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.

Wednesday was a busy day around baseball since active rosters expanded to 28 players, and the expansion created several opportunities for pitchers to take on starting roles in the majors. Even in redraft leagues, there are several young starting pitchers who have the potential to make an impact during the final month of the season. The Cardinals, Rockies and Red Sox are among teams who have altered ninth-inning responsibilities recently, while there are plenty of position players who have put together hitting streaks in recent games.

Starting Pitcher

Joe Ryan, Twins: Ryan was traded from the Rays to the Twins ahead of the trade deadline, and his contract was selected to make his major league debut against the Cubs on Wednesday. Although the right-hander posted a 3.41 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 66 innings in 14 appearances (13 starts) at Triple-A, he allowed three runs and took the loss Wednesday. The 25-year-old likely will remain in the rotation so he can attempt to secure a starting role in 2022, and he has strong fantasy value if his results from the minors carry over. FAAB: $6

Jackson Kowar, Royals: Kowar has plenty of potential, but he wasn't able to put the pieces together during his first three major-league appearances. However, he was called up when the Royals' active roster expanded to 28 players Wednesday, and he delivered the best start of his big-league career against Cleveland. The right-hander allowed two unearned runs while striking out six in six innings in the no-decision. Kowar's 8.18 ERA in 11 major-league innings doesn't jump off the page, but he has plenty of potential for the rest of the season if he can remain effective. FAAB: $5

Antonio Senzatela, Rockies: Senzatela gave up seven runs in 9.2 innings in his first two starts after he returned from the injured list, but he's been much more effective in his last three outings. He's recorded quality starts in each of his last three appearances, posting a 1.35 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 20 innings, and he earned his first win since June 2 during his last start. While the right-hander has a 3-9 record in 22 starts this season, he's offered much more fantasy value recently. FAAB: $5

Bailey Ober, Twins: Ober has been somewhat inconsistent during his first season in the majors with a 3.98 ERA in his first 16 starts, but he's shown more potential in his last four outings. During that time, the 26-year-old has recorded a 1.61 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 22.1 innings. The righty lines up for starts against Cleveland and Kansas City next week and will attempt to maintain his recent output. FAAB: $4

Carlos Hernandez, Royals: Hernandez took on a starting role in mid-July and initially struggled by giving up seven runs in 6.2 innings in his first two outings following the All-Star break. However, he's held opponents to no more than one run in five of his last six appearances. During that time, the right-hander has put up a 1.73 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 36.1 innings. Hernandez figures to remain in the rotation given his recent results, and he's become much more fantasy relevant during his hot stretch. FAAB: $4

Reynaldo Lopez, White Sox: Lopez has served primarily as a reliever this season, but he'll make his fifth start of the year Saturday against the Royals while filling in for Lance Lynn, who is sidelined with a knee injury. The right-hander could remain in the rotation if Lucas Giolito's recovery from a hamstring issue progresses slower than expected, but he has some fantasy value even if he continues to pitch in long relief. Lopez has lasted at least three frames in each of his last four appearances, posting a 1.59 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 17 innings. The 27-year-old also has a career-high 30.6 percent strikeout rate and 5.8 percent walk rate in 34 innings this season. FAAB: $3

Keegan Akin, Orioles: Fantasy managers in deep leagues can find value in Akin, who has earned wins in each of his last two outings. He recorded a 1.50 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 12 innings in those two appearances against the Angels and Blue Jays. He faces a slightly tougher test on the road against the Yankees on Sunday, but he's proven to be much more effective recently and could be worth a flyer in deep mixed leagues and AL-only leagues. FAAB: $2

Relief Pitcher

Giovanny Gallegos, Cardinals: While Alex Reyes posted a 0.96 ERA as the Cardinals' closer in the first three months of the 2021 campaign, he's struggled recently, which has allowed Gallegos to see more high-leverage work. The right-hander converted his fourth save of the season in Wednesday's matinee, and he's picked up two saves and three holds in his last five appearances. Gallegos has posted a 0.87 ERA in 10.1 innings in his last 10 outings and has earned ninth-inning duties as a result. FAAB: $6

Carlos Estevez, Rockies: Right-hander Daniel Bard has been inconsistent for the Rockies this season and was stripped of the closer's title Friday. While Estevez wasn't named the replacement for ninth-inning work, he earned the save Friday and has tossed 13 scoreless innings in his last 13 appearances. The right-hander has a 2.37 ERA in 19 innings across 19 outings since the All-Star break and has been rewarded with more high-leverage opportunities recently. FAAB: $5

