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We are only two weeks deep into the 2023 MLB action, but it's never too early to start submitting waiver claims. This article will discuss fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the outfield in Week 3 - April 10 through April 16. Of course, it is probably too soon to give up on the struggling players that excited you during the draft. However, injuries have already created roster openings, and trading in some of your end-of-the-bench slots for players with higher ceilings can be crucial to fantasy baseball success in the long run.
Given the brief sample size thus far, these selections will be based less on players' recent performance. Instead, this article will highlight the guys who either went overlooked in drafts or young players whose standing with their team has changed significantly for one reason or another. At this stage, everything is speculative, but it's better to get out in front of the trends.
The names in this article are in order of percentage rostered and are not indicative of a confidence ranking. In the first few weeks, rostered percentages can change quickly. So be quick to check your leagues for their availability.
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Esteury Ruiz, Oakland Athletics
44% Rostered
Ruiz hasn't impressed at the major-league level, but the sample size is only 57 at-bats deep. In 114 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season, Ruiz posted 16 home runs and a .974 OPS. Most remarkably, Ruiz led the minor leagues with 85 stolen bases in 2022.
He's capable of impressing with his bat, but what Ruiz does once he's on base will pay dividends for fantasy managers. Playing in a depleted Oakland lineup, Ruiz is getting ample opportunity as an everyday outfielder.
Patrick Wisdom, Chicago Cubs
29% Rostered
Wisdom has smacked 25+ home runs in each of the last two seasons. His power is apparent, and he's showcasing that upside early in 2023. Wisdom owns a .826 slugging percentage with three home runs and two doubles through his first six games.
Obviously, that pace is unsustainable but look to Wisdom as a consistent source of production this season. As an added bonus, he carries multi-positional eligibility, slotting in as an outfielder, first baseman, and third baseman on Yahoo.
Oscar Colas, Chicago White Sox
24% Rostered
We highlighted Colas last week, and the highly-regarded prospect looks to be a mainstay in the White Sox lineup going forward. Eloy Jimenez again landed on the injured list, which coincides with Colas beginning to hit his stride at the plate.
Over the past week, he posted two multi-hit games, and Colas recorded his first career home run. Look for his 60-grade power to more meaningfully surface as Colas gets his footing at the major-league level.
Joey Wiemer, Milwaukee Brewers
10% Rostered
Wiemer's ownership has yet to catch up with his production ceiling. Wiemer is MLB Pipeline's No. 90 ranked prospect in all of baseball, featuring a rare combo of 60-grade power and 60-grade running. Through six games, he owns a .985 OPS with a home run, double, and a stolen base.
Wiemer is presently a bottom-of-the-order bat, but he is getting the opportunity to be an everyday player and can contribute to fantasy production in a variety of ways.
Luke Raley, Tampa Bay Rays
3% Rostered
Raley hit three long balls in his first five games of 2023, doubling his career home run total from 55 prior games at the MLB level. It's surprising, but the power surge didn't exactly come out of nowhere. Raley slugged .529 in 63 Tiple-A games in 2022 and .570 in 72 Triple-A appearances in 2021.
He's struggled to find consistent playing time in the majors, but that may be an issue of the past. Raley has been serving in a strong-side platoon for Tampa Bay, and the loss of Jose Siri to the injured list may open up an everyday playing opportunity for Raley.
More Players To Consider
- Austin Hays, Orioles - 30% rostered
- Ji Hwan Bae, Pirates - 19% rostered
- Oswaldo Cabrera, Yankees - 17% rostered
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