MLB FAAB Factor: Top Fantasy Baseball Waiver Targets

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.

Only five full series remain between now and the end of the 2025 MLB regular season, which means that your chances of moving up or down your league's standings are starting to become very slim. Of course, that's no reason to abandon all hope if you're still within range of first place, since fantasy baseball is not immune to the craziness the world of sports has to offer. An eye for under-valued talent, a well-timed waiver claim and a bit of luck can go a long way in making a final push for a title, and luckily, I may be able to help you out with the first part of the equation.

The number in parentheses represents the player's rostership rate in Yahoo leagues.

Starting Pitcher

Connelly Early, Boston Red Sox (7%)

It's probably a bit... Early... to say whether the 23-year-old lefty has what it takes to perform at a high level in the majors consistently, but he certainly turned a few heads while making his MLB debut Tuesday. He kept a surging Athletics offense off the scoreboard while striking out 11 batters over five innings, picking up a win in the process. Assuming he pitched his way into sticking in Boston's rotation, Early is tentatively lined up for a two-start week – something that's only becoming more important at this point in the season – that will include a rematch against the A's followed by a trip down to Tampa Bay. During that time, you can expect him to continue racking up Ks after posting an 11.8 K/9 in the minors, and his 2.60 ERA and 1.11 WHIP down on the farm also point toward future success. FAAB: $4

 Tyler Wells, Baltimore Orioles (20%)

Wells sat out the majority of the season while recovering from an elbow procedure he underwent last June. Now healthy and two starts deep into his return to the Orioles' rotation, the right-hander has given up just three earned runs and struck out 10 batters through 11.2 innings while picking up a win in his first outing and a quality start in his second. He also turned in a 2.49 ERA across 25.1 frames during his rehab assignment, giving him plenty of momentum entering what figures to be a favorable matchup Tuesday against the White Sox and their .684 OPS. FAAB: $2

 Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona Diamondbacks (17%)

It might be tempting to skip directly to the next name on this list after seeing Rodriguez on here, and I really can't blame you; he carries a 4.98 ERA and 1.55 WHIP through 26 starts and has been marred by inconsistency all season. The big "but" here is that his second-half numbers have been much easier on the eyes (3.63 ERA, 1.39 WHIP through 57 IP) and he's surrendered just one run over his last three starts, while picking up a win and a quality start in all three appearances. He may no longer be the strikeout-per-inning guy he once was with Boston, but he's done a nice job limiting hard contact and has a rematch against the Giants coming up next week, whom he just held scoreless for 6.1 frames Wednesday. FAAB: $1

 Bryce Elder, Atlanta Braves (18%)

Another pitcher with a rather unsightly season-long stat sheet, Elder has brought down his ERA from 6.12 to 5.35 by giving up just four earned runs in 26.1 innings across his last four starts. He's also managed a 21:5 K:BB in that span, demonstrating improved command, and notched a pair of wins against the Cubs. Trusting a pitcher who's maintained an ERA north of 4.00 all season is definitely a big ask, but the momentum he's built while facing some of the National League's best offenses (NYM, PHI, CHC) justifies adding him at a low cost. FAAB: $1

Relief Pitcher

 Brad Keller, Chicago Cubs (24%)

The Cubs lost Daniel Palencia to a strained right shoulder Monday, presumably leaving Keller as the next man up to serve as Chicago's closer. In addition to pacing the team with 25 holds, the 30-year-old righty sports a 2.13 ERA and 0.96 WHIP through 63.1 innings and hasn't allowed a single run in 21.1 frames since the All-Star break – an unbelievable achievement considering he finished last season with a 5.44 ERA and 1.52 WHIP between the White Sox and Red Sox. Andrew Kittredge and Caleb Thielbar have also been strong bullpen options for the Cubs this year and could be in the mix for saves as well until Palencia returns, but I'll put my money on the guy whose recent body of work stands out the most. FAAB: $3

 Jose Ferrer, Washington Nationals (35%)

Ferrer has extended his scoreless streak to 15.2 innings since Aug. 6 while serving as the Nationals' primary closer, and four of the five appearances he's made since the beginning of September have ended with him tallying a save. The Nationals have the second-worst record in the National League, but they also have a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way, which includes series against Pittsburgh, Atlanta (twice) and the White Sox. This should make it somewhat easier for the Nats to find themselves leading in the ninth inning over the final few weeks of the season, and in turn allow Ferrer to collect saves more often. FAAB: $3

Catcher

 Kyle Teel, Chicago White Sox (26%)

