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Frank's outfield fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 5 of 2025 (April 28 through May 4). Consider picking up and streaming these free-agent outfielders.
On this page, you'll read my Week 5 fantasy baseball outfielder waiver wire pickups, which target games from April 28 to May 4 of the 2025 MLB season. This week, the Cincinnati Reds steal the show, with three players on this list, including TJ Friedl, Austin Hays, and Gavin Lux.
The recommendations included in this article are a mix of standard formats and deeper leagues, using roster percentages from Yahoo! (11-50 percent for shallow leagues, 10 percent or less for deeper leagues).
These outfielder waiver wire pickups can give you a short-term boost or have the upside to stay on your roster for the entire season. So, without further ado, let's take a closer look at Week 5 outfielder waiver wire picks for the 2025 MLB season.
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Fantasy Baseball Outfield Waiver Wire Adds - Standard Leagues
TJ Friedl, Cincinnati Reds (40% rostered)
Friedl has gone 20-for-61 (.328) with eight runs, eight RBI, and four steals in his last 14 games. This is an outfielder who has hit leadoff in every game this season, putting him in a terrific position to rack up runs. While there's not much power here, Friedl is a great addition if you need a boost in runs and speed.
The Reds have an enticing schedule this week, with seven games: four against the Cardinals and three against the Nationals, each of which is at the bandbox that is Great American Ball Park. Pick up Friedl to take advantage of these favorable matchups.
Austin Hays, Cincinnati Reds (36% rostered)
Austin Hays in his 11 games since being activated off the IL:
.386 AVG
.449 OBP
.773 SLG
1.222 OPS
5 HR
11 RBI
12 Runspic.twitter.com/8LLo5emVFP— Kirk Snyder (@dynastyinfo411) April 26, 2025
Hays is off to a nice start with the Reds, slashing .386/.449/.773 with five homers in 11 games, including two against the Rockies in his last game. As the cleanup hitter, Hays is in a great spot to rack up RBI, especially when he's swinging a hot bat like he is now.
As with Friedl, you want to take advantage of the seven-game homestand this week. It's an excellent opportunity for Hays to keep up the power binge that he's shown so far. It also helps that he'll face three lefties since he has a 122 career wRC+ against southpaws.
Gavin Lux, Cincinnati Reds (27% rostered)
The last of the Reds trio recommended on this page is Lux, who has found his groove in an everyday role, putting up a .325/.423/.422 slash with 11 runs, one homer, and 12 RBI in 25 games. The former Dodger is on a 10-game hitting streak right now.
You have to love that Lux is mostly hitting in the fifth spot, especially with him also eligible to be deployed at second base in fantasy leagues. Pick him up to ride the hot streak during this appealing seven-game week.
Josh Smith, Texas Rangers (21% rostered)
Looking for some positional flexibility? Pick up Smith, who is eligible at outfield, third base, and shortstop in Yahoo! formats. We've seen the Rangers bat him leadoff vs righties, which is great news in a lineup that features studs like Wyatt Langford.
Smith is off to a nice start, slashing .328/.414/.492 with 12 runs, two homers, four RBI, and three steals. This is an underrated bat who should continue playing every day, especially with Corey Seager on the injured list.
Jordan Beck, Colorado Rockies (18% rostered)
Jordan Beck is the hottest hitter in baseball right now
Make it 5 home runs in 3 games🔥 pic.twitter.com/pYZ41Pt8IO
— More Important Issues (@More_Issues) April 26, 2025
Beck is scorching hot right now, putting up five home runs and one stolen base in his last four games. This is a 24-year-old who put up 25 homers and 20 steals across all minor league levels back in 2023, so there's some power-speed upside here.
The Rockies have seven games this week, including three at Coors Field, so there's a chance that Beck can keep it rolling. This may be the case of a player who is finally putting it all together, making him worth a pickup.
Fantasy Baseball Outfield Waiver Wire Adds - Deeper Leagues
Kyle Stowers, Miami Marlins (9% rostered)
Stowers came into Saturday's action with a .289/.371/.422 slash and two homers in 97 plate appearances. While the batting average won't stick -- the former Oriole has a 30.9 percent strikeout rate -- there's power in this bat, as highlighted by a 16.4 percent barrel rate.
The Marlins have six games this week -- including three in a tough spot vs the Dodgers -- but this is more of a long-term pickup. Remember that Stowers hit 21 homers in only 75 games back in the minors in 2023.
Daulton Varsho, Toronto Blue Jays (7% rostered)
Varsho is ready to return for the Blue Jays. While he's going to be a drain on your batting average -- .235 BA or worse in three straight years -- there's power-speed upside here, including 27 homers and 16 steals back in 2022.
What's great about Varsho is that his elite defense will help keep his bat in the lineup, even when he's struggling at the plate. The Blue Jays desperately need a boost in power, so Varsho's return is huge for them. Pick him up to hope he rediscovers his 2022 form.
Max Kepler, Philadelphia Phillies (4% rostered)
Max Kepler sends one into the basket at Wrigley!
It's 10-2 @phillies!📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/qojrusZIFn
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 26, 2025
Kepler has gone 8-for-17 with three runs, one homer, and two RBI in his last five games. This is an outfielder who is getting everyday playing time, including eight of the last nine games.
The Phillies have six games at home in a hitter-friendly environment, making Kepler worth a look. Even though he hits sixth in the lineup, there's appeal here because it's a good offense that will provide plenty of run-scoring opportunities.
Trevor Larnach, Minnesota Twins (4% rostered)
Trevor Larnach blasts a 3-run jack as the @Twins make it a 6-run frame 💪 pic.twitter.com/5En8qnnhoM
— MLB (@MLB) April 26, 2025
Larnach is in the middle of a power binge, including four homers in his last eight games. This is a platoon bat who thrives against righties, featuring a 116 wRC+ in his career against them (52 wRC+ vs lefties).
The good news for Larnach is that the Twins get seven games this week, with six coming against right-handed pitchers. There is also a series against the Red Sox at Fenway, giving Larnach a good chance to keep this hot streak rolling.
Alex Verdugo, Atlanta Braves (3% rostered)
Verdugo is a sneaky pickup because he's been entrenched in the leadoff spot for the Braves, hitting there in each of his seven games. The veteran is also playing almost every day, suiting up in seven of the last eight games.
While there's not much power in this profile, you have to love the team context. Batting at the top of a stacked Braves order that includes Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna, and Matt Olson hitting behind him means there will be plenty of chances to rack up runs. The Braves also have three games at Coors Field this upcoming week.
More Fantasy Baseball Outfielders to Consider Adding
- Pavin Smith, Arizona Diamondbacks (37% rostered)
- Chandler Simpson, Tampa Bay Rays (34% rostered)
- Michael Toglia, Colorado Rockies (32% rostered)
- Cam Smith, Houston Astros (26% rostered)
- Michael Conforto, Los Angeles Dodgers (11% rostered)
More Fantasy Baseball Deep League Outfielders to Consider
- Heston Kjerstad, Baltimore Orioles (8% rostered)
- Ryan O'Hearn, Baltimore Orioles (8% rostered)
- Jake Fraley, Cincinnati Reds (3% rostered)
- Andrew Benintendi, Chicago White Sox (3% rostered)
- Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers (2% rostered)
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