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.

With little more than a month remaining in the regular season, the playoff push is on for both major league clubs and fantasy teams. Edward Cabrera had strong strikeout rates in the minors and made his first big-league appearance Wednesday, while there are also veteran pitchers who have exceeded expectations recently. Additionally, several position players have put together strong hitting streaks recently and have generated plenty of fantasy value at the plate.

Starting Pitcher

Tarik Skubal, Tigers: Skubal had a lackluster 5.86 ERA across his five starts in July, but he's been much more dominant in August. He struck out a season-high 10 batters in Wednesday's start against the Cardinals to continue his strong stretch in which he's posted a 1.59 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 27:3 K:BB in 22.2 innings across four outings. The southpaw's 4.88 FIP this season suggests that he's gotten somewhat lucky with his 4.01 ERA in 2021, but he's put together a set of four dominant starts and warrants fantasy consideration. FAAB: $6

Miles Mikolas, Cardinals: Mikolas missed nearly three months because of forearm tightness, but he built back up in five rehab appearances and returned to the Cardinals' rotation Friday. The right-hander was effective by giving up just two unearned runs in five innings, and he handled a relatively normal workload by tossing 83 pitches. He has a favorable matchup against the Pirates on Thursday and has some fantasy potential now that he's back to full health. FAAB: $5

Edward Cabrera, Marlins: Cabrera made his major league debut Wednesday following an impressive showing at Triple-A Jacksonville in which he had a 3.68 ERA and 48:19 K:BB in 29.1 innings across six starts. The right-hander only struck out two Nationals in Wednesday's no-decision, but he lasted 6.1 innings and allowed three runs during that time. Cabrera likely will remain in the rotation while Trevor Rogers and Pablo Lopez are sidelined, but he may have to show better strikeout rates in the majors if he hopes to serve as a long-term starter. FAAB: $5

Chris Flexen, Mariners: Flexen has been dominant since the start of August, as he's recorded quality starts in four of his last five outings. During that time, he's recorded a 2.59 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 31.1 innings. The right-hander's ERA this year has been skewed by several rough outings that are cause for some fantasy concern, but he's been remarkably consistent in August and is in the midst of a career season. FAAB: $4

Kyle Freeland, Rockies: Freeland gave up six runs in 10 innings in his first two starts in August, but he still earned wins in each of those appearances. He's been more effective during his last two appearances with a 2.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB in 13 innings, and he's earned another win during that time. The southpaw racked up a season-high 10 strikeouts in Saturday's win over the Diamondbacks but will face a more formidable opponent on the road against the Dodgers on Friday. However, Freeland has earned plenty of wins recently and has been much more effective at limiting run production than he had been earlier in the year. FAAB: $3

Touki Toussaint, Atlanta: Toussaint's fantasy value is dependent on whether manager Brian Snitker chooses to keep the right-hander in the starting rotation after Ian Anderson returns to the mound in the coming days. The 25-year-old has certainly made a case to remain a starter. He's picked up wins in each of his last two outings and has posted a 2.86 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 22 innings in four starts in August. More information on Toussaint's role likely will be revealed once Anderson returns from the injured list, but he's worth a speculative pickup in case he stays in the rotation. FAAB: $1

Relief Pitcher

Drew Steckenrider/Paul Sewald, Mariners: Sewald and Steckenrider have worked in a closer committee since Diego Castillo landed on the injured list with a shoulder injury last week. Neither of the fill-in options have been able to solidify themselves as the clear favorite for ninth-inning work, but both have been effective recently. Steckenrider has tossed 11 scoreless frames with three saves and a hold in his last nine appearances, while Sewald has recorded a 1.17 ERA and 0.65 WHIP with three saves and a hold in 7.2 innings during his last seven outings. Although the Mariners have utilized a closer-by-committee approach, both pitchers have been dominant recently and could continue to see save chances, even when Castillo returns to action. Steckenrider FAAB: $7; Sewald FAAB: $6

Tyler Clippard, Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks have still been one of the worst teams in baseball recently, but that hasn't stopped Clippard from picking up a handful of saves. The right-hander has given up at least one run in four of his last seven outings, but he's still had job security as Arizona's closer since he's converted saves in three of his last four appearances. While Clippard's save opportunities should be limited while pitching for the Diamondbacks, he's been the clear favorite for ninth-inning work. FAAB: $5

Kyle Finnegan, Nationals: Finnegan has served as the Nationals' closer since late July, and he's converted five of his six save chances since July 29. The right-hander has struggled with unearned runs recently but has still been mostly effective, as he's given up six runs (one earned) on nine hits and four walks while striking out seven in 11 innings across his last 12 appearances. The Nationals have a lack of other options for ninth-inning work, so Finnegan appears to be in line for more save chances in spite of his struggles to limit unearned runs. FAAB: $5

Scott Barlow, Royals: Barlow had converted each of his last two save chances ahead of Wednesday's appearance, but he was charged with a blown save when he gave up two hits and a walk while striking out two in 1.1 innings against the Astros. Although the right-hander has blown two of his last five save chances, he's still had plenty of work in the ninth inning and has posted a 1.45 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 18.2 innings across 17 appearances since the All-Star break. FAAB: $4

