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.

Several starting pitchers have outperformed expectations recently, while Matt Manning is slated to make his major-league debut Thursday. The Marlins called up Jesus Sanchez on Tuesday after a hot start to the season with Triple-A Jacksonville, and there are plenty of position players whose recent performances have garnered waiver consideration.

Starting Pitcher

Zach Davies, Cubs: Davies had a tumultuous start to the season and posted a 9.47 ERA across five starts in April, but he's turned things around recently and has allowed no more than one run in four of his last five outings. Although the right-hander gave up four runs to the Giants on June 3, he's posted a 1.67 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 27 innings across his last five starts. Davies has earned wins in each of his last two appearances and has been an asset in the Cubs' banged-up rotation. FAAB: $7

Matt Manning, Tigers: Manning posted a lackluster 8.07 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 32.1 innings across seven starts with Triple-A Toledo, but he'll be called up to make his major-league debut as the starter in Thursday's game against the Angels. Despite his slow start to the minor-league season, the right-hander is Detroit's top pitching prospect and could make the case for a long-term rotation spot, even after Matthew Boyd and Spencer Turnbull return to full health. Even if he returns to the minors once Boyd and Turnbull are healthy, Manning could still be worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues. FAAB: $6

James Kaprielian, Athletics: Kaprielian gave up four runs in 3.2 innings against the Mariners on May 31, but he's lasted at least five innings in each of his last two starts, and he allowed just two runs during that time. The right-hander earned his third win of the season Saturday by striking out seven in six scoreless frames against the Royals. He's allowed two or fewer runs in all but one of his starts in 2021 and has posted a 25.7 percent strikeout rate to go with a 2.51 ERA in 32.1 innings. FAAB: $5

Chris Flexen, Mariners: Flexen's results have been quite inconsistent early in the season, but he's recorded quality starts in three of his last four outings. The right-hander is coming off his best start of 2021 in which he allowed four hits and no walks while striking out a season-high eight batters in eight scoreless innings to earn the win against Minnesota. He has another favorable matchup next week at home against the Rockies. FAAB: $4

Joe Ross, Nationals: Ross turned in his longest start of the season Sunday by hurling eight scoreless frames to return to the win column against the Giants. The 28-year-old struck out a season-high nine batters in the outing, and he tentatively lines up to face the Mets at home in one of the two games in Saturday's doubleheader. Ross had given up at least four runs in four of his five outings prior to Sunday's start, but he's shown glimpses of dominance in 2021. FAAB: $4

Erick Fedde, Nationals: Fedde tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-May, but he returned to the mound Saturday and struck out seven in five scoreless innings to earn the win against the Giants. Like Davies, Fedde had lackluster results to begin the year and posted a 5.29 ERA across his first seven starts, but he has tossed 12 scoreless innings across his last two outings, even though those appearances were separated by an absence of nearly a month. He should remain in the rotation at least while Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg are sidelined. FAAB: $4

Patrick Sandoval, Angels: Sandoval has posted quality starts in each of his last two outings after he finished the month of May by tossing five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Athletics. The southpaw has another favorable matchup coming up against the Tigers as he looks to continue his hot stretch in which he's posted a 2.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB in 17 innings across his last three starts. He could be on the outside looking in once Jose Quintana returns from a shoulder injury, but Sandoval is at least an intriguing short-term option for teams in need of immediate starting help. FAAB: $3

Relief Pitcher

Pete Fairbanks, Rays: The Rays' revolving door of closing options has continued recently, and Fairbanks now appears to be the favorite for ninth-inning duties in Tampa Bay. He earned his third save of the season Monday against the White Sox and has picked up saves in two of his last four appearances. The right-hander gave up an unearned run in the 10th inning of Wednesday's matchup and was charged with his first loss of the year as a result, but he appears to have the trust of manager Kevin Cash in high-leverage situations for now. FAAB: $5

Blake Treinen, Dodgers: Treinen has operated mainly as a setup man for the Dodgers this season, but he still factors into the occasional save chance, and he picked up his third save of the year in Tuesday's win over the Phillies since Kenley Jansen was unavailable. The righty is highly unlikely to supplant Jansen as the Dodgers' primary closer anytime soon, but he's tossed 4.2 scoreless innings across his last four appearances. He carries plenty of value in fantasy leagues that factor holds into scoring, but he also has some value in deeper leagues that only factor in saves. FAAB: $2

Catcher

Yan Gomes, Nationals: Catchers as a whole weren't as productive last week as they were the week before, but Gomes has heated up at the plate recently. He alternated starts behind the dish last weekend since the Nationals had a doubleheader, but he's started each of the last three games and has homered in each of his last two appearances. The 33-year-old is now hitting .255 with seven home runs, 23 RBI and 20 runs this season and has strengthened his standing as the Nationals' primary backstop recently. FAAB: $3

First Base

Joey Votto, Reds: Votto has remained relatively productive in his age-37 season, and he's homered three times in his last seven games. He's only hitting .232 on the year and recently missed nearly a month with a fractured left thumb, but the first baseman has slashed .296/.367/.630 with three home runs, 11 RBI and seven runs across his last seven appearances, and has immediately reclaimed his spot as Cincinnati's primary first baseman. FAAB: $3

