MLB FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

This FAAB article is in addition to the AL and NL FAAB articles that run Sunday. Bids are based on a $100 FAAB budget. Throughout the season, this column will have two goals:

1. Identify FAAB targets for fantasy managers in leagues with Thursday FAAB.

2. Offer a preview of FAAB targets ahead of Sunday's columns.

While top prospects such as Jarred Kelenic and Alex Kirilloff haven't yet been called up and are still available in plenty of leagues, this week's column will focus on some players who came into the season with fairly low expectations. However, these players have performed well in the first several weeks of the year and could provide fantasy value, especially in deeper leagues.

Starting Pitcher

Jon Gray, Rockies: Rockies pitchers are risky since they pitch home games at Coors Field and are backed up by an offense in full rebuild mode. However, Gray has gotten off to a hot start in 2021 with a 2.42 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 22.1 innings across his first four starts. The right-hander only had a 12.6 percent strikeout rate in 2020, but that mark has jumped back to 23.1 percent to begin 2021. Gray has returned to form early in the season and has been a strong contributor, even in Colorado. FAAB: $5

Dane Dunning, Rangers: Dunning made his major league debut with the White Sox in 2020 and posted a 3.97 ERA in seven starts. The Rangers traded Lance Lynn to the White Sox for Dunning during the offseason, and the 26-year-old has performed well with Texas. Dunning has allowed just one run while striking out 16 in 15 innings in his first three starts with the Rangers. Dunning's success has come over a limited sample, but he's made himself a viable fantasy contributor. FAAB: $4

Anthony DeSclafani, Giants: DeSclafani has also bounced back early in the season after a disappointing 2020 campaign. He posted a 7.22 ERA in 33.2 innings last year, but the right-hander has a 2.14 ERA and 21:6 K:BB in 21 innings through his first four starts of this season. The 31-year-old's strikeout rate has risen in 2021 to come much closer to his career average, and he's worth considering early in the season, especially in deeper fantasy leagues. FAAB: $3

Relief Pitcher

Kendall Graveman, Mariners: Graveman has shared save chances with Rafael Montero this year, but Graveman has been the more effective pitcher. The right-hander has allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out eight in 7.2 innings. He's converted both of his save chances and has also picked up two holds for the Mariners. If Graveman continues to perform well, he could establish himself as Seattle's closer in 2021. FAAB: $8

Joakim Soria, Diamondbacks: Soria has been sidelined since April 6 due to a left calf strain, but he appears to be trending toward a return since he's recently thrown a pair of 20-pitch bullpen sessions. Arizona's closing duties aren't clearly defined since Chris Devenski is on the restricted list for personal reasons, but Soria could step into a ninth-inning role once he's cleared to return. The 36-year-old posted a 2.82 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 22.1 innings with the Athletics last year. FAAB: $4

Catcher

Carson Kelly, Diamondbacks: Kelly has drawn at least one walk in each of his last nine games, and has a .563 on-base percentage this season. The 26-year-old has also displayed modest power by hitting three home runs with eight RBIs in his first 13 games. Kelly only drew six walks in 39 games last year, but his patience at the plate has made him the clear favorite behind the dish in Arizona. He's made himself a viable fantasy option, especially in leagues that use on-base percentage. FAAB: $2

Dom Nunez, Rockies: Nunez has been in a timeshare with Elias Diaz early in the season, but Nunez ranks second on the team with four home runs in 2021. Nunez has only hit .235 to begin the year, but he carries a .973 OPS due to his six extra-base hits. The 26-year-old has struck out at a 37.8 percent clip in 11 games this season, but he's still performed relatively well at the plate this year and has the advantage of playing his home games at Coors Field. FAAB: $1

First Base

Joey Votto, Reds: Votto has reached base safely in each of his last 10 games, and he's already hit three home runs with 10 RBIs in 17 games in 2021. All six of his extra-base hits have come in the last eight games, after he hit .171 in his first 10 games this year, so perhaps is recent production is not sustainable. But the 37-year-old could be a worthwhile addition for fantasy managers looking to take advantage of his recent momentum. FAAB: $2

