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We have completed another week of MLB action, and we have experienced more injuries, and most teams need more and more replacements. We have around six weeks left in the season, and we are already seeing some teams throw in the towel while others are falling out of the playoff race and may join them shortly. As the fallout continues, more and more players may get some newfound playing time. In addition, we may see more call-ups get their chance to make an impact. The Cubs and Nationals have been a great example of new faces breaking out, while the Marlins have a few of their own. Let's not forget other prospects like Jarred Kelenic and Jarren Duran are starting to showcase some of their elite prospect pedigree. With these final weeks, there will be more and more deep league choices that will become available. If you have further questions, always feel free to reach out to me on Twitter.
Some outfielders would be better suited to stream for a hot bat. Others need to be replaced just because they are no longer on the field (IL). Unfortunately, that is a situation that affects many managers. You can do nothing except finding a suitable replacement as quickly as possible or risk losing valuable counting stats. This week's article will focus on deeper league adds or even players to take fliers on as we head into the second half of the season. If you have questions about other players, always feel free to ask me on Twitter. This article will discuss waiver wire targets for the outfield in Week 21, August 16 through August 22.
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 @bdentrek. Key points - this list will focus on rostered players in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
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Anthony Santander, Baltimore Orioles
44% Rostered
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander has been quite productive in August. In his 11 games this month, Santander has hit safely in nine games for a .390 average. In addition, he has four home runs over this stretch with a .341 ISO, a 1.164 OPS, and 217 wRC+. Santander is locked in of late, and his contact quality shows it as he is barreling the ball 14.3% of the time with a 42.9% hard-hit rate.
Sure, most will say he can't sustain that, which is very true. A .387 BABIP is not sustainable, but a low .300's BABIP could be. The rest of season projections are not too optimistic either as they have Santander hitting another seven home runs while hitting .248. I will have to disagree with all of this, as Santander will be a fantasy asset the rest of the season.
I expect Santander to still hit .280-.290, which is extremely valuable for fantasy. The home runs total of seven or so makes sense, but he will help in runs and RBI while maybe adding a steal or two. Santander has been hitting second or fourth in most games in August, and that should not change. He is a switch-hitter, which will keep him out of platoons, and he will have a very hitter-friendly home ballpark for the rest of the season. I am all in on Santander, and all managers in 12-team leagues and deeper should be too.
Lewis Brinson, Miami Marlins
38% Rostered
Honestly, I was surprised Brinson was rostered in 38% of Yahoo! leagues. In the past week, I have shared my love of Brinson's performance, and it seemed many had no idea he was as productive as he has been. Brinson was once a highly heralded prospect who had not lived up to the expectations. Well, we may finally be seeing Brinson turn into the played we had all hoped he'd be.
Brinson heads into Week 21, hitting safely in 10 of his last 12 games for a .386 average. He has nine extra-base hits, including four home runs over this stretch. His 1.211 OPS and 221 wRC+ have been off the chart and have been great from the Marlins' cleanup hitter. Over the 12-game stretch, he is barreling the ball 11.8% of the time with a 52.9% hard-hit rate.
Brinson is locked in and hitting everything hard. He is contributing in four major offensive categories, just not stealing bases. The rest of season projections have been hitting five home runs, which I think he hits a few more, but they think he will revert to a .229 average and a limited category producer. I do not feel that way. I expect a strong finish to the season. Like Santander, I would look to add him in all 12-team and deeper leagues where you need outfield help.
Josh Rojas, Arizona Diamondbacks
32% Rostered
Rojas returned from the IL on August 10, and after a couple of O'fer games, he has begun to rake again. He has now hit safely in three straight games with multiple hits in two of his last three games. Rojas has added three extra-base hits as well. Most importantly for me is Rojas' plate discipline, as he walks nearly 11% of the time.
The return has been strong and should lead to a decent amount of adds on this week's waiver wire. Rojas has been a fantasy stud on the season, hitting .275 with 10 home runs and seven stolen bases. The D-backs love to hit Rojas near the top of the order more than not, and that leads to Rojas' fantasy upside and ability to contribute in all five offensive categories.
The rest of season projections have Rojas continuing to help in all five offensive categories, and I completely agree. The other aspect that leads to Rojas' fantasy upside is his multiple-position flexibility. He can help all over your roster, and that makes him a bit more valuable. Last week, I grabbed Rojas in some deeper leagues, and he is viable in all 12-team and deeper formats.
Connor Joe, Colorado Rockies
7% Rostered
Yep, this is not a joke. Connor Joe has been producing and is 100% in play in fantasy baseball this week and possibly in the coming weeks. Over the last couple of weeks, Joe has been raking for the Rockies. He is hitting .310 with five home runs, two of which have come outside of Coors. In addition, Joe has a .293 ISO, .962 OPS, and 138 wRC+.
Joe has been quite solid, and the question I will get from many is, "Is it sustainable?" Probably not, as Joe has never shown us this production for a long period of time. The rest of season projections have Joe hitting .260 with two home runs. I like Joe to showcase more power than that, but the consistent .300+ batting average is not something I believe will happen.
Joe will be productive in deeper formats this year but maybe better for streaming situations. This week is one of those streaming situations. Joe has been leading off for the Rockies over the last week, and this week he returns to Coors Field as the Rockies have six games at home. That always boosts his fantasy value. Joe may be saved for 15-team leagues the rest of the season, but with Coors on tap, he will have some 12-team appeal as well.
Yadiel Hernandez, Washington Nationals
6% Rostered
We all got a taste of Hernandez's skills earlier this season when Juan Soto was on the IL, and with the Nats selling off most of the team at the Trade Deadline, he gets another shot to play every day. Hernandez has taken that chance and ran with it. In just a month of August, Hernandez has hit .341 with three extra-base hits and has even stolen a base. Hernandez may even have a little Soto in him with his near 12% walk rate while only striking out 15.7% of the time.
Hernandez has been hitting in the middle of the Nats lineup and has produced consistently. I am honestly surprised he is so low-rostered right now. Hernandez should 100% be added in all 15-team and deeper leagues while being heavily considered in 12-team leagues. Hernandez will continue to play every day and should hit for a solid average while producing in all offensive fantasy categories.
More Deeper League Options
Here are a few other really nice deep league adds or players to keep an eye on, and they will likely be discussed in the coming weeks - Jorge Mateo (BAL, 2%), Frank Schwindel (CHC, 3%), Bryan De La Cruz (MIA, 1%), Seth Brown (OAK, 1%).
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