MLB FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

Jarred Kelenic's callup has been expected for several days, but the Mariners also announced Wednesday that Logan Gilbert will make his major league debut as the starter against Cleveland on Thursday. There are plenty of other prospects performing well in the minors who could be worth stashing if fantasy managers have enough bench spots available, while several major league players have also been especially hot at the plate recently.

Starting Pitcher

Logan Gilbert, Mariners: While Jarred Kelenic's callup is coming slightly later than expected, Gilbert will be called up to start Thursday's game against Cleveland, which is slightly earlier than anticipated. Gilbert is certainly deserving of the call, as he posted a 2.13 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 165:33 K:BB in 135 innings in the minors during the 2019 campaign. He also allowed just one run in five innings during his 2021 debut with Triple-A Tacoma. Gilbert could experience some growing pains early in his big-league career given his lack of experience against upper-level talent, but he will have a spot in the team's six-man rotation, especially since Ljay Newsome could require Tommy John surgery. FAAB: $16

Wade Miley, Reds: While Miley might not have a temporary tattoo of the Incredible Hulk in each of his starts this season, his no-hitter Friday bolstered a start to the 2021 campaign that had already been strong. He's lasted at least five innings in each of his first five starts and has posted a 2.00 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 36 innings. Miley had a lackluster showing in 2020 by recording a 5.65 ERA, but he's been effective in 2021. FAAB: $7

Adbert Alzolay, Cubs: Alzolay has been consistent early in the season, as he hasn't allowed fewer than two runs in any start, but he also hasn't allowed more than four runs in any of his appearances. The right-hander's 1-3 record is less than stellar, but he's recorded a 4.50 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 32 innings in six starts. Alzolay hasn't been especially dominant in any of his appearances, but he's been a consistent contributor with modest upside. FAAB: $4

Adam Wainwright, Cardinals: Wainwright has been slightly more inconsistent than Alzolay earlier in the season, but he's picked up wins in each of his last two starts. He dominated the Rockies with 8.1 scoreless frames in his most recent appearance and has now posted a 3.80 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 42.2 innings this season. Wainwright has given up at least five runs in two of his first seven starts, but he's still been a productive fantasy asset, even in his age-39 season. FAAB: $4

Relief Pitcher

Ryan Weathers, Padres: Mark Melancon has plenty of job security as the Padres' closer, but Weathers has been dominant in a versatile role in 2021. The southpaw has posted a 0.81 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with a 2-1 record in 22.1 innings in eight appearances (three starts). While Weathers likely won't get many save chances and could have sporadic opportunities for wins, he's performed well in a variety of situations. FAAB: $4

Jeffrey Springs, Rays: Springs has a somewhat undefined role in the Rays' late-game plans, but he carries a 3-1 record and has converted two of his three save chances early in the season. He's been quite reliable in his first 15 appearances of the season, as he's posted a 2.30 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB in 15.2 innings. While Springs will soon have to compete with both Diego Castillo and Pete Fairbanks for save chances, the Rays tend to utilize multiple closers, and Springs could still factor into ninth-inning duties. FAAB: $3

Catcher

Yan Gomes, Nationals: Gomes was in a clear timeshare behind the plate at the end of April but has now been in the lineup for eight of the first 10 games in May. During that time, Gomes has hit .313 with three home runs, six RBI and four runs. While Alex Avila could receive more time behind the plate if Gomes cools off, the 33-year-old has already matched his homer total from 2020 with four home runs in his first 21 games this year. FAAB: $2

Mike Zunino, Rays: Zunino has received more playing time while Francisco Mejia has been sidelined with a rib injury, and he's driven in runs in four of his last six starts. The 30-year-old has a lackluster .211 batting average, but he already has seven home runs, 15 runs and 15 RBIs in 24 games this season. Zunino's ability to produce runs could lead the Rays to give him more playing time even when Mejia is cleared to return. FAAB: $2

First Base

Asdrubal Cabrera, Diamondbacks: Cabrera snapped a five-game hitting streak Wednesday against the Marlins, but he's still been quite productive in recent contests. Prior to Wednesday's matchup, Cabrera had gone 9-for-18 with two homers, two doubles, six RBIs and four runs in his last five games. The 35-year-old has hit .279 with 18 RBIs and has been a strong fantasy contributor who is in the lineup nearly every day. FAAB: $4

Second Base

Adam Frazier, Pirates: Frazier has been in the Pirates' lineup for all but two games to begin the season, and he's recorded hits in each of his last 12 games. While the 29-year-old has just one home run, he has 14 extra-base hits and has slashed .307/.380/.436 with 18 runs, 12 RBIs and three stolen bases. Frazier's lack of home runs has been slightly discouraging, but he's been able to get on base and produce runs on a consistent basis this season. FAAB: $3

