Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups For Fantasy Baseball - Week 9

May 21, 2023

Kevin Hickey's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for outfielders and Week 9 of the 2023 MLB season. Consider adding and streaming these free-agent hitters.

This article will discuss fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the outfield in Week 9 – May 22 through May 28. Whether your team is derailed by injuries or you’re simply ready to give up on your draft day darlings, navigating the waiver wire will be crucial to finding long-term success in fantasy baseball. 

As we move through the season, trends fluctuate, and we must learn to react in real-time. When it comes to hot streaks, you have the act fast or you may miss out. This set of outfield-eligible players may not all have the longest track records, or their success could be considered unsustainable. However, you have to take risks early in the season in order to uncover your breakout stars. It will already be too late if you wait until these names are established. 

Names listed are in order of roster percentage, not confidence ranking. Position eligibility and roster percentage are based on Yahoo, so check your leagues for availability! 

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Outfield Waiver Wire Adds For Standard Leagues

Jake Fraley, Cincinnati Reds - 42% Rostered

Following a cold start to the season, Fraley has finally found his stroke. He's recorded five multi-hit performances over his last eight starts, including three home runs in that span. Overall, Fraley is slashing .277/.374/.454 with a 119 wRC+ and .176 ISO.

Fraley flashed his power-hitting upside in 2022, launching 12 home runs over a 68-game stint with Cincinnati. That included a .468 slugging percentage and 121 wRC+, which is not far off from his 2023 numbers. A repeated home run pace is not outside the range of outcomes for this season. If Fraley has indeed put his cold April behind him, then a 25-30 long ball output is certainly within reach.

Josh Naylor, Cleveland Guardians - 38% Rostered

According to his batted-ball profile, Naylor has been one of the unluckiest hitters in the league this season. However, things have finally started looking up for the 25-year-old. Naylor has hit safely in five consecutive games, including three multi-hit efforts and four home runs in that span. His .233/.286/.421 slash line leaves much to be desired, but Naylor's advanced metrics paint a wildly different picture.

As a jumping-off point, Naylor's .296 xBA and .537 xSLG go a long way toward illustrating the massive gap between his results and expected results. The encouraging numbers don't stop there, as Naylor also carries a .373 xwOBA, 45.9% hard-hit rate, and just a 20.2% whiff rate. Naylor puts the ball in play at an above-average rate, and his quality of contact is excellent. It's safe to expect a lot more positive regression.

Michael Conforto, San Francisco Giants - 33% Rostered

Following a two-year derailment due to injury, Conforto was destined to show some rust. He also didn't look that great back in 2021, so there was a legitimate uncertainty about whether it would be rust or that the 30-year-old would more simply be washed at this point. Now 40 games deep into 2023, Conforto's .735 OPS won't turn any heads, but it's his recent success that shows promise. 

Conforto has homered four times over his past nine games, including four multi-hit efforts. His .231 xBA tells us that he isn't likely to hit for average long-term, but the power output may be sustainable. Conforto carries a career-best 46.9% hard-hit rate alongside similarly strong numbers, such as a .336 xwOBA and 10.4% barrel rate. He strikes out plenty, but his 12.7% walk rate and 24% chase rate demonstrate great plate discipline. Conforto will be a boom-or-bust type of player all year, but his current pace has him over the 30-home run benchmark. He's drawing consistent playing time and even starting against left-handed pitchers lately.

Dominic Fletcher, Arizona Cardinals - 19% Rostered

Fletcher was highlighted here last week, and his ownership has tripled in the time since. His short service in the majors has certainly left an impression. Fletcher is slashing .356/.397/.576 with two home runs, five doubles, and a triple through 17 games played. He's quickly ascended from pedestrian prospect to everyday player.

As a full disclosure, Fletcher's minor-league track record and his early advanced metrics tell us to expect some negative regression. He slugged .559 through 22 games with Triple-A Reno this year, but prior to that, he never demonstrated more than slightly above-average power. That's not to say Fletcher won't be a productive hitter, though it would be a surprise to see him slugging above .500 by the season's end. In any event, the results are encouraging, and rostering Fletcher is worthwhile, even if only to ride out his hot streak.

Outfield Waiver Wire Adds In Deep Leagues

Kevin Kiermaier, Toronto Blue Jays - 8% Rostered

Who says a 33-year-old can't have a breakout season offensively? Kiermaier is doing just that, slashing .325/.383/.513 with a .387 wOBA and 149 wRC+. That includes three home runs, nine doubles, two triples, and three stolen bases.

Nothing about Kiermaier's advanced metrics profiles as much of a power hitter, but he carries a strong .274 xBA and only strikes out at an 18.6% rate. With elite running speed, simply putting the ball in play goes a long way for Kiermaier. Don't expect him to contend for the batting title like his current batting average suggests, though he can rack up fantasy points in a variety of ways.

Mickey Moniak, Los Angeles Angels - 6% Rostered

It's only been a week, but Moniak has exploded onto the scene since his promotion. He's slashing .474/.500/.947 through six games, including two home runs, one triple, one double, and two stolen bases. The stellar performance additionally landed Moniak the leadoff spot in the batting order against right-handed pitchers. He won't sustain this level of output. Nobody can. Though it is possible that Moniak is finally here to stay. 

Moniak's success didn't come out of nowhere. He was the first-overall draft pick by the Phillies back in 2016 and carried all the hype that goes with it. Moniak has a long track record of scorching minor-league pitching, including a .940 OPS in 33 games at Triple-A Salt Lake this season. His game has yet to meaningfully translate across several MLB stints dating back to 2020, though the pedigree for success is there.

Gavin Sheets, Chicago White Sox - 1% Rostered

Outside of a 16.2% strikeout rate and a 21% whiff rate, there's nothing exceptional about Sheets' game. He puts the ball in play and consistently hits in the middle of the order for the White Sox against right-handed pitching. Sheets carries a respectable .253/.324/.444 slash line, including six home runs. Four of those long balls have come over his past eleven starts, so he's on something of a hot streak.

In any event, Sheets is not a particularly exciting guy to roster, but he is available in your league. Sheets has been a consistent presence since debuting in the majors back in 2020, showcasing above-average pop. He doesn't carry the same upside as some others on this list, but Sheets is a worthwhile streaming option. 

More Players To Consider

• Jorge Soler, Marlins - 40% rostered
• Lane Thomas, Nationals - 32% rostered
• Nick Pratto, Royals - 21% rostered
• Marcell Ozuna, Braves - 18% rostered

More Deep-League Players To Consider

• Randal Grichuk, Rockies - 8% rostered
• Luke Raley, Rays - 7% rostered
• Robbie Grossman, Rangers - 6% rostered
• JJ Bleday, Athletics - 3% rostered
• Eddie Rosario, Braves - 2% rostered

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