Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 20

August 8, 2021

Brian Entrekin's fantasy baseball outfielders are potential waiver wire pickups for Week 20. Consider adding and streaming these free agent outfield options.

We have completed another week of MLB action, and we have experienced more injuries, and most teams need more and more replacements. The dust from the trade deadline has settled, and we have a bit of a better feel on the future of some potential outfield adds. We will discuss a couple below, but more moving and shaking will be as we see more call-ups. A couple of other notes to think about as well as you set your FAAB this week. Red Sox prospect Jarren Duran headed to the COVID IL with JD Martinez so that some value may pop up based on weekend lineup usage. Also, the Reds may get another nice piece back to their potent lineup with the return of Nick Senzel in the coming weeks. Always something going on, so feel free to ask me any questions on Twitter.

Some outfielders would be better suited to stream for a hot bat. Others need to be replaced just because they are no longer on the field (IL). Unfortunately, that is a situation that affects many managers. You can do nothing except finding a suitable replacement as quickly as possible or risk losing valuable counting stats. This week's article will focus on deeper league adds or even players to take fliers on as we head into the second half of the season. If you have questions about other players, always feel free to ask me on Twitter. This article will discuss waiver wire targets for the outfield in Week 20, August 9 through August 15.

In the first few weeks, rostered percentages can change quickly. So be quick to check your leagues for their availability. When you want to chat it up regarding outfielders, prospects, or dynasty leagues, message me directly on Twitter @bdentrek. Key points - this list will focus on rostered players in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues.

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Jarred Kelenic, Seattle Mariners

42% Rostered

Most of us were super pumped when Kelenic got the call early in the season just to be let down after a really rough start. Rough starts that happen for young players transitioning to the big leagues. However, once back at triple-A, Kelenic once again proved he could hit. Over the 24 games back in the minors, he hit .306 with 16 extra-base hits, including seven home runs. This great production combined with the Mariners' team needs to earn Kelenic another shot in the bigs.

Things started slow once again for Kelenic, but it appears we may be seeing the future stud breaking out right in front of us. He has hit safely in six of his last nine games with five extra-base hits, including three home runs. Kelenic is mashing the ball, shown by his .324 ISO, but his plate discipline has also been outstanding for a young player. Over the last nine games, Kelenic is only striking out 13.2% of the time while walking 10.5%. The power and plate discipline has led to a very impressive .930 OPS.

We know the talent is there for Kelenic, and we may finally be getting it. For now, he hits eighth for the Mariners, which is not ideal for fantasy, but continued production will increase that spot in the order. If we get the Kelenic, we have seen in the minors. Then we can expect a decent average with power and some speed for the rest of the season. Talent that is hard to see on a lot of waiver wires this late in the season. If looking to gamble on a game-changing splash, then roster Kelenic. If Kelenic is not available in your league, then look into adding Jo Adell as well.

Rafael Ortega, Chicago Cubs

40% Rostered

One of the biggest beneficiaries of the trade deadline was Ortega. In last week's article, I mentioned him as an add, but looking at roster rates, it appears we need to break him down a bit to convince everyone to add him. Since the trade deadline, nine-game, Ortega has hit safely in eight of his last nine games. He is hitting .412 with six extra-base hits (three home runs) and even two stolen bases. His plate discipline is a little mix and match as he walks 10.5% of the time and striking out 31.5% of the time.

Some may say Ortega's power is not this great that the three home run games and .412 ISO aren't sustainable. Well, they probably aren't, but he does have some legit power. In 2019 he hit 21 home runs while stealing 14 bases in triple-A for the Braves, showing the power growth is legit. Plus, who knows what changes were made at the alternate site in 2020.

Ortega is leading off for the Cubs, bringing major fantasy upside. The rest of season projections have Ortega with four home runs and four stolen bases, which is low. I would have Ortega hitting seven or more home runs while stealing another seven-plus stolen bases as well. He will hit for average, and score runs as well in the lead-off spot for the Cubs. Ortega was added in many deep leagues last week, and I would make a point to add him in all 12-team leagues and deeper with an eye even in shallower leagues.

Harrison Bader, St. Louis Cardinals

39% Rostered

There was a ton of hype entering the 2021 season surrounding Bader, but injuries have really made his fantasy production difficult. However, now healthy, Bader is producing, and not just with his gold glove caliber defense. Since the All-Star break, Bader is hitting .333 with three home runs. In addition, he has contributed with nine runs, 11 RBI, and one steal.

Bader has not lit the world on fire, but he has been quite consistent. Since the break, he has a .194 ISO, .908 OPS, and a 145 wRC+, which plays very well in deep leagues. Bader usually hits anywhere from 6-8 in the Cardinals' lineup but has not yet crushed his fantasy value.

Bader brings power and speed to your fantasy roster. Not teammate Tyler O'Neil's power, but good power. Bader is projected for a .245 average with eight home runs and four stolen bases for the rest of the season. I would not be shocked if he added even more stolen bases. Bader is a great addition for deeper leagues and even in some 12-team leagues where a team is looking for speed. I would rather have Ortega leading off, but Bader is a great consolation prize if Ortega is not available. If looking for cheap steals in deep leagues, you can also look at Hoy Park.

Edward Olivares, Kansas City Royals

10% Rostered

Olivares is finally back with the Royals after being yo-yo'd a few times this season. He brings a great offensive skill set to a lineup and would be a potential fantasy stud if the Royals keep him up for the rest of the season. Since his latest recall, Olivares has played in seven games, is hitting .250 with three home runs and a stolen base. In addition, he is only striking out 9.5% of the time, which is elite for a young bat while still showcasing a .450 ISO and .986 OPS.

In triple-A this season, Olivares has been hitting .322 with 13 home runs and 12 stolen bases, showcasing a great power and speed combo. Since his latest recall, Olivares has been hitting in the middle of the Royals lineup, increase his fantasy upside. We could see a fantasy stud if he sticks with the team and continues to hit in favorable spots in the order. I would not be surprised to see another seven or more home runs with five or more stolen bases and a solid average. While Kelenic and Adell are great adds, Olivares could be the best fantasy producer the rest of the season.

Sam Hilliard, Colorado Rockies

5% Rostered

It may really be happening. One of my first articles for Rotoballer last season was a Hilliard sleeper article. I have believed in his skill set for some time. I have written about Hilliard in multiple DFS articles the past week, and his production has been outstanding. Over the last 10 games, Hilliard is loading up those fantasy stats. He is hitting .333 with seven extra-base hits and even a stolen base. In addition, he has a .455 ISO with a 1.193 OPS and 194 wRC+.

Sure, a few of those games were in Coors, but he has been producing on the road as well. Hilliard still strikes out a bit too much, 27% over the last 10 games, but he is also walking 10.8% of the time. He will always be more popular when playing in Coors. He will also miss games from time to time when LHP is facing the Rockies. For now, though, it appears the Rockies are committed to playing Hilliard regularly.

The regular playing time is great, and maybe an improvement in the batting order could follow. Regardless, Hilliard is very live in deeper leagues, and I would look to add if the outfielders above, as well as Yadiel Hernandez, are not available in your leagues.

More Deeper League Options

Here are a few other really nice deep league adds or players to keep an eye on - Yadiel Hernandez (7%) and Hoy Park (1%).

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