Teel earned a spot in this article a few weeks ago after establishing himself as an everyday starter for the White Sox, and a productive one at that. Now that he's kicked off September by going 8-for-28 (.286) with three homers, seven RBI, seven runs scored and a steal through eight games, it feels appropriate to give him another nod. With a .915 OPS since the All-Star break, the 23-year-old backstop has been one of the most productive catchers in baseball during the second half, and if it weren't for the logo you see beside his name, he would probably be in much higher demand. Take advantage of his widespread availability while you still can. FAAB: $10

First Baseman

 Jake Burger, Texas Rangers (33%)

After enduring a down year offensively that's been derailed multiple times by various injuries, Burger has come back hotter than ever since returning from a wrist injury at the beginning of the month. Since Sept. 1, the 29-year-old has gone 8-for-28 (.286) with four homers, eight RBI and six runs scored over eight games, elevating his OPS from .691 to .729 – the highest it's been all season. That number may not be all that impressive considering Burger is just two seasons removed from a 34-homer campaign in which he registered an .828 OPS, but he's peaking at just the right time to be a valuable power bat for fantasy managers to pick up at a critical point in the year. FAAB: $3

 Josh Bell, Washington Nationals (11%)

Bell's latest stop in our nation's capital hasn't been quite as successful as his stint with the Nationals earlier this decade, but he's caught fire this week by belting four home runs across his last four games while going 8-for-15 with 13 RBI and six runs scored in that span. His power surge has allowed him to reach 20 home runs in a season for the fifth time in his 10-year career, and it makes him a favorable waiver pickup for anyone who is prioritizing power bats down the stretch. FAAB: $1

Second Baseman

 Romy Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox (17%)

I'll first point out that Gonzalez is dealing with a knee injury at the time that I'm writing this, but I would also like to draw your attention to the 12-game hitting streak he's amassed that has seen him slash .455/.444/.545 while logging nine RBI and scoring five times. His knee isn't expected to be an issue that keeps him out for more than a couple of days, so once the 29-year-old is healthy, he'll be able to offer you a productive, high-average bat that you can plug into any infield position in your lineup. FAAB: $5

 Chase Meidroth, Chicago White Sox (6%)

Meidroth has turned into a hitting machine since returning from a thumb injury in mid-August, slashing .316/.386/.392 with seven RBI, 10 runs scored and a pair of steals across his last 22 contests. With just four homers in 439 plate appearances, the 24-year-old rookie doesn't have much to offer as far as power goes, but his patience at the plate is beginning to yield positive results far more often and could soon force the White Sox to move him back up to the top of the batting order. FAAB: $2

Third Baseman

 Yoan Moncada, Los Angeles Angels (2%)

The oft-injured Moncada will fall short of the 100-game mark for a third straight year. However, his .815 OPS puts him on track to record his most efficient season at the plate since 2019, and going 9-for-20 with a homer, four RBI and seven runs in his last seven games has certainly helped his chances to do so. Now that fantasy managers need him to remain healthy for just a few more weeks rather than a whole season, picking him up in the midst of an offensive surge may not be a terrible idea. FAAB: $1

Shortstop

 Otto Lopez, Miami Marlins (33%)

A multi-homer outing from Lopez on Sunday helped to draw a few eyes his way, but the 26-year-old's hot streak can be traced all the way back into late August. Lopez is slashing .367/.396/.571 over his last 13 games and has tallied three homers, 13 RBI and seven runs scored in that time. Because he's firmly planted in the top half of the Marlins' batting order, that kind of offensive efficiency is sure to provide a nice boost to Lopez's counting stats if it continues, though his unimpressive .692 OPS for the season keeps open the possibility of him snapping back to reality at any moment. FAAB: $3

Outfielder

 Daylen Lile, Washington Nationals (33%)

Lile has been arguably swinging the hottest stick of anyone in the majors this month, turning in eight multi-hit efforts over the course of his 10-game hitting streak while slashing .439/.465/.854 with two homers, eight RBI, 12 runs and a steal in that timeframe. His impressive feat has enabled him to begin batting cleanup regularly for the Nationals against right-handers, providing an obvious boost to his RBI potential. Lile is also plenty fast enough to swipe a bag or two if he continues to reach base at his current clip. FAAB: $7

 Harrison Bader, Philadelphia Phillies (15%)

Another contender for the "hottest bat through 10 days of September award" (the name could probably use some work) is Bader, who has gone 16-for-39 (.410) to begin the month while smacking two homers and driving in seven RBI with 10 runs scored himself. With Trea Turner sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Phillies have started to deploy Bader as their leadoff man, and hitting in front of guys like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper should only work to increase the number of times Bader crosses the plate before the end of the year. The biggest knock against him is the fact that – despite being one of the faster players in the game – the 31-year-old hasn't stolen a base since being traded to the Phillies. FAAB: $5

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