Daniel Vogelbach, Brewers: Vogelbach has had regular time in the starting lineup recently after Keston Hiura was sent back to Triple-A Nashville, and he's been quite effective with seven extra-base hits across his last eight games. During that time, the 28-year-old has hit .267 with three home runs, four doubles, seven runs and five RBI. He's hitting just .224 this season but has been a more reliable fantasy contributor recently. FAAB: $2

Second Base

Jonathan Schoop, Tigers: Schoop is hitting .272 this year, and he already has five multi-hit games across his first 14 appearances in June. He logged a home run and a double to begin the week, and he went 3-for-5 in Wednesday's win over the Royals. The infielder has multiposition eligibility in most leagues, and he now has 11 home runs, 32 RBI and 28 runs this season. Schoop had a slow start to the season by hitting just .180 in his first 31 games of the year, but he's hit .348 across his last 34 contests and has been dominant in the first half of June. FAAB: $4

Rougned Odor, Yankees: Odor has entered the strong side of a platoon recently after Chris Gittens was called up, but he's still generated some modest production at the plate recently. Although he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Wednesday's win over the Blue Jays, he had racked up a home run and three doubles in his four appearances prior to Wednesday's contest. The 27-year-old's .643 OPS ranks last among the Yankees' regular starters, but his recent power surge has made him worth considering in deeper leagues. FAAB: $2

Third Base

Kyle Farmer, Reds: Farmer could lose out on playing time once Mike Moustakas is cleared to return from the injured list, but he'll likely keep his spot in the lineup at least through the weekend. The 30-year-old had recorded hits in each of his six games prior to Wednesday's appearance, and he hit .318 with a home run, four runs and three RBI during his hitting streak. While Farmer's long-term outlook is murky, he could be a short-term option while Moustakas remains sidelined. FAAB: $1

Shortstop

Josh Rojas, Diamondbacks: Rojas has heated up at the plate recently and has recorded three multi-hit efforts across his last six games. During that time, he's gone 9-for-24 with two home runs, seven runs and three RBI. The 26-year-old has been more effective at crossing the plate than he has been at driving in runs, as he has 36 runs compared to 20 RBI while hitting mainly at the top of the order. Rojas is rostered in more leagues than some of the other players on the list, but he warrants some consideration for fantasy teams in need of runs. FAAB: $5

Leury Garcia, White Sox: Garcia is currently riding a five-game hitting streak, and he has multi-hit performances in five of those contests. During his streak, he's gone 8-for-17 with two doubles, five RBI, five runs and three walks. The super-utility player has been filling in while Nick Madrigal, Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert have been sidelined. He should have a long-term spot in the lineup during their extended absences and potentially beyond. FAAB: $3

Nick Maton, Phillies: Maton was recalled by the Phillies on Wednesday, and he should help to fill in as a middle infielder in the near future since Jean Segura is slated to miss at least three weeks with a groin injury. The 24-year-old spent time with the major-league club from mid-April until early June, and he hit .252 with two homers, 10 runs and eight RBI in 39 games. He'll likely split time with Brad Miller and Luke Williams at second base while Segura is out, but he could be worth considering in deeper leagues. FAAB: $1

Outfield

Jesus Sanchez, Marlins: Sanchez slashed .349/.400/.643 with nine home runs, 28 RBI and 19 runs in 33 games with Triple-A Jacksonville to begin the year, and he was called up to make his 2021 debut Tuesday. He's drawn two consecutive starts for Miami and has gone just 1-for-8 with three strikeouts during that time. Although the 23-year-old has displayed swing-and-miss issues, especially in the big leagues, he's one of the Marlins' top prospects and should be given the chance to showcase his potential with the major-league club. FAAB: $8

Jake Fraley, Mariners: Fraley has remained hot at the plate recently, so he remains in the column for a second straight week. The 26-year-old went hitless with two strikeouts in four at-bats Wednesday to snap a 10-game hitting streak, but he has still slashed .261/.414/.522 with four home runs, 15 RBI, 11 runs and three stolen bases in 15 games since the start of June. Although Jarred Kelenic has been effective since he returned to Triple-A Tacoma, Fraley should continue to see plenty of looks in the outfield since Kelenic will likely have ample time to develop in the minors before rejoining the big-league squad. FAAB: $7

Miguel Andujar, Yankees: Andujar has five home runs since May 31, and he's recorded hits in seven of the last eight games. He only has four RBI across his last eight appearances, but he has three multi-hit performances, and he's scored eight runs during that time. The 26-year-old missed the first month of the season with a hand injury and spent some time in the minors, but he's been an everyday player recently and has hit .313 with five homers, 11 runs and seven RBI since May 31. FAAB: $5

Billy McKinney, Mets: McKinney has had increased playing time recently since the Mets' outfielders have been dealing with various injuries, and he's hit .353 with two home runs, two doubles, six runs and six RBI across his last five games. The 26-year-old could lose out on some at-bats once Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo and Albert Almora return in the near future, but he has short-term value and could also be worth rostering in deeper leagues. FAAB: $2