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Kevin Hickey's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for outfielders and Week 18 of the 2023 MLB season. Consider adding and streaming these free agent hitters.
This article will discuss fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for the outfield in Week 18 -- July 24 through July 30. Whether your team is derailed by injuries or you’re simply ready to give up on your draft day darlings, navigating the waiver wire will be crucial to finding long-term success in fantasy baseball.
As we move through the season, trends fluctuate, and we must learn to react on the fly. When it comes to hot streaks, you have to act fast, or you may miss out. This set of outfield-eligible players may not all have the longest track records, or their success could be considered unsustainable. However, you have to take risks early in the season in order to uncover your breakout stars. It will already be too late if you wait until these names are established.
Names listed are in order of roster percentage, not confidence ranking. Position eligibility and roster percentage are based on Yahoo!, so check your leagues for availability!
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Outfield Waiver Wire Adds - Standard Leagues
Jack Suwinski, Pittsburgh Pirates - 43% Rostered
Jack Suwinski has been highlighted on this list several times throughout the 2023 campaign, and he continues to trend in the right direction. He's slashing .226/.348/.502 with 20 home runs and seven stolen bases.
Suwinski's batting average isn't likely to improve much, but he gets on base consistently thanks to an elite 14.9% walk rate. The Pirates have recently elevated Suwinski into a leadoff batting role, and he should feature prominently in their lineup through the rest of the season.
A .221 xBA and 32.9% strikeout rate underscore the downside to Suwinski's offensive approach, though the underlying numbers do more to bolster his ceiling. Suwinski carries an impressive .530 xSLG, alongside similarly great numbers like a .376 xwOBA, 50.9% hard-hit rate, 92.1 mph average exit velocity, and 19.3% barrel rate.
He's also demonstrated fantastic plate discipline, chasing pitches out of the zone at a minuscule 16.3% rate. Suwinski should remain one of the league's premier power hitters.
Alex Kirilloff, Minnesota Twins - 22% Rostered
This is Alex Kirilloff's debut on this list. He's had a tough time establishing consistent playing time and consistent production at the plate this season, but the lefty may have finally turned a corner. Kirilloff has hit safely in five of his six appearances this past week.
That includes four multi-hit performances, four home runs, and eight total extra-base hits during that span. While he remains in a strong-side platoon, the Twins have rewarded Kirilloff with a top-three spot in their batting order.
Overall, Kirilloff boasts an impressive .284/.372/.468 slash line with eight home runs and a 135 wRC+ through 63 games this season. That includes a strong .343 xwOBA, .271 xBA, and 10% walk rate. Kirilloff showcased more prolific power numbers during his minor league days, so the 25-year-old may only just be starting to unlock his potential.
Patrick Wisdom, Chicago Cubs - 19% Rostered
Following a red-hot April, Patrick Wisdom came crashing back down to Earth. Due to time lost with injury and a horrible slump, he recorded just four home runs and 13 total hits across 31 games between May and June.
Now with his wrist injury seemingly behind him, Wisdom is heating up again at the plate. Over his last four starts, he's generated three home runs, bringing his season total to 17 through 66 games.
Wisdom features a similar batting profile to Suwinski or Joey Gallo. Overlooking his ugly .218 xBA, Wisdom has a serious power-hitting upside. He sports an outstanding .499 xSLG, 53.7% hard-hit rate, 92.3 mph average exit velocity, .346 xwOBA, and 20.7% barrel rate.
The ceiling is obvious enough to see. Wisdom has struggled to maintain an everyday spot in the Cubs' lineup. With his bat catching fire and the team likely selling heading into the trade deadline, expect more consistent playing time down the stretch.
Kerry Carpenter, Detroit Tigers - 13% Rostered
Kerry Carpenter's fantasy ownership is slowly climbing as people become more aware of him. It's easy to overlook anybody wearing a Detroit Tigers uniform, but their offense is quietly coming to life. Carpenter carries a .260/.322/.497 slash line with 11 home runs and a 125 wRC+.
