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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 11. 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
Clint Frazier (OF, NYY) — 38% Owned
Frazier has been relegated to the bottom half of the lineup, but there is still potential for production. The addition of Didi Gregorius will help extend the lineup and productivity. Frazier is also completely awake from the slumber that plagued his May (.219AVG). In the last two weeks, he’s hit two bombs, seven RBI, and had a .325 batting average. He also added his first stolen base of the year but he shouldn’t be expected to provide much in that category. Frazier has a juicy schedule this week with two games against the Mets before a four-game series versus the White Sox. He’ll line up against a majority of the starters he prefers, right-handers (.294). Thankfully, the best starters he’ll see this week is Zach Wheeler and Lucas Giolito.
Gregory Polanco (OF, PIT) — 36% Owned
Polanco is a prime example of looking at the circumstances and not the recent history. Recently, he’s only hit one homer and stole two bases with a .225 batting average in two weeks. Most would write him off based on that alone. However, his circumstances are built for Polanco to have a completely different outcome for the next week. First, he gets seven games this week, all of which will be against right-handed starters. Fortunately, he is a career .262 hitter against them. While the entire week will be spent on the road, he gets a four-game series against the Braves before visiting the Marlins. As luck would have it, he’s a career .300 and .356 in those parks, respectively.
Jorge Soler (OF, KC) — 36% Owned
He faces two righties and four lefties, hosting the Tigers before traveling to Minnesota. Sometimes all your lineup needs is a power bat. If your squad currently is comprised of more top-of-the-order guys that rack up runs, Soler is your guy to keep you competitive in the power category. Make no mistake, he does have his flaws, you’ll have to have a workaround to maintain a satisfactory batting average. In the last two weeks, Soler has five homers, 11RBI, and a .204 batting average. He’ll likely fare better in the start of the week against the Tigers, rather than the end of the week against the Twins. It’s true he is striking out too much (30%), but if you need power, you’ll take the bad with the good for an opportunity to move up the rankings.
Randal Grichuk (OF, TOR) — 25% Owned
We recommended Grichuk last week, in part to a favorable schedule. He provided three bombs with a serviceable .250 average. Here we are again giving you an opportunity for free support in the home run category. His opponents this week swing wildly back and forth. As such, you should stream him while he’s enjoying the lavish confines of Camden Yards. The second three-game series is against the Astros is a bit tougher but doesn’t need to be avoided altogether. He’s a .333 hitter in Minute Maid Park.
Kevin Kiermaier (OF, TB) — 17% Owned
Mr. Swiss Army knife, Kiermaier provides in all categories. He doesn’t have any one excellent tool, but he’s more than serviceable in all categories, assuming he can stay on the field. In two weeks, he’s hit two homers with eight RBI, three stolen bases, and .292 average. He continues to be used in the bottom third of the lineup, but there is still value to be had at that position, especially in a solid Rays lineup. The schedule this week against the Athletics and Angels favors Kiermaier as well. Thus far he’s hitting .327 against left-handed pitchers this year. Combine that with a career .259 average versus righties and he should set up for success the five right-handers and two southpaws he’s scheduled to face this week.
Jackie Bradley Jr. (OF, BOS) — 20% Owned
This is one of the biggest dart throws on the board. Bradley’s stats across the last 14 days look decent (two homers, seven RBI, .286AVG), despite a recent week that only saw him hit .174. All the preseason talk of Bradley’s successful 2019 season thank to the work he did with J.D. Martinez’ trainer seems to have been wishful thinking. Bradley continues to remind us that he is what he is, a defensive asset and an offensive question mark.
As stated, it is a dart throw, but we don’t want to waste darts. We want them to be calculated. If you’re picking up Bradley, it is because of the matchups this week. The RedSox will host the Rangers for a four-game series before traveling south to enjoy Camden Yards. While most hope Bradley would one day figure it out, we aren’t blindly avoiding his performance, to date. But, he continues to reside in an outstanding lineup and now has another week of favorable matchups. That is the best we can do to ensure Bradley can provide some amount of success.
Marwin Gonzalez (1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, MIN) — 38% Owned
Gonzalez and his versatility is a valuable asset to every roster assuming he can hit. That was the biggest issue for the first month of the year. However, May has been very kind to him. During the month, he hit .299 with three homers and 16 runs. June has been no different as he’s nearly matched May’s home run total (two) already. The Twins only get a six-game schedule this week but Gonzalez does get to face the Mariners and Royals. If nothing else, you’ll want any part of the potent Twins lineup you can get, and Gonzalez sits smack dab in the middle third of it.
Jason Heyward (OF, CHC) — 21% Owned
I do not recommend Heyward very often. Actually, I don’t think I ever have. Even this week gives me goosebumps with the idea of having him on a roster. But, fantasy baseball is about playing favorable matchups. In the last two weeks, he has hit two homers with a .275 batting average. If he can carry that into this week, he should find success with his opponents. He’ll face four right-handers this week, against whom he is hitting .253. Three of those four are in the homer-friendly skies of Colorado. The second half of the week should be avoided at all costs. There isn’t anything friendly about traveling to Los Angeles to face Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Walker Buehler, and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Garrett Cooper (OF, MIA) — 18% Owned
This one is baffling. Ok, I get it that Cooper plays for the Marlins but at some point, you have to realize that he has 19 runs, five homers, 16 RBI, and a .310 batting average over the last month. I understand that for some there is an anti-Marlin standard for your rosters. However, Cooper is trying to break the mold. This week he’ll face the Cardinals and Pirates at home. More importantly, he will see five right-handers and only one southpaw. Oh, and Cooper loves him some righties this year (.293). Make sure he isn’t sitting on your waivers.
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