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Managers can easily make decisions to affect their team positively, but often they're too hesitant, cautious, or even scared. Sometimes you have to make the hard choice to choose a player in the right circumstance to produce. These are the best players when we start streaming. We look at the matchups and other variables to put our team in the best position to succeed. That is the best we can do. There is no need to be scared about making these types of choices. No Fear, Just Fantasy.
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). That is a situation that is affecting many owners, and there is nothing you can do except find a suitable replacement as quickly as possible or risk losing valuable counting stats. In this article, I’ll discuss waiver wire targets for the outfield in week 10. This week we cover a few guys that are on a little hot streak while a couple of other players have enticing matchups.
Even in the first few weeks, ownership can change quickly. Be quick to check your leagues for their availability. Key points - this list will focus on players who are owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. When you want to chat it up regarding outfielders, prospects, or dynasty leagues, message me directly on Twitter @EllisCan2.
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Outfield (OF) Waiver Wire Options
Avisail Garcia (OF, TB) — 39% Owned
Garcia has missed the last couple of days with a hamstring injury. However, if he is able to get on the field, he has a couple of solid matchups this week. The injury might present a better buying opportunity as Garcia was lighting things up recently. In the last two weeks, he’s hit three homers with eight RBI to go with a .381 batting average. He also stole three bases as well. Additionally, he has 10.3% barrels per plate appearance. If Garcia is going to continue to find succes, he will need to keep his strikeout rate near 22%, despite having a 40% chase and 19% swinging strike rates.
This week, he’ll have decent matchups against the Tigers and Red Sox. During that time, should he play all the games, he’ll see three righties and four left-handed starters. While he’s been batting leadoff against the southpaws, Garcia has produced much better against right-handers with a .336 average, seven of his 10 homers and all six of his stolen bases. Make sure you check his health status before slotting him in your lineup.
Josh Reddick (OF, HOU) — 22% Owned
With all the injuries, Reddick has been a stabilizing force for the Astros this season. He hasn’t exploded in any one category; he’s just been a solid hitter all around. In fact, Reddick only has five homers and 17 RBI despite hitting mostly in the middle of a potent lineup. Impressively, Reddick ranks in the top-10 of strikeout rate with a mere 10.9%. He is primarily a benefit in the batting average category (.309) and since he’s most often hanging out on base, he’ll continue to amass runs (24). Reddick gets to enjoy a full seven-game schedule this week with a trip to Seattle before returning home to host the Orioles. Both are very good matchups and since he's proven himself splits-proof, he is a must-start for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it player.
Kevin Kiermaier (OF, TB) — 15% Owned
Kiermaier has long had the ability to produce for both power and speed. Unfortunately, injuries and streaky play have kept him from maximizing his potential in such a great lineup. This, of course, has reduced his ownership level and allowed you to take advantage of it. The last two weeks of four homers, four stolen bases, and a .308 batting average has done wonders for his seasonal stats. He now sits at .244 with six bombs and 10 stolen bases. To keep that going, he’ll take on the same matchups as Garcia above, obviously. Over his career, Kiermaier has been better against right-handed pitchers. However, this year, he’s batting .324 in the 37 at-bats versus southpaws.
Randal Grichuk (OF, TOR) — 26% Owned
Most people will often forget about Grichuk since he’s been quite terrible as of late. He hasn’t been all that productive the whole year if we’re being honest. Grichuk only has nine homers to go with a .230 average. He is primarily a power hitter and this year, there has been no shortage of that category. His barrel rate (7%) is half of his career rate, which gives hope of potential that you can maximize. The primary benefit that Grichuk will bring this week is playing both series at home versus the Yankees and Diamondbacks. He’s hit most of his homers (six) in the Rogers Centre and even has a better average as well (.245).
Bryan Reynolds (OF, PIT) — 20% Owned
Fewer players have come out of nowhere to do better than Reynolds has the past couple of weeks. He’s hit two homers to go with 14 runs, nine RBI, and a .400 average. All we really need to throw out there for you to be impressed is a .345/.402/.569 slash line in 116 at-bats. He hasn’t done this by just gently massaging the ball all over the field. Actually, he’s crushing it with an average exit velocity of 91mph. Reynolds has also maintained decent walk (8%) and strikeout rates (33%). This week, he hosts the Braves before traveling to face the Brewers. Both are favorable hitting environments for the switch hitter who will get to face five right-handed starters this week, against whom he is hitting .309.
Ramon Laureano (OF, OAK) — 17% Owned
To say that Laureano has been streaky this year would be an understatement. He’s been more successful in the field throwing people out than he has at the plate. Despite the streakiness, he’s still accumulated 30 runs, six homers, and four stolen bases to go with a .258 batting average. If he can cut back on the strikeouts (28%) and improve his walk rate (5%), then he’s sure to accrue even more counting stats. His performance over the last two weeks shows signs of him turning the corner towards those improved numbers. Laureano has a .362 average with a homer and a stolen base during that time.
Laureano has an advantage of getting a full seven-game slate this week, albeit on the road against the Angels and Rangers. The latter will have many licking their chops as two of the three right-handers he faces this week will be in Globe Life Park. Thus far he’s batting .272 with five homers and 16 RBI against righties this year. As the saying goes, always maximize the Rangers' home park and Laureano might have enough confidence going into that series to take full advantage.
Jesse Winker (OF, CIN) — 34% Owned
It’s time to pick on another player that most people are running from these days. Winker was a preseason favorite among many but he’s trailed off. While most of the team is finding some amount of success, Winker has yet to get his groove back. Since the promotion of Nick Senzel, who owns the leadoff spot, Winker has bounced all over the lineup. His performance hasn’t been a complete waste as he does have 10 bombs and 29 runs which has cost you a .239 average. Despite all his struggles fighting for production, he still only has a 17.4% strikeout rate to go with an 8% walk rate. This week, Winker gets to face four right-handed pitchers, albeit in St. Louis and Philadelphia. This is primarily where he has found success this year with a .292 batting average and four homers against righties away from the Great American Ball Park.
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