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This article will discuss fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the outfield in Week 27 -- September 25 through October 1. Whether your team is derailed by injuries or slumping bats, navigating the waiver wire will be crucial to finding long-term success in fantasy baseball.
As we approach the home stretch of the season, it's time to take some hard stances on your fantasy rosters. If you're still hitting the waiver wire, you're either geared up for a championship run or reconfiguring your team for the next year. This set of outfield-eligible players may not all have the longest track records, or their success could be considered unsustainable. But with the fantasy playoffs arriving, it matters most what these guys can do for you right now.
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 - Standard Leagues
Tommy Pham, Arizona Diamondbacks - 48% Rostered
Tommy Pham is an excellent option for your championship-contending rosters. He's posted respectable numbers all season long, sporting a .261/.330/.462 slash line with 15 home runs and 21 stolen bases. Crucially, the Diamondbacks' games still matter as they hope to secure a Wild Card spot, meaning that Pham should be in the lineup every day down the stretch.
It's been an ongoing theme on this list throughout the summer, but Pham's advanced metrics continue to raise eyebrows. He boasts an outstanding .485 xSLG, 49.8% hard-hit rate, .287 xBA, 92.6 mph average exit velocity, 10.7% barrel rate, and .366 xwOBA. Pham has been overdue for positive regression for quite some time now and could produce some big performances as the season winds down.
Mark Canha, Milwaukee Brewers - 48% Rostered
Mark Canha's overall numbers aren't terribly exciting. He owns a solid .268/.360/.413 slash line with 11 home runs and a 115 wRC+. That said, he's been on fire lately, mashing the ball to the tune of a .968 OPS since the beginning of September. Canha has become a key offensive contributor for the Brewers and has legitimate short-term fantasy appeal.
Canha's batted ball metrics don't tell us that he's hitting the ball exceptionally well, but he's proof that good things happen when you put the ball in play. Canha only strikes out at a 15.5% rate, alongside an impressive 18.2% whiff rate, 23.1% chase rate, and 9.9% walk rate.
Ryan O'Hearn, Baltimore Orioles - 42% Rostered
Ryan O'Hearn has been a fixture on this list for quite a while now. He sports a reliable .310/.341/.514 slash line with 14 home runs on the season, providing consistent production all year. However, for the first time, O'Hearn's ownership level has risen considerably in the past week. What's changed? Ryan Mountcastle landed on the injured list a few days ago, clearing O'Hearn's path to everyday playing time.
In addition to appealing surface numbers, O'Hearn has advanced metrics to back up his production. He's posted an impressive .479 xSLG alongside similarly fantastic numbers, like a 92.1 mph average exit velocity, 51.6% hard-hit rate, 10.7% barrel rate, and a 22.8% whiff rate.
Nelson Velazquez, Kansas City Royals - 12% Rostered
Nelson Velazquez has been a revelation in the second half, posting a .909 OPS and 12 home runs across 32 games since the All-Star break. He doesn't appear to be losing any steam, either, considering the 1.009 OPS mark he's managed since the beginning of September. Velazquez's production has been rewarded with an everyday role. While the Royals aren't playing for anything at this point, Velazquez will continue trying to make the most of this opportunity.
Given his 34.3% whiff rate and 27.1% strikeout rate, Velazquez is bound to have some rough patches at the plate in the future. That said, when he puts the bat on the ball, the underlying numbers are encouraging. Velazquez boasts an amazing .580 xSLG and 21.4% barrel rate. Those marks are complemented by similarly impressive figures, like a 50% hard-hit rate, 91.1 mph average exit velocity, and .383 xwOBA.
Outfield Waiver Wire Adds - Deeper Leagues
DJ Stewart, New York Mets - 10% Rostered
DJ Stewart missed most of the games this past week with a wrist injury, but he's back in the lineup again and ready to contribute to a contending fantasy roster. Through 50 games this season, Stewart boasts a .264/.342/.557 slash line with 11 home runs and a 143 wRC+. He's entrenched as an everyday fixture in the Mets' lineup.
The advanced metrics support Stewart's breakout performance in 2023. He owns a .499 xSLG, .353 xwOBA, 12.8% barrel rate, 45.7% hard-hit rate, and 90.2 mph average exit velocity.
Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox - 7% Rostered
With the Red Sox eliminated from playoff contention, they're playing for little more than to take stock of what they have for 2024. Part of that plan involves giving Ceddanne Rafaela consistent playing time. His MLB career is just 21 games deep at this point, and he's posted a strong .295/.323/.475 slash line with a pair of home runs. Rafaela was elevated to the leadoff spot and will get plenty of runs over the season's final stretch.
Rafaela is the third-ranked prospect in the Boston farm system and the No. 72 prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline. Across 102 games between Double-A and Triple-A this season, he posted a .302/.349/.520 slash line with 20 home runs and 36 stolen bases. Rafaela has the tools to be an immediate impact player in the majors and should be viewed as both a short-term and long-term fantasy asset.
Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels - 2% Rostered
Following a lengthy injured list stint, Jo Adell has rejoined the Angels' lineup. With nothing to play for but the future, the Angels will be sure to give Adell an extended look as the season comes to a close. His prior MLB exposure has been underwhelming, but the 24-year-old may be catching fire, homering twice in his last three games.
Despite prior struggles at the major-league level, the Angels remain hopeful that Adell can be a key part of their future. He was formerly the organization's top prospect and had previously been viewed by some as the top prospect in baseball. Adell's prized prospect shine has faded, though his upside remains worthwhile. Across 74 games in Triple-A this season, he mashed an astonishing 24 home runs en route to a .961 OPS.
More Players To Consider
- Willi Castro, Twins - 44% rostered
- Adam Duvall, Red Sox - 39% rostered
- Harold Ramirez, Rays - 24% rostered
- Brent Rooker, Athletics - 20% rostered
- Max Kepler, Twins - 17% rostered
- Brandon Marsh, Phillies - 16% rostered
More Deep-League Players To Consider
- Matt Vierling, Tigers - 9% rostered
- Heston Kjerstad, Orioles - 6% rostered
- Michael Brantley, Astros - 6% rostered
- Connor Joe, Pirates - 4% rostered
- Jared Walsh, Angels - 2% rostered
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