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.

Injuries have created several opportunities for position players to see increase at-bats in the near future, while several young pitchers have the chance to establish themselves early in the 2021 campaign.

Starting Pitcher

Ryan Weathers, Padres: Prior to Wednesday's start, Weathers was one of the top FAAB targets this week. However, he was removed from the game against the Diamondbacks in the second inning due to joint inflammation in his left arm after he displayed decreased velocity. Weathers had joined the rotation in his last three outings and struck out nine batters in 10.1 scoreless innings. His FAAB value and long-term outlook are highly dependent on how his injury progresses, but he appears to have avoided a major injury. FAAB: $9

Chris Flexen, Mariners: Flexen posted an 8.07 ERA in his first three major league seasons, but he sorted things out in the KBO and has posted a 2.74 ERA in 23 innings in his first four starts in 2021. He gave up six runs (five earned) in his second outing but hasn't allowed more than one run in any of his other starts. Flexen has a secure rotation spot for the Mariners and has been dominant in his return to the majors. FAAB: $6

Tyler Anderson, Pirates: Anderson started the season slowly, but he's heated up in his last three starts. During that time, he's posted a 2.20 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 16.1 innings. The southpaw has  a 14.5 percent swinging-strike rate and 23.6 percent strikeout rate despite a lackluster 90.0 mph average fastball velocity, and could be worth rostering, especially in slightly deeper leagues. FAAB: $4

John Gant, Cardinals: Gant joined the rotation with Miles Mikolas sidelined due to a shoulder injury, and the right-hander has a 2.25 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 20 innings in four starts. He lines up for two starts this week in Thursday FAAB leagues, and he has favorable matchups against the Pirates and at home against the Rockies. Gant could return to the bullpen once Mikolas returns, but he should remain a starter in the coming weeks. FAAB: $4

Shane McClanahan, Rays: McClanahan will make his regular-season debut at home against Oakland on Thursday even though he made just four major-league appearances in the 2020 postseason. The southpaw impressed this spring and flashed triple-digit heat in Grapefruit League play. Manager Kevin Cash said that McClanahan will pitch 4-5 innings Thursday and still needs to build up his workload. However, he could earn additional starts if he performs well, and he has the potential to carve out a role given the glowing reviews he's received this spring. FAAB: $3

Austin Gomber, Rockies: Unlike Anderson, Gomber got off to a hot start this year but was hit hard in his most recent start and gave up nine runs in 1.2 innings against the Giants. The left-hander has struggled with command with an 18.4 percent walk rate, but he has a solid 22.3 percent strikeout rate. Gomber's most recent start was discouraging, and his upside is limited while pitching for the Rockies, but he's still worth a look, especially in deep leagues. FAAB: $2

Relief Pitcher

Josh Staumont, Royals: Staumont displayed an elite 98.1 mph average fastball velocity and 15.5 percent swinging-strike rate in 26 appearances last year and now appears to be the Royals' top closing option. The right-hander has converted save chances in each of his last three starts and has posted a 0.68 ERA and 0.60 WHIP in 13.1 innings this season. Staumont has displayed solid talent and now appears to have the ninth-inning duties to bolster his fantasy value in almost all leagues. FAAB: $10

Sean Doolittle, Reds: Doolittle has been somewhat inconsistent to begin the season but picked up his first save of the season in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers and has a 4.66 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 9.2 innings across 11 appearances. The Reds have several options to close out games with Tejay Antone, Amir Garrett and Lucas Sims, but manager David Bell showed Tuesday that he still trusts Doolittle in high-leverage situations when some of the team's other options are unavailable. FAAB: $2

Jonathan Loaisiga, Yankees: Loaisiga's fantasy value is somewhat limited since Aroldis Chapman is still the clear closer in New York, but the right-hander has posted a 1.23 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB in 14.2 innings to begin the year. He's also earned two holds in his last three outings and earned his first career save Saturday against Cleveland since Chapman and Chad Green were unavailable. As long as Loaisiga continues to pitch well, he carries some value in deep leagues, even if he doesn't receive many save chances. FAAB: $2

Catcher

Austin Nola, Padres: Nola is rostered in approximately half of fantasy leagues since he began the season on the injured list due to a finger injury, but he was reinstated Wednesday and should take over as San Diego's primary catcher. The 31-year-old slashed .273/.353/.472 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs in 48 games with the Mariners and Padres last year, and he should be rostered in most fantasy leagues now that he's fully healthy. FAAB: $7

Kyle Higashioka, Yankees: Gary Sanchez has started slowly once again in 2021, so manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Higashioka should see increased playing time behind the dish. Higashioka has started eight games for the Yankees to begin the year and hit .276 with four home runs, six runs and six RBIs during that time. Sanchez could still see his fair share of playing time, but Higashioka has the chance to carve out a significant role if he continues to perform well. FAAB: $2