Nick Senzel, Reds: Senzel has gone through some cold stretches early in the season, but he's now crossed the plate in each of the last five games. He has just one home run in his first 32 games but has hit .263 with 17 runs, eight RBIs and two stolen bases. Senzel flashed his potential in 2019 by hitting 12 home runs with 14 stolen bases in 104 games and has taken a step back in the last two seasons, but he's been hot recently and has displayed the ability to score since taking on a leadoff role. FAAB: $3

Vidal Brujan, Rays: Brujan tends to get overshadowed by Wander Franco in the Rays' farm system, but Brujan could be called up before Franco, especially after his hot start to the minor-league campaign. Brujan has appeared in seven games for Triple-A Durham this year and has slashed .407/.515/.852 with four home runs, nine RBIs, eight runs and six walks during that time. Brujan has the ability to play multiple positions and could be worth stashing in deeper leagues. FAAB: $2

Third Base

Jeimer Candelario, Tigers: Candelario missed his first game of the season Tuesday due to COVID-19 vaccine side effects but recovered to return Wednesday. The 27-year-old has had little trouble getting on base this year, as he sports a .359 on-base percentage. Candelario has also displayed run-production skills with three homers, 18 runs and 13 RBIs in 35 games and is a viable fantasy option as an everyday player in the top half of the Tigers' lineup. FAAB: $4

Shortstop

Wander Franco, Rays: Now that Jarred Kelenic is getting his call to the majors Thursday, many eyes will turn to Franco, who is one of the top position prospects in baseball. The 20-year-old has backed up his production to begin the minor-league season, as he's hit .269 with two home runs, six RBIs and four runs in his first six games with Triple-A Durham. Franco still doesn't have a clear timetable for his major-league debut, and Vidal Brujan could join the Rays before him. However, Franco would present a clear upgrade over Willy Adames and is worth stashing given his hot start at the Triple-A level. FAAB: $8

Outfield

Jarred Kelenic, Mariners: Kelenic is now rostered in most fantasy leagues, but managers in leagues where he's still available could have a final chance to claim Seattle's top prospect this week. The 21-year-old should take on an everyday role right away, and he has a unique combination of power and speed, as he hit 23 home runs with 21 stolen bases in the minors during the 2019 campaign. Managers who are lucky enough to be in leagues where he's still available shouldn't hesitate to use plenty of FAAB to claim Kelenic. FAAB: $27

Joc Pederson, Cubs: Pederson struggled to begin the season and missed time at the end of April due to a wrist issue. However, he's been dominant since returning to action and has four multi-hit games in his last five appearances. During that time, Pederson has gone 11-for-22 with four RBIs, two runs and six strikeouts. Pederson has hit just one home run to begin his time with the Cubs, but his recent results have more closely resembled his Cactus League dominance. FAAB: $6

Trevor Larnach, Twins: Larnach scored his first major-league run Tuesday, and he smacked a double in Wednesday's loss to the White Sox for his first hit in the big leagues. He spent the 2019 campaign with High-A Fort Myers and Double-A Pensacola and slashed .309/.384/.458 with 13 home runs, 66 RBIs and 59 runs in 127 games. The 24-year-old is one of Minnesota's top prospects and was called up recently with Byron Buxton sidelined due to a hip injury and with Alex Kirilloff out with a wrist issue. Larnach should see his fair share of playing time while Buxton and Kirilloff are unavailable, and he could carve out a role when they return if he can perform well in the near future. FAAB: $5

Robbie Grossman, Tigers: Grossman has been on a power surge recently, as he's gone 6-for-12 with a home run, two triples, a double, six RBIs and three runs in his last three games. He's posted a .381 on-base percentage with 16 RBIs, even while mainly hitting at the top of the order. The 31-year-old has also been successful in each of his seven attempts to steal a base this year. Grossman has gotten on base consistently and has been an everyday leadoff contributor for Detroit. FAAB: $3

Harrison Bader, Cardinals: Bader missed the first month of the season due to a forearm injury but has been productive in an everyday role since returning to action. Bader has gotten on base in 11 of his first 12 games while hitting in the bottom third of the Cardinals' lineup. The 26-year-old is batting .275/.333/.525 with three home runs, eight RBIs, five runs and two stolen bases in his first 12 games of 2021 and warrants fantasy consideration for as long as he can remain hot. FAAB: $3