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.

Even as some of the top fantasy free agents have been picked up in the first several weeks of the season, there are still several solid pitchers and position players with pop and run-producing potential. April 16 also marks the cutoff date for service-time purposes, so this week's column highlights a pair of elite prospects who could join the major-league roster in the near future.

Starting Pitcher

Kwang Hyun Kim, Cardinals: Kim had been dealing with back injuries since mid-March, but he is scheduled to make his season debut as a starter against Philadelphia on Saturday. The southpaw made eight appearances (seven starts) in his first major-league season last year and posted a 1.62 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 39 innings. Kim only recorded a 15.6 percent strikeout rate in 2020, but he could provide value for fantasy teams in need of ERA and WHIP support. FAAB: $4

Casey Mize, Tigers: Mize posted a 6.99 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 28.1 innings during his first major-league season in 2020, but he's been successful to begin the 2021 campaign. Through his first two starts of the season, the 23-year-old has a 0.82 ERA and 9:4 K:BB. The right-hander doesn't have an elite strikeout rate (19.6 percent in 2021), and he has some issues with his command, but he's one of Detroit's top prospects and has performed on par with his potential early in the year. FAAB: $4

Huascar Ynoa, Atlanta: Ynoa started the season in Atlanta's bullpen, but he's joined the team's rotation during his last two appearances with Mike Soroka sidelined due to Achilles and shoulder issues. The right-hander has been dominant as a starter, as he's posted a 0.82 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB in 11 innings during that time. Soroka remains without a timetable to return, so Ynoa is a worthwhile target for teams in need of immediate starts. FAAB: $3

Relief Pitcher

Yimi Garcia, Marlins: Anthony Bass appeared to have a fairly secure status as Miami's closer heading into the season, but he allowed six runs in 2.1 innings while blowing two saves in his first three appearances of 2021. Garcia was named the favorite for save chances after Bass' struggles, and the 30-year-old has posted a 1.42 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with one save and two holds in 6.1 innings this year. Garcia recorded a 0.60 ERA in 15 innings in 2020 and now has a more favorable fantasy role to go with his solid production. FAAB: $9

Lou Trivino, Athletics: The Athletics waited to name a closer after Trevor Rosenthal was placed on the 10-day injured list to begin the season, but Trivino is expected to see the bulk of the save chances for Oakland while Rosenthal is sidelined. The right-hander has posted a 1.04 ERA and 0.69 WHIP in 8.2 innings this season and converted in his first save situation Tuesday. Oakland could turn to Sergio Romo or Jake Diekman at some point if Trivino struggles, but Trivino appears to be in line for ninth-inning work with Rosenthal set to miss extended time. FAAB: $6

Corey Knebel, Dodgers: Knebel has gotten off to a strong start with his new team by tossing 4.1 scoreless innings with two saves, two holds and six strikeouts. Kenley Jansen still has good job security as the Dodgers' closer, but manager Dave Roberts said Knebel will be the favorite for saves when Jansen has been overworked. The Dodgers should have plenty of save opportunities this year, so Knebel carries decent fantasy value, especially in leagues that use saves and holds. FAAB: $5

Catcher

Wilson Ramos, Tigers: Ramos posted only a .684 OPS with the Mets last year, but he's experienced a power surge to begin his time in Detroit this year. Ramos is tied with Ronald Acuna for a league-leading six home runs, and the catcher is batting .281/.343/.875 with seven runs and seven RBIs in nine games. Ramos likely will regress to the mean at some point, as his six home runs this year already outnumber his five from 2020. However, he's been one of the top catchers at the plate to begin the season. FAAB: $3

First Base

Colin Moran, Pirates: Moran has mainly occupied the strong side of a platoon to begin the year, but he usually hits cleanup against right-handers and has already totaled two home runs, seven RBIs and five runs in his first 11 games of 2021. His 34.1 percent strikeout rate is somewhat concerning, but he's reached base safely in 10 of his first 11 games. Moran has decent run-producing potential with his prominent spot in Pittsburgh's lineup. FAAB: $2

