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We have completed another week of MLB action and are now one week closer to the All-Star break. We are halfway through the season, and we are starting to see more new faces that may be fantasy-relevant. Either by injuries or just poor performances, more players are being called up or moving from a bench role and starting lineup. Will all these players stick? Not a chance, but these are some players to take a chance on going forward that should at worst help your fantasy teams in the upcoming weeks, if not the rest of the season.
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). Unfortunately, that is a situation that affects many managers. You can do nothing except finding a suitable replacement as quickly as possible or risk losing valuable counting stats. This week's article will focus more on deeper league adds or even players to take fliers on as we head into the second half of the season. If you have questions about other players, always feel free to ask me on Twitter. This article will discuss waiver wire targets for the outfield in Week 15, from July 5 through July 11.
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 @bdentrek. Key points - this list will focus on players who are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
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Andrew Vaughn, Chicago White Sox
22% Rostered
It may finally be happening. Finally, finally, it appears Tony L may finally start playing Vaughn regularly, and Vaughn may start returning the favor with great play. The recent first-round pick has had a rocky season at the plate and was almost relegated to a platoon where he could mash against lefties and sit versus righties.
He is now playing every day and hitting. Vaughn has hit safely in five straight games entering Sunday. In addition, he has two home runs and four multi-hit games over the streak. Vaughn's .412 ISO and 1.441 OPS is ridiculous, but so is his 5% strikeout rate. He is also hitting fourth through sixth in the lineup, which is another improvement from the bottom of the order Vaughn had experienced most of the season.
We have been waiting for Vaughn to start mashing all season, and it appears the time may be now. Grab Vaughn in all deep leagues. He is even 12-team league relevant as he should hit for average with some nice power. If the White Sox keeps hitting him in the middle of the order, he will be a fantasy stud the rest of the season. So take a chance on Vaughn wherever you have a roster spot.
Kike Hernandez, Boston Red Sox
21% Rostered
It was an inconsistent start to the 2021 season for Hernandez, but he has really got it going of late. Heading into Sunday, Hernandez has hit safely in six of seven games with four multi-hit games. He is hitting .385 with a .500 ISO and 1.400 OPS. Hernandez is raking. He even has four home runs over the seven-game stretch with an 18.2% walk rate while only striking out 9.1% of the time.
We always knew Hernandez could hit, but the consistency was always the concern. We also always knew Hernandez loves facing himself an LHP. On the season, he is hitting .266 with a .234 ISO versus LHP and, heading into next week, has three very hittable lefties on the schedule. Sure he also faces Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Nola, but we can't win them all.
Hernandez should be hitting leadoff for the Red Sox nearly every day. That is not a shabby place to be as runs should be scored aplenty. With his OBP skills and occasional power, Hernandez should bring in some very nice fantasy value. He is definitely deep league viable and should be used in 12-team leagues while he is streaking.
Jace Peterson, Milwaukee Brewers
12% Rostered
Many will say, "Who?" I do not blame them. I was wondering who was playing every day for the Brewers as well. Lo and behold, it's the 31-year-old journeyman Peterson. Sometimes it takes longer for some to figure things out and figure things out Peterson has.
The Brewers' third baseman brings an eight-game hitting streak into Sunday's action. Over the eight games, Peterson has six extra-base hits, two stolen bases while also walking 20.6% of the time and only striking out 2.9% of the time. That plate discipline is next-level good. In addition, Peterson's .346 ISO and 1.367 OPS is just insane to picture from a player like Peterson.
Will this last forever? Probably unlikely. For now, though, he is raking, and it may not let up soon. He is hitting in the middle of the Brewers' lineup, and that is a great place to be as they are one of the hottest teams in all of baseball. The other extremely appealing part about Peterson, why I am placing bids in all 12-team and deeper leagues, is his multi-positional eligibility. He is 3B-2B-OF eligible, and that is tremendous in a season with so many injuries. You should love Peterson even more for those who love Chad Pinder types (when he is hitting).
Garrett Cooper, Miami Marlins
7% Rostered
Cooper has once again returned from the IL, and he is once again raking since his return. Cooper has hit safely in five of his seven games played since his return on June 25. Cooper has a .421 ISO and a 1.587 OPS. Cooper is has hit two home runs, and sure he is striking out 24% of the time, but he is also walking 24% of the time.
Cooper has always been a decent hitter and, when hot, is a must-start fantasy hitter. Well, he is currently hitting, and I don't see him slowing down a ton for a while. As a result, Cooper was a pre-season target in drafts for me, and I have held onto Cooper or added him everywhere once again since his return from injury.
I recommend everyone else do the same. He is somehow only 7% rostered in all leagues, and that is crazy. If he never got hurt, he would be closer to 40% rostered, which to me is still too low. The Marlins have seven games next week, including four versus LHP. They are a few tough matchups, but all in all, Cooper should see plenty of at-bats. Cooper also brings 1B eligibility which is always a plus when your player has multi-position upside. So grab Cooper while you can.
Daz Cameron, Detroit Tigers
3% Rostered
Now it is time to speculate in your deeper leagues. Cameron has the prospect pedigree most look for, and before his recent mini-slump was playing great. Over a nine-game stretch from 6/15-6/27, Cameron was raking. He was hitting .333 with two home runs, two stolen bases, and a .975 OPS. He was looking like the prospect we have been waiting for.
Slumps will happen for these young hitters; ask Vaughn he we discussed above. However, I do not see a Jarred Kelenic or Wander Franco type of slump leading a demotion for Cameron either. So that means he should stick with the Tigers for a while, and he should play. I would add the Tigers' prospect where you need outfield depth or add him to your watch list as a big second half could be in play for the young stud.
Guillermo Heredia, Atlanta Braves
2% Rostered
Heredia is the perfect deep league outfielder. He took over when the Braves lost their usual outfielder and has done a solid job taking over. Over Heredia's last eight games, he has hit safely in six games for a .333 average. In addition, he has four extra-base hits and a .908 OPS over the eight-game stretch. He has been starting every day and hitting sixth in the Braves' lineup.
Heredia should continue playing every day and has decent plate discipline and solid contact skills to be given a chance. I have added him in deep leagues where I need outfield help, and I recommend others do the same. So for 12-team leagues, just put Heredia on the watch list and stream for now where you need outfield help. If you aren't into Heredia, then check out a couple of other deep-league targets below.
More Deeper League Options
Here are a couple of other really nice deep league adds or players to keep an eye on - Eli White (Texas Rangers 1%) and Josh Reddick (Arizona Diamondbacks 1%).
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