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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, looking at you, Willie Calhoun. With the playing pool getting depleted, it is getting tougher and tougher in deeper leagues, but don't worry, as this week has some really nice deeper league options.
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 9. This week, we cover a few guys on a little hot streak while a couple of other players have enticing matchups. Lastly, keep an eye on the Angels' duo of Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh with the recent Mike Trout (calf) injury. They are not must-adds right now, but they would be if they get the call to the bigs.
Even 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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Joc Pederson, Chicago Cubs
24% Rostered
Joc Jams spent some time on the IL after a slow start to the season, and it appears many who drafted Joc did not want to wait for him to return as they dropped him in many leagues. Going into Saturday, he had played in 14 games since returning from the IL and resembles the fantasy stud that many were hoping for in draft season.
Since his return, Joc has led off most games, hitting .396 over the 14 game stretch. Joc has four extra-base hits (one homer) and a .961 OPS. He has been crushing the ball at the plate, and an even bigger week could be ahead. Over the last 14 games, he has a 9.8% barrel rate and an insane 61% hard-hit rate.
If your team needs power, then Joc is a must-add for your team. He has hit 25+ home runs in each of his last full seasons, and projections sites have Joc hitting at least 16 more home runs this season. There is a good chance Joc outperforms the projections once things heat up in Chicago this summer. He has some great matchups this week and should continue ball out for the Cubs and your fantasy teams.
Austin Hays, Baltimore Orioles
20% Rostered
Hays is quietly putting together a strong season for the Orioles. He had a seven-game hitting streak snapped on Thursday but is still having a great month of May. For May, he is hitting .250 with a .194 ISO while only striking out 16% of the time. The Orioles No. 2 hitter has eight extra-base hits in May and has scored 14 runs over the 18-game stretch.
Hays heads into next week's action with a seven-game slate. A slate features a couple of tough matchups later in the week, but starts with some strong spots versus the Twins. A couple of games versus Matt Shoemaker, Randy Dobnak, and even Dylan Cease of the White Sox. Hays should play nearly everyday and hit second for the Orioles. He will supply occasional power, but score his fair share of runs. If your team is good in batting average, then feel free to roll with Hays.
Manuel Margot, Tampa Bay Rays
19% Rostered
On Saturday, Margot extended his hitting streak to seven games with a nice 2-for-4 game. Over these seven games, he is hitting .303 with a home run and a stolen base. Margot is locked in as he has a .152 ISO while only striking out 12.1% of the time. No matter how well Margot has been hitting, he continues to start for the Rays and start in the heart of the batting order. He usually hits fifth but has hit anywhere between second and fifth over the hitting streak.
The Rays' outfielder gets a nice six-game schedule this week featuring four juicy matchups versus the Royals to start the week. As we have passed the quarter mark of the season, it is time to look into stats we may need a little more help with to move up the standings. If in need of steals, then Margot is a great option for you. Projection sites have Margot stealing another 12+ bases this season while still hitting for some power and helping in all fantasy categories. Margot should be rostered in all 15-team leagues and should be a major target in 12-team leagues.
Amed Rosario, Cleveland Indians
6% Rostered
Before the season, many wondered if Rosario would play enough and even where he would play with Andres Gimenez in the way. Well, some of that problem has been solved as Gimenez has now been sent to the minors. Rosario started the season in the outfield, thus the eligibility but is now the full-time shortstop. Nice little multi-positional eligibility.
It also helps that Rosario has been hitting. He has hit safely in seven of the last 10 games, good for a .289 average. The thing with the 25-year-old is he will not help much in the power department. You are strictly adding Rosario to score some runs but, more importantly, steal some bags. Rosario also has a nice seven-game week ahead with some juicy matchups versus the Tigers to start the week. Rosario should run free and in deeper leagues is a nice addition for his OF, SS, to even MI flexibility to your rosters.
Garrett Cooper, Miami Marlins
3% Rostered
Cooper was a player drafted in many deeper leagues to start the season and has now re-entered the chat as a fantasy-relevant player after a slow start. Heading into Sunday, he is riding a seven-game hit streak that has seen him hit .414. The best part is the fact Cooper is flexing his muscle with seven extra-base hits, including three home runs and a .484 ISO. Over the last week, Cooper is barreling the ball 14.3% of the time with a massive 61.9% hard-hit rate.
Cooper has a lot of pop and will hit for an okay average throughout the season. He will see regular playing time as he is locked in between RF and 1B. Projection sites are bullish on his overall production, but he should be a solid source of power and run production throughout the season. He adds the critical multi-positional eligibility as well. This week he plays seven games between the Phillies and the Red Sox, lining up for some solid matchups. Cooper is a serious add for deeper leagues with at least a watch list, if not an add-in 12-team leagues.
Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
2% Rostered
Everyone laughed when the Yankees resigned Gardner. The talk was he was there for days off and veteran leadership. I argued those claims and a likely season-ending injury for Aaron Hicks (wrist) later; we get regular playing time for Gardner. Since Gardner started playing regularly, he has been hitting all over the lineup but lately checking the box in the two-hole.
Gardner has been productive as he's been a regular in the lineup. He has hit safely in six of his last eight games, good for a .333 average. He has not homered but still has a couple of extra-base hits to go with a .111 ISO and a 132 wRC+. The wRC+ is telling as it shows he is 32% above average over the last eight games, justifying the Yankees playing him. Gardner should continue to play every day with Hicks done for the season and Clint Frazier (neck) continuing to struggle at the plate. Feel free to add Gardner in deep leagues and stream in 12-team leagues, as he will be a fantasy asset if he continues to hit near the top of the potent Yankees' lineup.
Chad Pinder, Oakland Athletics
1% Rostered
Let's get really deep in the player pool. Let's "Swipe Right" to Pinder. The Oakland A's swiss army knife has been on fire since returning from the IL on May 14. He pinch-hit on the 14 but has started six games since May 15. He has hit safely in five of six games with four doubles and a home run. He has a .292 ISO, 143 wRC+ over that stretch but his 12.5% barrel rate and 75% hard-hit rate jump off the page.
Everything Pinder is hitting is hit hard, and that will bode well for some regular playing time. It is easy for the A's to find a spot in the lineup for Pinder as he can play everywhere, thus the Swiss Army Knife reference. Since his return, he has already played in four different positions and a game at DH. He is eligible all over the diamond, which is huge for your fantasy teams, especially in deep leagues. I would be adding in deeper leagues for the positional flexibility alone, but at worse, put Pinder on your watch lists for those weeks with a lot of LHP opponents on the schedule.
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