Finding worthwhile outfield talent off the waiver wire is tricky business. There's always a catch. Player X in Toronto may mash homers against lefties, but only plays twice a week. Player Y in Miami may have excellent base stealing potential, but can't find playing time in a crowded outfield. These are all hypotheticals, of course. But that's just the nature of it. There are no sure-things on the waiver wire. That's the reason they're on the waiver wire.

That doesn't mean you can't do your due diligence and find valuable, if only temporary, fantasy production. A wise owner will keep one or two spots on their rosters open and dedicated to a constant cycle of hitters on hot streaks. This week we'll look at a handful of guys with very uncertain futures in the 2016 season. Some of them are swinging big at the moment while others have been cold. They all, however, have hinted at lofty possibilities moving forward.

Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.

 

Week 3 Outfield Targets

Enrique Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Owned in 47% of Yahoo Leagues, 23.8% of ESPN Leagues

Young Kiké Hernandez is showing that he has the power in his first full season in the Majors, as exemplified by his double-dinger game against Madison Bumgarner and the Giants on Friday. The Puerto Rican outfielder is off to a nice start with the Dodgers in 2016, sporting a .400/.438/.700 line across 30 at bats to go with eight RBI. It's unclear exactly how high his ceiling is, but that's precisely what makes Hernandez so exciting. The slugging percentage has climbed steadily from his debut in 2014 with the Astros. The counting stat potential is there in a potent Dodgers lineup. If he continues at this rate, or even a tempered version of this rate, Hernandez could easily hit 20 home runs this year while maintaining a nice average in the process. He finished 2015 batting a stellar .307 in 76 games. Although his K% (21.1) and BB% (5.0) in 2015 were both slightly below the league average, Hernandez should gradually gain plate discipline as he garners more plate appearances against Big League pitchers.

It must be mentioned that Hernandez is not yet an everyday player for the Dodgers. In his most recent three-start stretch, he went 6-for-12 with two homers and seven RBI. Numbers like that should be enough for Hernandez to earn himself pretty regular playing time, especially due to his eligibility in the outfield as well as at second base.

Carlos Beltran, New York Yankees

Owned in 42% of Yahoo Leagues, 41.1% of ESPN Leagues

What is there to say about Carlos Beltran? The 38 year-old right fielder is trying to prove that his best days are not yet behind him with a hot start to the 2016 season. In the Yankees first 11 games, Beltran is batting .341/.357/.610 with three home runs and seven RBI. He has been the most productive hitter for the Yanks in the early going. Although no one is suggesting Beltran will return to his prime power form of 2006-07, there is plenty of evidence to suggest the power is still there. Over the past four seasons, Beltran still averaged 22.5 HR per campaign with an above average .802 OPS in that same span. Beltran went undrafted in the majority of fantasy drafts this season. There's a good chance many owners are regretting that now or will soon. Beltran is a must own as long as he can maintain a solid average and OBP. The long ball is a possibility every time he steps up to the plate.

Nick Markakis, Atlanta Braves

Owned in 22% of Yahoo Leagues, 37.7% of ESPN Leagues

The fact that Nick Markakis is this widely owned in likely more of a reflection of name recognition than anything else. Who wants to own an outfielder on the Braves with hardly any power or speed of which to speak? After all, Markakis hit just three home runs last year, hasn't reached 20 homers since 2008 and hasn't eclipsed a .400 slugging percentage since 2012. This is the devil's advocate argument and one you should use when trying to buy low on Markakis.

The fact of the matter is that Markakis is a weird player. His career does not follow a clear arc. He has good seasons and bad seasons offensively. So far, 2016 has been a good season, as the veteran Gold Glover leads the league with a whopping nine doubles. Pair that with a .333/.423/.533 line in 45 at bats and you have a solid fantasy contributor. Markakis is still undervalued as he continues to search for his first long ball of the season. Expect at least ten of them to come this season as some of those doubles start to find their way over the wall. There's no reason Markakis cannot achieve, or surpass, his career averages of .360 OBP and 15 HR.

Melvin Upton Jr., San Diego Padres

Owned in 12% of Yahoo Leagues, 7.6% of ESPN Leagues

The big brother has finally surpassed the prowess of the younger slugger. Well, if you only focus on a 13-game span. Melvin has been the more productive Upton brother in the early part of the 2016 season and has quietly been one of the most valuable outfielders in fantasy thus far. Upton is hitting .289/.333/.489 over 45 at bats with two home runs and three stolen bases. After a disastrous 2015 campaign plagued by injuries and poor play, Upton looks to be functioning at 100% in 2016.

Don't fool yourself -- Upton has not been a consistent hitter over the course of his career, as shown by his .245 career batting average. However, the counting stat ability is there. Upton's career 162-game average shows the 31 year-old hitting 18 HR and stealing 34 bases. It's been a few years since we've seen that level of production, but the talent is certainly available. When Upton is operating with a healthy dose of confidence, his ceiling is high. If he can maintain an average over .275, he should be owned in most league formats. Your leaguemates may scoff at the move, but there's a good chance you'll get the last laugh.

Jarrod Dyson, Kansas City Royals

Owned in 20% of Yahoo Leagues, 13.8% of ESPN Leagues

After missing the first few weeks of the season with a Grade II oblique strain, Jarrod Dyson is back in action Tuesday night against the Tigers. The speedy outfielder is batting ninth in the order and will look to get going early by swiping some bases. In his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha, Dyson went 7-for-22 with four stolen bases. Under normal circumstances, Dyson is a player who would likely be owned in a majority of fantasy leagues. However, with a fairly serious injury to start the season, Dyson has been overlooked by most owners.

Even with the missed time, Dyson is a candidate to steal over 40 bases with the Royals in 2016, as he projects to a career average of 53 steals over a 162-game span. With regular starting time, Dyson is projected to be a top-five base stealer along with the likes of elite league players Dee Gordon and Jose Altuve. In reality, Dyson probably figures in somewhere between those two guys and Billy Hamilton. With a career batting average of .255, Dyson won't give you the offensive production of the former two players, who happen to be the last two batting champs from 2014 and 2015. However, he is much more reliable than Hamilton, who couldn't find first base if it were hidden beneath his pillow at night. Scoop up Dyson before the rest of your league remembers who he is.

 

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