Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

May 12, 2019

Ellis Canady's fantasy baseball outfielders who are potential waiver wire pickups for Week 7. Consider adding and streaming these free agent outfield options.

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 7. 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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Hunter Pence (OF, TEX)

24% Owned

Pence was once thought to be dead and gone. However, he’s returned with uncharacteristic hotness. Pence has not only hit seven homers but also has walked (10) nearly as much as he’s struck out(15). His slash line of .338/.412/.703 is envious by many and will attract many this week.

Pence will have a series on the road against the Royals before returning home to host the Cardinals. He faces five right-handed starters and one lefty this week. Luckily, he’s never had an issue with righties in his career (.281 AVG). With four homers in his last five games, many owners are bound to be trying to pounce on him. Don’t sell the farm, but try to get the hot bat and use it as long as possible.

Jorge Soler (OF, KC)

39% Owned

Soler started the season slow and many followers wrote him off as another streaky hitter not worth owning in most shallow leagues. Well, even if the streakiness is true, now is the perfect time to acquire his services as he has two bombs in the last four games. Though he has a .255 batting average on the season, he’s hit .327 over the last two weeks with 10 RBI. Soler also has a 90.8 mph average exit velocity so any balls he connects with has a chance of going a long way. He does need to improve his 33% strikeout rate though.

Soler will take on the Rangers in Kansas City before traveling to California to face the Angels. During that time, he’ll match up against four right-handed starting pitchers and two southpaws. Historically he’s done better against lefties in his career (.265), but his average against righties (.245) is enough to profit from a minimal investment.

Hunter Renfroe (OF, SD)

34% Owned

Renfroe continues to battle the positional mess that is the Padres Outfield. Of course, the mess only applies to fantasy owners as I’m sure the team is fully satisfied with its depth at the position. In the last two weeks, Renfroe has hit five taters, stole two bases, drove in 12 and hit for a .289 average. One improvement he needs to make is his ability to stay within the zone, as he is chasing 39% of the time.

Renfroe will play a two-game series against the Dodgers where he faces Kershaw and Hill. In total, his opponents are split with three righties and lefties this week. While historically he’s fared much better against lefties than he has right-handers, things have switched in 104 at-bats this year.

Kole Calhoun (OF, LAA)

12% Owned

Calhoun is another of the boring options that people avoid. Fortunately for you, he is widely available and has more prime opportunities to maximize his current hitting run. He has two homers, two stolen bases and a .326 batting average in the last 14 days.

The Angels lineup has improved with the return of Ohtani so there will be an even better potential for success assuming Calhoun keeps up with his hitting ways. Of the six games he plays this week, five of them are against righties which are perfect for our purposes. One thing to keep in mind is that Berrios and Odorizzi are two of those starters. Unless you have better options, I’d start Calhoun as the splits are in his favor compared to normal.

Derek Dietrich (OF/1B/2B, CIN)

38% Owned

Sometimes you just need a guy to hit homers. Dietrich has done exactly that with five homers in the last eight days. While it isn’t terribly bad, that power does come with a .247 average. Most owners will accept that for the power he is providing. If your roster can overcome it, then jump in, feet first.

Be careful starting Dietrich this week as he has some pretty stiff matchups with Kyle Hendricks, Walker Buehler, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Kenta Maeda. Yu Darvish is also on the schedule but he’s not one to fear right now. He’ more likely to walk the batter than get them out.

Alex Verdugo (OF, LAD)

32% Owned

Verdugo is a solid hitter with an ability to get on base (.382 OBP). Though he is playing well, this might not be the best week for him as a whole. For starters, the Dodgers only have a five-game slate this week with a two-game series against the Padres. Unfortunately, Chris Paddack will take one of those starts. The three games in Cincinnati might be enough to more than make up for the lack of games this week.

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