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Managers can easily make decisions to affect their team positively, but often they're too hesitant, cautious, or even scared. Sometimes you have to make the hard choice to choose a player in the right circumstance to produce. These are the best players when we start streaming. We look at the matchups and other variables to put our team in the best position to succeed. That is the best we can do. There is no need to be scared about making these types of choices. No Fear, Just Fantasy.
Some outfielders would be better suited to stream for a hot bat. Others need to be replaced just because they are no longer on the field (IL). That is a situation that is affecting many owners, and there is nothing you can do except find a suitable replacement as quickly as possible or risk losing valuable counting stats. In this article, I’ll discuss waiver wire targets for the outfield in week 12. This week we cover a few guys that are on a little hot streak while a couple of other players have enticing matchups.
Even in the first few weeks, ownership can change quickly. Be quick to check your leagues for their availability. Key points - this list will focus on players who are owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. When you want to chat it up regarding outfielders, prospects, or dynasty leagues, message me directly on Twitter @EllisCan2.
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Outfield (OF) Waiver Wire Options
Randal Grichuk (OF, TOR) — 25% Owned
Grichuk has been in quite a rut lately, but this week’s schedule might provide an opportunity to escape those doldrums. Over the last couple of weeks, he has hit three homers, which is what you expect from Grichuk. However, even a .159 batting average is low for the career .244 hitter. This week presents opportunities to get back on track. He’ll get to face five left-handed pitchers, against which he is hitting .265 this year. The first series against the Angels is at home where he is hitting .246. These factors might be enough to overcome a 35% chase rate and his routinely high 14% swinging strike rate. Grichuk is an excellent addition for a roster that needs power but has some batting average to sacrifice.
Josh Reddick (OF, HOU) — 22% Owned
Contrary to Grichuk above, Reddick is more of a batting average guy that will provide a few numbers in the counting stats department. Over the last couple of weeks, he has been able to match his two homers with two stolen bases to provide even more value. This week Reddick will get to play a full seven games, all of which will be on the road at decently hitter-friendly environments. He’ll matchup against five right-handed pitchers (career .272 average) when he plays against the Reds and Yankees. Another benefit of Reddick is consistent at-bats, which is very important to get as many opportunities as possible. With all the losses due to injuries, including Jake Marisnick’s recent bumps and bruises, Reddick’s playing time has not been a point of concern.
Delino DeShields (OF, TEX) — 3% Owned
Deshields was the primary benefactor to the Joey Gallo injury. While Gallo might return next weekend, that will give Deshields one last week to accrue some stats for you, primarily stolen bases. Over the previous two weeks, he’s stolen three bases with a .325 batting average. There is minimal power potential with an 81.5mph average exit velocity that ranks in the bottom-10 of all qualifiers. Thankfully, he has the speed to overcome the 43% ground-ball rate. Deshields also doesn’t swing too often (38%), but he’s been efficient as he has a swinging strike rate of 5.7%.
Hopefully, he can carry that forward into the seven-game slate this week at home versus the Indians and White Sox. He’s only a .236 hitter against righties, and he’ll see six of them this week. Despite that, you’re getting him for his speed, and there will always be risks, primarily to obtain a scarce statistic as stolen bases.
Kole Calhoun (OF, LAA) — 12% Owned
Calhoun’s recent performance has not been pretty. You don’t have to go looking. He’s hit two homers with three RBI, a stolen base and a .146 batting average over the last couple of weeks. This definitely isn’t a method to get someone excited about a player. Therefore, I’ll get straight to the point. Calhoun is hitting 253 against righties this year. He’ll face six of them this week, albeit on the road in Toronto before traveling to St. Louis. This is purely a matchup-based recommendation. With Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, he will able to maximize his .343 OBP versus righties to your benefit.
Garrett Cooper (1B/OF, MIA) — 18% Owned
Cooper has been on fire the last month with six bombs, 20RBI, and a .343 batting average. There is no reason for that to stop this week, either. He gets a full seven-game schedule which we enjoy, even more so since they are all slated to be right-handers against whom he is batting .324 this year. He also gets those games on the road (.304) in St. Louis and Philly, which Cooper has fared better this year. Continue to use Cooper while he maintains this hitting momentum. His 2.3-degree launch angle and 54% ground-ball rate are an odd combination for success, but if he can make it work, there is no reason to question his methods, for now.
Brian Anderson (3B/OF, MIA) — 12% Owned
It is not too often that I recommend one Miami Marlin player, let alone two in the same article. Anderson has performed well the last couple of weeks with two homers, seven RBI, and a stolen base to go with a .304 batting average. Anderson is a solid option to maximize the hot streak and scheduling. A full schedule helps accrue stats and his .260 batting average against right-handers — six this week— is just good enough to keep some semblance of confidence in the Marlin for a little while longer.
Oscar Mercado (OF, CLE) — 16% Owned
Sometimes you’ll need to go digging in all sorts of odd places to unearth stolen bases. It usually comes with plenty of risks, as mentioned above. The hope is that the player is having success, which will lead to continued opportunities. Mercado is currently having a bit of success himself with two homers, four RBI, and a stolen base in the last two weeks. He’s also done quite well in the batting average department (.295) over that time. Mercado has one of the juicier schedules this week with a series on the road against the Rangers in their hitter-friendly park before traveling back home to host the woeful Detroit Tigers. He’ll see a majority (4) of the pitchers he prefers, right-handers (.302). Even his .250 average against southpaws isn’t so terrible that he can’t get on base and add a stolen base or two this week.
Jorge Soler (OF, KC) — 36% Owned
Don’t look at Soler’s annual numbers to see how he’s doing. Look at the last two weeks; he’s hit four taters with 10RBI and a .302 average. I understand that is a narrow focus, but it helps decipher the momentum going into the week where he faces four righties (.245) and three lefties (.243). Soler’s power is enticing enough to warrant the risk of his momentum regressing to his seasonal average this week.
Jordan Luplow (OF, CLE) — 1% Owned
Luplow is in platoon situation right now that affects his ability to get consist stats for your roster This week, he gets to travel to face the Rangers before hosting the Tigers. In seven games this week, there are three lefties on the schedule. Luplow is batting .290 against them so he should be in the lineup in those games. In the three games against the Rangers with right-handers on the mound, find out if he is in the lineup prior. The venue is too good to pass up if he’s playing.
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