AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Estimate how much of your $100 starting free-agent budget you should bid on them.

This year, we're incorporating grids into the FAAB articles, so users can easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

The grids, which are sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This serves as a reflection of a player's skills and role on an A-E scale. Andrew Benintendi would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into an everyday role.

As always, if there is a player that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask about the player in the comments.

Starting Pitcher

Jayson Aquino, Orioles: The O's decision to give Aquino the nod Saturday instead of Alec Asher suggests that the front office is just using their fifth starter spot to audition future rotation depth until Chris Tillman is ready to return. It's a smart use of resources, but it also makes the various candidates who'll cycle through the spot less than desirable free agent targets. For his part, Aquino gave the team a quality start against the Red Sox, but the lefty's 2:3 K:BB over six innings was about what you might expect given his somewhat pedestrian arsenal. Just as Baltimore is doing, he's maybe worth stashing for depth, but that's about it. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Jose Berrios, Twins: As I write this, the Twins haven't officially announced who will be replacing Adelberto Mejia in their rotation after the young lefty was demoted to Triple-A on Saturday night, but it would be a bit odd if it were anyone other than Berrios. The 22-year-old doesn't look like he has anything left to learn in the minors after beginning 2017 with a 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB over three starts, so the only question is when he rejoins the Twins, not if. Minnesota does have a couple of off days coming up, allowing them to roll with a four-man rotation if they choose, but by early May at the latest Berrios should be slotted in and looking to wipe away memories of last year's rocky big-league debut. This might be your last chance to get him cheaply. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $9

Kendall Graveman, Athletics: Set to return to the rotation Tuesday, Graveman missed just one start due to some mild shoulder soreness. His 2.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP looks out of line with his 12:5 K:BB through 18 innings, but there is reason to believe he'll continue to out-perform his mediocre career numbers. The 26-year-old righty has seen a big velocity boost to begin this season, averaging 94.3 mph with his fastball, and while it's certainly easy to draw a line between "throwing harder" and "shoulder soreness" and decide there are better, safer breakout targets out there, it's also possible he's taking a big step forward. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned

Sonny Gray, Athletics: Gray's return from a lat strain is going swimmingly, and he fired five scoreless innings in a rehab start Saturday. If he makes one more rehab start on normal rest, that puts him on schedule to rejoin the A's rotation on May 2 and bump Jesse Hahn, assuming no one else breaks down in the meantime, of course. Which version of Gray the A's get back (the reliable near-ace of 2014-15, or the train wreck of 2016) remains to be seen, but given his significant potential upside and relatively high-profile name brand you may need to move quickly and decisively if you want to land him. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: Owned

Mat Latos, Blue Jays: In need of short-term replacements in the rotation, the Jays apparently flipped to a random page in their phone book and landed on the Ls. Latos' turn came Friday and he did about as well as you might expect if you saw the shell of a pitcher he was at the end of last season. Toronto did win his start (no thanks to him), and J.A. Happ's elbow isn't yet 100 percent, so Latos might get a second start as well. Ulp. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Casey Lawrence, Blue Jays: Lawrence earns points for perseverance, anyway. He's been toiling away in the Jays' minor league system since 2010 and got his first taste of Triple-A action in 2013, but Saturday's start against the Angels marked his major-league debut at the age of 29. It didn't exactly go well, but there wasn't really any reason to think it might. Lawrence's long road to the Show makes for a feel-good story, but fantasy baseball demands results. We deal in cold, hard reality around here, not, uhh... wait, that doesn't seem right. Whatever. Lawrence is probably headed back to Buffalo as soon as Aaron Sanchez has his blisters under control. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Nick Martinez, Rangers: Called up to fill in for A.J. Griffin, Martinez caught the Royals at the right time and delivered seven innings of one-run ball Saturday. This is still Nick Martinez – he of the 5.01 career K/9 in the majors – but if you're scrambling to plug holes on your staff, you could do worse (just ask the Jays). There's also some question as to when Griffin will make it back, as gout isn't something with a well-known recovery timetable. He might only miss the one start, but then again, he might not. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Wade Miley, Orioles: The veteran lefty is no Jason Vargas, but he's still been on fire to begin the season, dialing up a 1.89 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and stunning 24:8 K:BB through 19 innings, a huge increase in K rate on his career 7.1 K/9 mark. There isn't much in Miley's profile to support those numbers, though. He's throwing more first-pitch strikes, but fewer pitches in the zone overall, suggesting he's getting ahead quickly and forcing batters to chase, but his swinging strike rate of 8.9 percent is pedestrian and right in line with his career rates. Regression is coming, big time, but in shallower formats you might still be able to squeeze out another useful outing or two before it gets here. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: Owned

