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Welcome back, RotoBallers! This article will discuss our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the outfield in Week 21, August 12 through August 18. With the fantasy playoffs getting increasingly close, it's time to consider our waiver wire options more urgently. For many managers, it's still not too late to turn your season around.
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 of more attention this week, including some interesting post-hype names, like Gavin Lux and Jo Adell.
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
Wilyer Abreu, Boston Red Sox (44% Rostered)
After homering four times over his past seven contests, Wilyer Abreu has been one of the fastest risers in fantasy baseball recently. As a result, his rostered percentage has more than doubled from this time last week. Abreu is up to an impressive .844 OPS with 12 home runs and a 128 wRC+ overall in 2024.
Abreu's advanced numbers go a long way toward validating his success this season. While his 28.7% strikeout rate is far from ideal, the results are too good to ignore when he does make contact. Abreu's fantastic batted-ball metrics include a 50.5% hard-hit rate, .451 xSLG, 12.8% barrel rate, and a 91.3 MPH average exit velocity. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Abreu to hit for a tremendous batting average, but the power production is absolutely worth chasing.
Gavin Lux, Los Angeles Dodgers (33% Rostered)
You are not alone if you had already written off Gavin Lux. After considerable hype, he has rarely resembled the elite offensive talent we were once promised. Since debuting in the majors back in 2019, Lux has generated a career .698 OPS across 370 games played. His 2024 numbers aren't any more encouraging overall, but recent weeks have shown us the best version of Lux yet. Over 19 games since the All-Star break, he sports a spectacular .375/.455/.643 slash line with three home runs and a 204 wRC+.
Gavin Lux being the hottest hitter in baseball was never something I thought I'd tweet pic.twitter.com/P1hHu8q0Av
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) August 4, 2024
Despite his years-long struggles in the majors, it's not far-fetched to think that Lux is finally figuring out how to hit in the major leagues. The former top prospect was a prolific producer in his minor league days, generating 26 home runs and a 1.028 OPS in 2019, up from a .913 OPS the year prior. The potential has always been there for Lux, and at 26 years old, it's not absurd to believe that he can still realize his potential.
Victor Robles, Seattle Mariners (20% Rostered)
It's been 40 games now, and Victor Robles continues to operate as one of the most consequential hitters in the Seattle Mariners offense. Robles has cemented himself a role atop the Mariner's batting order for the time being, slashing .310/.378/.460 with three home runs and 11 stolen bases since joining Seattle. It feels like only a matter of time until Robles catches on, so act now if you hope to roster him.
2024 has all the optics of a breakout season for the 27-year-old, and the advanced metrics support Robles' recent run of success. He sports an outstanding .344 xwOBA alongside similarly fantastic numbers, such as a .451 xSLG and a 9.6% barrel rate. Robles is generating better contact than he ever has before in his career, and with his tremendous base-stealing upside, he is capable of contributing fantasy value across numerous categories.
Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels (12% Rostered)
2024 as a whole hasn't lived up to the torrid first month of the season that Jo Adell showcased. Overall, he is barely over the Mendoza Line, featuring an uninspiring .202/.277/.400 slash line. Still, the fantasy appeal is apparent, with Adell accruing 17 home runs and 14 stolen bases. If the 25-year-old can finish out the season strong, a 25-home run, 20-stolen base campaign is well within reach.
Further, Adell has started to warm up again recently. He's hit safely in all eight games he's played in this month, producing a 134 wRC+. The sample size is small, but if he can catch fire like he did earlier this season, Adell has the type of ceiling that can propel your fantasy team on a playoff run. His gratuitous strikeout numbers have held him back, but a 12% barrel rate and a 45.3% hard-hit rate highlight why Adell is worth monitoring.
Outfield Waiver Wire Adds - Deeper Leagues
Matt Wallner, Minnesota Twins (10% Rostered)
Matt Wallner has been limited to only 33 games played so far in 2024, but the results have been outstanding when he makes it into the lineup. The 26-year-old carries a fantastic .274/.404/.655 slash line this season, That success includes seven home runs and a 192 wRC+. Wallner continues to be limited by a strong-side platoon designation, but it's hard not to get excited about his ceiling.
Matt Wallner since his call up on July 7th has been one of the very best hitters in the world. Not hyperbole… #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/HQ8WXvTyTi
— Jeff (@MNTwinsZealot) August 10, 2024
With the caveat that the sample size is relatively small, Wallner's advanced numbers are nonetheless staggering. As a jumping-off point, he sports a terrific .417 xwOBA. The ability to get on base complements some unbelievable batted-ball metrics, such as a .603 xSLG, 37.2% barrel rate, 67.4% hard-hit rate, and a 96.6 MPH average exit velocity. The obvious hole in Wallner's approach is his strikeout rate, though there is an obvious upside worth chasing.
Parker Meadows, Detroit Tigers (6% Rostered)
Parker Meadows' initial stint in the major leagues earlier this season was dreadful, and his 84 wRC+ overall in 2024 reflects that. Still, it's worth noting that Meadows has shown signs of turning things around. Since being recalled from Triple-A, Meadows has hit safely in all seven appearances. That stretch includes two home runs, two stolen bases, and five multi-hit performances. Meadows may be on the verge of a breakout.
The 24-year-old isn't necessarily viewed as a top prospect in the Detroit Tigers farm system, but his upside is apparent. Over 113 games played in Triple-A in 2023, Meadows produced 19 home runs, 19 stolen bases, and a .812 OPS. After being sent down to the minor leagues earlier this season, he got back on track offensively, generating a .883 OPS across 51 games.
Kyle Stowers, Miami Marlins (1% Rostered)
Kyle Stowers remains an interesting player to watch in the aftermath of the trade deadline. With the Baltimore Orioles, he had seemingly no path to consistent playing time or even a regular spot on the major league roster. However, after being dealt to the Miami Marlins, Stowers is now being given an extended look as an everyday player.
Stowers' name gets lost in the mix of the elite Baltimore Orioles farm system, but he offers tremendous power-hitting upside. The 26-year-old slugged .555 across 58 games in Triple-A this season, up from a .511 slugging percentage in 2023 and a .527 mark in 2022. Stowers isn't likely to emerge as a .300 hitter, but he has a ceiling fantasy managers will not usually find this deep on the waiver wire.
More Players to Consider
- Nolan Jones, Colorado Rockies (49% rostered)
- Joc Pederson, Arizona Diamondbacks (46% rostered)
- Ryan O'Hearn, Baltimore Orioles (42% rostered)
- Juan Yepez, Washington Nationals (36% rostered)
- Michael Toglia, Colorado Rockies (31% rostered)
- Jarred Kelenic, Atlanta Braves (28% rostered)
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Pittsburgh Pirates (24% rostered)
- Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia Phillies (19% rostered)
- Tommy Pham, St. Louis Cardinals (14% rostered)
More Deep-League Players to Consider
- Harrison Bader, New York Mets (9% rostered)
- Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates (7% rostered)
- LaMonte Wade Jr., San Francisco Giants (6% rostered)
- Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins (4% rostered)
- Garrett Mitchell, Milwaukee Brewers (3% rostered)
- Joey Loperfido, Toronto Blue Jays (3% rostered)
- Miguel Vargas, Chicago White Sox (2% rostered)
- Will Brennan, Cleveland Guardians (1% rostered)
- Trevor Larnach, Minnesota Twins (1% rostered)
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