Adam Ottavino, Red Sox: Ottavino has served as the interim closer after Matt Barnes was one of several players for the Red Sox to land on the COVID-19 injured list recently, and the 35-year-old has responded by converting saves in each of his last three outings. The right-hander has tossed 6.2 scoreless innings in his last seven appearances and has a chance to remain the closer for the remainder of the season since Barnes has recorded an uninspiring 7.71 ERA since the All-Star break. FAAB: $4

Catcher

Jorge Alfaro, Marlins: While Alex Jackson has drawn most of the starts behind the plate for the Marlins recently, Alfaro has still had a path toward playing time in left field. The 28-year-old snapped a seven-game hitting streak Tuesday, but he's still experienced a surge in production recently. Across his last eight appearances, Alfaro has hit .379 with a home run, two doubles, nine RBIs, three runs and a stolen base. He has just 20 extra-base hits in 84 games this year but has displayed increased power in the last week. FAAB: $3

First Base

Bobby Dalbec, Red Sox: Dalbec got a day off Wednesday, but he's been one of the hottest hitters in baseball recently. Across his last five games, the 26-year-old has gone 7-for-17 with four home runs, a double, nine RBIs and five runs. Dalbec still receives his fair share of days off and has hit mainly in the bottom third of Boston's order, but he has seven home runs in the last 15 games and is worth rostering in the midst of his power surge. FAAB: $6

Second Base

Nick Solak, Rangers: Solak extended his hitting streak to 10 games in Wednesday's loss to the Rockies, and he's driven in runs during six of those appearances. During his hitting streak, he's hit .359 with two home runs, two doubles, eight RBIs, six runs and a stolen base. Although the 26-year-old has continued to hit in the bottom half of the order during his hot stretch, he's had little trouble reaching base and has produced his fair share of runs as a result. FAAB: $3

Third Base

Patrick Wisdom, Cubs: Wisdom has been somewhat streaky during his rookie season in 2021, but he's been effective recently. Although the 30-year-old went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's win over the Twins, he's still swung a hot bat recently with seven home runs in his last 11 appearances. During that time, he's slashed .244/.311/.780 with seven homers, a double, 13 RBIs and 10 runs. Although his 42.2 percent strikeout rate across that span is somewhat concerning, he's certainly played well enough to mask his flaws recently. FAAB: $7

Phil Gosselin, Angels: Gosselin has taken over as the Angels' primary third baseman recently and has started each of the last eight games. He's had a favorable spot in the order while batting third in each of those appearances. Although the 32-year-old doesn't have any extra-base hits in that span, he's still hit .258 with four runs, four RBIs and two stolen bases during that time. Gosselin should continue to see ample playing time with Jose Iglesias in a slump, and he's shown the ability to produce runs while flashing his speed recently. FAAB: $2

Shortstop

Edmundo Sosa, Cardinals: Sosa got a breather in the second portion of Wednesday's twin bill against the Reds following a productive week. In the last six games, the 25-year-old has hit .429 with a home run, two triples, a double, eight RBIs and six runs. He's taken over as the primary shortstop since Paul DeJong has struggled during the second half of 2021, and he should continue to see regular playing time heading into the final month of the year. FAAB: $3

Outfield

Ian Happ, Cubs: Happ began the fantasy season as a player who was widely rostered, but he's given managers plenty of reasons to drop him since he's hit just .199 in 120 games in 2021. In leagues where the 27-year-old is no longer rostered, he's worth picking up given his surge in offensive production the last two weeks. Happ has slashed .362/.400/.787 with five home runs, five doubles, 12 RBIs, eight runs and two stolen bases across the last 14 games. The outfielder has had regular playing time in the heart of the Cubs' order and has become a viable fantasy option once again. FAAB: $9

Odubel Herrera, Phillies: Herrera has been somewhat streaky recently, but he's recorded three multi-hit games in his last 10 appearances. During that time, the 29-year-old has slashed .353/.421/.676 with three home runs, two doubles, six runs, six RBIs and a stolen base. He's had fewer opportunities to drive in runs recently since he's taken over as the Phillies' leadoff man against right-handed pitchers, but he's still remained productive across the last week and a half. FAAB: $3

Austin Hays, Orioles: Hays has strung together a nine-game hitting streak in which he's tallied five extra-base hits. In the last nine games, he's hit .400 with a home run, a triple, three doubles, seven runs and six RBIs. The 26-year-old hasn't had a consistent position within Baltimore's starting nine, but he's still started each of the last three games. Hays hasn't produced counting stats on a consistent basis in 2021, but he's been more effective at reaching base recently. FAAB: $2