Mike Pelfrey, White Sox: I'm not sure what it is I did to deserve having to write up Latos, Martinez AND Pelfrey in the same week, but here we are. None of the three are any good, really, but at least the other two are still in their 20s. Pelfrey is 33, hasn't had a season worth a roster spot on most fantasy squads since 2010, and yet he's still getting work when teams need to avoid advancing some poor kid's service clock. The White Sox have Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer in their Triple-A rotation, and it's Pelfrey who gets the call. It's kind of infuriating. I mean, the Tigers were three games out of a wild card spot last year. Go look at his 2016 numbers and try to tell me he didn't single-handedly cost them a playoff shot. Grr. Anyway, he was bad Saturday and the White Sox deservedly got hammered, so at least the universe shares my sense of outrage this time. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Erasmo Ramirez, Rays: Filling in for Jake Odorizzi in the rotation, Ramirez did what he usually does which is come up big when the Rays need him, allowing just a solo homer over five innings Thursday with a 5:0 K:BB. Odorizzi (hamstring) may not be out long, but Ramirez should get at least one more start in his place before going back to the bullpen. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Hector Santiago, Twins: Another early-season surprise, Santiago has reeled off three straight quality starts and has a 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB through 24 innings. The 29-year-old's teased breakthroughs before so it's hard to get your hopes up now, but his success so far is being fueled by big improvements in his BB/9 and HR/9 rates rather than an unexplained strikeout spike, so at least he offers some variety. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Owned

Chris Tillman, Orioles: Tillman got in a second rehab start Saturday and pushed his workload up to 58 pitches, so he may only need one or two more minor-league starts before he rejoins the Orioles. Saturday's start at Double-A wasn't great – three runs on five hits over 3.2 innings – but he does have a 6:1 K:BB through 6.1 rehab frames so far. The 29-year-old has been a reliable, if somewhat low-ceiling, fantasy arm in three of the last four seasons, and there's no reason to think 2017 won't make it four out of five. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: Owned

Andrew Triggs, Athletics: Three starts, three wins, three goose eggs in his ERA. Triggs' surprising late-season success in 2016 has more than carried forward into 2017, but his 9:4 K:BB through 17 innings is completely at odds with that 0.00 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. It's also an aberration from his usually strong K:BB in the minors and during his rotation stint last September, though, so while the ratios have to give at some point, they might well get worse while his strikeout rate gets better. His lack of a track record as a starter makes it really tough to judge what Triggs' baseline might be, but for a couple of FAAB bucks he's worth a flier just to see what happens, even in shallower formats. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: Owned

Relief Pitcher

Brad Brach, Orioles: The O's got some good news on Zach Britton's arm this week, and they should have a better idea of his timetable for a return once he's been seen by a hand specialist Monday. In the meantime, though, Brach has racked up three saves in three days, and his other numbers so far this season are as strong as ever. This then might actually be the perfect buying opportunity on Brach, as the fact that Britton's injury doesn't seem serious will overshadow the fact that he wasn't looking like his old self to begin the year and keep Brach's price tag slightly suppressed, as his window for saves seems like it will close quickly. There's an entirely realistic chance that Britton doesn't regain his form and/or doesn't return as quickly as it seems like he will, so if you scoop up Brach as the "temporary" closer you might just score a longer-term source of saves, Ks and elite ratios. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $15

