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We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make some more waiver wire moves. With more and more injuries and players slumping, it is time to start making some changes to our rosters. I want to emphasize that it is still not time to panic about your core players. Do not go dropping early picks that are just slumping out the gate. If they are still struggling in a few weeks, we can look at the underlying metrics to see if a drop is in play.
Early in the season, we are interested in players that are off to hot starts, and more importantly, show sustainable improvements from last season. With the early injuries, we are also looking into players that may be receiving more playing time. Some of the lower rostered players, or some not mentioned here, are on the solid side of platoons, so make sure you are not adding them if they have a negative schedule. Lastly, the names in the article are in order of percentage rostered, not so much in my preference of adding to your roster. This article will discuss fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the outfield in Week 2, April 18 through April 24.
In the first few weeks, rostered percentages can change quickly. So be quick to check your leagues for their availability. When you want to chat it up regarding outfielders, prospects, or dynasty leagues, message me directly on Twitter at @bdentrek. Key points - this list will focus on rostered players in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
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Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins
29% Rostered
Sanchez has come out smashing the baseball to start the season. He has hit safely in five of the last six games, with multiple-hit games in four. He is hitting .310 with five extra-base hits, including two home runs. Sanchez's .379 ISO and 1.023 OPS are very impressive, but his 16.7% strikeout rate is impressive after striking out 31% of the time last season. So far this season, Sanchez is swinging at pitches in the zone much more often than last season, and that adjustment to approach at the plate is a strong checkmark for the positive. Sanchez has six games on the schedule this week and faces all right-handed starters. I would add Sanchez in all 12-team or deeper leagues where you need an outfielder.
Anthony Santander, Baltimore Orioles
19% Rostered
Santander had some up and down moments last season, making him fantasy-relevant from time to time. To start the 2022 season, Santander is claiming to be fantasy relevant all season. He has hit safely in five of eight games for a .304 average. He has one home run, a 5.3% barrel rate, and a 47.4% hard-hit rate. More importantly, Santander is his plate discipline as he walks 21.9% of the time after walking around 5% of the time throughout his career. Will Santander walk 21% all season? Definitely not. But if he can continue solid played discipline and walk 10-12% of the time, up from that usual 5% number, then Santander can bring significant fantasy upside. He will be on base more to score runs while also bringing 20+ home run upside.
Raimel Tapia, Toronto Blue Jays
17% Rostered
With the unfortunate injury to Teoscar Hernandez, Tapia has benefitted with playing time. Tapia has started four straight games in the Jays' outfield and has hit safely in three consecutive games. Tapia isn't crushing baseballs yet as he has a 0% barrel rate, but he has hit leadoff, fifth, and sixth over the last three games. Those are some strong lineup spots in a great Jays lineup. Tapia has minimal power appeal but did steal 20 bases for the Rockies last season. If given the job while Teoscar is out, it could bring some nice stolen base appeal and run-scoring appeal to your fantasy rosters.
Hunter Dozier, Kansas City Royals
10% Rostered
I have always been a Dozier stan, so the start of the season has been an excellent feed for the haters. This season, Dozier has hit sixth in all seven games, hitting safely in four of seven games, with extra-base hits in three games. On the season, Dozier is hitting .296 with a triple, home run, and only a 14.3% strikeout rate. The contact quality has me a bit excited, as well as he is barreling the ball 8.7% of the time with a strong 52.2% hard-hit rate. Heading into the season, there were questions about playing time for Dozier, and so far, he is playing daily at DH with one start at first base. Most projection sites do not believe in the start as they have Dozier hitting .240 with 14 home runs. However, I think there is more production than that. Dozier is a strong add in 15-team leagues and a watch in your 12-team and smaller leagues.
Tyler Naquin, Cincinatti Reds
9% Rostered
Naquin will usually sit versus left-handed pitching, but not all the time, as he has received at least one start versus a lefty this season. He has started eight games this season for the Reds, hitting second in every game. Over those eight games, he is hitting .276 with hits in five games, including a home run and a stolen base. Naquin has a nice .207 ISO as well. There are a few concerns as he is only hitting the ball hard 23.8% of the time, which is less than ideal. However, I believe the hard contact will return, and he will be a strong fantasy player with regular playing time. Naquin should hit 15+ home runs with a few steals and a .260 average. Naquin should be rostered in all 15-team leagues, with some 12-team leagues rostering him. Out of the five players mentioned in this article, Naquin is my second add after Sanchez.
Deeper League Waiver Wire Adds
Here are a few players on the roster in deeper leagues:
- Brandon Marsh (LAA, 8%)
- Aaron Hicks (NYY, 2%)
- Brandon Drury (CIN, 1%)
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