X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2

Sam Chinitz's fantasy baseball outfielders who are potential waiver wire pickups for Week 2 of the 2020 MLB season. Consider adding and streaming these free agent OF options.

Only three days’ worth of games separate last week’s waiver wire from this week’s, but there are still new players worth picking up this week. In addition to players making their first appearance on this list, some players still aren’t close as highly rostered as they should be after last week.

With that in mind, I’ll go through some outfielders who should be priority waiver pickups for fantasy managers this week. Rostered amounts for waiver pickups will be based on Yahoo leagues with standard 5x5 scoring, and the cutoff is 50% rostered or less.

All of the players recommended this week are rostered in fewer than 40% of leagues, so there’s a good chance that most are achievable in your league, regardless of how deep it may be. For fantasy managers in particularly deep leagues, I’ve also included four outfielders rostered in fewer than 20% of leagues.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Shallow-League Pickups

Ian Happ (OF, CHC) - 38% rostered

The universal DH has created a clear path to consistent playing time for Happ this season, and 25-year-old wasted no time showing off his power with a 422 ft home run on Opening Day. Happ hasn’t posted a barrel rate below 12% in any of the past three seasons, and his career .459 xwOBA on contact is elite.

Like many other hitters with his contact quality profile though, Happ will need to get his strikeout rate down to make him worthwhile for most fantasy managers. Encouragingly, Happ’s swinging-strike rate has been trending in the right direction for most of the past two seasons.

Happ opened the season with a better than usual 13% swinging-strike rate this year, and if he can keep it in that range, then his strikeout rate should fall towards 25%. That should allow Happ to post an OPS around .800, making him worth picking up in most leagues, considering that playing time should come fairly easily.

Aaron Hicks (OF, NYY) - 15% rostered

I’m not exactly sure who still needs to hear this, but Aaron Hicks is good. Despite it being clear that Hicks is healthy and the everyday Yankees center fielder this season, Hicks’s rostered rate went up only six points over the past week, and he’s still rostered in less than 20% of leagues. Even with a Tommy John-shortened down year last season, Hicks managed to post a .762 OPS while being on pace for a 33 home run season.

Hicks is a legitimate nine-home run, four-stolen base threat this season, and it’s absurd that he’s available in 85% of leagues. If you need any more reasons to pick Hicks up, he’s projected to bat fifth for most games in a lineup that led the league in runs last season and only got healthier over the offseason. Hick should be rostered in well over 50% of leagues, and he should be an easy waiver pickup this week.

Trent Grisham (OF, SD) - 23% rostered

Grisham has claimed the starting center field job for the Padres this season, and he’s worth picking up in most leagues this week -- especially for fantasy managers looking for speed. After stealing 33 bases per 162 games over his minor league career, Grisham joins a Padres team that attempted the 12th most stolen bases in baseball last season and already attempted two steals on Opening Day.

In addition to his potential on the basepaths, Grisham offers some power, with both of his batted balls leaving the bat at more than 90 mph on Friday. Add in the fact that Grisham posted a palatable 21% strikeout rate in the minor leagues to go with a strong 16% walk rate, and Grisham becomes worth adding in most leagues this week.

 

Deeper-League Pickups

Jose Peraza (2B/SS/OF, BOS) - 10% rostered

Peraza smoked a 107 mph single as part of a four-hit Opening Day, and that should have fantasy managers optimistic about a bounceback year for the 26-year-old this season. Peraza’s contact quality was the worst of his career last season with a .310 xwOBA on contact, and it was a significant factor in his BABIP dropping from .307 in 2018 to .268 last season.

OBP is crucial for Peraza’s success because of his ability to steal more than 20 stolen bases (over 162 games), and that Peraza’s contact quality looks strong early is encouraging. To put Peraza’s Opening Day into context, Peraza hit 31 batted balls with an exit velocity north of 105 mph in 2018 compared to just 17 last season. Getting some consistent power back should allow Peraza to get his OBP back up around .340 this season, making him worth rostering in deeper leagues, especially for fantasy managers in need of speed.

Kyle Lewis (OF, SEA) - 16% rostered

Lewis had a disappointing minor league career, but he’s thrived in the major leagues so far with .904 OPS and seven home runs over his first 19 career MLB games. Lewis is probably going to have a strikeout rate around 30% this season after posting a 25% career strikeout rate in the minor leagues and a 19% swinging-strike rate so far in his major league career, but his power is exciting.

Lewis crushed a 438 ft home run with a 110.9 mph exit velocity on Opening Day, and his 90.7 mph career average exit velocity is excellent, even if it is a small sample. Lewis may eventually cool off this season, but even a relatively short hot streak is significant in a 60 game season. Combined with Lewis’s impressive potential, the 25-year-old’s hot start makes him worth picking up in deeper leagues this week.

