RADIO
We have completed another week of MLB action, and we have once again been littered with injuries. Both good and bad things arise from injuries. Let's start with the bad, which means losing a player, sometimes a key player, from your roster. The good is a chance to add a new player, and certain players suddenly finding new playing time. The outfield position has been getting more and more depleted as the season goes on, at least from a fantasy perspective. Many other recent options in this article are still available in leagues and are still worth the pick-ups. Lastly, keep an eye on a couple of players in the column in the coming weeks, but playing time is still a question. Those players are Daz Cameron and Brian Goodwin.
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 affects many managers, 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 12.
In the first few weeks, rostered percentages can change quickly. 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 @bdentrek. Key points - this list will focus on players who are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
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Robbie Grossman, Detroit Tigers
45% Rostered
Grossman has had a strong season for the Tigers, hitting .246 with eight home runs. Not too shabby, but his 14.4% walk rate - which gives Grossman a strong .358 OBP - is even more impressive. Grossman is getting on base at a great clip, which has added to his ability to steal bags - he has eight stolen bases already this season.
Currently, Grossman is streaking with a five-game hitting streak where he has multiple hits in four of the five games. He is hitting .429 with four extra-base hits (two home runs) and a 1.288 OPS. The Tigers' leadoff hitter has been producing all season and should continue to be a solid fantasy contributor with a chance at a 20/20 season.
Grossman has a nice seven-game week coming up and should be added in all formats. In reality, Grossman should of already been rostered in all 12-team leagues and deeper. The batting average has probably turned many off. Still, the overall five-category production that Grossman brings to a lineup cannot be found in many places, especially the waiver wire.
Miguel Andujar, New York Yankees
33% Rostered
Well, here we are. We are talking about Andujar as a fantasy player once again, and this time, it isn't out of hope but out of the fact he is actually producing for the Yankees. He is hitting .270 on the season, but more importantly, he is now playing every day and being quite productive.
In June, Andujar has started nine games and hit safely in eight of nine games. He is hitting .324 while only striking out 18.9% of the time. That still may seem high, but we all know that is pretty good for Andujar. He has hit safely in five straight games and has five home runs in June to go with a 1.027 OPS. The quality of contact has also been great for Andujar in June, with a 14.3% barrel rate and a 42.9% hard-hit rate.
We all know Andujar can hit world-class level slumps, but for now, he is playing nearly every day for the Yankees and being very productive. Andujar is a streamer addition in 12-team leagues, knowing he can be a drop soon. For now, ride him while you can, and in deeper leagues, add now where the outfield position on the waiver wire is very shallow.
Joc Pederson, Chicago Cubs
29% Rostered
I try not to write about the same players too often, but I wrote about Pederson a couple of weeks ago, and he is still not rostered in nearly enough leagues. The 29% rostered number is truly baffling to me. I know Pederson can be streaky, but one thing we do know is Joc will mash versus RHP, and when given regular playing time, he will be a productive fantasy producer.
He is currently playing nearly every day and leading off when doing so when playing. Over the last eight games, he has hit safely in seven of eight games for a .321 average. He has seven extra-base hits, including five JOC JAMS over the eight-game streak. Imagine rostering a player that just hit five home runs in a week for your fantasy team. Well, sadly, 71% of people did not imagine rostering a player like that.
Joc and the Cubs have another seven-game week coming up, and there are five right-handed starters on the agenda. One is Jacob deGrom, but maybe we get lucky, and he misses a start with the right flexor strain. Regardless, adding Joc is not just a roster addition for this week; it is the long play. Adding Joc is likely adding another 15+ home runs for the rest of the season, not to mention other fantasy counting stats. Add him now!!!!
Jake Fraley, Seattle Mariners
6% Rostered
Fraley has been a productive player in the minors, showcasing some power and speed. Now, he has been given a chance at some everyday playing time with the Mariners and has been quite productive so far this season. Over the last nine games, Fraley has hit safely in eight of nine games for a .308 average with three home runs and three stolen bases. There's that power and speed combo we talked about. Possibly more impressive than the average, home runs and steals because Fraley also walked 18.8% of the time, which aided a really impressive 1.092 OPS.
Fraley should continue playing every day with the recent demotion of Jarred Kelenic and the inconsistent play of other Mariners' outfielders. The production could hit some road bumps in the coming weeks, but for now, enjoy the production. Ride the hot streak while you can where you need OF help in shallow leagues and make Fraley a must-add for now in deeper formats.
Yonathan Daza, Colorado Rockies
5% Rostered
The Rockies have seven games in Coors this week, and we always know that is a great opportunity for streaming. Yes, Daza is strictly a streaming play. Daza is hitting .318 this season with eight extra-base hits and two stolen bases. To the surprise of no one, most of the production has come in Coors. Daza is hitting .368 at home this season with six extra-base hits and striking out less than 15% of the time.
Daza is not an overly powerful bat and is not a viable week in and week out, but he is in play weeks like this. Daza has been hitting anywhere from second to sixth of late, and that will definitely play for a seven-game Coors week. Stream Daza where you need outfield help and then find a replacement the following week when Daza leaves town.
Harold Ramirez, Cleveland Indians
5% Rostered
I have discussed Ramirez in many formats, and I am baffled that Ramirez is so lowly rostered week after week. Ramirez is hitting .275 on the season with a .165 ISO while only striking out 11.1% of the time and has even stolen two bases. Ramirez has hit safely in six of his last seven games for a .330 average and has thrown in a home run and a stolen base. He is doing all of this with a near 52% hard-hit rate over the last week.
Ramirez is a hitting machine. He legit could hit close to .300, and not many would be surprised. Ramirez may not be a major power source, but 15 more home runs this season is not out of the question while also stealing bags along the way. Cleveland has been hitting Ramirez fourth or fifth nearly every day, and that alone brings a ton of fantasy goodness.
Ramirez is a must-add in deeper formats and should have already been added in a lot of leagues. In shallower formats, I would add him over many players that are possibly on your roster or that you are debating adding. It is tough to find a batting average asset like Ramirez on the waiver wire, so grab him now.
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