearances in 2025 while recovering from the second torn ACL of his career, and he also missed some time late in the year with a calf injury. Acuna was his usual outstanding self when he was on the field, slashing .290/.417/.518 with 21 home runs, but he stole just nine bases. When healthy, Acuna remains one of the top all-around players in the game, but he has played 100 games in a season just twice in the last five years. A move back to leadoff would be ideal for his fantasy upside.
Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Monday that he would like for outfielder Yordan Alvarez to "spend most of his season" as the designated hitter next year, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. This wouldn't be a huge surprise, considering Alvarez played in only 48 games in 2025 due to injuries. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger made only 15 starts in left field last year and 32 as the DH.
The three-time All-Star and former American League Rookie of the Year is expected to be ready for the start of spring training despite having his season cut short by a severe left-ankle sprain. Alvarez had four straight 30-plus homer seasons from 2021-24 while also driving in at least 86 runs in each of those seasons. He missed most of 2025 with a hand fracture.
The Cuban native still has elite discipline, but he had a career-worst .797 OPS and only six homers. Alvarez is still on the right side of 30 and has high-end plate skills. Fantasy managers who are willing to take on a little more injury risk could be rewarded handsomely if Alvarez can put his 2025 injury woes behind him.
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