The outfield position in fantasy baseball remains incredibly deep, with the latest rankings revealing a wealth of talent from established stars to promising rookies. Yordan Alvarez stands out as a premier hitter, maintaining an impressive batting average above .290 and hitting at least 30 home runs for three consecutive seasons. Meanwhile, Jarren Duran's breakout season showcased his remarkable speed and power, making him a coveted asset for upcoming drafts.

Jackson Merrill, despite being a rookie, made a significant impact, while Michael Harris II continues to be seen as a potential 20/20 threat if he can stay healthy. The rankings highlight not just current performance but also potential upside, with young prospects like Roman Anthony and Lawrence Butler showing great promise. Teams such as the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox are well-represented in these rankings, indicating their strong developmental systems.

Yahoo Sports has updated its 26-and-under MLB power rankings, providing a more comprehensive look at the future potential of each organization. By evaluating players who are 26 years old or younger, the rankings prioritize those already contributing in the majors alongside promising prospects. The San Diego Padres, who ranked 15th, showcase Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill, both elite talents despite varying performance levels. Tatis, recovering from a down year, still possesses MVP-caliber skills, while Merrill's surprising 2024 performance set high expectations for his continued development.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers are 14th, buoyed by a young core that helped them reach the ALDS. Riley Greene stands out as an All-Star, while others like Spencer Torkelson and Parker Meadows look to solidify their roles. The New York Mets, ranked 13th, are driven by Juan Soto's elite hitting and the growth of young talents like Francisco Alvarez and Mark Vientos. Both teams hope their young stars can lead them to sustained success.

The San Diego Padres are nurturing a potential star in 21-year-old Jackson Merrill. The young centerfielder, who finished as the runner-up in Rookie of the Year voting to the Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes, has his sights set on a World Series rather than individual accolades. Merrill's maturity for his age, coupled with a strong debut season where he posted a .292 batting average with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs, positions him as a key piece for the Padres moving forward. With talks of a contract extension possibly on the horizon, the Padres are keen to secure this rising talent before his value skyrockets further.

Having come within striking distance of the World Series last season, the Padres' ambitions align perfectly with Merrill's championship mindset. As he continues to develop, fans and fantasy players alike will be keeping a close eye on his contributions to the team's postseason aspirations.

With the 2025 fantasy baseball draft season approaching, RotoBallers are analyzing early NFBC ADP (Average Draft Position) data to identify promising outfielders worth targeting and potential fades. The NFBC format, which features deeper rosters with five starting outfielders, results in a different drafting landscape compared to usual leagues. Players like Aaron Judge and Kyle Tucker are high on the list, while Jackson Merrill and Michael Harris II emerge as solid options for later rounds. Conversely, some players such as Wyatt Langford and Brenton Doyle are cautioned against due to the relative value of other available talent at similar draft spots.

The San Diego Padres enter the 2024 season with a sense of disappointment regarding their lack of offseason moves following a promising playoff run. Despite coming close to defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, the team has opted for a quieter approach, which has left players like Manny Machado expressing frustration over the departures of key teammates. Rookie sensation Jackson Merrill, however, remains optimistic about the existing roster, believing they can compete against any team.

While the Padres have not made any notable acquisitions, they have lost several key players, including Tanner Scott to the Dodgers and Jurickson Profar to the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers, meanwhile, have made significant strides by adding top free agents, thereby increasing the competitive gap. Historical aggressiveness in the Padres’ spending appears to be waning, likely influenced by ownership changes and ongoing legal issues surrounding control of the franchise.