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Welcome back to the Outfield Waiver Wire, where we look at the best outfielders available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Consider this column your recommendations for Week 20 outfield waiver wire pickups.
We're entering the stretch run, but there are still plenty of guys who can help you floating around on the waiver wire. Not every move can be a blockbuster. Value is value, wherever you can find it. This column is designed to help you do just that.
Let's get down to business.
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Week 20 Outfield (OF) Waiver Wire Targets
Carlos Gomez, OF, Texas Rangers (30% owned)
Despite a strikeout rate of 30 percent, Gomez has quietly put together a useful fantasy campaign. The veteran is hitting a respectable .251/.339/.455 on the year, with 15 home runs, 11 stolen bases, and 85 R+RBI in 86 games. That’s enough to place him in the top 60 outfielders according to ESPN’s Player Rater, above more widely owned players like Ryan Braun, A.J. Pollock, and Jose Bautista. The salad days are gone, but Gomez can still add value to your team.
Randal Grichuk, OF, St. Louis Cardinals (28%)
Grichuk has been red-hot since the break, hitting .321/.345/.630 with six homers and 28 R+RBI in those 22 games. He’s tallied multiple hits in five of his last six games as well. With the Cardinals surging because of course they are, Grichuk is worth rostering despite hitting primarily in the bottom part of the order. He’ll cool off eventually as usual – it’s tough to maintain success when you strike out five times for every walk – but the hot hand takes on added value at this point in the season.
Eddie Rosario, OF, Minnesota Twins (23%)
Yahoo rankings have Rosario as a top-20 outfielder over the last 30 days, a top-1o outfielder over the last 14, and the third-best hitter regardless of position over the last week. Seeing as he’s jacked five homers and stolen a base since last Sunday, that’s not surprising. What might surprise you is that Rosario has actually hit pretty well for most of the year. After scuffling in April, the 25-year-old has steadily improved every month. He currently boasts a .296/.337/.503 line with 16 homers, 53 runs, and 46 RBI. He’s even chipped in five steals, though it’s taken him 11 attempts to get them. Rosario’s been a popular add during this hot streak, but he remains free to add in over three-quarters of leagues.
Manuel Margot, OF, San Diego Padres (26%)
Since returning from a leg injury on June 27, Margot has hit .286/.312/503 with eight homers and six steals. Three of those homers have come in the last four days. The rookie went 2-for-4 on Sunday, giving him 15 multi-hit games in the last seven weeks. Still over a month shy of his 23rd birthday, Margot has acquitted himself well in his first full major-league season and spent the majority of it as the Padres’ leadoff hitter.
Mikie Mahtook, OF, Detroit Tigers (9%)
A former first-round pick acquired in a trade with Tampa last winter, Mahtook struggled through his first two months in Detroit and played sporadically. Since being handed the reins in center field in June, though, he’s done nothing but hit. Hit .343/.393/.540, to be precise, with six homers and 49 R+RBI in 50 games. You might say it…Mahtook him a while to get comfortable. (dodges tomato) Anyway, owners in need of a batting average boost should consider grabbing him – he’s almost certainly available on your waiver wire.
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