Matt Bush, Rangers: Sam Dyson's DL stint has allowed the Rangers to clear up their bullpen picture and declare that yes, Bush will be the man to replace him as closer, but since then the team hasn't had a closer lead to protect, leaving Bush still looking for his first save of the season. He does have a 6:0 K:BB in three outings since recovering from some minor shoulder soreness, though, so there's no reason to think he's going to have any difficulties once the save chances start rolling in. The 31-year-old throws hard, gets strikeouts, and is worth throwing a bid big at if saves are your top FAAB priority. 12-team Mixed: $9; 15-team Mixed: $21; 12-team AL: $45

James Hoyt, Astros: Life just isn't fair sometimes. There are teams out there who struggle to find someone who can simply handle setups duties, and then there's the Astros, who's have such ridiculous bullpen depth that they can't find a regular spot for a guy like Hoyt, who has a career 11.8 K/9. He got called back up and struck out three of the first five batters he saw, so if you need a high-K relief arm to plug a short-term hole, here he is. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Joe Jimenez, Tigers: Jimenez and his big fastball are back up for the Tigers, giving you another chance to stash him as the team's possible closer of the future. Fernando Rodriguez really does seem to be on his last legs, at least in Detroit, so the job could be up for grabs fairly soon. Whether Jimenez can beat out Justin Wilson is the real question, but for now the 22-year-old will just focus on getting his feet wet in the bigs. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Tommy Kahnle, White Sox: This week's middle-relief star is Kahnle, who's started off 2017 with a 1.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB through 5.2 innings. His fastball is boring in at a career-high 98.1 mph this year, and while Nate Jones will get the first crack at the closer role if and when David Robertson gets dealt, it's entirely possible the White Sox deal both established relievers before the summer is out, which might leave Kahnle as the next man up. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Keone Kela, Rangers: Dyson's injury opened up a spot in the bullpen for Kela, who seems to be back in his 2015 form, posting a 13:2 K:BB over eight innings between Triple-A and the majors so far. Where he might sit in the saves pecking order should Bush falter isn't clear, but at the very least Kela should be a reliable high-K middle reliever and holds source. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Ryan Madson, Athletics: Just when you thought the A's bullpen picture was getting clearer, Madson jumps back into the saves mix with a four-out, three-K job Saturday. Santiago Casilla and Sean Doolittle had pitched three of the previous four days, but at least we know Madson is now the No. 3 option, right? Of course, he's also pitched better than Casilla so far this season, but when has performance ever mattered in an unsettled closer committee situation... oh right, almost always. Madson's still a safer source of holds than saves, but Saturday's ninth-inning work may not have been his last of the year. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Bud Norris, Angels: Cam Bedrosian succumbed to the Angels' Closer Curse on Saturday, hitting the DL with a groin strain, so the scramble will be on to figure out who will replace him in the ninth inning. Blake Parker will be the popular option, but Norris deserves a look as well, having managed an 11:3 K:BB through 9.2 innings in his first full season as a short reliever. He might also have that veteran moxie Mike Scioscia finds appealing. Until there's a clearer idea of how long Bedrosian might be out, though, there's no reason to go overboard for any Angels reliever. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Blake Parker, Angels: Parker has bounced around since a solid season with the Cubs in 2013, but he seems to have found a home in Anaheim this year with a 12:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings. He's also shown some extra giddyup on his fastball, popping the mitt at a career-high 94 mph, so he's the most logical choice to fill in at closer while Bedrosian is sidelined. He's also a 31-year-old journeyman, though, so just about any scenario from career resurgence to out of the league by June is probably on the table at this point. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Brad Peacock, Astros: While Chris Devenski struts around with his gaudy ratios and paradigm-shifting usage pattern like some sort of proud bird engaging in a courtship ritual, the Astros' other long reliever has been quietly and inconspicuously going about his business. Peacock's numbers so far have been every bit as good as Devenski's (0.00 ERA, 0.39 WHIP, 11:2 K:BB through 7.2 innings) but while Devenski gets increasingly used in higher-leverage situations, Peacock gets the nod in traditional low-leverage, long-relief spots. When you're pitching for a team with an offense like Houston's, though, that's not the worst spot to be in. Peacock already has two wins on the season thanks to Astros rallies, and should remain in prime position to vulture a few more before the season is out. Pigeon-holed as a starter earlier in his career, the 29-year-old seems to be taking to his new role like a duck to water – unless, of course, he turns back into an albatross for your ratios, in which case I might have to eat some crow here. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Joe Smith, Blue Jays: The long-time ultra-reliable Cleveland middle reliever has stumbled a bit over the last two seasons with the Cubs and Angels, but Smith seems to have turned things back around in Toronto, posting a 2.35 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB through 7.2 innings. He's another ratios-and-Ks guy to fill out your staff in deeper formats, and with Jason Grilli looking like he might be done as the Jays' top setup man, Smith could soon start adding some holds to his portfolio in front of Robert Osuna. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Matt Strahm, Royals: The talented young lefty had a disastrous start to 2017, but he dominated in his brief stint at Triple-A before being called back up and the Royals are confident his issues in the majors were mental and not physical. If KC is going to jump on the Devenski-led 'bullpen ace' revolution, Strahm is their best candidate to fill the role, as he has the strikeout stuff to pitch multiple high-leverage innings per outing. In the long term he could eventually move into the rotation, but for 2017 he seems set for a bullpen role, although possibly a very intriguing one. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Justin Wilson, Tigers: Wilson continues to do what Rodriguez no longer can, namely blow away hitters, which potentially makes him the next man up as closer should the Tigers pull the plug on Lack-of-K-Rod's 5.87 ERA and 1.83 WHIP. Wilson has a 12:3 K:BB through 8.1 innings and has yet to give up a run while his fastball is roaring at a career-high 96.4 mph, and the fact that he's a lefty may be the only thing that could keep him from regular ninth-inning duty. If you're tired of speculating on Ranger and Athletic relievers to find saves, now's the time to get in on the ground floor of Tigers spec plays. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Catcher

