RADIO
The season is galloping towards the finish. It is vital that fantasy managers target the categories they need. This week the primary focus for outfield additions will be to maximize venues. Some might cause a little tingle of concern when you read their name. Don't be afraid. Do what you're comfortable doing with your roster. No Fear, Just Fantasy.
Whether you're streaming a hot bat or need to replace a guy long-term, there are plenty of different options. The issue is that you are not alone and others in your league might have intent on doing the same thing. Just make sure you make a decision and grab someone. You'll lose valuable counting stats if you leave a roster spot empty, even if only a day. In this article, I’ll discuss waiver wire targets for the outfield in week 22. This week we cover guys that primarily have advantageous environments and playing time.
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
Shallow Leagues (50-30% Owned)
Ian Desmond (1B/OF, COL) — 38% Owned
When in Coors. Desmond needs to be near the top of your collection list for this week. Don’t worry about his meager performance the last couple weeks (1HR, 1SB, .200AVG). If you haven’t learned yet, there is one mantra in fantasy baseball. When in Coors, start all swingers. That’s right, Desmond gets all seven games at home. Do not be concerned about the five right-handers he’s facing this week. I know he’s hitting .228 against them. Did you also see that he’s hitting .294 against them at home? On the year, he has seven homers, 31RBI, and a .305AVG in Coors. This is a no-brainer. Put him in the lineup and enjoy a couple of silver bullets.
Alex Gordon (OF, KC) — 41% Owned
Some people just love sleeping in their own bed and eating a good home-cooked meal. Gordon appears to be one of these guys. Let’s look past his struggles the past couple of weeks (a mere four runs with .225AVG). On the year, he is a .285 hitter at home. This statistic is important considering Gordon enjoys seven games in Kauffman Stadium this week. Also valuable is the little nugget that six of the seven opposing starters are right-handed. Checking the record book, Gordon seems to drool every time a righty is on the mound, resulting in nine taters and a .275 average this season. If that isn’t juicy enough for you, enjoy the fact that the O’s are one of the teams coming to town. (The crowd goes wild).
Deeper Leagues (30-10% Owned)
Raimel Tapia (OF, COL) — 14% Owned
When in Coors. Tapia also gets the hometown mark-up this week. Not only that but he’s getting the opportunity to play every day since David Dahl hit the IL. While he hasn’t hit any long balls the last couple of weeks, he is bringing in eight runs, one stolen base, and a .364AVG from that time. I’m fully aware that Tapia is chasing too much (42.9%) and that he has a 14.4%Swinging Strike rate. He’s also not smacking the snot out of the ball (31%hard-hit). However, Tapia does have a .330/.376/.505 slash line at home. That’s enough to join in on the fireworks.
Mark Canha (1B/OF, OAK) — 11% Owned
Canha is taking advantage of an opportunity. Ramon Laureano succumbed to an injury and
Canha stepped in with some goodness of his own. He’s hit two homers with eight RBI and a .354 batting average as a regular member of the lineup. Canha does enjoy a full seven-game slate this week, albeit all on the road to play the Royals and Yankees. Four of those games are against right-handers so his 14HR and .282VG skills against them this year will come in handy. It doesn’t hurt that Canha also brings a .385OBP helped by a 13.3%BB rate. With a .158 wRC+ over the last 14 days, Canha is primed to have a successful week.
Josh VanMeter (1B/2B/3B/OF, CIN) — 15% Owned
VanMeter is what some call a boring guy; he provides a little bit of everything when he plays, but nothing outstanding. Of course, he’s not terrible in any category either. While some will look the other way, this is exactly the type of guy you need. Over the last month, he’s had a 123 wRC+ to the effect of two taters, four stolen bases and a .316 batting average. His walk (10.2%) and strikeout (18.2%) rates get overlooked as well.
Even more enticing is his schedule for the week. I’m speaking not in regards to Miami and St. Louis pitching but more towards the eight-game slate, seven of which are righties. As I’m sure you can guess by mentioning it, VanMeter does well against opposite-handed pitching to the tune of a .312 average with 14RBI and four homers in 125 at-bats this year. Potentially locking in eight games of stats is very important as we head towards the finish line. Every individual stat counts.
Leury Garcia (SS/OF, CHW) — 21% Owned
If you don’t know him by now, you will never never never know him. Yes, it sounds like a song lyric but it is applicable to 28-year-old Garcia. Garcia isn’t changing with the times; he is what he is. His version of a fun-ball revolution amounts to seven long balls. So, the primary reason for owning him is the potential for runs and stolen bases. Yes, runs are a category so don’t let anyone tell you they aren’t important. Thus far, Garcia has accrued 81 runs (ranks 32nd in baseball) to go with a .284AVG.
Let’s not pretend that he’s a perfect gem that no one knows about; Garcia has his own issues. He puts his speed to the test every at-bat as he routinely pounds the ball into the ground (55%). Also, his 86.8mph average exit velocity leaves a lot to be desired. However, his 15 stolen bases demonstrate he has the speed to overcome these shortcomings. Garcia only has a six-game schedule this week, which isn’t optimal. Hitting atop a weak offense as the White Sox provides an opportunity to generate some beneficial counting stats.
Super Deep Leagues (< 10% Owned)
Adam Frazier (2B/OF, PIT) — 9% Owned
When in Coors. Oh yes, Frazier gets some extra love due to a four-game series in Coors which allows him to face four right-handers as well. Thankfully, that is the better of his two splits with six homers, 49 runs, and a .267AVG. Frazier’s strikeout (12.1%) and swinging strike (6.8%) rates are quite impressive. He just needs to make contact and success will follow. It’s Coors science.
Dexter Fowler (OF, STL) — 6% Owned
Remember Dexter Fowler. It’s ok, many probably forgot about him as well. Despite a poor performance the last week, he still has a 134 wRC+ the last 14 days. He gets six games against right-handers this week and that is the better of his two sides. From the left, he’s hit 12 homers with 46RBI and a .254AVG. Hitting atop a Cardinals lineup should provide plenty of appeal, given the weekly schedule.
Delino DeShields (OF, TEX) — 10% Owned
Four stolen bases in a week are enough to get anyone's attention. Then you notice the .304 batting average during that time. He's a career .247 hitter so we won't get carried away with the AVG. The question is whether we can get the stolen bases without cratering our average. If he can carry his hot bat forward, there could be considering he's facing four southpaws this week. At least he's hitting .286 against them this year. Speed is in hot demand. Someone will grab him this week.
Travis Demeritte (2B/SS/OF, DET) — 4% Owned
There is a negative aura with anything attached to the Tigers. This has allowed Demeritte to fly under the radar in many leagues. In 75 at-bats, he has two long balls, four stolen bases, and a .280 average. Add an 11.6% walk rate and you start to wonder why he isn't more owned. It's true the 31% strikeout rate isn't ideal, but his chase(25.4%) and Swinging strike(11.9%) are very good, especially for a rookie. Also, a 90.6mph average exit velocity has a way of raising a few eyebrows. He is limited by a six-game schedule that includes an Indians rotation. However, a guy that can help a little here and there can be quite valuable.
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