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We have completed another week of MLB action, making it time to make more waiver wire moves. 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 13, July 4 through July 10.
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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Dylan Carlson, St. Louis Cardinals
48% Rostered
Carlson is showing some signs of life of late for the Cardinals. He has hit safely in seven of his last eight games for a .310 batting average. He has six extra-base hits, a .310 ISO, and .964 OPS over the eight-game stretch. Carlson is striking out nearly 38% of the time, which is concerning, so it is something worth monitoring. He has been hitting either second or sixth/seventh most days. If Carlson can see more at-bats near the top of the order, that could be huge.
It may not just be a week-long hot streak for Carlson, which leaves me quite optimistic. Since returning to the Cardinals on June 10, Carlson has been hitting .265 with three home runs and three stolen bases. Unlike his week-long stats, Carlson is only striking out 25% of the time since the 10th and is walking 12.5% of the time. In addition, he has a .265 ISO and .892 OPS. Carlson is showing signs of life, and with the consistent playing time, he may produce the way so many hoped he would last season.
Juan Yepez, St. Louis Cardinals
41% Rostered
It seemed like Yepez was about to be sent to Triple-A as playing time continued to disappear for the power-hitting rookie. Then Tyler O'Neil went on the IL and the playing time returned. Yepez has taken advantage of the playing time but hitting .311 since June 19 with five home runs and 12 RBI. His .422 ISO and 1.038 OPS are outstanding, and his 182 wRC+. However, Yepez is striking out 28.3% of the time without a single walk, which is a bit concerning, so something worth monitoring.
If Yepez keeps hitting, then he'll stick around. If another slump returns, a trip to the minors is in store. For now, ride the power bat and stack up those starts for your fantasy teams.
Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox
31% Rostered
Duran needs to be rostered in way more leagues than he is now. Since he was recalled on June 4, he has been the Red Sox leadoff hitter and has been highly productive. Duran is hitting .351 with eight extra-base and four stolen bases. In addition, Duran has a .193 ISO to go with a 164 wRC+, and his .393 OBP will return many runs leading off for the Red Sox.
There were concerns that Duran would not stick around for long, but that has changed. Enrique Hernandez has had a setback in his injury rehab, so Duran's job is safe now. Also, Jackie Bradley Jr. can't hit the broad side of a barn and really should not be holding Duran back. So add Duran everywhere and reap the fantasy rewards.
Andrew McCutchen, Milwaukee Brewers
26% Rostered
It was a dreadful start to the season for McCutchen, and it even made me drop him in a few leagues. However, I have added him wherever I could as Cutch is mashing. The month of June has been very kind to the veteran, and the last ten games have been outstanding. McCutchen is hitting .381 with three home runs, eight runs scored, and seven RBI. The only thing McCutchen is not doing is stealing bases, but that's fine when he keeps producing in the other four roto categories the way he currently is. McCutchen is doing his damage with a 12.8% barrel rate and nearly 50% hard-hit rate. Add McCutchen in all 12-team and deeper leagues.
Hunter Dozier, Kansas City Royals
19% Rostered
Dozier is never the sexiest player on the roster, but he is a consistent fantasy producer. He will supply some power, not crush your batting average, and even steal a base. Over the last ten games, Dozier is hitting .265 with two home runs and a stolen base. Dozier carries an ISO of .238 with a .872 OPS and 147 wRC+. Dozier usually hits in the middle of the Royals lineup and brings excellent mulit-positional eligibility to your rosters. Dozier should be rostered in all deep leagues with viability in 12-team leagues.
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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