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.

Joey Votto and Harrison Bader have been some of the most productive players in fantasy recently, and they're still available in plenty of leagues. Several starting pitchers have also performed especially well in July and could be strong contributors heading into the final two months of the season. Closing duties are hard to predict with several relievers still involved in trade talks ahead of Friday's deadline, but Paul Sewald could take over ninth-inning duties for the Mariners, who could still make a postseason push after trading Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero.

Starting Pitcher

Patrick Sandoval, Angels: Sandoval had lasted six innings in just two of his first 11 appearances, but he's now gone at least seven innings in each of his last three starts. He settled for a 1-2 record during that time, but he posted a 2.78 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB in 22.2 innings. The southpaw carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning during Saturday's win over the Twins, recording a season-high 13 strikeouts in 8.2 innings. Sandoval has a career-low 3.95 FIP in 2021, and he'll attempt to continue his success throughout the second half. FAAB: $8

Brad Keller, Royals: Keller had a rough start to the season with a 6.67 ERA in 81 innings in his first 17 starts through the end of June, but he's turned things around in July. The right-hander has lasted at least 6.1 innings in each of his last four starts, and he's recorded a 2.28 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 27.2 innings during that time. Keller hasn't been as consistent as when he posted a 2.47 ERA in 2020, but he's been much more effective recently and has returned to fantasy relevance. FAAB: $7

Jordan Montgomery, Yankees: Montgomery was charged with four consecutive losses stretching from his final start in June to his first three July outings, but he's put up scoreless performances in each of his last two starts. He picked up his first win in nearly two months Tuesday, and he's allowed eight hits and four walks while striking out 11 in 10.2 innings in his last two appearances. The southpaw now has a 3.78 ERA in 20 starts this season, and he's been especially dominant recently with 14.2 consecutive scoreless innings. FAAB: $5

Tylor Megill, Mets: Megill gave up five runs across his first two starts of the season, but he's been dominant across his five July starts and hasn't allowed more than one run in any of those appearances. The right-hander hasn't lasted longer than six innings in any of his starts this year, but he posted a 1.04 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 26 innings during his five July starts. Despite his struggles to last longer than six innings this year, he still has a strong 9.9 K/9. Megill could lose out on his rotation spot once Carlos Carrasco and Jacob deGrom are healthy, but he pitched well enough in July to make him a viable fantasy asset for now. FAAB: $4

Touki Toussaint, Atlanta: Toussaint began the season on the 60-day injured list due to a shoulder strain, but he made his season debut July 20, and he's allowed just one run in each of his first two starts of the year. The right-hander isn't guaranteed to maintain a rotation spot once Ian Anderson returns from the injured list, but he's made a strong case so far. Even as a short-term option, Toussaint's results make him a worthwhile fantasy consideration. FAAB: $3

Relief Pitcher

Paul Sewald, Mariners: Sewald earned his fourth save of the season Monday, and he could see more regular work in the ninth inning after the Mariners traded Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero to the Astros on Tuesday. The right-hander's likely promotion to the closer's role has been well-earned, as he's recorded a 2.30 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 31.1 innings in 31 appearances this year. The Mariners could remain in contention the final two months of the season, so Sewald could provide plenty of fantasy value as long as the team doesn't trade for another closer ahead of Friday's deadline. FAAB: $9

Ryan Tepera, Cubs: Craig Kimbrel has been heavily involved in trade rumors recently, and the Cubs parted ways with another late-inning arm when they traded Andrew Chafin to the Athletics on Monday. As long as Tepera isn't dealt, he could take over as the Cubs' closer since he's posted a career-low 2.78 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 43.1 innings during 43 appearances in 2021. The right-hander's long-term outlook depends on what the Cubs do ahead of the trade deadline, but he could have fairly regular save chances if Kimbrel is ultimately dealt. FAAB: $3

Catcher

Eric Haase, Tigers: Haase blasted home runs Monday and Tuesday and followed that by going 1-for-3 with a double, three runs, three RBIs and three walks in Wednesday's 17-14 win against the Twins. The 28-year-old has recorded hits in each of his last nine appearances, and he's gone 5-for-16 with two homers, two doubles, nine RBIs and six runs across the last five games. Haase has had a more consistent place in Detroit's lineup recently while serving as the team's catcher and designated hitter, and he has 17 home runs through 55 games in 2021. FAAB: $7

