Dalton Del Don reveals the top widely available hitters worth adding to the fantasy baseball waiver list in Week 15.
Brooks Lee, SS, Minnesota Twins (38% rostered)
Lee is a shortstop who is filling in for the injured Royce Lewis at third base in Minnesota. The eighth overall pick in 2022 (shout out to Cal Poly), Lee recorded one hit (with six RBI) during all five games since being called up. He should continue to help batting average with excellent plate discipline, although his fantasy upside will be limited thanks to limited power and speed.
Lee will gain 3B eligibility soon and will benefit from hitting in a Minnesota lineup that has scored the fourth-most runs in baseball this season.
Outman was recalled on Friday after Jason Heyward landed on the IL. Outman totaled 16 home runs/steals in 147 at-bats with a .924 OPS at Triple-A and should be a regular in Los Angeles’ lineup against righties with Heyward sidelined. Outman is a plus defender who hit 23 homers and stole 16 bases in just 483 ABs last year, and he will benefit from hitting in the league’s best lineup (121 wRC+). Outman had a top-150 ADP for a reason and is available in nearly 80% of Yahoo leagues.
García remains available in many fantasy leagues despite an incredibly hot start to July, when he is batting .500 with three homers and a steal. García’s 600-hit pace against right-handed pitchers this season is 26 home runs, 23 stolen bases and 99 RBI (while batting .294). His splits make him more valuable in leagues with daily lineup changes, but García is also running more than ever; his 15 SB attempts are already a career high, as Washington has recorded the third-most steals in MLB this season. With elite contact skills and improved power/speed, García should be drafted in most fantasy leagues.
Keith has recorded three home runs and a steal in the last four games, so the former player may be figuring things out at the plate; he is batting .316 with a .919 OPS in his last 20 games. Keith struggles (and often sits) against lefties, but has been second in Detroit’s lineup in 12 of his last 15 starts. He’s running harder than ever in the minors, and his .245 batting average comes with a .265 expected BA.
Keith is still just 22 – he was called up early thanks to a guaranteed contract – so there is optimism for further growth this season.
Kjerstad remains a more speculative addition thanks to uncertain playing time, but he would be worth adding in every fantasy league if he can secure an everyday role. He has a 164 wRC+ with Baltimore after raising Triple-A this season. Kjerstad struggles with eliminations, but he leads all hitters in average exit velocity over the last 10 days. Camden Yards increased home runs for left-handed hitters in an impressive 32% this yearand the park also cuts eliminations.
The second overall pick in the 2020 draft, Kjerstad has the talent to emerge as an everyday player even in a crowded Baltimore outfield.