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (OF, TB) - 19% rostered

Tsutsugo got off to a strong start to his MLB career, clubbing a 407 ft home run on Opening Day. Tsutsugo brings strong power to the MLB after averaging 33 home runs per 162 games over 10 seasons in Japan, and he should be an everyday outfielder for the Rays at least until Austin Meadows returns to the team.

Even when Meadows does return, there’s a good chance that Tsutsugo winds up finding consistent playing time, especially if the 28-year-old stays hot to start the season. More immediately, Tsutsugo’s power and a series against the Orioles in Baltimore next week make Tsutsugo worth a pickup this week.

 

Looking Ahead

Victor Reyes (OF, DET) - 2% rostered

Reyes sat on both Friday and Saturday as the fourth outfielder for the Tigers, but he should be on the radar of fantasy managers in case playing time opens up in the Detroit outfield. Reyes boasts a combination of solid contact skills (9.5% swinging-strike rate last season) and contact quality (35% line drive rate) that makes him a breakout candidate if he adds power again this season. 

If Reyes manages to add another tick or two to his average exit velocity this season, then a .800 OPS is within reach. With Christin Stewart and Cameron Maybin blocking him on the depth chart, Reyes should see an opportunity for playing time sooner rather than later, and fantasy managers should be ready when he does.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

NFL14 mins ago

Cam Jurgens, Eagles Agree On Four-Year Extension
C.J. Stroud37 mins ago

Expects To Be "Running The Show" In New Offense
J.J. McCarthy46 mins ago

"No Limitations" For J.J. McCarthy
San Francisco 49ers53 mins ago

Fred Warner Could Stay Away From Offseason Program
Ousmane Dieng55 mins ago

Still Out On Tuesday
George Kittle58 mins ago

May Not Take Part In Offseason Workouts
Kevin Love1 hour ago

Remains Away From Team
Brock Purdy1 hour ago

Might Not Participate In Voluntary Workouts
Terry Rozier1 hour ago

Hurts Ankle Monday
New York Jets1 hour ago

Jets Picking Up Jermaine Johnson's Fifth-Year Option
New York Jets1 hour ago

Jets Picking Up Sauce Gardner's Fifth-Year Option
Damian Lillard1 hour ago

Officially Listed As Questionable For Game 2
Garrett Wilson1 hour ago

Jets Picking Up Garrett Wilson's Fifth-Year Option
Isaiah Stewart2 hours ago

Ruled Out For Game 2 Against Knicks
Spencer Strider2 hours ago

Placed On 15-Day Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Tobias Myers2 hours ago

To Start On Thursday Against Giants
Trent Frederic2 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Monday
Leon Draisaitl2 hours ago

