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.

Several pitchers have taken on more closing duties recently, while Tony Gonsolin also made his 2021 debut as a starter Wednesday and should have a rotation spot going forward. At the plate, several position players available in plenty of fantasy leagues have also had power surges recently and could become long-term contributors.

Starting Pitcher

Tony Gonsolin, Dodgers: Gonsolin made his 2021 debut Wednesday after he missed the start of the season with a shoulder injury. The righty only threw 66 pitches in 1.2 innings, but he allowed just one run and struck out four against the Pirates. He could remain on a pitch count in the near future while he builds back up, but he posted a 2.31 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 46.2 innings across nine appearances (eight starts) last year and will attempt to remain effective as a full-time starter in 2021. FAAB: $8

Austin Gomber, Rockies: Gomber was quite inconsistent early in the season, but he's settled down recently and hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his last six starts. His fantasy potential is somewhat limited while playing for the Rockies since he has limited opportunities for wins and has to play his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field, but he has a secure rotation spot and has been dominant across the last month. FAAB: $5

Tucker Davidson, Atlanta: Davidson made his second straight start Wednesday, and he tossed six scoreless frames in a no-decision against the Phillies. He hasn't allowed a run in his last 11.2 innings, and he's made a strong case to remain in the rotation while Huascar Ynoa and Mike Soroka are sidelined indefinitely. Atlanta could turn elsewhere if Davidson struggles down the road, but the southpaw is a highly regarded prospect within the organization and has impressed so far. FAAB: $4

Jackson Kowar, Royals: Kowar made his major-league debut Monday after he recorded a dominant 0.85 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 31.2 innings across six starts with Triple-A Omaha to begin the year. His first start with the Royals didn't go as planned, and he allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. The right-hander will get at least one more turn through the rotation and could perform better once he gets acclimated to pitching against major-league talent, but Monday's start showed that he could also experience some growing pains at the top level. FAAB: $4

Sammy Long, Giants: Long made his major-league debut as the primary pitcher in Wednesday's loss to the Rangers, but he's expected to take the spot in the rotation that had been occupied by the injured Logan Webb. The southpaw posted a 1.99 ERA in the minors to begin the year, and he allowed just one run and struck out seven in four innings during his major-league debut. Long impressed after signing a minor-league deal with the Giants this spring, and he could make the case for a long-term rotation spot. FAAB: $2

Vladimir Gutierrez, Reds: Gutierrez has made three consecutive starts for Cincinnati, and he'll likely remain in the rotation for now after three solid outings. He posted his first quality start in Wednesday's appearance, and he's now earned two consecutive wins. The right-hander has recorded a 2.65 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 17 innings across his three starts, and he has a fairly secure starting role in the near future with Sonny Gray and Jeff Hoffman sidelined. FAAB: $2

Relief Pitcher

Daniel Bard, Rockies: Bard has had a fairly secure grasp on the closing duties for the Rockies throughout the season, but he's solidified his standing by striking out 19 in 12.1 scoreless innings across his last 10 relief appearances. During his last seven outings, the 35-year-old has picked up four saves and two wins. Although he pitches for the Rockies, Bard has eight saves to begin the year and has been quite reliable recently. FAAB: $5

Hansel Robles, Twins: The Twins have rotated through a closing committee throughout the season, but Robles appears to currently be the slight favorite for save chances. He hasn't allowed any earned runs in four innings across his last four appearances, and he's picked up two saves during that time. Taylor Rogers is still in the mix for save chances, but Robles has made himself the slight favorite in the ninth inning recently. FAAB: $3

Jose Cisnero, Tigers: Cisnero has picked up saves in each of the Tigers' last two wins, signaling he could now be the favorite for ninth-inning duties over Gregory Soto. The right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run in any of his last three outings, and he's picked up two saves during that time. Cisnero's time as the closer could be limited since Michael Fulmer is expected to return this weekend or early next week, but he could be worth rostering in case he keeps the job going forward. FAAB: $2

Josh Sborz, Rangers: Rangers closer Ian Kennedy was placed on the injured list with a mild hamstring strain Wednesday, so Sborz could be in line for save opportunities in the near future. Manager Chris Woodward hasn't yet indicated who will serve as the interim closer, but Sborz converted on one of his three save chances earlier in the year and could be a temporary option for Texas in the ninth inning. FAAB: $1

