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Baseball season is officially in full swing. If you have an interest or a need in tweaking with your team, then you have come to the right place. This FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups series will be looking at Week 6 -- April 29 through May 5 -- and will point out free agents to target and how much FAAB you should allocate for them.
Baseball is a long season, and your FAAB budget has to last you an awfully long time. For the next 21 weeks, we must carefully place bids and target players who will fill holes in our team. Pay close attention to this in category leagues and spend big on a player if you need a specific category filled urgently.
Below are a few players with ownership percentages under 50% in Yahoo leagues that could benefit your roster and provide you with an added boost in several categories. I will also include what percentage of your FAAB budget you should look to spend on each player. Let’s get started!
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Bailey Falter, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
5% rostered
FAAB Bid: < 5%
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bailey Falter tossed a seven-inning gem on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 27-year-old allowed one run with three hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts.
To begin the season, Falter has a moderate 3.33 ERA but an eye-catching 0.89 WHIP. Last season, Falter posted a hefty 5.36 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP, which could suggest that Falter has made significant strides this offseason and in the early part of this campaign.
Bailey Falter strikes out the first batter he faces tonight in 3 pitches
93.2 MPH fastball, 2143 RPM, 13 inVB, 1 inHB pic.twitter.com/EyXst5WNtz
— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) April 23, 2024
A quick look under the hood shows that his fastball has been the foundation of his improvement. On Baseball Savant, his fastball has a run value of seven, compared to a negative three value last season.
In fact, his fastball is currently tied for third in total run value, only behind Shota Imanaga’s fastball and the elusive cutter of Corbin Burnes. While Falter's current production may not be sustainable, his consistent contribution to WHIP makes him a valuable asset for most teams. He's currently available at a relatively low cost, but a strong performance in the upcoming week could catapult him onto everyone’s radar.
Falter is tentatively scheduled to make his next start in a favorable matchup at PNC Park against the Colorado Rockies.
Jameson Taillon, SP, Chicago Cubs
20% rostered
FAAB Bid: 3-5%
After missing the first few weeks of the season with back tightness, Jameson Taillon made his season debut on April 19 and did not disappoint. He tossed five innings of one-run ball with three hits, no walks, and four punchouts to earn a victory over the Marlins.
Taillon followed that up with a solid performance the following Tuesday. He threw five ⅔ innings and surrendered two runs (one earned), seven hits, two walks, and four strikeouts against the Houston Astros en route to a perfect 2-0 record.
Taillon should be in line to receive several wins with the support of a strong team around him and should not hurt your ratios along the way. The 32-year-old is scheduled to face the New York Mets on Monday and make a second start later in the week against the Brewers, making him an intriguing two-start option.
Reed Garrett, RP, New York Mets
30% rostered
FAAB Bid: > 4-7% in holds leagues < 1-2% in others
Reed Garrett has been one of the best relief pitchers in baseball throughout the first month. Unfortunately, Garrett is in a bullpen with one of baseball's best closers, so he is not worth rostering in standard 5x5 leagues.
However, Garrett could become a valuable asset in holds leagues, and his dominant strikeout numbers will improve your ratios.
The 31-year-old has thrown 12 ⅔ innings with a 0.71 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, with a whopping 25 strikeouts.
Reed Garrett's splitter 🤢
Another 2 Ks for him in the 6th pic.twitter.com/gBC8pyegTk
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 24, 2024
Garrett has yet to allow a barrel (a hit that had an exit velocity of at least 98 mph) and is sporting a dominant 1.28 xERA and .122 xBA, which place him in the 99th percentile among qualified pitchers in both categories. In addition, he holds a 45.9% whiff rate and a 51.2% K rate.
The New York Mets have begun to string together a solid past two weeks, highlighted by taking two out of three at Dodger Stadium and sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Garrett may be given ample opportunities to rack up holds, and with how dominant he has been, he will be a solid contributor to your ratios, at worst, with the potential to increase your hold totals.
Joel Payamps, RP, Milwaukee Brewers
40% rostered
FAAB Bid: > 10% if you need saves, < 3-5% for others
The Milwaukee closing situation has been a revolving door since All-Star Devin Williams (back) was placed on the 60-Day IL. Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe have three saves each, and Thyago Vieira and Hoby Milner have one each.
Despite a slow start to the season, Payamps has recently demonstrated his potential, earning two of his three saves in the past eight days. This success should instill confidence in his ability to contribute significantly to your team.
From April 16 to April 21, Payamps did not allow an earned run, posted a minuscule 0.30 WHIP with three punchouts, and was perfect in save opportunities.
The Brewers continue to prove that they have their sights set on competing for the NL Central, and the closer will, for the time being, be a valuable asset in rotation leagues. If your team lacks saves and Payamps is still available, get him before he settles in as the primary ninth-inning option.
Wilyer Abreu, OF, Boston Red Sox
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: > 7-10% if you need an outfielder, < 7-10% for others
Wilyer Abreu has quietly been one of the most productive hitters in baseball over the past week (from April 16 to April 23). During this period, the 24-year-old has posted a .346/.452/.692 line with two long balls, six RBI, two swiped bags, and an impressive 4:5 K:BB ratio.
