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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 16, July 25 through July 31.
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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Ramon Laureano, Oakland Athletics
48% Rostered
If your team needs power and speed, then Laureano should be on your roster. He may hurt your team a bit in batting average, but overall, he will help in all five categories. After missing the first month of the season serving a PED suspension, Laureano is hitting .232 with ten home runs and nine stolen bases.
He is still on pace for a 20/20 season which is always great for fantasy. In addition, Laureano is flexing his muscle, especially of late. Since July 2, he has hit six home runs with a .275 ISO and 20.5% barrel rate. Laureano will play every day for the A's and hit second so expect the fantasy goodness to continue.
Andrew McCutchen, Milwaukee Brewers
35% Rostered
McCutchen started the season slowly but has picked things up of late. Over his last 19 games, he is hitting .282 with three home runs and a stolen base. He has scored 11 runs while driving in 11 while hitting cleanup for the Brewers. McCutchen has a .183 ISO, .807 OPS, and 124 wRC+ over this stretch.
His contact quality is also improved with a 10.5% barrel rate and near 50% hard-hit rate. McCutchen is locked in while also running a bit when he reaches base. He now has ten home runs and six stolen bases on the season, and a solid second half should be in store for the veteran outfielder.
Aaron Hicks, New York Yankees
23% Rostered
We all know the Yankees offense is a juggernaut, so Hicks starting to hit makes things even better for fantasy. July has been a nice one for Hicks as he is hitting .298 with seven extra-base hits, including three home runs. He has even added two stolen bases while scoring 12 runs and driving in 11 over those 16 July games.
The plate discipline has also been outstanding for Hicks, with a near 21% walk rate while striking out less than 17%. In addition, his 16.2% barrel rate is excellent and should help the power continue. Hicks has a lousy injury track record, but for now, he is healthy and ready to roll, so roster Hicks and enjoy everything that comes with rostering someone in that Yankees offense.
Adam Frazier, Seattle Mariners
19% Rostered
Frazier is having a strong July as he is hitting .322 with a home run and two stolen bases. He will not supply a ton of power, but the batting average is elite, and he has also added seven runs scored. Frazier brings a nine-game hitting streak into Sunday's action.
A hitting streak has seen Frazier hit .412 with a home run and two steals. Frazier is raking and is providing excellent batting average, runs, and steal support for fantasy teams. The Mariners as a team are clicking, which will boost Frazier's value. Enjoy Frazier in 12-team and deeper leagues for now.
Austin Slater, San Francisco Giants
10% Rostered
Slater has shown offensive promise in the past but was usually stuck in a platoon on the short side. That has changed lately as the Giants suffer too many injuries, and Slater has stepped into an everyday role. A typical part that has seen Slater succeed. Since July 5, he has been hitting .455 with five doubles, 12 runs scored, and two stolen bases.
He is striking out less than 16% of the time with a 1.098 OPS and 217 wRC+. Since the fifth, Slater is hitting .353 versus RHP with a .862 OPS, so hopefully, the platoon talk can quiet down a bit.
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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