Author: Paul Shapiro, Staff Writer
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often stick a solid hitter in the outfield in an attempt to mask their defensive deficiencies a la Kyle Schwarber.
Whether it’s an owner thinking, “It’s just a hot streak” or the “He’s too old to keep this up” argument, these outfielders are all well worth adding. Now a quarter of the way through the season, these players are in the right situations and are widely available, making them intriguing additions, specifically in deeper leagues.
Josh Reddick could crack 100 runs scored if he remains in the top third of the Astros lineup.Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire
Don’t sleep on these deep-league outfield options as they all provide pickup worthy upside for a Fantasy owner willing to grab a player many others haven’t yet made a move on.
Reddick Remains In Right Spot for Fantasy Success
Josh Reddick will score at least 100 runs and will rack up at least 80 RBIs this season. If that sounds like an overstatement for a 30-year-old that has only eclipsed 80 of either once in his MLB tenure — during a breakout year in Oakland in 2012, when he set career highs with 85 runs scored, 85 RBIs, 32 home runs, and 11 stolen bases — consider this.
Reddick looked like a platoon player coming into the year, but is instead batting second and playing every day in a potent Astros lineup. Batting behind George Springer and in front of the likes of Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and the ageless Carlos Beltran, he should continue to score lots of runs (he has 24 through 43 games). Where Reddick sits in the lineup is his greatest asset and as long as he continues hitting for average (.286/.333/.796), there’s no reason that will change. While that average is 30 points above his career mark, his .295 BABIP says that should stick as well.
For Reddick, it all comes down to playing time. In the last two seasons he’s racked up at least 500 plate appearances, he’s averaged 26 homers, 76 runs scored, and 81 RBIs. If he stays healthy (knock on wood), the outfielder should sit around those numbers with an emphasis on runs scored. He’s settled in nicely atop the Astros lineup and could do the same for yours too, especially in deep leagues.
Speed Gives DeShields Definite Deep-League Appeal
As we pass the quarter pole of the 2017 season, Delino DeShields continues to be a bit of an anomaly. After starting the season as a part-time player, the speedster has been thriving since getting consistent at-bats for the Rangers. While splitting time between the leadoff spot and the nine-hole, the outfielder has scored 18 runs and stolen five bases with a batting average of .325 over the past 30 days.
DeShields is playing too well not to have a spot in the Texas lineup right now, and every time he bats first, his value shoots up. Yes, things could get tricky with the impending return of Adrian Beltre — as a competition for at-bats will ensue — but even if the outfielder loses some playing time, DeShields’ stolen base upside will keep him in the mix in mixed leagues.
He was a deep sleeper before the season and it seems like Fantasy owners haven’t realized just how good he has been since receiving regular playing time. Expect DeShields to continue to contribute, and for him to surpass his previous career high of 25 stolen bases if and when he reaches 300 at-bats this season.
Move Up In Order Vaults Maybin’s Value
Another player that seemingly just needed a more consistent spot in the lineup is Cameron Maybin. Since moving to the leadoff spot on May 16, Maybin has been on fire batting .542 over those six games. The outfielder has racked up 13 hits, nine runs scored, four RBIs, one homer, and one steal in that span and looks like he could stick atop the lineup for at least a couple more weeks.
Maybin is coming off a season in which he batted .315 with an OBP of .383 over 349 at-bats. Sitting at .244 and .370 in his first 38 games in an Angels uniform, it looks like the 30-year-old outfielder may have finally figured it out. Always a tantalizing talent, Maybin has also stolen 10 bases in 11 attempts this season.
The steals alone give him mixed league value, but batting at the top of the lineup in front of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols make him a short-term must-add as long as he’s playing regularly.
Werth Is Well Worth Adding
Jayson Werth is a player who’s simply in the right place at the right time. Hitting in front of three players batting over .325, the veteran is having his best start in years. That’s worked out to the tune of a .287 batting average with six home runs, 23 runs scored and three steals in 129 at-bats so far this season. That’s just not supposed to happen to a player who just turned 38 years old, but pitchers would clearly rather face him than Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, and/or Daniel Murphy.
With Werth’s consistent power numbers over his career — 16 or more homers in seven of the past nine seasons (he was injured in the two he didn’t reach that mark) — along with batting second in a stacked Nationals lineup, you could do a lot worse in many mixed leagues. The veteran outfielder seems to always be a name coming on or off the waiver wire, but I think it’s time for him to stick in deep leagues for the remainder of 2017.
Pham May Be More Than Just A Fill In
Tommy Pham is hitting his way into an everyday spot for the Cardinals. Even with Stephen Piscotty’s return from the disabled list, Pham should continue to play enough to merit a roster spot in deeper leagues.
In just 51 plate appearances this year, the outfielder is batting .294 with three homers, 11 runs scored, nine RBIs, and three steals (in five attempts). While it’s not likely for Pham to keep up this pace, the 29-year-old has racked up 17 jacks in 144 games over parts of the past three seasons, proving the outfielder can handle big league pitching.
With Memorial Day just around the corner, go grab these deep-league outfield options to help get your squad through the upcoming dog days of summer.
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