FAAB & Waiver Wire Report (Preseason)

Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Normally, I rank players using CBS’s rostership rate changes. The values are off this week because many drafts are still going on. Guys like Shohei Otani and Aaron Judge are the most added players (who knew?). So for this week, I took the players who saw their ADP jump the most in NFBC draft-and-hold leagues, with the start of Spring Training being the cutoff point.

Batters (i.e., the Rockies lineup)

Kazuma Okamoto: Projected to be a solid source of power and batting average at third base.

Konnor Griffin: Demoted to the minors, but the game’s top prospect.

Nasim Nuñez: His playing time is a little suspect, but he could steal 40+ bags with a .350 OBP. And hit 10 or so home runs.

Austin Hays: A 20+ HR bat available on the wire. Free power.

TJ Rumfield: Power bat who will be the Rockies’ starting first baseman. Just a 2% K% in Spring Training with 4 HR.

Jake McCarthy: Possibly leading off for the Rockies while being a solid source of steals.

Nolan Gorman: Getting a chance to play third base and hit in the middle of the Cardinals lineup.

Jordan Lawlar: He’s been given an outfield spot on a silver platter. Now, he just needs to hit … for once in the majors. Ranked high on possible upside.

Joey Loperfido: Likely the starting left fielder for the Astros, who had a solid spring (.914 OPS, 3 SB).

Luis Rengifo: Steady, boring contributor. My type of guy.

Jeff McNeil: Boring, steady contributor. Not as cool as Rengifo.

Willi Castro: Will provide several position eligibilities while offering a subpar balanced approach.

Coby Mayo: Playing third base while Jordan Westburg is on the IL. He’s struggled making contact in the majors with a 31% K% and a .201 AVG.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: Possibly the best hitter featured today, but he’ll start the season on the IL. Possibly returning in mid-April.

Luisangel Acuña: The steals source should be the centerfielder for the White Sox. One item bringing down his value is that he’ll bat at the bottom of a bad lineup.

Edouard Julien: Now with the Rockies. He’s batting Willi Castro and Kyle Karros for time at second and third base.

Garrett Mitchell: Possibly the starting centerfielder for the Brewers, but only a .413 OPS this spring. Keep an eye on Brandon Lockridge, who posted a 1.119 OPS with 4 HR and 3 SB.

Gary Sánchez: Backup catcher with some power but a batting average sink.

David Hamilton: While he can steal some bases, he’s headed to be a bench utility bat. Ignore.

Starters

Cody Ponce 폰세: In The Process, I estimated a 7.2 K/9, a 1.14 wHIP, and a 3.40 ERA.

Grant Holmes: He’s solid when healthy, and he’s healthy for now.

Matthew Liberatore: Dominated Spring Training with a 1.80 ERA (3.01 xFIP), 11.4 K/9, and 1.2 BB/9. Getting the Opening Day nod.

Max Meyer: He’s healthy right now after a 107 Pitching+ last season and a 3.51 xFIP.

Mick Abel: Made the Twins rotation after dominating this spring (11.5 K/9, 2.43 xFIP).

Ryan Weathers: All his pitch velocities are up 1 mph while throwing his sinker more. He’s always struggled with home runs (career 1.6 HR/9), and that’s no different this spring (2.2 HR/9).

Andrew Painter: I probably ranked him too high based on his pre-injury hype, but if he’s decent, this will be the last chance to roster him.

Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander: Might as well take a chance on the old guys.

Justin Wrobleski: Could be the sixth starter or follow another arm (e.g. Ohtani or Sasaki). Posted a 2.87 xFIP last season.

Randy Vásquez: His fastball is up 2 mph and is set in the rotation.

Dustin May: His pitch velocities are up 1 mph to 2 mph, and he is in the Cardinals’ rotation. Add and see how this goes.

Kyle Harrison: Making the Brewers rotation. Might be throwing his changeup (15% SwStr%) more.

Steven Matz: A projected 4.00 ERA pitcher in a starting rotation. Stream.

Bryce Elder: Right now, a streamer against weak opponents.

Nick Martinez: Streamer. Average arm on an average team.

Chris Bassitt: Consistently outperforms his ERA estimators (career 3.64 ERA, 4.18 xFIP). One of several stramers on the wire.

Reynaldo López: Threw only 5 IP last season, but is in this year’s Braves rotation. This spring, he’s struggling with control (4.3 BB/9, 1.34 WHIP).

Chris Paddack: Over 581 career innings, he has a 4.64 ERA and a 1.5 HR/9. We’ll see if a new pitch mix makes a difference.

Zach Eflin: Nothing exciting here. Barely a streamer.

Rhett Lowder: Part of a unique six-man rotation. I’m not sure how much he’ll pitch or even his talent level at this point. At best, an add and bench.

Ryan Weiss 와이스: Pitched in Korea last year and is the long reliever in Houston’s bullpen for now.

River Ryan: Coming off Tommy John surgery and will start the season building up in the minors.

Braxton Garrett: Demoted to the minors after falling in love with 6.75 this spring (6.75 K/9, 6.75 BB/9, 6.75 ERA).

JR Ritchie: Braves prospect who will likely be promoted if another arm gets hurt or struggles.

Kade Anderson: Drafted last year, but has been great. He could get a late-season promotion if the team needs him.

Relievers (Saves-based ranks)

Griffin Jax: Great reliever who should get most of the closing chances.

Robert Garcia: Good reliever who is most likely the closer.

Seranthony Domínguez: Average reliever who is the closer.

Bryan Abreu: Great reliever who is the closer until Josh Hader is healthy.

Kirby Yates: Average reliever who could be the closer.

Paul Sewald: Below-average reliever who could be the closer.

Taylor Rogers: Average reliever who could be the closer.

Kevin Ginkel: Good reliever who could be the closer.

Chris Martin: Great left-handed reliever who could get some Saves.

Justin Sterner: Below-average reliever who could be the closer.

Clayton Beeter: Average reliever who could be the closer.

Cole Henry: Bad reliever who could be the closer.

A.J. Puk: Great reliever who could eventually be the closer but is currently on the IL.