The best players in the world play on NFBC, and the most popular high-stakes contest is the NFBC Main Event, with a $1,750 buy-in, a $7,000 league prize and a $200,000 overall prize. Thankfully for everyone, NFBC allows us to see what each team is doing with their FAAB pick-ups on Sunday night.
Each week, I will be looking at the most popular FAAB pick-ups in the NFBC Main Event to see who the best players in the world are picking up and whether we should get them for our own leagues.
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Tools
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Week 4 High-Stakes FAAB League (2024 Fantasy Baseball)
Yariel Rodriguez (RP,SP – TOR)
Rodriguez was the most picked-up player in NFBC Main Event leagues. He was added up in 54 leagues with a max bid of $163 and a minimum bid $23. Rodriguez is one of the Blue Jays’ top pitching prospects and has a great fastball and slider, along with three other usable pitches and above average command. He looked good in his first appearance and is expected to fit into the rotation this week.
David Hamilton (SS – BOS)
Hamilton was picked up in 51 Main Event leagues, with a max bid of $118 and a minimum bid of $1. Hamilton was moved into the starting lineup in Boston after Trevor Story hit the IL with a serious shoulder injury. Hamilton is best known for racking up massive stolen base numbers in the minors; if he can get on base enough at the Major Leagues, he could be a huge source of speed in fantasy.
Blake Perkins (LF,CF,RF – MIL)
Perkins has played a lot for the Brewers recently, hitting .385/.467/615 with two home runs and two stolen bases this season. All of that is why he was picked up in 49 leagues with a max bid of $72 and a minimum bid of $4, although Perkins is not a top-tier or even medium-tier prospect. The underlying numbers say this is a hot streak that will probably end pretty quickly.
Jose Soriano (RP – LAA)
Soriano was picked up in 49 leagues with a max bid of $66 and a minimum bid of $3. Soriano was largely picked up for his two-start week, although it won’t be easy matchups versus a patient Rays lineup and then on the road in Cincinnati, one of the worst parks for pitchers. Soriano has decent stuff, with a good fastball and curve, but he can struggle with command and control at times. I think this is a deep league gamble at best.
Kirby Yates (RP – TEX)
Yates was picked up in 46 leagues with a max bid of $211 and a minimum bid of $36. Yates seems like he is going to be the lead candidate for saves in Texas with Jose Leclerc struggling. However, there isn’t a lot of clarity with the situation and it could end up being David Robertson or a committee. This is a situation worth monitoring or taking a flier with Yates.
Jose Butto (SP – NYM)
Butto was picked up in 43 leagues after making his season debut for the Mets on Sunday, when he threw six scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and a walk, striking out nine in the victory over the Royals, while getting a 57% whiff rate on his slider and a 55% whiff rate on his changeup. Butto has a bad fastball but great secondary pitches, so there may be ups and downs, but he is in the rotation for now and could stick there for a while. He is worth stashing in leagues, but you won’t want to use him this week versus the Dodgers.
Jeff Hoffman (RP – PHI)
Similar to Yates, Hoffman has entered into the closer conversation in Philadelphia, which is why he was picked up in 25 leagues with a max bid of $169 and a minimum bid of $31. Hoffman has amazing skills, but this seems like it is a straight committee in Philadelphia. He could seize the job if Jose Alvarado struggles, but right now, he shares the role.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