Daulton Varsho, Diamondbacks: Varsho's .204 batting average hasn't jumped off the page this year, but he's had less trouble reaching base recently while he's been in the midst of a nine-game on-base streak. The 25-year-old has started seven consecutive games, going 10-for-23 with four home runs, two doubles, 10 runs, nine RBIs and four walks. While Varsho has had inconsistent playing time to begin the season, he could secure a more regular role if he remains effective at the plate. FAAB: $4

First Base

Joey Votto, Reds: Votto has been one of the most productive players in the majors recently, and he's recorded extra-base hits in each of the last six games. He's gone 10-for-22 with seven home runs, a double, 14 RBIs, seven runs and five walks during that time. The 37-year-old has 19 home runs, his most since he went yard 36 times in 2017. Votto has been relatively productive throughout the 2021 campaign, and he's one of the top waiver targets of the week amid his recent hot streak. FAAB: $9

LaMonte Wade, Giants: Wade has also been dominant recently, though he cooled off in the last two games, as he's gone 0-for-5 with five strikeouts. In his four games prior to the cold spell, the 27-year-old went 7-for-18 with three home runs, a triple, two doubles, six RBIs, four runs and a stolen base. Wade suffered a lower leg injury Tuesday, but he appeared as a pinch hitter in Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers. He's now batting .255/.339/.562 with 12 home runs, 27 RBIs, 25 runs and three stolen bases this year. FAAB: $5

Second Base

Kyle Farmer, Reds: Farmer has recorded hits in 10 of his 11 appearances since the All-Star break, and he's had multiple hits in each of the last three games. In those three appearances, the 30-year-old has gone 7-for-11 with a homer, a triple, a double, three runs and two RBIs. Farmer's .717 OPS is the highest of his career, and he's totaled nine homers, 34 runs, 32 RBIs and two stolen bases in 2021. Even though he's hit near the bottom of Cincinnati's lineup, he's still been productive and has been especially dominant since the All-Star break. FAAB: $4

Third Base

David Bote, Cubs: Bote missed nearly two months due to a dislocated left shoulder, but he returned from the 10-day injured list Sunday and has started in three of the last four games. The 28-year-old returned to form right away, as he's recorded hits in each of the last four games and has gone 4-for-12 with a home run, four RBIs, three runs and three walks during that time. Bote should serve as the primary second baseman while Nico Hoerner is on the injured list, and he has enough positional versatility to be a fairly regular fixture in the Cubs' lineup for the remainder of the year. FAAB: $5

Shortstop

Paul DeJong, Cardinals: DeJong has hit just .206 this year, but he's been much more effective at the plate since the All-Star break. In 11 games to begin the second half, he's hit .316 with two homers, eight runs and five RBIs. The 27-year-old has played primarily in the bottom half of the Cardinals' lineup recently, but he's still generated modest production and has been much more proficient at reaching base the last two weeks. FAAB: $2

Outfield

Harrison Bader, Cardinals: Bader has been one of the most productive players in baseball since the start of July, and he's logged six extra-base hits in the last five games. Since he returned from a rib injury July 1, the 27-year-old has slashed .364/.417/.649 with five homers, 16 RBIs, 12 runs and three stolen bases in 21 games. Bader has displayed sustained dominance since he was reinstated from the 10-day injured list, and he's been an everyday player for the Cardinals with plenty of fantasy value. FAAB: $9

Akil Baddoo, Tigers: Baddoo has displayed increased power recently, and he's totaled five extra-base hits in his last five games. During that time, he's gone 8-for-23 with two home runs, three doubles, five runs and four RBIs. The 22-year-old has been quite productive throughout his first major league season and has 10 home runs in 82 games, but he's been especially productive recently and remains a strong fantasy asset. FAAB: $7

Jorge Soler, Royals: Soler has demonstrated plenty of power potential in the past, highlighted by 48 home runs during the 2019 campaign. He has a .194 batting average, but he's rediscovered his power stroke recently. In his last eight games, the 29-year-old has hit .308 with six homers, a double, eight runs, seven RBIs and six walks. He's continued to have a regular spot in the Royals' lineup, and he could have plenty of fantasy value during the second half of the season if he continues to reach base at a higher clip. FAAB: $7