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With a quarter of the MLB season completed, it's a good time to reassess your roster to see where improvements can be made. The outfield position is the deepest in terms of eligible players and often the first place where young prospects get a shot to break through at the Major League level.
Early in the season, we are interested in players that are off to hot starts and, more importantly, show sustainable improvements from last season. With the early injuries, we are also looking into players that may be receiving more playing time. Some of the lower rostered players, or some not mentioned here, are on the solid side of platoons, so make sure you are not adding them if they have a negative schedule. Lastly, the names in the article are in order of percentage rostered, not so much in my preference of adding to your roster. This article will discuss fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the outfield in Week 8, May 30 through June 5.
In the first few weeks, rostered percentages can change quickly. So be quick to check your leagues for their availability. This list will focus on rostered players in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
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Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves
28% rostered
At 21 years of age with all of 43 games experience at Double-A and none in Triple-A, Harris has gotten the call to join the Braves lineup. That outfield which once looked like the deepest in the majors has experienced numerous injuries and offensive struggles throughout the season. With Travis Demeritte getting sent down after going hitless in eight straight games, Harris is starting at center field and batting ninth for the Braves. He singled and scored a run in his first MLB game against Miami.
Harris has tools to spare, especially power that could provide an instant boost to fantasy rosters. The only question is whether he's ready to face big-league pitching. He's worth adding instantly in 12+ team leagues based on massive upside.
Kyle Lewis, Seattle Mariners
30% rostered
The 2020 AL Rookie of the Year is back to redeem himself after a disappointing 2021 that was mostly spent on the IL. He made his season debut on May 24 and went 2-for-4. It hasn't taken long for the power to show up, as he's homered in each of the last two games. It's safe to say his power isn't in question.
Kyle Lewis sends a 420 ft MOONSHOT to the second deck ☄️
(via @ROOTSPORTS_NW)pic.twitter.com/h4NKikNOAA
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 29, 2022
Based on last year's outcome and the bevy of other additions to Seattle's offense, especially outfielders Julio Rodriguez and Jesse Winker, Lewis has been largely overlooked. He won't be available in two-thirds of fantasy leagues for long if he keeps powering up, so now is the time to make a move.
Ramon Laureano, Oakland A's
28% rostered
Laureano was a hot pickup a couple of weeks ago before he came off suspension due to his power/speed combo. If nothing else, his glove keeps him in the lineup for a rebuilding Oakland team so regular at-bats are guaranteed. Now, those who held onto him are finally being rewarded as he is heating up over the past couple of days after missing time due to an HBP.
Over the past three games, Laureano is 4-for-12 with one HR, two RBI, three R, and a stolen base. It's not a monster breakout but it is a sign that he is starting to produce five-category production that makes him so enticing in fantasy. It's hard to find another outfielder with the same type of upside freely available on the wire at this point in the season, especially in terms of speed.
Kole Calhoun, Texas Rangers
42% rostered
Calhoun has always been a streaky hitter and can remain hot or cold for extended stretches. If that trend continues, he's a must-add right now. After an ice-cold April in which he hit .164 with zero home runs and one RBI, Calhoun is mashing the ball in May. Over the past 80 AB, he's hitting .350 with seven HR and 16 RBI. Over the past four games alone, he's picked up nine hits and scored eight runs.
Calhoun has jumped to the cleanup spot for the Rangers and is providing the type of run production that was expected of Marcus Semien and Corey Seager when they were signed. Instead, a 34-year-old vet on a one-year deal is leading this offense. If he hasn't been scooped up yet in one of your leagues, do what it takes to secure him.
Joey Gallo, New York Yankees
44% rostered
Desperate for power? Aren't we all? Gallo is an obvious source of homers but he has been a bigger drain than ever on batting average and basically everything else this year. If you thought he was bound to do better than last year's .199 AVG (.160 with the Yankees), guess again. Gallo is slashing .172/.278/.310 with five HR but just seven RBI in an injury-shortened season thus far.
The reason I'm adding him to the mix here is not that he's starting to get hot or showing some previously untapped upside based on metrics. It's the fact that he has the type of power that can actually help fantasy teams and is now going to be relied on more than ever with Giancarlo Stanton on IL. Gallo traditionally hits well in June with May being the only other month he's powered up more over his career. His Barrel rate is in the 98th percentile and he hasn't lost any bit of power at the ripe age of 28. I don't recommend adding Gallo if you need someone to stream or start right away but he is worth stashing before he goes on an inevitable power binge.
Deeper League Waiver Wire
For deeper options, you can check out our NFBC deeper league waiver wire article, which comes out every Saturday, looking at deeper-league waiver wire options at various positions.
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