First Base

Jesus Aguilar, Marlins: Aguilar has had little trouble reaching base to begin the season, and he's in the midst of a six-game hitting streak. The first baseman hit his fifth home run of the year in Wednesday's win over Milwaukee and is slashing .295/.383/.538 with 22 RBIs and 12 runs to begin the year. Aguilar has a prominent role in Miami's lineup and has displayed plenty of power and on-base ability that warrants fantasy consideration. FAAB: $6

Second Base

Kolten Wong, Brewers: Wong missed little more than 10 days due to a left oblique injury earlier in the month but has been on a tear since returning to action. The 30-year-old put together multi-hit performances in each of his first four games after he was reinstated from the 10-day IL, and he's hit .524 with two homers, five runs, four RBIs and a stolen base in six games since he returned. His RBI potential is somewhat limited as the Brewers' leadoff hitter, but he's firmly entrenched as the primary second baseman, especially given his recent output. FAAB: $4

Nicky Lopez, Royals: Lopez has cooled off slightly in recent games after a hot start, but he's still had a consistent spot near the bottom of the Royals' lineup while Adalberto Mondesi has been out with an oblique issue. Lopez is hitting .254 with four extra-base hits, 12 runs, seven RBIs and two stolen bases this year. While Lopez hasn't displayed much power early in the year, he's been effective at getting on base and crossing the plate. FAAB: $2

Jon Berti, Marlins: Berti has been a somewhat inconsistent contributor early in the season but has homered twice in the last five games. He's now hitting .200 with a pair of homers, 10 runs and eight RBIs this season, and he's had increased playing time at third base while Brian Anderson has been sidelined due to an oblique injury. Berti could gain fantasy eligibility at third base as a result, and he could also see increased time at the keystone since Jazz Chisholm is now out due to a hamstring issue. Berti's stats haven't jumped off the page to begin the year, but he could be a short-term fantasy option at second base, especially in deeper leagues. FAAB: $1

Third Base

J.D. Davis, Mets: Davis missed time with a hand injury earlier in the year but has been dominant at the plate when he's been healthy. The 28-year-old has slashed .371/.463/.600 with two home runs, six RBI and five runs through 12 games this season. His 13 strikeouts in 35 at-bats have been somewhat concerning, but he's still had elite on-base marks in 2021 after he recorded a career-high .371 on-base percentage last season. FAAB: $5

Shortstop

Brandon Crawford, Giants: Crawford has hit just .208 to begin the season, but he's displayed somewhat impressive power with four home runs with 10 RBIs, 10 runs and two stolen bases in 22 games. He recently dealt with a quadriceps issue but has been back in the lineup in the last two games. Crawford has been the Giants' clear starting shortstop when he's healthy, and he provides modest power in the bottom third of the lineup. FAAB: $2

Jose Iglesias, Angels: Iglesias was relatively cold at the plate early in the season, but he's now recorded hits in each of the last four games. As a result, the 31-year-old is slashing .278/.293/.367 with two homers, 12 runs and six RBIs in 23 games this year. His lackluster 2.2 percent walk rate doesn't do any favors for his on-base percentage, but Iglesias has scored plenty of runs and could be an option in deep leagues. FAAB: $1

Outfield

Adolis Garcia, Rangers: Garcia's production has slowed down slightly in recent days, but he's still recorded hits in six of the last seven games and also has five home runs to begin the season. He was recently named the AL Player of the Week and has carved out a role in the heart of Texas' lineup this year. Garcia's results have been noticed by fantasy managers recently, but he's still available in roughly half of leagues. FAAB: $4

Corey Dickerson, Marlins: Dickerson left Wednesday's game against the Brewers with mild groin discomfort, but it doesn't appear as though he'll miss significant time. He started the year in a leadoff role but has now taken on a spot in the heart of the order. The 31-year-old has had little trouble getting on base, as he's slashed .329/.407/.461 with a homer, 11 runs and seven RBIs through 25 games. Assuming Dickerson returns to the lineup in the coming days, he could provide value in deeper leagues, especially ones that use on-base percentage. FAAB: $2

Myles Straw, Astros: Straw hasn't homered in the first 23 games of the season, but he's still hitting .228 with three extra-base hits, nine runs and nine RBIs. He's also been successful on five of his six stolen-base attempts early in the year. The 26-year-old hasn't stolen more than eight bases in any of his first three major league seasons, but he's on pace to eclipse that mark now that he has regular playing time. Straw doesn't have elite on-base ability or power, but he's generated modest run production while flashing his speed early in the 2021 campaign. FAAB: $2