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We have completed another week of MLB action, and we have experienced more injuries, and most teams need more and more replacements. We have a month left in the season, and things continue to stay interesting. There are still many solid options mentioned in recent articles like Brandon Marsh, Frank Schwindel, and many more. With the injury of Conor Joe, Garrett Hampson is much more in play for the rest of the season. I highly recommend checking out some previous articles.
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 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 24, September 6 through September 12.
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 rostered players in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
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Nick Solak, Texas Rangers
37% Rostered
Solak was a popular commodity during the draft season, and to say he was a letdown might have been an understatement. He was so bad that the Rangers demoted him to Triple-A. However, after close to a month in AAA, he returned to the Rangers on August 21 and began to absolutely rake. Finally, Solak began to look like the player that many thought he could be, and for that, he is near the top of all fantasy waiver wire adds this week, regardless of position.
On Saturday, Solak went O'fer; it was the first time he had done that since his recall and snapped an 11 game hitting streak. Since that August 21 promotion, Solak has hit .370 with a .170 ISO and a .985 OPS. He has five extra-base hits and even a stolen base. The best part may be his lowly 10% strikeout rate over that time. Solak has begun to produce the way we all thought, and the next four weeks should be solid.
He is currently hitting sixth for the Rangers and should hit there nearly every game from now on. Sixth is solid in a Rangers' offense that is starting to produce with Nate Lowe, Adolis Garcia, and DJ Peters producing of late. However, Solak also brings something significant to the table, and that is multi-position eligibility. Solak brings so much to a fantasy team for the stretch run and should be one of the most important adds this weekend. Grab him in all 12-team and deeper leagues.
Josh Harrison, Oakland Athletics
31% Rostered
Harrison heads into this waiver wire period swinging a scorching bat for the A's. Harrison has hit safely in 13 of his last 15 games, good for a .333 average. In addition, Harrison has seven extra-base hits, two stolen bases and is striking out less than 11% of the time. He has been a steady fantasy asset that has just got better in recent weeks—a correlation with leading off every day for the A's.
Harrison began to lead off every day for the A's seven games ago. He has hit safely in five of the games, with multiple hits in all five games and a .375 average. He has only struck out 6% of the time over the past seven games and is continually setting the table for an A's offense that is heating up in a big way.
With Harrison leading off, he becomes a solid add-in fantasy league. He brings really nice multi-position eligibility as well, which is always a big plus. In addition, the A's are battling for a Wild Card playoff spot, so that they will be throwing their top lineups out daily. For that reason, Harrison should continue to leadoff, set the table for the big bats, and bring outstanding fantasy value to 12-team leagues and deeper.
Odubel Herrera, Philadelphia Phillies
14% Rostered
Herrera has been an extremely streaky hitter all season, and he is currently on a hot streak. He went O'fer on Saturday, ending a six-game hitting streak. However, even with the O'fer, Herrera is hitting .400 over the last seven games with two extra-base hits and a stolen base. He has a .160 ISO and a 1.043 OPS over the seven-game as well. More importantly, is the plate discipline, where Herrera is striking out only 10.3% of the time with a 13.8% walk rate.
Herrera actually showing plate discipline is one of the more surprising things in this whole article. It has allowed Herrera to play every day and leadoff nearly every game for the Phillies. On the season, Herrera is hitting .251 with 12 home runs and a 15% strikeout rate. He has been productive in deep leagues for most of the season but now brings some appeal to 12-team leagues.
With the outfield, a mess all season, and more injuries, keep an eye on Herrer in your fantasy leagues. It gives Herrera some serious thoughts if you need some potential power, runs scored, and a decent batting average. He should be rostered in all deep leagues from now on but still is team-dependent in 12-team and shallower leagues. His teammate Brad Miller has outfield eligibility and should be playing regularly with Rhys Hoskins out for the season. Miller brings a similar upside to Herrera as well.
Leody Taveras, Texas Rangers
12% Rostered
We already talked about a fantasy draft day disappointment in Solak earlier. Well, his teammate Taveras comes from the same vein. Taveras was a major disappointment and spent a while in the minors trying to figure things out. Finally, he was recalled on August 24 and was not too sharp out the gate once again. Then it appears something clicked. Taveras has now hit safely in four of his last five games and looks like a fantasy darling.
Over his last five games, he is hitting .368 with five extra-base hits, including two home runs, and more importantly, three stolen bases. Taveras is checking all the fantasy boxes and becomes a very intriguing waiver wire add this week. But, of course, it's only been a few games, so how much we should buy-in is the tough question. His .357 BABIP is not sustainable, but the power and speed were discussed this preseason, and it should very much be real.
Taveras is a must-add in all deep leagues. In 12-team and shallower leagues, he is worth a serious look and is worth an add for me in leagues where you are willing to take a chance. It could all end quickly but could also be the game-changer that slingshots you to the top of your standings over the last four weeks. Taveras has the ability to help in multiple statistical categories and is a rare late-season game changer. Add him where you feel frisky, and see what he can do for the rest of the season.
Lane Thomas, Washington Nationals
1% Rostered
Thomas enters Sunday's action riding a six-game hitting streak and has hit safely in seven of his last eight games. There was some split playing time but recently demoted Victor Robles opens up everyday playing time for Thomas. He is only 1% rostered is quite surprising as he is leading off every day and producing.
Over the six-game streak, Thomas is hitting .333 with two home runs and a .292 ISO. His near 11% walk rate has also aided an impressive 1.081 OPS. Thomas is getting on base regularly and setting the table for the heart of the Nats' order, which includes the amazing Juan Soto.
Thomas should continue to provide outstanding fantasy upside for deeper league teams with a month left in the season. The Nats have no reason not to play him nearly every day and leading off to boot. His power and speed are definitely in play and are not a fluke. Thomas is not a must-add for now, but deeper leagues should be high on everyone's radar. If you are really hurting for the outfield, use Thomas as a conditional bid after some of the players listed above.
Deeper League Adds
Here are a few players to the roster in deeper leagues- Michael A Taylor (KC, 6%), Jorge Mateo (BAL, 3%), Bryan De La Cruz (MIA, 2%), Tony Kemp (OAK, 2%), Harold Castro (DET, 2%)
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