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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 making some changes to 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 that are off to hot starts and, more importantly, show 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 9, June 6 through June 12.
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 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
37% Rostered
Am I in love with the idea of adding Grisham? Nope. But I am a realist that knows just how talented he has been in the past and that Grisham has been showing some signs of life in recent weeks. Entering Saturday (he collected two more hits Saturday), Grisham was hitting .250 over his last 11 games with five extra-base hits, including two home runs. He was also walking nearly 15% of the time and tossed in a stolen base. Grisham's .281 ISO goes with a very solid 154 wRC+.
On the season, Grisham has a .222 BABIP which is down from his usual .290-.300 BABIP. Side note, his BABIP over the last 11 games was .300. His barrel rate is slightly better than last season, and his maxEV is still a respectable 107.8 mph, but his hard-hit rate of only 27.4% is the significant outlier. If Grisham can start making more hard contact, his BABIP should rise, and we should see a much-improved fantasy asset. Adding Grisham now is believing in the last couple of weeks' production and a chance that we get a return to his previous season's form. A total risk/reward pickup.
Ramon Laureano, Oakland Athletics
30% Rostered
It was a slow start for Laureano once his season started after his PED suspension, but he is on track now. Laureano entered Saturday hitting safely in eight straight games, suitable for a .333 batting average. He has a home run and a stolen base over the eight games with a solid 146 wRC+. Sure, he only has a .091 ISO and a measly 4.2% barrel rate, but his 62.5% hard-hit rate is promising.
He racked up two more hits and a stolen base on Saturday, raising that fantasy goodness. Laureano hits near the top of the A's lineup and should continue to be a fantasy stud. He has 20/20 upside and should not be on a waiver wire in any league 12-team or deeper.
Tyrone Taylor, Milwaukee Brewers
28% Rostered
With Hunter Renfroe hitting the IL and Lorenzo Cain struggling, Taylor has taken over as a fantasy stud in the Brewers outfield. Over the last few weeks, Taylor has been hitting .283 with five home runs and a 150 wRC+. In addition, he has driven in 18 runs with a nominal 13.8% strikeout rate and outstanding .317 ISO. Taylor is locked in at the plate, and as long as he is playing every day, aka Renfroe, is out, then Taylor is a fantasy must in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins
24% Rostered
Don't look now, but Sanchez may be heating up again. He started the season en Fuego but hit a wall, and the production stopped. However, he may have made some adjustments as he is back raking. He has now hit safely in six straight games with three home runs and seven RBI. Sanchez is barreling the ball over 20% of the time with a hard-hit rate around 50%. His wRC+ over 250 is elite, and his overall production is close to mimicking his insanely hot start. Sanchez may be a streaky hitter who we add and drop throughout the season, or he may be young and figuring things out. Either way, he is worth an add now, especially in leagues where you need power.
David Peralta, Arizona Diamondbacks
9% Rostered
Peralta has been quite the fantasy surprise this season. He entered Saturday hitting safely in 14 of his last 17 games, suitable for a .311 batting average. He has 10 extra-base hits, including four home runs over his hot streak. It is not a fluke, as Peralta has changed his launch angle and approach at the plate this season. Over the last 17 games, he has a maxEV of 113 mph to go with a 15.9% barrel rate and 50% hard-hit rate. Peralta is mashing and should be taken seriously in your fantasy leagues.
Deeper League Waiver Wire
You can check out my NFBC deeper league waiver wire article, which comes out every Saturday, looking at deeper-league waiver wire options at various positions.
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