Welcome to our weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and FAAB (free agent acquisition budget) report. In this article, I’ll provide fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and recommendations for players to target. There will be suggested bids with an explanation of where to target them.
The focus is on 12- and 15-team National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC) leagues. If you’re in shallower formats, bid less than my recommendations below. The best way to use this column is to bid on the high end for your targets. I’ve scoured the waiver wire for three targets for each position to make it easier for you.
With that in mind, let’s dive into my Week 2 fantasy baseball FAAB recommendations.
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer
- Best Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Tools
- Fantasy Baseball Lineup Assistant
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups & FAAB Targets
Catchers
Liam Hicks (C – MIA)
- $20 in 15-team leagues; $10 in 12-team leagues.
- Red-hot start to the year.
- Take a shot on Liam Hicks, especially if you lost Alejandro Kirk.
Carson Kelly (C – CHC)
- $1 in 15-team leagues.
- Another option to replace Alejandro Kirk.
- Good for about four games this week.
Carlos Narvaez (C – BOS)
- $1 in 15-team leagues.
- Top catcher for the Red Sox.
- Another Alejandro Kirk replacement who can give you volume.
First Baseman
Spencer Steer (1B – CIN)
- $10 in 12-team leagues; $20 in 15-team leagues.
- Homered on Friday; could be getting hot.
- Starting to get more playing time.
Nolan Schanuel (1B – LAA)
- $10 in 12-team leagues; $20 in 15-team leagues.
- Batting in the heart of the order for the Angels.
- Showing improved bat speed.
Coby Mayo (1B – BAL)
- $1 in 15-team leagues.
- Bench bat to act as insurance.
- Give Coby Maya this week as a last chance.
Second Baseman
Max Muncy (2B, 3B – ATH)
- $20 in 12-team leagues; $10 in 15-team leagues.
- Red-hot at the plate.
- Eligible at corner and middle infield to round out your bench.
Luisangel Acuna (2B – CWS)
- $5 in 12-team leagues; $10 in 15-team leagues.
- Speed upside on the White Sox.
- Will get outfield eligibility soon.
Lenyn Sosa (1B, 2B – CWS)
- $3 in 12-team leagues; $6 in 15-team leagues.
- Lefty-masher who gets a couple of lefties this week.
- One-week streamer.
Shortstops
Jose Fernandez (SS – ARI)
- $20 in 12-team leagues; $40 in 15-team leagues.
- Homered twice in big-league debut.
- Bulked up significantly this offseason.
Nasim Nunez (SS – WSH)
- $5 in 12-team leagues; $10 in 15-team leagues.
- Stolen base upside.
- Will get second base eligibility soon.
Chase Meidroth (2B, SS – CWS)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Full seven-game schedule this week.
- Can contribute at a 15/15 pace.
Third Baseman
Marcelo Mayer (3B – BOS)
- $15 in 12-team leagues; $30 in 15-team leagues.
- Homered over the weekend.
- Facing six righties this week.
Jonathan India (2B, 3B, OF – KCR)
- $3 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Plays seven games this week.
- Bench bat to round out your roster.
Nolan Gorman (2B, 3B – STL)
- $2 in 15-team leagues; $1 in 12-team leagues.
- Power upside.
- Corner and middle infield eligibility make Nolan Gorman an ideal bench bat.
Outfielders
Jordan Walker (OF – STL)
- $40 in 12-team leagues; $70 in 15-team leagues.
- Elite bat speed and batted ball metrics.
- Could be a breakout candidate; add from waiver wire if still available.
Mickey Moniak (OF – COL)
- $20 in 12-team leagues; $40 in 15-team leagues.
- Power bat who is back from injury.
- Play Mickey Moniak when he’s at Coors Field.
Austin Hays (OF – CWS)
- $10 in 12-team leagues; $20 in 15-team leagues.
- Seven games this week.
- Heating up at the plate.
Starting Pitchers
Taj Bradley (SP – MIN)
- $40 in 12-team leagues; $80 in 15-team leagues.
- Off to a great start this season.
- Two starts this week — at home versus Detroit and on the road against Toronto.
Lance McCullers Jr. (SP – ATH)
- $40 in 12-team leagues; $80 in 15-team leagues.
- Lance McCullers looked dominant in his season debut.
- Useful with strikeout upside while healthy.
Brayan Bello (SP – BOS)
- $3 in 12-team leagues; $6 in 15-team leagues.
- Two-start week (vs. MIL, @ STL).
- Worth a look for volume.
Relief Pitchers
Riley O’Brien (RP – STL)
- $50 in 12-team leagues; $90 in 15-team leagues.
- Entrenched as the closer for now.
- Got a save and pitched in the ninth in the last two outings.
Gregory Soto (RP – PIT)
- $50 in 12-team leagues; $90 in 15-team leagues.
- Converted the most recent save.
- Could be the closer in Pittsburgh.
Bryan Baker (RP – TBR)
- $20 in 12-team leagues; $40 in 15-team leagues.
- Griffin Jax has been a mess.
- Bryan Baker is the best bet for saves right now in Tampa Bay.
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