Catcher

Eric Haase, Tigers: Haase was relatively productive earlier in the season, but he's been on another level recently and has served as Detroit's clear primary option behind the dish. Across his last seven games, the backstop has hit .429 with six home runs, a double, nine RBI and seven runs. Strikeouts have still been an issue, as he struck out 10 times across his last seven appearances, but his swings and misses are less of a concern when he's in the midst of a power surge. FAAB: $3

Max Stassi, Angels: Stassi has also been dominant at the plate recently, and he's earned starts in four of the last five games. The 30-year-old had multi-hit performances in each of those starts, and he went 9-for-17 with three home runs, two doubles, eight runs and six RBI during that time. Stassi has been performing incredibly well since he returned from the injured list June 1, and he should continue to serve as the primary catcher as long as he stays hot at the plate. FAAB: $2

First Base

Brandon Belt, Giants: Belt recently missed time with an oblique strain, but he returned to the field Tuesday and has started in each of the last two games. The 33-year-old should have a spot in the lineup as the first baseman nearly every day, but he could get some routine maintenance days in the near future following his absence. Belt has worked through several injuries early in the 2021 campaign, but he's slashed .238/.361/.467 with eight home runs, 21 RBI and 21 runs in 42 games this year. FAAB: $4

Bobby Bradley, Cleveland: Bradley made his season debut Saturday, and he has started in two of his first four games with the big-league club. The 25-year-old should have the chance to compete with Yu Chang for the job as the primary first baseman, and he's gone 4-for-10 with a home run, two doubles, four runs and three RBI across his first three games of the season. Bradley hit nine home runs in the minors early in the season, and he's impressed in the big leagues recently. FAAB: $3

Second Base

Jonathan India, Reds: India's production has been somewhat inconsistent early in his rookie season, but he's been more effective at the plate in recent games and has taken over as Cincinnati's leadoff man. He's hit at the top of the order in each of the last four games, and he's reached base safely in each of the last seven games. Across his last seven appearances, India has recorded a .552 on-base percentage with two homers, seven runs and four RBI. He should continue to serve as the primary second baseman in the near future, and he's developed a rhythm at the plate across the past week. FAAB: $5

Shed Long, Mariners: Long missed the start of the season with a shin injury, but he made his season debut Tuesday. The 25-year-old performed well during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma and slashed .323/.417/.516 with a home run, three doubles, eight runs and two RBI in seven contests. Long should operate as the primary second baseman in the coming days but could have a slight timeshare once Dylan Moore is cleared to return. FAAB: $4

Third Base

Miguel Andujar, Yankees: Andujar has rediscovered his power swing recently, and he's now hit five home runs across his last eight appearances. He didn't have any home runs prior to his recent uptick in production, but he's homered in back-to-back games against Minnesota at Target Field. The 26-year-old's lack of power to begin the year was discouraging, but he could be a viable option in deeper leagues if he can remain productive going forward. FAAB: $3

Patrick Wisdom, Cubs: Wisdom is included in the column for a second consecutive week since he's remained hot at the plate recently. His surge in production has earned him sustained playing time, even as some Cubs return from the injured list. Wisdom recently homered seven times in a nine-game span, and he was the first Cub to accomplish that feat since Kris Bryant in 2016, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The 29-year-old could lose out on playing time at some point, but he earned NL Player of the Week honors last week and has become increasingly fantasy relevant. FAAB: $2

Shortstop

J.P. Crawford, Mariners: Crawford's batting average had been satisfactory early in the season, but he's been especially dominant across the past week. He's had multi-hit performances in four of his last six games and has gone 12-for-21 with a home run, six doubles, six RBI and five runs during that time. The 26-year-old only had 11 extra-base hits in 53 games last season, but he has displayed increased power early in 2021 and has been productive recently. FAAB: $4

Outfield

Justin Upton, Angels: Upton has recorded hits in each of the last seven contests, and he's homered four times during that time. He's also recorded four doubles with nine runs and eight RBI during his recent streak. The 33-year-old is only hitting .230 this season, but he has 14 home runs in 52 games and has already eclipsed his homer total from the past two years. Upton has had some cold stretches early in the season, but he's turned things around during his recent power surge. FAAB: $4

Jake Fraley, Mariners: Fraley missed nearly two months due to a hamstring injury, but he was reinstated at the end of May and has taken over as the primary left fielder after Jarred Kelenic was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma. The 26-year-old has started in seven of the last nine games, and he's slashed .320/.485/.600 with two home runs, a double, nine RBI and six runs during that time. He could return to a depth role if Kelenic returns to the majors at some point, but he's taken advantage of his recent playing time. FAAB: $2