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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.
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 10.
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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Tyler O'Neill, St. Louis Cardinals
43% Rostered
The revolving door in the Cardinals' outfield continues with Harrison Bader going down with an injury. O'Neill was getting playing time, but not regular playing time, but that has changed with the Bader news. O'Neill has now hit safely in eight of the last nine games, good for a .343 average. The average is great, but it is all about the power and speed that O'Neill can bring to your fantasy roster. Over the last nine games, O'Neill has 10 extra-base hits, including six home runs. O'Neill's ISO over the nine-game run is .629 with a 1.349 OPS.
As one can see, O'Neill has been absolutely locked in with the stats over the last nine games. His contact quality has been great, with a 27.3% barrel rate and a 59.1% hard-hit rate. These are all great but let's also look at his 35.1% strikeout rate. The strikeout rate falls in line with his career norms in 2018 and 2019, where he also hit .254 and .262.
The projection sites show O'Neill hitting over 20 home runs this year and stealing another five or so bases. His average will not light the world on fire, but he is a definite power play for your rosters. Enjoy the playing time while Bader is out, and I hope O'Neill can hold the job once he returns.
Brad Miller, Philadelphia Phillies
35% Rostered
The face I am writing up Miller in this weekly column showcases just how bad injuries have been this year. Miller should be a utility player that plays a few times a week. With all the injuries, including the recent injury to Bryce Harper, he is now a utility player playing almost every day. Over the last seven games, Miller has played 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, and RF. He will add such great positional flexibility to any roster, which is extremely valuable with all the injuries these days.
Over the last seven games, Miller is hitting .292 with two home runs and has even stolen a base. Miller has a .333 ISO, a 161 wRC+, and is even walking 11.1% of the time. Miller is hitting in prime fantasy production spots, hitting second, third, fifth, or sixth over the last week. Miller is near must add in 15-team leagues and should be heavily considered in shallower leagues for his positional flexibility and regular playing time.
Akil Baddoo, Detroit Tigers
12% Rostered
Baddoo started the season off with an absolute bang and was added in almost all fantasy leagues. Then things cooled off for the Tigers' rookie. He was dropped in many leagues and, as you can see by his roster percentage, is available nearly everywhere, especially as he is back to regular playing time.
Over the last two weeks, Baddoo is hitting .333 with three stolen bases but no home runs. The lack of power is a bit disappointing, but the steals are nice, and the most impressive thing from Baddoo is his patience at the plate. Over the last two weeks, Baddoo is walking 26.2% of the time, which is just insane for a rookie ballplayer. The walk rate gives Baddoo a .500 OBP over the last two weeks, and that plays extremely well for your fantasy rosters.
Baddoo may still only be in play for 15-team leagues with the current lack of power, but we know that is coming. He is getting on base regularly, and even stealing some bases makes him a near must add in 12-team leagues. If you have an extra roster spot, I would add and stash as a monster Baddoo summer could be brewing, and you do not want to miss out.
Rob Refsnyder, Minnesota Twins
6% Rostered
Now it is time for our deeper league options, and we start with Refsnyder. I bet many reading this column did not even know who Refsnyder was a few weeks ago, but we all should now. The 30-year-old journeyman has finally found some regular playing time as the Twins' centerfield due to the injury to Byron Buxton, and he is thriving with the playing time.
Over the last eight games, Refsnyder has hit safely in six those games, good for a .333 average. He has hit two home runs and even scored eight runs. Refsnyder is barreling the ball 15% of the time with a 40% hard-hit rate over the last eight games, which have been quite the surprise to many.
The projection sites are not believers in Refsnyder, but the injury to Buxton will lock in regular playing time for the time being. Buxton had another setback in rehab, which favors Refsnyder as well. If looking for a source of average, some power, and runs, then Refsnyder is definitely worth adding in your deeper league formats.
Trevor Larnach, Minnesota Twins
3% Rostered
Larnach got off to a slow start to his rookie run with the Twins, and many thought he was destined to return to the minors. Well, injuries have not allowed that to happen, and Larnach has started to look more comfortable at the plate. He has started 13 of the last 14 games and is hitting .275 over that stretch. Larnach has three home runs and a .275 ISO over the last 14 games. Larnach has even homered off an LHP, which many thought he would struggle with.
The power production has been nice, and his 18% walk rate has been quite the surprise as well. There is some concern, though, as Larnach is striking out 32% of the time. This used to be very troublesome, but we also now live in a world were striking out a lot does not matter. As long as Larnach is still walking a good amount and hit the ball the way he is, then the strikeout rate is what it is.
As stated earlier, playing time was a concern for Larnach when some returned from injury. Well, that may be fine once again. Not only with the Buxton setback, but Max Kepler left Saturday's game with an injury and is worth monitoring. Look to add Larnach in deep leagues, and he may be worth a stash or two in some 12-team leagues.
Guillermo Heredia, Atlanta Braves
2% Rostered
Heredia saw some regular playing time when Ronald Acuna was injured earlier this year but returned to the minors once Acuna returned. With the Marcell Ozuna injury and other serious legal issues now, Heredia may be in line for some regular playing time for quite some time.
Since Heredia returned on May 15, he has hit safely in eight of ten games, good for a .286 average. The Power has been in and out all season for Heredia, so he is not a major power add if that is what your team needs. Heredia will bring a decent batting average, many runs scored (seven runs over the last ten games), and regular playing time, which is gold in deeper leagues.
Heredia should get most of the playing time going forward for the Braves, but keep an eye on Ender Inciarte as well, as he can still some playing time from time to time.
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