RADIO
Ellis Canady's fantasy baseball outfielders who are potential waiver wire pickups for Week 25. Consider adding and streaming these free agent outfield options.
There are only two weeks left of the season. For some managers, you'll just need to find players that won't screw things up. Others are still targetting vital categories needed to improve their position. This week we will cover a variety of guys that couple help fit your specific needs. As we approach the finish line, now is not the time to change your strategy. Maintain things that got you to this point. Above all else, don't start playing scared now. Enjoy your season until the very end, regardless of where you finish. No Fear, Just Fantasy.
Whether you're streaming a hot bat or need to replace a guy, there are plenty of different options. There might be more options than normal as most of your competition has likely become non-competitive and maybe even moved to fantasy football. Regardless, maintain your focus and never leave a roster spot empty, even if only a day. In this article, I’ll discuss waiver wire targets for the outfield in week 25. This week we cover guys that primarily have advantageous splits and playing time.
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
Shallow Leagues (50-30% Owned)
Mark Canha (1B/OF, OAK) — 47% owned
Even with the return of Ramon Laureano, Canha still gets his full share of playing time. He’s maximized every opportunity as well and has seven homers, 21RBI, and a .317AVG over the last month. While the opposing pitcher schedule is split with three right-handers and three southpaws, all the games will be at home where he is a .298 hitter. If you have the ability to be selective, start him versus the righties as he is a .290 hitter against them.
Deeper Leagues (30-10% Owned)
Randal Grichuk (OF, TOR) — 22% owned
Grichuk is what he is. He’ll give you power (26) but the batting average will hang around .230 as he’s been consistent from the first half to the second half. The best opportunity to deploy him this week is in the three-game series versus the Orioles in Camden. If his opposite-field distribution was better than 18.3%, then he might be able to maximize the short porch in Yankee Stadium as well.
Anthony Santander (OF, BAL) — 30% owned
While Santander has been a surprising success this season, he has been struggling a bit over the last 14 days with two long balls and a .160 batting average. However, he gets a single game in Detroit before a week of good home-cookin’ in Camden hosting the Blue Jays and Mariners. In 175 at-bats at home, he’s batting .291 with eight taters. Santander is all set-up to finish the season on a high note.
Oscar Mercado (OF, CLE) — 24% owned
The what-have-you-done-for-me-lately syndrome continues to plague Mercado. He’s playing well, but since his stats aren’t eye-popping, many are passing over him. Mercado has been performing well. Over the last two weeks, he has a homer, seven RBI, and a stolen base that combines with a .329/.397/.510 slash line. This week, he will host the Tigers and Phillies. As a guy with power and speed ability, there should be no reason he should be owned in so few leagues.
Brett Gardner (OF, NYY) — 25% owned
The batting average over the last couple weeks (.239) is mediocre. However, the seven taters cannot be denied and are even something that would make Aaron Judge jealous. It could very well continue this week as he returns home to the lovely short right porch of Yankee Stadium. For more fantasy goodness, notice the four righties on the schedule, against whom he has 22 homers and a .264 batting average. He’s not a sexy name but when he’s not banging dugout ceilings, he’s doing more than enough to help a fantasy roster.
Super Deep Leagues (< 10% Owned)
Victor Reyes (OF, DET) — 8% owned
He’s probably the cheapest but one of the best adds on this list thanks to the schedule and playing time. Reyes is a mainstay at the top of the lineup for the Tigers and he’s supplied one homer and three stolen bases with a .327AVG over the last two weeks. He doesn’t get much offensive support but hopefully, even his teammates can help with counting stats against the Orioles, Indians, and White Sox. Thankfully, he only faces one elite arm in Mike Clevinger.
Dexter Fowler (OF, STL) — 9% Owned
Age is catchup up to him, but Fowler is still able to be productive for fantasy rosters. Over the last two weeks, he’s accrued 10 runs to go with one long ball hitting atop the Cardinals lineup. While he is a switch-hitter, the results tend to favor him batting from the left side as he is hitting .259 versus right-handers this year. Thankfully, he gets four of them on the schedule this week.
Eric Thames (1B/OF, MIL) — 7% owned
Thames is our guy when we need pure power but have little regard for batting average. He’s also the guy you call when there is a right-hander on the mound. This year, he’s hitting .281 against righties at home, as is the case this week when the Brewers host the Padres and Pirates. As if fate has brought the two together, there are five righties on the schedule this week for Thames mash.
Trent Grisham (OF, MIL) — 8% owned
Thames isn’t the only one to get giddy seeing five right-handers on the docket. Grisham, even in 111 at-bats, has proven that hitting righties is kind of his thing. He’s hit four homers with 10RBI, and a .277AVG in 83 at-bats against them this year. The same cannot be said versus southpaws so don’t get too ambitious at this point in the season.
More Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
