By July, many fantasy baseball managers suffer from fatigue and impatience, leading them to cut ties with underperforming players too quickly. This creates a golden opportunity for savvy owners to capitalize on the timeless adage, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
The waiver wire is currently littered with discarded talent — players who endured severe first-half struggles but possess the pedigree to turn around your season. If you are desperate for outfield help, it is time to sift through the recycling bin and claim these forgotten stars.
Look no further than Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter as the prime example of this phenomenon. Entering the season, DeLauter was heralded as one of the hottest rookies in baseball, flashing immense power and advanced plate discipline during his promotion.
Nevertheless, his performance suddenly cratered, leading to a “mysterious” and painful slump that stretched throughout the month of May and into early June. As his batting average plummeted, frustrated fantasy managers cut bait, dropping him in numerous leagues.
The mystery was finally solved when medical imaging revealed an undiagnosed rib fracture. The Guardians placed DeLauter on the IL, giving his body the time it desperately needed to heal. He has been back in the lineup for a week now, and the results speak for themselves.
DeLauter has collected hits in five-straight games, showcasing the explosive bat speed and barrel control we witnessed back in April. He is fully healthy, highly motivated, and rapidly returning to elite rookie form. If he is sitting on your waiver wire, pick him up immediately before your opponents realize he is back.
Another excellent target hiding in plain sight is Marlins outfielder Owen Caissie. He generated massive hype in the spring, earning a spot in the starting lineup. Unfortunately, the transition to regular-season pitching was rocky. Caissie struggled heavily all through April, striking out at a high clip and failing to generate power. Panic ensued, and he was promptly dropped by a large percentage of fantasy managers.
Since that low point, Caissie has been quietly riding the comeback trail. Though his overall season-long numbers still look muted and do not jump off the page, his recent underlying metrics tell a different story. Caissie closed out the month of June on a tear, recording hits in eight of his last nine games. More importantly, the power has returned — he blasted two home runs and drove in seven runs during that span.
Caissie is finally adjusting to big league breaking balls and making harder contact. Moving forward, he should be a highly consistent producer in a Marlins lineup that gives him every opportunity to play. Though he might not single-handedly carry your team, he offers immense value as a reliable fifth outfielder or a high-upside utility option.
Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting
Do not let preseason biases or ugly May statistics blind you to current trends. Winning a fantasy championship requires adaptability. Check your waiver wire today, rescue these elite talents from the trash heap, and watch them become the treasure that powers your second-half surge.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy, catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Ch. 87) weekdays from 6-8 p.m. and dominate your leagues with the latest baseball news and advice from Fantasy Alarm.
