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Welcome back, RotoBallers! This article will discuss our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the outfield in Week 23, August 26 through September 1. With the fantasy playoffs getting dangerously close, each waiver wire decision carries higher stakes. It's still not too late for many fantasy managers to work their way into a postseason slot.
Roster spots and playing time are changing league-wide every day. Fantasy managers better be ready to stay on their feet as the summer winds down and adapt to evolving situations. This article will highlight the guys deserving more attention this week, including a critical name returning from the injured list.
The names in this article are in order of rostered percentage and are not indicative of a confidence ranking. Rostered percentages can change quickly, so check your leagues for availability.
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Outfield Waiver Wire Adds - Standard Leagues
Starling Marte, New York Mets (53% Rostered)
Starling Marte was activated off this injured list this past week, making him one of the most reliable options widely available on the waiver wire. The 35-year-old is slashing a respectable .279/.327/.415 with seven home runs and 13 stolen bases over 70 games played in 2024.
While Marte's surface numbers look good, the advanced stats suggest he is striking the ball better than he has in years. His impressive batted-ball metrics include a .300 xBA, .455 xSLG, 46% hard-hit rate, and a 90.3 MPH average exit velocity. Between a functional hitting approach and worthwhile speed, Marte can satisfy numerous offensive categories.
Lawrence Butler, Oakland Athletics (39% Rostered)
Lawrence Butler was the hottest hitter in baseball during July, posting a 1.210 OPS with 10 home runs and a 232 wRC+. Since then, he has cooled off considerably, and his rostered percentage has abruptly dropped. Still, Butler's bat is showing signs of life again, hitting safely in four of his last five contests and making him an excellent buy-low candidate.
While Butler has proven to be a streaky hitter this season, his underlying numbers tell us he should be able to maintain a worthwhile level of success at the plate. He has produced a .471 xSLG, 10.4% barrel rate, 47.6% hard-hit rate, and a 91.5 MPH average exit velocity. If Butler gets hot again, he offers league-winning upside.
Michael Toglia, Colorado Rockies (32% Rostered)
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, don't overlook Michael Toglia.
Following a cold start to the season, Toglia has been hot at the dish this summer. He posted a .880 OPS with nine home runs in July, followed by a .869 OPS and 132 wRC+ so far in August. Overall, Toglia is up to a strong .791 OPS with 20 home runs in 2024 and deserves more consideration in fantasy leagues.
Looking under the hood, Toglia's advanced numbers suggest his bat should stay hot. His underrated batted-ball metrics include a .525 xSLG, 17.2% barrel rate, 50.5% hard-hit rate, and a 92.3 MPH average exit velocity. Toglia offers the type of ceiling that wins championships.
Dylan Crews, Washington Nationals (25% Rostered)
Certainly, Dylan Crews is the most noteworthy name on this list. Earlier this week, news arrived that the Washington Nationals will call up the 2023 second-overall draft pick for his major league debut on Monday. Crews deserves to be on every fantasy manager's radar.
Dylan Crews has been hot in August 🔥
17 G
4 HR
14 RBI
15 R
5 SB
.306/.366/.542/.908@Nationals | @RocRedWings | @Nats_PlayerDev pic.twitter.com/EIWQ3i9fLa— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 23, 2024
Crews is the top-ranked prospect in the Washington Nationals farm system and the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball, per MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old possesses the tools to excel in every offensive category, featuring a 60-grade hit tool alongside 60-grade power and 60-grade running ability. Expect Crews to make an immediate impact.
Outfield Waiver Wire Adds - Deeper Leagues
Parker Meadows, Detroit Tigers (9% Rostered)
Following an abysmal 29-game stretch to open the campaign, Parker Meadows was sent down to the minor leagues. Since being recalled last month, he looks completely rehabilitated. Meadows is batting .348 with 10 extra-base hits and six stolen bases across 17 games played. His success has earned him a new role atop the Detroit Tigers batting order.
While Meadows isn't necessarily a top prospect, he has showcased considerable upside in the minor leagues. Prior to his most recent promotion, Meadows generated a .883 OPS with eight home runs and 19 stolen bases across 51 appearances in Triple-A.
Joey Loperfido, Toronto Blue Jays (4% Rostered)
Joey Loperfido was a post-trade deadline winner. After struggling to find consistent playing time with the Houston Astros, the rookie has emerged as an everyday piece of the Toronto Blue Jays lineup. Loperfido has hit his stride recently, producing four multi-hit efforts in his last five games, including two home runs, two triples, and a double in that span.
Old friend Joey Loperfido hits a game-tying HR in the bottom of the 9th vs. the Angels pic.twitter.com/2SV517REgz
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) August 24, 2024
Given Loperfido's prolific minor-league production, his recent success shouldn't be considered a fluke. Loperfido opened the 2024 campaign in Triple-A, producing a .933 OPS with 13 home runs and nine stolen bases over 39 appearances, which built off the 25-home run, 27-stolen base totals he generated last season.
Trevor Larnach, Minnesota Twins (1% Rostered)
If you need some magic this deep on the waiver, Trevor Larnach might be your best shot. The 27-year-old sports a respectable .250/.322/.430 slash line with 12 home runs and a 114 wRC+ this season. Larnach has been limited by a strong-side platoon for most of the season, but he is closer to being an everyday player with Byron Buxton remaining on the injured list.
Larnach's surface numbers aren't attention-grabbing, but the advanced statistics suggest a breakout waiting to happen. His outstanding batted-ball numbers include a .481 xSLG, 92.3 MPH average exit velocity, 9.6% barrel rate, and a 45% hard-hit rate. Larnach is exactly the type of hidden gem you're looking for down here.
More Players to Consider
- Nolan Jones, Colorado Rockies (46% rostered)
- Tommy Edman, Los Angeles Dodgers (44% rostered)
- Ryan O'Hearn, Baltimore Orioles (34% rostered)
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Pittsburgh Pirates (25% rostered)
- MJ Melendez, Kansas City Royals (20% rostered)
- Jhonkensy Noel, Cleveland Guardians (18% rostered)
- Juan Yepez, Washington Nationals (14% rostered)
- Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels (12% rostered)
More Deep-League Players to Consider
- Luke Raley, Seattle Mariners (10% rostered)
- Miguel Andujar, Oakland Athletics (7% rostered)
- Harrison Bader, New York Mets (6% rostered)
- LaMonte Wade Jr., San Francisco Giants (5% rostered)
- Tommy Pham, St. Louis Cardinals (5% rostered)
- Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins (4% rostered)
- Garrett Mitchell, Milwaukee Brewers (2% rostered)
- Jordan Beck, Colorado Rockies (1% rostered)
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