Second Base

Enrique Hernandez, Red Sox: Hernandez had a somewhat slow start to the season, but he's flashed his power potential recently with five extra-base hits in the last six games. The 29-year-old has led off for the Red Sox early in the season and has recorded 11 runs to go with seven RBIs. Hernandez has a career-low 3.9 percent walk rate but has produced plenty of runs from the leadoff spot. FAAB: $4

Adam Frazier, Pirates: Frazier has mainly led off for the Pirates this year and has reached base safely in each of the last 12 games. The 29-year-old hasn't not homered but has seven extra-base hits with nine RBIs and eight runs. Part of Frazier's success has come from his ability to make contact, as his 7.1 percent strikeout rate and 91.5 percent contact rate are both the best of his career. Frazier has had plenty of momentum early in the year and has had a regular role in Pittsburgh's lineup. FAAB: $3

Tommy La Stella, Giants: La Stella has led off in each of his first 10 games with the Giants. The 32-year-old has been effective at reaching base with a .368 on-base percentage, and he's also demonstrated modest power with four extra-base hits. His spot atop San Francisco's lineup has limited his RBI potential, but he's scored four runs and should continue to have opportunities to cross the plate if his on-base percentage remains high. FAAB: $2

Third Base

Evan Longoria, Giants: Longoria is included in the column for the second time in the last three weeks since he's continued to perform at a high level. He's hit three doubles in his last four games and has recorded a 56.1 percent hard-hit rate in 16 games. Longoria has failed to record an RBI during that time despite hitting in the heart of the Giants' order, but he could produce more runs if he continues to reach base effectively. FAAB: $2

Maikel Franco, Orioles: Franco has been slightly less effective at the plate than Longoria, but he's still been an everyday player in his first year with the Orioles. The 28-year-old has hit .234 with two home runs, and he leads the team with 15 RBIs in his first 17 games. Franco has also recorded a 9.9 percent walk rate and has effectively carved out a role in the heart of Baltimore's order. FAAB: $2

Shortstop

Miguel Rojas, Marlins: Rojas posted a career-high .888 OPS in 2020 and has maintained his momentum to begin 2021. He has a .403 on-base percentage with six extra-base hits, eight runs and six RBIs in the first 16 games of the year, and he's also been successful on three of four stolen base attempts. Rojas has only struck out four times during that span and has been in the lineup for the Marlins nearly every day this season. FAAB: $4

Freddy Galvis, Orioles: Galvis got off to a sluggish start, but his results have picked up recently. In his last six games, the 31-year-old has hit .500 with six extra-base hits, six runs and three RBI. Galvis stole just one base in 2020 and has only swiped one bag this season, and his 25.8 percent strikeout rate is somewhat concerning. However, he could be a short-term fantasy consideration for teams in need of shortstops who can get on base effectively. FAAB: $1

Outfield

Bryan Reynolds, Pirates: Reynolds had a disappointing 2020 season following a promising rookie year, but he's been successful early in 2021. The 26-year-old has a .397 on-base percentage with two home runs, 11 runs and seven RBIs. He's hit third in all but one of the team's games to begin the season. Although he's hitting in a relatively weak Pittsburgh lineup, Reynolds has returned to form early this season. FAAB: $3

Jordan Luplow, Cleveland: Luplow has had somewhat inconsistent playing time early in the season but has homered in three of the last four games. Although the 27-year-old is not an everyday player for Cleveland, he already has a .405 on-base percentage with five home runs and 11 RBIs in 12 games. Luplow only hit .192 in 29 games last year but could carve out a larger role if he can remain effective at the plate. FAAB: $2

Zach McKinstry, Dodgers: McKinstry has taken on a more significant role for the Dodgers while Cody Bellinger has been sidelined due to a lower-leg injury, and Bellinger still doesn't have a timetable to return. McKinstry has a .884 OPS with three home runs, 14 RBIs and seven runs while hitting in the bottom half of the Dodgers' potent lineup this year. While McKinstry should return to a depth role once the Dodgers' outfielders return to health, he could provide value in deeper leagues or for fantasy managers who are in need of immediate outfield production. FAAB: $1