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We have completed another week of MLB action, and we have experienced more injuries, and most teams need more and more replacements. We have around five weeks left in the season, and we are already seeing some teams throw in the towel while others are falling out of the playoff race and may join them shortly. As the fallout continues, more and more players may get some newfound playing time. In addition, we may see more call-ups get their chance to make an impact. There are still some great options from recent articles available on most waiver wires, but I will target a few more deep-league targets this week. Lastly, remember that it is ok to ride the hot streaks for now as you are just trying to fill specific stat categories in your ROTO leagues. The churn in burn time is in full effect.
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). Unfortunately, that is a situation that affects many managers. You can do nothing except finding a suitable replacement as quickly as possible or risk losing valuable counting stats. This week's article will focus on deeper league adds or even players to take fliers on as we head into the second half of the season. If you have questions about other players, always feel free to ask me on Twitter. This article will discuss waiver wire targets for the outfield in Week 22, August 23 through August 29.
In the first few weeks, rostered percentages can change quickly. So be quick to check your leagues for their availability. When you want to chat it up regarding outfielders, prospects, or dynasty leagues, message me directly on Twitter @bdentrek. Key points - this list will focus on rostered players in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
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Frank Schwindel, Chicago Cubs
40% Rostered
Before the trade deadline, most had no idea who Frank Schwindel was, but we all do now, thanks to the Cubs' fire sell. In last week's article, I mentioned Schwindel at the end as a deep league target. At the time, he was 4% rostered in Yahoo leagues but now is 40%. I hope many jumped on Schwindel while you could, but if he is still available, feel free to jump on the bandwagon and enjoy a few more weeks of production.
Since the trade deadline, Schwindel has hit safely in 15 of 18 games, good for a .359 average. He has 12 extra-base hits over the stretch, including four home runs to go with a .313 ISO. His 1.086 OPS and 187 wRC+ even got the attention of the Cubs as they moved him from the six or seven spots in the lineup all the way to the second spot over the last nine games.
Schwindel has maximized production as his xBA of .276 and his xwOBA of .343 show some regression, but an xwOBAcon of .410 and his overall contact skills show he should still be extremely productive. He checks two key boxes as an add from now on as he plays every day, and he hits near the top of the order. He also brings multi-position eligibility, which is tremendous as well. Schwindel won't stay this insanely hot as we advance but will still be a productive fantasy player. Add Schwindel, where you can in all 12-team and deeper leagues.
Tyler Naquin, Cincinnati Reds
39% Rostered
Earlier this year, we wrote about Naquin as an add as he was streaking and putting up outstanding fantasy production. Then that dried up quickly, as did Naquin's playing time, and he was dropped in many leagues. Well, Naquin is playing every day again, for now, and he is streaking. With Jesse Winker (intercostal) on the IL, Naquin has jumped back into an everyday role and is flourishing.
Naquin rolls into Sunday's action riding an 11-game hitting streak where he is hitting .452 with nine extra-base hits. Naquin is absolutely raking with a .381 ISO and 1.333 OPS. Naquin has also showcased solid plate discipline, striking out only 11% of the time. That means many balls in play with his 10.8% barrel rate and 43.2% hard-hit rate. Naquin is locked in and is now hitting at the top of the order.
Naquin will continue to see regular playing time with Winker out, and as of Friday, Winker had yet to begin baseball activities due to his intercostal strain. Ride the Naquin train while you can, as it will not stay this hot for long. He will still be productive even if not this hot as he should still hit the top of the order, which will bode well, setting the table for the NEW Big Red Machine. Naquin is a strong add, potentially a better add than Schwindel for the rest of the season.
Brandon Marsh, Los Angeles Angels
5% Rostered
Angels' prospect Brandon Marsh had a slow start to his big league career, but has appeared to be locking into a groove lately. He has now hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, good for a .378 average. He has five extra-base hits but no home runs over the last 10 games. His .189 ISO and .978 OPS are solid, but we have to decide if this is just a hot streak or for real. During this streak, Marsh also has a .700 BABIP to go with a 43.6% strikeout rate. Two things that cannot lead to long-term success.
"So Bubba, you do not sound too confident in adding Marsh." A couple of things. First, this is a deep league add, and the deepest league adds have some worts. Second, Marsh brings consistent playing time of late, and he brings a bit of power and some great speed from his minor league production. His 20% barrel rates and 65% hard-hit rate over the last 10 games is another plus in Marsh's production as those are the elite quality of contact skills.
Marsh will show inconsistencies at times. He is definitely more of a stream play going forward this season. The Angels only have five games next week. A series in Baltimore doesn't stink but could be in line for much better matchups from now on. For now, I would keep Marsh on the watch list and grab if you need some stolen bases with some extra run production in the coming weeks.
Corey Dickerson, Toronto Blue Jays
3% Rostered
Dickerson has returned from the IL and locked himself into some solid production with the Jays. He has hit safely in seven of his last 12 games, good for a .312 average. In addition, Dickerson has a .290 ISO and .995 OPS. He has been insanely productive but has also been a part of a platoon with players like Randal Grichuk. Dickerson is on the strong side of the platoon, which is definitely a plus, and when he is playing hits fifth or sixth in the lineup.
The platoon can be a pain, but Dickerson is a solid add when the Jays face a decent amount of RHP in the week or if you play in daily lineup leagues. We know the Jays will produce almost every evening, so Dickerson should be a part of that production. Hitting in the middle of the order helps a ton with the run-producing stats as well. Dickerson is a great add in deeper leagues and daily move leagues as he should be in store for an extreme end of the season.
Phil Gosselin, Los Angeles Angels
1% Rostered
Gosselin comes into Sunday swinging a scorching bat. He has hit safely in eight of his last 11 games, good for a .326 average. He has two home runs to go with a .186 ISO and .868 OPS over the 11 games. Gosselin was once a platoon player versus LHP as he absolutely destroys LHP but has now begun to play every day. The everyday playing time comes with a plus as Gosselin hits from third to fifth in the lineup. AKA, the fantasy money-making spots in the order.
Gosselin is not a sexy move. Those in 15-team or deeper leagues know just how hard it has been to find productive, consistent outfielders. Gosselin could be that guy from now on. I would add Gosselin before Marsh for my teams. The other beautiful thing about Gosselin is his multi-position eligibility which will be quite important down the home stretch of the fantasy season. If you do not want to add Gosselin now, put him on your watch list and wait for a week to face a decent amount of LHP.
More Deeper League Options
Here are a few other really nice deep league adds or players to keep an eye on, and they will likely be discussed in the coming weeks - Jorge Mateo (BAL, 5%), Seth Brown (OAK, 1%). Lars Nootbaar (STL, 1%), and Lane Thomas (WAS, 0%).
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