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We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make more waiver wire moves as we head into Week 18. With more and more injuries and players slumping, it is time to start changing 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 off to hot starts, and more importantly, showing 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 18, August 8 thru August 14.
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 about 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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Trent Grisham, San Diego Padres
38% Rostered
Grisham has been a major disappointment this season, but of late, he is showing signs of life. The batting average is still scuffling, but the power has shown up in a big way. Since the All-Star break, Grisham is only hitting .224, but he has eight extra-base hits, including four home runs. In addition, he has a .327 ISO, .847 OPS, and 136 wRC+.
Over the 14 games, Grisham has also scored eight runs and driven in eight. Unfortunately, he is making 87% contact, and when he makes contact, he has a 10.5% barrel rate and 55.3% hard-hit rate so he may be getting a bit unlucky.
Hopefully, the batting average keeps improving, but at worse, the power is legit right now, and Grisham should have a lot of counting stat production in this loaded Padres lineup.
Seth Brown, Oakland Athletics
22% Rostered
Brown is on an absolute tear in July, but more importantly, since the All-Star break. He is hitting .400 since the break with six home runs, eight runs scored, eight RBI, and a stolen base.
He is hitting .400 with a .348 BABIP, which is pretty wild. Brown also shows excellent plate discipline with 12.5% walk and 15% strikeout rates.
He has an insane 20.7% barrel rate when he makes contact since the break. It is safe to say that Brown is locked in at the plate. He usually hits cleanup for the A's and faces five RHP next week. Brown is becoming more than a weekly streamer with his recent production, so jump on board for his power and speed combo.
Eddie Rosario, Atlanta Braves
19% Rostered
Rosario missed a lot of time with an eye injury but is finally starting to look comfortable at the plate. Sure, he is still striking out 27.5% of the time since the All-Star break, but he is also hitting .300 with four extra-base hits and a stolen base.
He has been hitting fifth of late, and since the break, has 12 RBI. We all saw what Rosario did late last season to help the Braves and their postseason run, so a monster final two months is not out of the question for Rosario. He makes for a strong add in deeper leagues with some 12-team league appeal.
Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks
13% Rostered
Thomas continues to put together a solid rookie campaign. Since the All-Star break, he is hitting .300 with a home run, six runs scored, and seven RBI.
Thomas walks 10.9% of the time with a .846 OPS and 138 wRC+. His quality of contact is not excellent, with a 3.2% barrel rate since the break, but he is making 88.7% Z-contact, so a lot of balls in play to help get on base and add those counting stats.
Thomas will continue to hit near the top of the DBacks order, and the batting average and counting stats should be a significant fantasy boon for the remainder of the season.
Yadiel Hernandez, Washington Nationals
5% Rostered
The Nationals may have thrown in the towel when they traded Juan Soto and Josh Bell, but that has not stopped Hernandez from raking.
Since July 24, he has been hitting .333 with two home runs. He has an excellent .179 ISO, .846 OPS, and 134 wRC+. He has had a 44% hard-hit rate since the 24th with an 80% contact rate.
Hernandez is now hitting cleanup daily for the Nationals, which should improve his fantasy value. He has showcased some power throughout his career with a nice batting average floor. Look for Hernandez to continue to produce for the rest of the season.
Deeper League Waiver Wire
You can check out my NFBC deeper league waiver wire article, which comes out every Saturday, and looks at deeper-league waiver wire options at various positions.
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