RADIO
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 14, July 11 through July 17.
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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Garrett Cooper, Miami Marlins
44% Rostered
Cooper is locked in at the plate for the Marlins and should be locked into many fantasy lineups. Since June 1st, Cooper has been hitting .336 with four home runs. He has driven in 21 runs while showcasing a little bit of pop. Cooper's .176 ISO, .894 OPS, and 154 wRC+ is very solid. Cooper is hitting in the middle of the Marlins' batting order and should continue racking up RBIs as the season progresses. Cooper is not a huge power source but can sprinkle in some home runs, but more importantly, he will hit for average and help in some of the forgotten ROTO categories.
Alex Kirilloff, Minnesota Twins
38% Rostered
Welcome back, Kirilloff. He has had a problem staying healthy the past couple of seasons, and that did not change this season. Kirilloff returned from his recent stint on the IL on June 17 and has been producing out of the gate. He is hitting .282 with nine extra-base hits, including three home runs. His .211 ISO is excellent, but his 10.2% barrel and 52.5% hard-hit rates have my attention. Last season he showed the elite quality of contact metrics, which led to some power. Kirilloff is showing similar metrics now, and the power should follow. If he can stay healthy, he is a must in all formats. I have rostered Kirilloff everyone I can; join me as we pray for health.
Ramon Laureano, Oakland Athletics
38% Rostered
What if I told you there was an outfielder available in 62% of Yahoo leagues that will go 15/15 with a great chance of 20/20 by the end of the season? Would you be interested in that? Well, here he is, Ramon Laureano. Laureano missed the first month or so of the season serving a PED suspension, but since returning, he has six home runs and eight stolen bases. Over the last couple of weeks, he is hitting .268 with four home runs and three stolen bases as he appears to be getting comfortable at the plate. Laureano has showcased premium power and speed and will hit in the middle of the A's order nearly daily. If Laureano is available in your league, he should not be after you read this article.
Harold Ramirez, Tampa Bay Rays
30% Rostered
Ramirez is doing a couple of awe-inspiring things right now. First, he is playing nearly every day on a platoon-heavy Rays team. Second, he hits almost everything, with hits in 14 of his last 16 games. Third, Ramirez is hitting nearly .400 over this stretch with two home runs and a stolen base. Finally, he is showcasing nice plate discipline by walking almost 10% of the time and striking out less than 20%. Ramirez has a .232 ISO, 1.085 OPS, and 214 wRC+ on his way to a lot of fantasy goodness. Ramirez may not always hit for a ton of power, but he has showcased excellent batting average skills throughout his career. He could be a precious piece to any fantasy roster.
Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds
28% Rostered
Shake the Magic 8 Ball and ask, "Can Nick Senzel stay healthy?" If it says YES, add immediately as Senzel is showing signs of life with his bat. Over the last three weeks, Senzel is hitting .426 with two home runs and three stolen bases. In addition, Senzel is striking out less than 15% of the time with a very impressive 193 wRC+. It does stink that Senzel hits at the bottom of the Reds batting order, but it still works as he plays half his games in Great American Small Park. Senzel can bring great power and speed to your roster and is worth a look in 12-team and deeper leagues. I would rather roster Jarred Duran over Senzel, but the two have similar skill sets.
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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