Fantasy Baseball Outfield Draft Steal Candidates for 2025: Jackson Chourio, Jackson Merrill, Teoscar Hernandez and More

Let's finish up my fantasy baseball draft steal candidate story with outfielders.

We already looked at catcher, designated hitter, relief pitcher, starting pitcher, first base, second base, third base and shortstop.

Be sure to also check out the outfielder draft bust story, along with my top-10 rankings for outfielders (dynasty and redraft).

Check out Fantasy Baseball Average Draft Position data for 2025 and get ready for your fantasy drafts by utilizing the FantasySP Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft Simulator.

1. Jarren Duran

Duran is my No. 8 fantasy outfielder for 2025, but finished fourth in points leagues a season ago. He's No. 11 among outfielders on draft boards so far.

Duran broke out in 2024, hitting .285 and getting on base at a .342 clip across 160 games. He also had 21 home runs, 75 RBIs, 34 stolen bases and 111 runs scored.

He should hit atop the Red Sox's lineup this season, which is a favorable spot for a fantasy hitter. I think Boston has a sneaky good top of the order, and if everyone can stay pretty healthy, Duran's numbers could be even better than a season ago.

I like him as a draft steal for several reasons though. First, even if he regresses from last season, a top-10 fantasy finish among outfielders is very likely. He isn't being drafted as a top-10 outfielder right now and has steal written all over him around pick 36.

2. Jackson Chourio

Chourio is my No. 9 fantasy outfielder for 2025. He's 10th on draft boards, going around pick 32 right now. He finished 16th in points leagues a season ago, despite not really doing much until June.

He also played in 148 games last season, and if he plays in 10 more, he could have jumped several slots up. Chourio finished with a .275 average, .327 OBP, 21 home runs, 79 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and 80 runs scored. Another positive with him is that he struck out less than a time a game - 121 times in total.

From June 2 on, Chourio had a .305 average, .360 OBP, 16 homers, 63 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and 60 runs scored. If he's able to get close to that kind of production over the course of a full season, he's got a great chance at finishing not only in the top 10, but maybe pushing for a top-five spot.

I think the sky's the limit with Chourio, and the same can be said for the player we'll discuss next.

3. Jackson Merrill

Merrill was a much more steady performer in his rookie season. He is ninth on my redraft ranking list for 2025, was ninth a season ago and is being drafted 12th among outfielders so far.

In 156 games, Merrill had a .292 average, .326 OBP, 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and 77 runs scored. He only struck out 101 times, but he only walked 29 times.

I've said it already this year, but I think Merrill is a darkhorse for NL MVP. He'll hit in the heart of a loaded Padres' lineup, and in year two, I expect better numbers from Merrill.

I have him ranked ninth, but that's really about his fantasy floor (if he stays healthy). I think he also has top-five potential, and could end up being a top-10 fantasy hitter overall.

4. Anthony Santander

Santander was the No. 6 fantasy outfielder in 2024. He was on my honorable mention list for 2025 and is going 13th among outfielders and around pick 49.

Santander moved from the Orioles to the Blue Jays this offseason, which hurts his fantasy stock a little bit. Still, Santander looks like a steal in my book.

In 155 games last season, Santander had a .235 average and .308 OBP. He popped 44 home runs and drove in 102 runs. Santander also stole two bases and scored 91 runs.

I think his fantasy outlook is down a bit in Toronto, but there's enough talent in the top half of the lineup to help Santander deliver big numbers still. 

He definitely has top-10 fantasy outfielder potential, and a pretty safe floor. Getting him around pick 50 as a second, or even third, outfielder would be a great thing for a fantasy team.

Don't overlook Santander just because his fantasy outlook is a bit down from switching teams. Take advantage of him being drafted where he is before his value really rises, which I expect it to do before the season. 

5. Wyatt Langford

Langford was another honorable mention for me. He's the 17th outfielder drafted so far, going around pick 77. Langford was the 26th-best fantasy outfielder in points leagues last season.

In 134 games in his rookie season, Langford hit .253 and got on base at a .325 clip. He hit 16 home runs, drove in 74 runs, stole 19 bases and scored 74 runs. If we use those over 162 games, Langford would have 19 home runs, 89 RBIs, 23 stolen bases and 89 runs scored, which would put him in the running for a top-10 fantasy spot.

I honestly feel like I heard more hype for Langford before his rookie season. I'm not saying he's being slept on going into 2025, but it sure feels like he's undervalued after what he did as a rookie.

I expect his draft value to keep rising as Opening Day approaches, but I still think he could go up a couple spots and still be a good value pick. 

He seems like a safe bet to finish as a top-20 fantasy outfielder, and I could see him sneaking into the top 10 if he gets in a full season.

6. Teoscar Hernandez

I'm feeling generous, and because it's the last article in this series, I'm going to give a sixth draft steal candidate, after doing five in all the other stories.

Hernandez just missed my top 10, and that was the case during the 2024 season, when he finished 11th overall among outfielders. He's the 21st fantasy outfielder off draft boards at this point, and is going around pick 90.

That's simply far too low after the season he just produced. Yes, some regression could happen, but even if it does, I don't see Hernandez dropping 10 or more spots. A little regression would still probably have him as a top-15 fantasy outfielder in my book.

In 154 games in his first season with the Dodgers, Hernandez had a .272 average, .339 OBP, 33 home runs, 99 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and 84 runs scored. He set a couple new career highs, and arguably had his best fantasy season overall.

He turned that big season into a new three-year deal with LA. The Dodgers' lineup is ridiculously stacked, and Hernandez is expected to hit cleanup.

He'll likely be batting behind Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, who could all be MVP candidates. Behind him, Hernandez could have Max Muncy, Will Smith, Michael Conforto and others. In other words, Hernandez is set up for another monster season.

I actually see him improving his numbers a bit in 2025, as long as he stays healthy. I simply have other outfielders doing more this season, and that's why he misses out on my top 10.

I'd be thrilled to get Hernandez as my second, third or fourth fantasy outfielder. He might end up producing like one that is drafted inside the top-35 picks. The fantasy floor is still good, but his fantasy ceiling is elite, and I'd be more than happy to roster him in 2025.