Returns To Oilers Lineup For Postseason Opener
Logan Henderson2 hours ago

Heading Back To Triple-A
Jake Walman2 hours ago

Available For Game 1
Craig Yoho2 hours ago

Brewers Calling Up Craig Yoho
Brett Kulak2 hours ago

Ready To Play Monday
Christian Walker2 hours ago

Getting A Day Off
Aliaksei Protas2 hours ago

Expected To Return During First-Round Series
Mark Vientos2 hours ago

Still Absent Against Phillies
Nick Lodolo2 hours ago

Activated From Paternity List, Starting On Monday
Miro Heiskanen2 hours ago

Out On Monday
Jeimer Candelario2 hours ago

Out Again On Monday
Ross Colton3 hours ago

Uncertain For Game 2
Luis Arraez3 hours ago

Going On Seven-Day Injured List
Gabriel Landeskog3 hours ago

Activated From Injured Reserve
Nick Kurtz3 hours ago

A's Calling Up Nick Kurtz
Javier Báez3 hours ago

Javier Baez Starting In Center Field On Monday
Keider Montero3 hours ago

Starting On Monday Against Padres
Jace Jung4 hours ago

Recalled And Starting On Monday For Tigers
Kerry Carpenter4 hours ago

Out On Monday, Not Going On Injured List
Jorbit Vivas4 hours ago

Yankees Recall Prospect Jorbit Vivas
Trent Grisham4 hours ago

Placed On Paternity List
Ben Rice4 hours ago

Still Out On Monday
Chase Meidroth4 hours ago

White Sox Place Chase Meidroth On 10-Day Injured List
Kyle Stowers5 hours ago

Sitting Against Southpaw
Jake Rogers5 hours ago

Plays Catch On Monday
Triston McKenzie5 hours ago

Designated For Assignment
Auston Matthews11 hours ago

Finishes Game 1 With Two Assists
Mitchell Marner11 hours ago

Totals Three Points In Postseason Opener
Matt Boldy11 hours ago

Bags Two Goals In Losing Effort
Brett Howden11 hours ago

Scores Twice In Sunday's Win
Logan Stankoven11 hours ago

Nets Two Goals In Game 1 Victory
Brenden Dillon11 hours ago

Makes Early Exit Sunday
Cody Glass12 hours ago

Injured In Game 1 Loss
Jayden Daniels1 day ago

Focused On Improving In 2025
Isaiah Stewart1 day ago

Iffy For Monday Night
Aaron Gordon1 day ago

Listed As Probable For Game 2
Gabriel Vilardi1 day ago

To Remain Out For Game 2
Logan Thompson1 day ago

Could Be An Option Monday
Martin Fehérváry1 day ago

Martin Fehervary Iffy For Game 1
Tanner Jeannot1 day ago

Remains Week-To-Week, Out For Game 1
Zeev Buium1 day ago

Makes NHL Debut In Playoff Opener
Anthony Stolarz1 day ago

Makes First Career Postseason Start
1 day ago

Washington Hosts Tre Harris
NFL1 day ago

Will Johnson Visits With Seattle
NFL1 day ago

Devon Key Sticking With Denver
Jaylen Brown2 days ago

Not Expected To Be Limited On Sunday
Irv Smith2 days ago

Houston Re-Signs Irv Smith Jr.
Ja Morant3 days ago

Cleared To Play Friday
Brandon Williams3 days ago

Available Against Grizzlies
Anthony Davis3 days ago

Will Play Friday Night
Gary Trent Jr.3 days ago

Available For Game 1 Against Pacers
Taurean Prince3 days ago

Returns To Bucks Lineup Saturday
NFL3 days ago

Justin Hardee Sr. Waived With Non-Football Injury
Isaiah Stewart3 days ago

To Return For Game 1
Ausar Thompson3 days ago

Available For Game 1
Rui Hachimura3 days ago

On Track To Play Saturday
Austin Reaves3 days ago

Ready To Go For Game 1
NFL3 days ago

Bills Release Armani Rogers, Branson Deen
Luka Dončić3 days ago

Luka Doncic Removed From Injury Report
LeBron James3 days ago

Listed As Probable For Game 1
Ben Sheppard3 days ago

Probable For Saturday's Game 1
NFL3 days ago

Kolton Miller Absent From Raiders' Voluntary Offseason Program
Kevin Durant3 days ago

To Houston Already Losing Steam
NFL3 days ago

Ross Blacklock Let Go By New York
NFL3 days ago

Raiders Considering Drafting A Quarterback
Irv Smith3 days ago

Sticking With Texans
NFL3 days ago

Texans Expected To Draft Wide Receivers
Ryan Blaney4 days ago

Bold Strategies Fall Flat, Still Musters A Top-Five Finish At Bristol
Lucas Glover5 days ago

Looks To Rebound After Poor Performance
Daniel Berger5 days ago

Looking To Continue Solid Play At RBC
Sepp Straka5 days ago

Looking To Bounce Back At RBC
Justin Thomas5 days ago

Looking To Shake Off Poor Masters At RBC Heritage
Xander Schauffele5 days ago

Still Looking For Year's First Win At RBC Heritage
Austin Dillon5 days ago

Nabs His First Top-10 Finish Of The 2025 Season At Bristol
Maverick McNealy5 days ago

Is An Intriguing Play At RBC Heritage
Shane Lowry5 days ago

Looks To Shake Off Poor Masters Sunday At RBC Heritage
Will Zalatoris5 days ago

Eyes A Bounce-Back At RBC Heritage
Gary Woodland5 days ago

Could Add Some Surprise At Hilton Head
Sam Burns5 days ago

Hoping For Better Times At RBC Heritage
Sahith Theegala5 days ago

Still Trying To Put It All Together
Aaron Rai5 days ago

Might Be That Guy For Hilton Head
Robert MacIntyre5 days ago

All Or Nothing At RBC Heritage
Tom Hoge5 days ago

Still Playing Solid Heading To Hilton Head
Nick Dunlap6 days ago

Continues To Have Rough Stretch
Keegan Bradley6 days ago

Looks To Move On From Masters Performance
Matt Fitzpatrick6 days ago

A Boom-Or-Bust Option At RBC Heritage
Patrick Cantlay6 days ago

A Strong Play At RBC Heritage
Jordan Spieth6 days ago

Targets Another Strong RBC Heritage Showing
Collin Morikawa6 days ago

Eyeing Victory At RBC Heritage
Max Homa6 days ago

Breaks Through At The Masters
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF