MLB Players To Grab Before the Offseason for Dynasty/Keeper: Outfield

As we hit the final weeks of the fantasy baseball season and many turn their minds to fantasy football, there is an opportunity for you to take advantage. It is easy to see and jump on players who break out early in the season, but many miss those who perform well late.

This week, I will walk position by position and look at some players who may have more value than you think and could not only help your team down the stretch but in 2027 as well.

Today, we look at four MLB outfielders who look the part and have provided value, but are still underrostered. Looking for a outfielder for 2027 or to help down the stretch? This article should help you out.

MLB Middle Infielders to Grab Before the 2026 Season Ends

Henry Bolte, OF, Athletics

Bolte has always been a polarizing player since he was drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft. Being one of the fastest players in the game and playing tstrong outfield defense, Bolte has also flashed plenty of power. But coming up through the minors, Bolte struggled with making contact and also getting the ball in the air.

After tearing up Triple-A this year with 12 home runs and 17 stolen bases while slashing .348/.418/.658 in 177 plate appearances, Bolte earned a promotion to the Majors. He has had his ups and downs but something is clicking for him. Now up to 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 420 plate appearances, Bolte looks the part, especially with the improvements we have seen.

Over his last 190 plate appearances, Bolte has seven home runs, six doubles and nine stolen bases while slashing .315/.405/.491. While hes still striking out at a 27 percent clip over that span, he has a near 90 mph average exit velocity and a 46 percent hard-hit rate.

If you look those 190 plate appearances, you will see a negative two degree launch angle and a 69 percent contact rate. But since the start of September, the contact rate sits at 76 percent, and the average launch angle has trended up.

Bolte hits the cover off the ball with a near 109 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, which is elite. The sprint speed is the best in baseball. Are we buying the late-season gains? It is hard to say because of how streaky Bolte can be. But, even if he is extremely streaky, Bolte looks like a player that could wind up with 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases even if the batting average is lower.

Victor Mesa Jr., OF, Tampa Bay Rays

The Mesa brothers were quite hyped when they signed back in 2018. Victor’s brother Victor Victor was the more hyped of the two, getting a $5.25 million bonus from the Marlins, but Mesa Jr. got a strong $1 million bonus. The career arc has been interesting to follow, but Mesa Jr. finally made his MLB debut last year and struggled; things changed this year. While he has missed time with injury, Mesa dominated in his 101 Triple-A plate appearances and has legitimately earned his spot in the MLB lineup.

Playing solid outfield defense, Mesa has also swung the bat extremely well. Over his last 96 plate appearances, Mesa is slashing .345/.400/.713 with seven home runs, three triples, and five doubles. He has also added five stolen bases.

The results have come with some tangible changes. Not only has Mesa added nearly two mph of bat speed, but he has also changed his swing, starting more open and improving his attack angle. Mesa has found himself deeper in the box and closer to the plate with less distance between his feet. The changes have led to some really good things.

Mesa’s exit velocities won’t wow you, being closer to average, but he is squaring up the ball significantly more and pulling it in the air at a high rate. He has shown a strong tendency to take advantage of pitches in the zone and is making respectable contact. Mesa has legit speed and enough power to make him a fun power/speed threat. Buy in!

Lawrence Butler, OF, Athletics

Butler broke out back in 2024 in his 451 MLB plate appearances with the Athletics. Struggles in 2025 carried over into 2026, and overall it has not been a good season. Since the All-Star break, Butler has looked much better, hitting 11 home runs with eight doubles and a triple while slashing .282/.361/.525. So, what has changed?

Over the last two months, Butler has seen his exit velocities improve. The 90th percentile has leaped to 106 mph, and the barrel rate is up to 11.5 percent since the All-Star break. The barrel rate for the year is at eight percent, so that has trended in the right direction all year.

The chase rate has improved, as has his contact ability. After running a contact rate of 67 percent last season, Butler has seen that number improve to 74 percent this year and has trended up to 76 percent since the All-Star break.

Is Butler prone to being streaky? Yes. But is Butler also able to get back to being a 20/20 type threat? I think that’s a real possibility. It is important to remember he is just 26 years old and has shown the ability in the past.

Richie Palacios, 2B/OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Palacios is a super interesting deep league target. He has had his moments in the past, but what he has strung together down the stretch this year is some of the best baseball we have seen him play. Since August 3, Palacios has strung together 109 plate appearances where he has a .261/.355/.500 slash with six home runs, five stolen bases, and four doubles. The numbers are even better in a small September sample.

While Palacios does not hit the ball hard, with a 102 mph 90th percentile and an 86 mph average exit velocity since August, he does create good pull-side fly balls and makes a ton of contact. In a small September sample, Palacios has a 12 percent barrel rate and a 44 percent hard-hit rate.

The contact numbers are strong and have trended toward elite levels recently and he rarely strikes out. Given that he has 2B/OF eligibility, Palacios is an interesting deep league target.