Juan Graterol, Angels: After being cut loose by the Jays, Graterol got scooped up by the Angels and brought up to the majors to replace Carlos Perez as their backup catcher. Graterol's minor-league resume suggests he has a bit of offensive upside, but he's 28 years old and has all of 19 MLB at-bats to his name, so keep your expectations firmly in check. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

First Base

John Hicks, Tigers: Hicks got called up Saturday and plugged right into the starting lineup after Miggy Cabrera hurt his groin, and responded by going 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. The 27-year-old was scalding hot at Triple-A, hitting .424 through 10 games for Toledo, but his overall profile suggests a guy who might hit for a solid batting average with modest pop. Cabrera shouldn't be out long, so consider Hicks just as a short-term option if you can't find a better replacement. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Mitch Moreland, Red Sox: Hanley Ramirez's recovery from a hamstring tweak is being managed very carefully by the Red Sox, restricting him to DH and pushing Moreland into the lineup at first base on a full-time basis. The former Ranger has responded by hitting .340 with eight RBI in 50 at-bats over the last couple of weeks, numbers worth a roster spot in even shallow fantasy formats. Boston's target date for Ramirez to start playing defense again is still a couple of weeks away, so so Moreland should continue piling up playing time in a potent offense, making him a worthy fill-in for teams that just lost Miggy. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned

Second Base

Christian Colon, Royals: Raul Mondesi's demotion turns the keystone into a pitched battle for the Royals, with Colon, Whit Merrifield and potentially Cheslor Cuthbert all in the hunt for playing time. Colon got the first crack at the job Saturday and went 0-for-3, which is par for the course for him this season. He's still only 27, but it's been a couple of years since he showed a glimmer of offensive upside, and this might be his last chance to prove he deserves anything more than a utility role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Whit Merrifield, Royals: Since being called back up Merrifield has been splitting time between second base and right field, but with Jorge Soler inching closer to a return the latter path to playing time might soon close. The 28-year-old has gone 5-for-15 in his latest big-league stint, though, and if he keeps hitting the Royals will gladly hand the keystone over to him given how desperate they are for offense at the moment. Merrifield's got the potential to hit for a solid average and swipe some bases, especially on a team like the Royals that likes to run, which makes him worth an aggressive bid despite his currently unsettled role. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $13