Catcher

Daulton Varsho, Diamondbacks: Varsho has drawn five consecutive starts, and he had a strong showing last weekend and early in the week when he went 6-for-12 with three homers, a triple, a double, six RBIs and four runs during a three-game span against the Rockies and Pirates. The 25-year-old has cooled off since then and has gone 0-for-8 with two strikeouts in the last two games, but he's shown glimpses of production this year and has had relatively consistent playing time. FAAB: $2

First Base

Miguel Sano, Twins: Sano spent time on the injured list last weekend, but he's been back in the lineup  the last two games and has continued his recent dominance. Even though the 28-year-old was away from the team for two games, he's now hit three home runs in his last four games, including a 495-foot blast at Fenway Park on Wednesday that was the longest in the majors this year. Sano has gone 5-for-17 with three home runs, a double, eight RBIs and four runs across his last four appearances and has had plenty of fantasy value recently. FAAB: $5

Nathaniel Lowe, Rangers: Lowe has reached base multiple times in each of his last four starts, highlighted by Tuesday's performance in which he went 5-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBIs and two runs in the team's win over Cleveland. The 26-year-old has had a prominent spot in the heart of Texas' order, and while his run-producing opportunities have been limited in the Rangers' lackluster lineup, he now has three extra-base hits in the last four games, and he's crossed the plate six times in his last five appearances. FAAB: $4

Travis Shaw, Red Sox: Shaw has had sporadic playing time recently since Boston has faced several left-handed pitchers recently, but he's appeared in each of the last three games and has showcased his power during that time. Across the three-game span, the 31-year-old went 3-for-8 with two home runs, a double, five RBIs and four runs. Although Shaw has worked in a platoon with Bobby Dalbec at first base, he's still proven to be productive and should draw the majority of the starts at the position. FAAB: $2

Second Base

Ramon Urias, Orioles: Urias hasn't displayed much power throughout the 2021 campaign, but he's been slightly more effective recently with six extra-base hits across the last six games. He's had four multi-hit performances during that time and has gone 8-for-22 with two homers, four doubles, seven RBIs and four runs. Urias has just 32 RBIs and 26 runs in 67 games while playing in the Orioles' lackluster lineup, but he's been much more effective recently and should see regular playing time since Maikel Franco and Richie Martin are no longer on the active roster. FAAB: $3

Third Base

Emmanuel Rivera, Royals: Rivera got consecutive days off last week but has still started 18 of 21 games since he returned from the injured list in early August. He's reached base safely in each of his last nine appearances and has a .400 on-base percentage with a home run, a double, six runs, three RBIs and a stolen base during that time. The 25-year-old has an underwhelming .348 slugging percentage with just one stolen base in 20 major league games this year but should continue to see regular playing time. His counting stats haven't jumped off the page, but he offers value to fantasy teams in need of a boost in batting average or on-base percentage. FAAB: $1

Shortstop

Nicky Lopez, Royals: Fantasy managers in need of stolen bases can find plenty of potential in Lopez, who has been filling in for Adalberto Mondesi for most of the 2021 campaign. Lopez has not been caught stealing in any of his 18 attempts this season, and he's swiped eight bags in his last 10 appearances. The 26-year-old has just one home run this season, and he's recorded only 51 runs and 32 RBIs in 115 games. However, he's had an everyday spot in the Royals' lineup and has showcased his speed recently. FAAB: $4

Outfield

Tyler Naquin, Reds: Naquin is more rostered than some of the other players on the list but is worth mentioning since he's been one of the most productive players in baseball the last few weeks. The outfielder is in the midst of a 14-game hitting streak and has slashed .453/.500/.868 with five home runs, a triple, five doubles, 14 runs and nine RBIs during that time. In leagues where Naquin is still available, he's certainly worth picking up. FAAB: $9

Amed Rosario, Cleveland: Rosario snapped a 10-game hitting streak when he went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in Wednesday's win over the Rangers, but he's still been on a tear recently with six multi-hit performances in the last nine games. Across that span, he's hit .421 with two home runs, a triple, three doubles, nine runs and eight RBIs. Like Naquin, Rosario is rostered in a fair number of leagues, but he provides a combination of run production and speed with his 63 runs, 43 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 2021. FAAB: $7

Anthony Santander, Orioles: Santander had just six home runs prior to the All-Star break, but he's been much more effective at the plate across his 20 appearances in August. During that time, he's hit .360 with eight home runs, five doubles, 14 runs, 13 RBIs and a stolen base. The 26-year-old has been especially dominant with seven extra-base hits in his last four games, but he's also had sustained production during the second half of the season. FAAB: $6

Yoshi Tsutsugo, Pirates: Fantasy managers in deeper leagues can find an outfield target in Tsutsugo, who was let go by the Dodgers in early July before he joined the Pirates in mid-August. The 29-year-old has had inconsistent playing time with his new club and has started just five of the nine games since he signed with the Pirates, but he's still been productive. Across nine appearances, he's gone 6-for-20 with three home runs, two doubles, four runs and four RBIs and he has value in deeper leagues. FAAB: $1