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This article will discuss fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the outfield in Week 10 – May 29 through June 5. 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
Josh Naylor, Cleveland Guardians - 43% Rostered
Naylor's ownership is starting to rebound following a brutal start to the season. He carries a .745 OPS along with four home runs in May, up from a .623 OPS and three long balls in April. Naylor's .225/.273/.397 slash line remains suppressed, though the advanced starts continue to imply a big production boost going forward. He's due for an extended hot streak, and this may be the last we see his ownership below 50%.
In sharp contrast to his in-game results, Naylor's expected .290 xBA and .507 xSLG paint the picture of a much more prolific hitter. Outside of a weak 6.7% walk rate, his hitting numbers are well above average across the board. That includes a .358 xwOBA, 90.5 MPH average exit velocity, and a 45.6% hard-hit rate.
Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves - 32% Rostered
Ozuna is enjoying an unbelievably hot stretch right now. After batting .091 with two home runs in April, he's mashed nine home runs alongside an outstanding 1.226 OPS in May. The perception has quickly shifted from washed to very relevant overnight. Ozuna hasn't hit consistently since the 2020 season, and at 32 years old, many had rightfully given up on him. He will not sustain this current level; however, underlying numbers suggest Ozuna can be a productive hitter when the dust settles on his polarizing hot and cold streaks.
Overall, Ozuna carries a .238/.327/.523 slash line. Comparing that to his .253 xBA and .554 xSLG makes Ozuna's recent outburst feel less like a fluke. He strikes out at an above-average rate, though his upside is undeniably reignited. Ozuna sports a phenomenal 15.6% barrel rate alongside a similarly impressive .378 xwOBA, 90.7 MPH average exit velocity, and a 46.9% hard-hit rate. It's been a while since he last eclipsed 30 home runs, but that mark is well within reach for this 2023 version of Ozuna.
Mickey Moniak, Los Angeles Angels - 27% Rostered
Moniak was highlighted here last week, and his ownership has grown exponentially in the time since. Based on his current trajectory, I suspect another significant ownership leap by this time next week. Through 10 games, Moniak is slashing .419/.438/.935 with four home runs, one triple, two doubles, and two stolen bases. He appears entrenched as the Angels' new leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers, and Moniak will continue to get opportunities if he remains productive.
2023 is a brief sample size, but we've always known Moniak carried unlocked potential. He was the first-overall draft pick in 2016 and received his first taste of the majors in 2020. Prior to this season, Moniak struggled to find any success at the MLB level across three short-lived major-league stints. That said, he has consistently dominated minor-league pitching, and it would not be a huge surprise if Moniak has finally figured out how to stick around in the majors.
LaMonte Wade Jr., San Francisco Giants - 22% Rostered
Wade's strong 2023 campaign continues. He owns a .265/.416/.449 slash line, along with seven home runs. Importantly, Wade is hitting leadoff against right-handed pitchers these days and has even been starting against southpaws more often than not, despite the Giants' typically strict platoons.
The main impetus behind Wade's offensive breakthrough this season is a remarkable plate discipline improvement. He ranks in the 98th percentile with an outstanding 16.6% chase rate, down from 23.7% in 2022. That has resulted in Wade posting a career-best 18.2% walk rate and .384 xwOBA. Obviously, this means he is swinging less than he ever has, but that's created a noteworthy on-base spike, and Wade is making quality contact when he does let it rip -- .457 xSLG, 9.7% barrel rate.
Outfield Waiver Wire Adds In Deep Leagues
Kevin Kiermaier, Toronto Blue Jays - 9% Rostered
As a disclaimer, Kiermaier was removed from Saturday's game with lower back discomfort. If he lands on the injured list, don't prioritize adding him. Assuming it's more of a day-to-day ailment, Kiermaier is worth a look.
Kiermaier is not getting enough credit for having, by far, the best offensive season of his career so far. He carries an outstanding .319/.366/.511 slash line with four home runs, three triples, nine doubles, and five stolen bases. Kiermaier's power-hitting metrics don't suggest he'll blow past his career-best 15-home run mark, but his .289 xBA implies a productive offensive approach all the same. Further, elite speed enables Kiermaier to create additional fantasy points in the form of extra-base hits and stolen bases.
Nolan Jones, Colorado Rockies - 7% Rostered
Jones is the latest Rockies' call-up. He's not a top prospect, but he has showcased respectable pop throughout his minor-league career. Jones had his first shot at the big leagues with Cleveland in 2022, stumbling through his 28-game stint with a .681 OPS. Now getting his first chance with the Rockies, he'll look to start hot if he wants a chance to stick around long-term.
2023 may prove to be a breakout season for Jones. The 25-year-old posted an outstanding .356/.481/.711 slash line through 39 games with Triple-A before getting called up. That includes 12 home runs, two triples, and 13 doubles. The hitter-friendly environment in Albuquerque is known to boost offensive numbers, but so too will playing at Coors. Jones is a worthwhile streamer.
Zach McKinstry, Detroit Tigers - 5% Rostered
Perhaps it's because he plays for the Tigers, but McKinstry is another player whose stellar performance is flying under the radar this season. He sports a .291/.410/.444 slash with four home runs, six doubles, and eight stolen bases. That includes some truly outstanding numbers, like a .296 xBA, .395 xwOBA, .475 xSLG, 10.1% barrel rate, and a 16.4% walk rate.
The clear downside here is that McKinstry is strictly a platoon player at the moment. He has only eight plate appearances against left-handed pitchers this season. Still, that leaves him with the strong side of the platoon, and McKinstry compensates for his ever-present pinch-hit risk by hitting leadoff against right-handed pitchers. As an added bonus, McKinstry is currently eligible at four different positions on Yahoo - 2B/3B/SS/OF.
More Players To Consider
- Jake Fraley, Reds - 41% rostered
- Bryan De La Cruz, Marlins - 34% rostered
- Seth Brown, Athletics - 23% rostered
- Jack Suwinski, Pirates - 15% rostered
- Nick Pratto, Royals - 13% rostered
More Deep-League Players To Consider
- Randal Grichuk, Rockies - 8% rostered
- Eddie Rosario, Braves - 2% rostered
- Kerry Carpenter, Tigers - 1% rostered
- Corey Julks, Astros - 1% rostered
- Gavin Sheets, White Sox - 1% rostered
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