Waiver Wire: Outfield Support Part 2
By Bill Pivetz
Jun 22, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder
Carlos Beltran(36) hits an RBI double against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Despite there being at least 90 outfield options, it’s like there is no one available to pick up from the waiver wire. That actually isn’t the case. With injuries and call ups, there are plenty of players out there. If you need help in the outfield do it now. The fantasy season is already halfway over. Here are four players to choose from for this week and beyond.
The stint with the New York Yankees has not panned out well for anyone. The Yankees paid a lot of money for an older player (tell me if you heard that before) and Beltran has the benefit of the short right-field fence. Yet, he has just 22 home runs and .244 average in 168 games with New York.
April of the 2015 season might have been his worth month in his career. He hit just .162, no home runs, seven RBI and 21:5 K:BB rate. Just terrible. However, things looked to have changed this month. He is 19-for-58 (.328) with three home runs and an 11:6 K:BB rate.
Beltran is making good contact with the ball and looks to have his power back, too. He is owned in just 31.3 percent of ESPN.com leagues. He is an low-tier OF5 option, but can still help with your counting stats.
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For someone who fractured his wrist three weeks ago (June 2), Byrd picked up right where he left off. In his first game back, Byrd went 1-for-4 with a solo home run. He is 4-for-15 in his first four games back. The Cincinnati Reds have been hitting the ball well this month, 25 home runs (seventh) and 85 RBI (12th) in 20 June games.
Byrd is not a hitter who will give you stats all across the board. His .217 average might not get better, but his 11 home runs, 24 runs and 26 RBI are numbers you want on your team. He is owned in 15.9 percent of leagues. I like him a lot better than Beltran, so is they are both there, Byrd is my top choice.
Kevin Kiermaier and Joey Butler
The reason I list these two together is because the Tampa Bay Rays are going with a platoon in the outfield. Alongside Steven Souza, David DeJesus and Brandon Guyer, the Rays use Kiermaier and Butler. Somehow, it seems to be working.
Butler has spent most of the season as the team’s DH, but he does have some playing time in left field. He has six home runs and 20 RBI with a .338 batting average. He has dual eligibility as DH and outfield. So, if you own him, you have a little more flexibility with your lineup. Kiermaier is the team’s center fielder, but sits at times in favor of Guyer. Kiermaier has four home runs with 15 RBI, but he gets the edge because of his speed and plate discipline. He has eight stolen bases and a 41:10 K:BB rate.
Both players are widely available in all leagues. Butler is 42.2 percent owned while Kiermaier is at 11.5 percent. Kiermaier gets the edge because of the playing time, but Butler is a nice deep-league add.