He missed extended time due to injury, limiting him to just 55 games so far. Carpenter has still firmly established himself in the heart of the Tigers' batting order with the time he's had.
Looking under the hood, Carpenter's underlying numbers suggest he'll continue to produce. He sports a .491 xSLG, .351 xwOBA, 45.2% hard-hit rate, .258 xBA, 90.6 mph average exit velocity, and 12.6% barrel rate.
Further, Carpenter flashed phenomenal power numbers in the minors, slugging 30 home runs across 98 games in 2022. It wouldn't be surprising to see him continue to trend upward.
Outfield Waiver Wire Adds - Deeper Leagues
Sal Frelick, Milwaukee Brewers - 7% Rostered
Sal Frelick is the latest high-profile prospect to be called up. He's the second-ranked prospect in the Brewers' farm system and the No. 17 prospect in all of baseball, per MLB Pipeline.
His 2023 numbers aren't very exciting, carrying a .251/.344/.353 slash line through 43 games in Triple-A. That said, a thumb injury has hindered him for most of the season, and Frelick's larger track record speaks to his potential.
Frelick boasts a career .314/.393/.451 slash line through 197 minor league games. He carries a 70-grade hit tool and 70-grade running ability. That includes just 15 home runs, though an 11.7% strikeout rate and 44 stolen bases highlight his upside.
The hope is that Frelick's power will continue to develop, but his advanced approach at the plate should translate into a high batting average.
Travis Jankowski, Texas Rangers - 4% Rostered
Travis Jankowski isn't as exciting a pickup as some others on this list, but it's hard to deny his efficacy. Through 61 games, he boasts a .325/.413/.416 slash line with 14 stolen bases and a 140 wRC+. His power is virtually nonexistent, hitting one home run this season and only 10 total across his 531-game MLB career.
Jankowski's value is largely a product of his environment. With Corey Seager departing to the injured list, Jankowski assumes a spot in the two-hole of the Rangers' lineup. Sandwiched between players like Marcus Semien, Nate Lowe, and Adolis Garcia, Jankowski will be able to accrue fantasy points in a variety of ways.
Singles, walks, and stolen bases are Jankowski's bread and butter. With the caliber of the Texas offense, that will result in more runs and runs batted in.
Trey Cabbage, Los Angeles Angels - 1% Rostered
Digging deep into the depths of the waiver wire, we find Trey Cabbage. He's the beneficiary of all the recent injuries to the Angels' roster. Cabbage is making the most of his moment, too, slashing .333/.333/.667 with a home run and two doubles through his first six career games.
It stands to reason that Cabbage will cool off, but the 26-year-old rookie may have a higher ceiling than he's given credit for.
Cabbage is not a particularly heralded prospect, but his output in the minor leagues has been noteworthy. Through 81 games in Triple-A this season, Cabbage boasts a .287/.358/.576 slash line with 23 home runs and 24 stolen bases. Cabbage also posted a 1.098 OPS across 30 appearances in Double-A in 2022, so he's been upward trending for a few years now.
Realistically, Cabbage may not stick around on the Angels' MLB roster once the team gets more healthy. However, if he keeps producing like this, Cabbage is going to force them into a tough decision.
More Players To Consider
- Jake McCarthy, Diamondbacks - 49% rostered
- Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals - 47% rostered
- Marcell Ozuna, Braves - 40% rostered
- Andrew McCutchen, Pirates - 28% rostered
- Tommy Pham, Mets - 22% rostered
- Will Benson, Reds - 15% rostered
More Deep-League Players To Consider
- Joey Gallo, Twins - 10% rostered
- Blake Sabol, Giants - 7% rostered
- Randal Grichuk, Rockies - 6% rostered
- Jesus Sanchez, Marlins - 4% rostered
- Max Kepler, Twins - 4% rostered
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