Since this breakout, Abreu has been batting in the top four spots in the Boston lineup, which has provided him with several opportunities to rack up counting stats.
The underlying metrics support his production as he is riding an above-average 90.0 mph average exit velocity and an 11.1% barrel rate.
Have yourself a day, Wilyer Abreu.
He's now 4 for 5 after this double. Batting .322 with a .954 OPS.
Enmanuel Valdez followed with a sac fly to make it 7-0. pic.twitter.com/1xzjXMS4uQ
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) April 25, 2024
Abreu's recent breakout performance, strong eye, and production at the plate make him a compelling addition to any team. His added speed is a welcomed bonus and he should chip in with a few swiped bags every week.
Tyler Freeman, 2B/3B/SS, Cleveland Guardians
10% rostered
FAAB Bid: < 1%
The ultimate utility man has a disappointing .215/.288/.400 line, but he has begun to turn the corner recently and is worth considering in deeper formats.
From April 16 to April 23, the 24-year-old posted a strong .368/.455/.789 line with two home runs and one stolen base.
Freeman is an ideal addition if you are looking for someone to fill in for an injured player. Due to his positional flexibility, he usually finds his way into the Guardians lineup, and his recent turnaround makes him a pretty safe, low-risk investment.
Blaze Alexander, 2B/SS, Arizona Diamondbacks
25% rostered
FAAB Bid: 5-10%
This is the 24-year-old’s second appearance in this column. Alexander has done nothing less than prove that he can remain in the Arizona lineup and should be rostered in deeper 12-team formats. Alexander has posted a strong .316/.371/.544 line across his first 19 games with three round-trippers and 13 RBI.
Unfortunately, while Alexander plays in a great lineup, which will do wonders for his counting stats, he will usually be penciled in towards the bottom. He has only batted above the bottom three spots twice this season.
In addition, Alexander has posted a below-average 24.1% K-rate, which slightly lowers his value in points leagues. Alexander remains a solid middle infield option in deeper leagues and could become helpful in shallow leagues if he can earn more plate appearances and lower his strikeout numbers.
Tyler Stephenson, C, Cincinnati Reds
21% rostered
FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Tyler Stephenson has shown a power surge over the past week. The backstop has slugged two of his three long balls in the past seven days, suggesting he is beginning to turn the corner on a rough 2024 start for the 27-year-old. Statcast supports this recent notion, as he currently is sitting with a 20.9% barrel rate and 55.8% hard-hit rate.
Tyler Stephenson BARRELS a grand slam and the Reds take the lead!
He has home runs in consecutive games and it's his first grand slam! pic.twitter.com/3RCEKAkDYp
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) April 20, 2024
If you are in need of a second catcher, Stephenson is worth looking into.
Time To Stash Prospects
Unfortunately, Heston Kjerstad could not make today’s column as he is already over 50% rostered in Yahoo leagues. However, I suggest spending around 10% of your FAAB budget on him if he is available. The talent is there, but the time spent playing is a serious question.
With that being said, I am including a few prospects that you could begin stashing to get ahead of your league-mates and save yourself some budget, and get them at a discount. Once a big-name prospect is called up, you will have to pay up the following week to add them to your roster and that might end up sinking your FAAB.
Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays
35% rostered
FAAB Bid: > 3-5%
The top prospect in the Tampa Bay system is on the brink of a promotion. He has posted a .500 SLG through his first eight games at Triple-A with two home runs. Caminero can provide a much-needed spark to a struggling Rays team. He will make an immediate impact upon call-up and is worth stashing today.
Joey Loperfido, OF, Houston Astros
15% rostered
FAAB Bid: < 2-3%
While the strikeout numbers are high, Loperfido has been the best power hitter in all of professional baseball in 2024. The 24-year-old has launched ten home runs across 20 games.
Loperfido is an interesting stash because he has begun to play first base, which could be his best path to a promotion. Jose Abreu has had a dreadful start to the 2024 season and could be riding pine awfully soon.
Going Deeper on the Waiver Wire
Mike Tauchman, OF, Chicago Cubs
1% rostered
FAAB Bid: < 1-3%
With the unfortunate news that Cody Bellinger (ribs) is heading to the 10-Day IL, Mike Tauchman now has a shot at consistent playing time for the foreseeable future.
Tauchman has been in a strict platoon role but should now see close to everyday playing time either in center or right field.
The 33-year-old has also been swinging a hot bat lately, posting a .450/.476/.900 line with two home runs and three doubles from April 17 to April 23.
Last summer, Cubs fans deemed 2023 “The Summer of Tauchman.” We could see a “Spring of Tauchman” over the next month.
AND THE SUMMER OF MIKE TAUCHMAN BEGINS AGAIN pic.twitter.com/THqSYP5WSr
— vinny! (@viinnnnnyy) April 24, 2024
For now, he is worth adding him NL-only formats.
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