Week 3 is where FAAB stops being theoretical and starts shaping seasons. Roles and playing time start to stabilize, and the gap between reacting and acting with intent starts to show up on rosters. This is the point where a well-timed pickup could reward you for the rest of the season, so its importance can’t be overstated.
At this point, the goal is less about explaining the process of FAAB and more about proving my philosophy is actionable. It’s important that this column is built on the same approach I use to manage my own roster, and the recommendations reflect players I’m actively buying into. Put simply, if done correctly this exercise should uncover at least one impact addition each week, and is the standard I’m holding myself to. Also, who you decide to add or not add based on this article depends on your needs and roster situation, and it’s no different for me.
Working through these recommendations has also clarified what this column is really about. The goal isn’t to be first or to plant a flag in a specific name, but more to consistently point you towards players who will actually help your team. Being right doesn’t matter if it doesn’t translate to results, and the focus here is making actionable calls that pay off in your lineup.
As much analytical work and analysis goes into all of this, making sure helpful suggestions are being given out weekly is the real bottom line. So it’s not about coming up with the most fancy stats, but rather to give recommendations that translate into real value for your roster.
Throughout the season, this column is designed to help you decide who to target on the waiver wire, as well as how to prioritize who to add. The focus will mainly be on relevant players who are also widely available in all leagues, and will often include players I’ve spent my own FAAB dollars on. Every league is different, so players will not be given an exact dollar amount but instead will use a four-tier investment rating system, ranging from a minimal spend to a potential difference-maker (or LEAGUE-WINNER, if you will).
Let’s spend some FAAB dollars!
Investment Rating System
This week, there are eight teams with a seven-game schedule: the Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, and the Washington Nationals. Cam Smith is a player mentioned below with seven games this week, and the rest of the teams have a six-game week.
SEVEN GAMES: ATH, BAL, CLE, HOU, NYY, PIT, SEA, WSN
Batters
Outfielders
Jordan Walker ($$$$): Believe it or not, Jordan Walker is still widely available and therefore still has merit being mentioned in this article. It felt like an addition that had already become too obvious to include, but as long as he’s not basically universally rostered, he belongs here until proven otherwise. We all know the physical tools have always been there for Walker, to the point that it doesn’t require any more discussion. If he continues to show improvement at getting the ball in the air for home runs, the sky is the limit for Walker. Even in the shallowest of leagues, he’s worth picking up as a true breakout candidate this season.
Cam Smith ($$$): Like Walker, I had thought it may no longer be appropriate to discuss Cam Smith here, but that’s not the case for him either. He is still being slept on, and looks like he may be breaking out himself. Walker deserves priority over him right now, but if you miss out on him, Smith is a worthy fallback option for sure. He already has three home runs and stolen bases each, and is showing an improved ability to hit the ball in the air to get more to show for his hard-hit abilities in the form of home runs. Also, as a right-handed hitter who plays in Houston, that only helps his home run potential. There were initial concerns he might just be another Alec Bohm, but he’s proving to be a much more dynamic player than that.
Garrett Mitchell ($$): More of a deep league option, Garrett Mitchell has always been an intriguing player when he’s been on the field. That hasn’t been the case, though, as he’s battled a lot of injuries that have kept him off the field. He’s off to a nice start this season, so let’s hope he can stay healthy. His approach has drawn comparisons to Kyle Schwarber, and that’s an intriguing possibility. He may strike out a lot, but he’s also going to walk a lot and hit the ball hard when he does make contact. He’s unlikely to hit for the same kind of power, but when Mitchell already has three stolen bases, I like his chances of finding ways to contribute in fantasy. As long as he can keep the strikeout rate under control, he should help your teams.
Infielders
Sam Antonacci ($$$$): It was announced early Sunday morning that Antonacci will debut with the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, and he should be a priority add in any fantasy baseball format. He plays second base, and considering it’s such a shallow position, that makes him valuable on its own. He’s also a player who has shown incredible plate discipline in the minor leagues, having almost walked as many times as he’s struck out in his minor league career. In 58 plate appearances at Triple-A, Antonacci has a 14:6 BB:K ratio with two home runs and four stolen bases. Similar to JJ Wetherholt and Kevin McGonigle, Antonacci could have an impact right away.
Jose Fernandez ($$): In his debut, Jose Fernandez burst onto the scene for the Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting two home runs in his first career game. Fernandez hasn’t homered since his debut, but his production also hasn’t halted completely. After eight games, he’s still hitting 0.333 with a stolen base as well. He’s also already played games at third base, first base, and shortstop, so there are many ways for him to make it into the lineup as well. If he gains eligibility at all those positions, his fantasy value will only grow.
Catchers/UT
Ivan Herrera ($$$$): Now that he has gained catcher eligibility everywhere, Ivan Herrera is immediately a priority add at catcher in fantasy baseball. So far, he is walking twice as much as he’s striking out, and also hits out of the two-hole every game for the St. Louis Cardinals. Even in the shallowest of leagues with only one catcher, he’s worth owning and is a top 10 player at the position. Let’s hope he can stay healthy, because if he does, he should be an impact player at the catcher position all season.
Pitchers
Starting Pitchers
Noah Schultz ($$$$): Just like Antonacci, Noah Schultz will be called up Tuesday by the Chicago White Sox for his MLB debut and pitching against the Tampa Bay Rays. Schultz has been a long-hyped starting pitcher prospect and is getting an early call after hitting the ground running in Triple-A this season. In three appearances this season, including two starts, Schultz has only given up two earned runs in 14 innings, with a 19:2 K:BB ratio. While he may not have a high chance for wins on the White Sox, Schultz has immense upside and is worth taking a shot on with your FAAB dollars. It’s no guarantee he sticks in his first stint in the majors, but he’s a lottery ticket whose worth the gamble.
Relief Pitchers
Cole Winn ($$$): After picking up his first save for the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, that immediately gave Cole Winn value for anyone in need of saves. He pitches for a team that should win games, and had great numbers last season as well as this season so far. In 2025, in 41.2 innings, Winn had a 1.51 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, and if nothing else, he is the reliever in Texas to keep an eye on. I see him as a great speculative add to see where this goes, and if it pans out, you have a stable closer on your hands you can trust.
