Different fantasy platforms treat outfielders differently. Some of them simply lump them all together while others separate them by positions. Here at the Fix, we are going to separate them anyway in case you are in one of those leagues that does so. The advice will likely hold even if you are in a generic outfielder league. Either way, the outfield prospects are fairly dim in comparison with most seasons.

Therefore, we are going to take a look some of the younger players playing the position first. Next time, we will take a look at the veteran left fielders that are possibilities for you. For those that are new to the dumpster diving series, we look at players using their traditional numbers, plate discipline numbers, and batted ball statistics to see if they are viable fantasy prospects. The statistics shown are as of May 24th.

There may be no more intriguing player on the list than Dustin Ackley. The former number two overall pick was supposed to be a can’t miss stud at second base. Unfortunately, struggles kept him on the plane between Tacoma and Seattle until the Mariners finally decided to move him to the outfield. Signing Robinson Cano to a long-term contract sealed his fate. Now, they hope they he sticks here.

The other two players are more conventional prospects. Lake came up a year ago and flashed some impressive power that we did not see in the minors. Add in his speed and he would appear to be an intriguing prospect at first blush. Viciedo has been up a few years and seems to have flat lined as a decent corner outfielder, but he will never be a fantasy regular because of the numbers we will see in a minute.

Junior Lake makes the Astros Chris Carter look like the best contact hitter in the league. When you swing and miss nearly forty percent of the time you have some significant issues. Of course, swinging at forty percent of balls outside the zone doesn’t help. For that reason, he probably is not the best choice to add at this point in time. His .390 BABIP is likely to regress and he will become a .240ish hitter when it does.

Out of the three, Ackley is still the best option because his BABIP indicates that there is still some room for growth there. He is also making more consistent contact than the other two guys. That combination may not make him a dangerous player, but it makes him good enough to hold his slot and therefore makes him a viable fantasy backup.

The key in Ackley’s development has been the development of his power. His ten percent home runs per fly balls is essentially league average. The power development was key because it is okay to have a second baseman average fewer than ten home runs per season, but it is not okay to have a corner outfielder do that. With his current rates, he is on pace to hit about 15 home runs. That may not be huge, but it is passable for a backup corner outfielder on your fantasy team.