Carlos Santana, Royals: Santana has only hit .152 in his first nine games of the season, but he hits in the heart of the Royals' order and has already logged six RBIs this year. The 35-year-old has now hit just .192 the last two seasons, but he's posted a .339 on-base percentage during that time. Even though Santana's recent batting average has left something to be desired, he's an everyday player with the ability to produce runs for the Royals this year. FAAB: $2

Second Base

Jed Lowrie, Athletics: Lowrie missed most of 2020 due to a knee injury, but he returned to the Athletics during the offseason and has been performing at a high level early in 2021. Lowrie has slashed .333/.417/.548 with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 12 games this season while mainly hitting in the top half of Oakland's order. The 36-year-old should receive some veteran maintenance days this year, but he's swung a hot bat to begin the season at a fairly shallow fantasy position. FAAB: $3

Third Base

Travis Shaw, Brewers: Shaw had hit just .191 with 13 home runs the last two seasons, but he's returned to form during his first season back in Milwaukee. Shaw has only started against right-handed pitchers this season bat has already driven in 12 runs and has posted a .933 OPS in 11 games. The 30-year-old has already hit three home runs and has shown the ability to produce runs and hit for power this year. FAAB: $5

Phillip Evans, Pirates: Evans has filled in for Ke'Bryan Hayes after Hayes suffered a wrist injury April 3. While Hayes appears to be trending toward a return, Evans should still see some time in the lineup given his strong play. Evans has batted .382/.475/.706 with three home runs, eight runs and five RBIs in 10 games this season. Although Evans should return to a backup role soon, his strong play early in the 2021 campaign makes him a candidate to roster in deeper fantasy leagues. FAAB: $2

Shortstop

Joey Wendle, Rays: Wendle had averaged just 18 RBIs the last two seasons, but he's already driven in eight runs in the first nine games of the 2021 campaign, batting .310/.333/.517. The 30-year-old has struck out at a 23.3 percent clip to begin the year, but he's recorded four extra-base hits in the strong side of a platoon for the Rays. Wendle has had modest results in past years but has carved out a more significant role for Tampa Bay this season. FAAB: $2

Outfield

Jarred Kelenic, Mariners: For those in leagues where he isn't already rostered, the time has come to consider adding Kelenic. The 21-year-old slashed .333/.478/.778 with two home runs and seven runs this spring, but he dealt with a knee injury during camp and was sent to the alternate training site to begin the year. Kelenic posted a .897 OPS with 23 home runs, 68 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in the minors in 2019. He won't accrue a year of service time if he's added to the major-league roster after April 16, so his major-league debut should be approaching. Kelenic should have a prominent role in the lineup once he's called up and carries five-tool potential as a rookie. FAAB: $26

Alex Kirilloff, Twins: It seems as though you can't mention Jarred Kelenic's name without also mentioning Kirilloff early in the season. Kirilloff made his regular-season debut as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against Boston and went hitless in three at-bats. Unlike Kelenic, Kirilloff struggled in camp and batted .129/.182/.258 in 12 spring games. Kirilloff's timetable to join the major-league roster is slightly less defined than Kelenic's, but he could still be called up sometime in late April or early May and should serve as the Twins' starting left fielder when he joins the club. Kelenic has more speed potential and has generated more consistent results in the minors, but Kirilloff still has plenty of upside as he prepares to join the major-league roster. FAAB: $21

Adam Duvall, Marlins: Duvall has served as Miami's primary right fielder while hitting in the heart of the order to begin the year. The 32-year-old averaged 21 home runs in the last five seasons, and he already has four homers in his first 10 games of the 2021 campaign. Duvall went just 2-for-21 to begin the season but is now hitting .267 with nine RBIs and six runs. Even though Duvall has been somewhat inconsistent this year, he still has plenty of pop in his bat in his age-32 season. FAAB: $3

Adam Eaton, White Sox: Eaton only hit four home runs in 41 games last year but has already homered three times in 10 games in 2021. He's been near the top of the order for most of the 2021 campaign and has reached base safely in each of his starts this season. Eaton has also racked up 10 RBIs in addition to 10 runs despite hitting first or second in the order during eight of his nine starts this year. The 32-year-old has gotten off to a hot start this season and has plenty of run-producing potential in Chicago's potent lineup. FAAB: $2