Chad Pinder, Athletics: The 25-year-old got called up when Marcus Semien was hurt, and now that we know Semien is out for at least a couple of months with a broken wrist, Pinder seems set to share duties at shortstop with Adam Rosales. The A's have also indicated that they want Franklin Barreto to stay in the minors and not accrue big-league service time, err, I mean, keep working on some things, so the most obvious threat to that timeshare would seem to be off the table. Pinder's fantasy profile is much like Rosales' – some pop but a batting average risk – and both hit right-handed, so playing time will likely be based on who has the hot hand on any given day. Pinder at least put one in the seats his first game up, so the possession arrow is pointed his way at the moment. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team AL: $4

Adam Rosales, Athletics: Wait, scratch that, Rosales homered Saturday, so it's now advantage: him for playing time at shortstop in Oakland. He's also got a lengthier (if not exactly impressive) major-league resume, and has started off 2017 by hitting .303/.333/.545, so he could well see the lion's share of at-bats while Semien is out. Just don't expect him to keep up that pace. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team AL: $7

Yolmer Sanchez, White Sox: With Tyler Saladino slumping, it's now Sanchez's turn to try and keep second base warm for Yoan Moncada. The switch-hitter started six straight games before getting Saturday off, going a respectable 6-for-21 with a homer and two doubles. His minor-league profile suggests he has a bit of pop and a bit of speed, so while he's a better fit long-term as a utility player, if he can supply just a modicum of offense he could end up holding down the fort at second base straight through to the Super-2 deadline in June. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $3

Third Base

Cheslor Cuthbert, Royals: Cuthbert's primary role in Kansas City this season has been to protect Mike Moustakas from tough lefties, but the open competition at second base gives him another potential path to playing time. He's also out of minor-league options, so he's not budging from the 25-man roster. The sporadic at-bats have led the 24-year-old to a slow start at the plate, but his solid performance last season was no fluke, and with Moose a free agent in the offseason Cuthbert could very easily be the Royals' Opening Day third baseman next season – making him an intriguing stash in keeper leagues. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Joey Gallo, Rangers: Nothing about Gallo's basic profile has changed. He still makes too little contact and strikes out too much, and is a threat to low-flying aircraft when he does get his bat on a ball. The Rangers are bringing Adrian Beltre back from his calf injury veeeery slowly, though, and whether that's to protect the veteran and try to keep him fresh over the summer or possibly to give Gallo a showcase if they're thinking about trading him, the result has been everyday at-bats for the 23-year-old slugger and five very majestic home runs. Even when Beltre does finally return, the mess in left field could give Gallo another path to playing time, although he hasn't played there in the majors since 2015. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team AL: $13

Andrew Romine, Tigers: Jose Iglesias got kneed in the head and JaCoby Jones got a fastball in the face, so suddenly Romine is basically an everyday player for Detroit between center field and shortstop. The utility player probably won't do much with those at-bats, of course, but at least he's getting them. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Josh Rutledge, Red Sox: Rutledge began his rehab assignment Tuesday, and seems likely to rejoin the Red Sox sometime during this coming week. Brock Holt is dealing with a case of vertigo, so the door is open for Rutledge to take on a large role as a utility player, particularly at third base where Pablo Sandoval doesn't exactly have the starting job on lockdown. His upside is limited – Rutledge never hit better than .274 is three seasons with the Rockies, which is pretty damning – but getting semi-regular at-bats in a lineup like Boston's has value in deep formats. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Shortstop

Didi Gregorius, Yankees: Gregorius began what's expected to be a seven or eight game rehab assignment Friday, so the clock is ticking on his return. After popping a career-high 20 homers last season, the 27-year-old will be itching to start hitting balls into Yankee Stadium's short porch once again, and there's no reason to think his 2016 production was any kind of fluke. If he was cut loose by an impatient GM in a shallow league, now's the time to pounce. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team AL: Owned

Dixon Machado, Tigers: Iglesias' concussion means Machado will get pushed into a semi-regular role in the short term. He's shown some speed in the minors but has exactly one stolen base in 39 big-league games over the last three years, so Detroit is not a team known for running wild on the basepaths, so consider any production the 25-year-old given you in that category as a nice bonus rather than an expected outcome. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Outfield

Jim Adduci, Tigers: He'll get called up Sunday to replace Jones on the roster. Adduci has one big Triple-A season on his CV – .298/.381/.463 with 16 homers and 32 steals in 127 games for Round Rock in 2013 – but he's never really come close to matching that at any other stop, and he'll turn 32 years old in mid-May. He's not the answer to the Tigers' issues in center field. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $1

Jorge Bonifacio, Royals: Bonifacio's prospect status has long faded, but Paulo Orlando's struggles gave the Royals a chance to reward the 23-year-old for his hot start at Triple-A with his first stint in the majors. He's almost certainly just keeping a roster spot warm for Soler, though, which makes Bonifacio little more than a lottery-ticket stash in deep keeper formats. Still, he was hitting .314/.386/.608 at Omaha with much-improved plate discipline, so there is some late bloomer potential here. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Jaff Decker, Athletics: Now on his fourth organization, Decker has never been able to turn his power/speed/patience profile in the minors into major-league production. That is, until now. Since being called up by the A's about a week ago, the 27-year-old is slashing .333/.478/.500 in regular playing time. Matt Joyce has been a dud in right field, so if Decker can keep rolling he could well take the starting job and hold it. His upside is higher in OBP leagues, but it's still substantial even in standard formats given his potential for double-digit homers and steals. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team AL: $5

Matt Olson, Athletics: Olson's prospect status has dimmed since his 37-homer explosion in the California League back in 2014, but the 23-year-old since has a bit of cache as a power/patience hitter who can fill a role in the corner outfield or as a 1B/DH. He hasn't seen an at-bat in three games since getting called up, though, so this current stint in the bigs seems like it's being done just to get him acclimated to the Show. Like Bonifacio, he's mainly of interest as a keeper-league stash. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team AL: $2

Jorge Soler, Royals: Soler began a rehab assignment Friday, so his debut with the Royals could be imminent, especially after he went 2-for-6 with a home run in two games for Triple-A Omaha. The prize from the Cubs in the Wade Davis deal, Soler should immediately slot in as the starting right fielder once he's activated from the DL, and while his 2016 numbers in Chicago weren't that impressive on the surface they were undercut by a .282 BABIP that was about 50 points below his career norm, and he also flashes improved plate discipline. Still only 25, Soler could well prove to be a very nice return for their former closer. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: Owned

Steven Souza, Rays: Souza's now had enough plate appearances this season to start taking the improvement in his strikeout rate seriously, which means it's time to start taking him seriously. His .352/.432/.592 slash line is buoyed by a .468 BABIP and won't last, but given his power he doesn't need to hit .350 to be valuable. Souza turns 28 on Monday, so he should be in his prime, and while he doesn't run much anymore if he continues making more contact and putting a charge into the ball, he should be able to put up some big numbers from the heart of Tampa's lineup, making him worth a roster spot even in shallower formats. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team AL: Owned

Designated Hitter

Trey Mancini, Orioles: Mancini's home run Saturday was his eighth in the big leagues between last season and this one, tying the MLB record for most homers in a player's first 17 games (Carlos Delgado and Trevor Story are the other two players to bash that many balls that quickly). Not bad company. He's worked his way into a platoon in left field thanks to Seth Smith's nagging hamstring, and if Mancini keeps putting balls in the seats it could become very difficult for the Orioles to justify putting him back on the bench. The 25-year-old has nothing left to prove in the minors either, routinely hitting for high averages with manageable strikeout rates, so Baltimore really has little to lose by giving Mancini a regular gig and seeing what happens. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team AL: $17