The best players in the world play on NFBC and the most popular high-stakes contest is the NFBC Main Event, which has a $1,750 buy-in with 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 pickups on Sunday night.
Each week, I look at the most popular fantasy baseball waiver wire and FAAB pickups in the NFBC Main Event to see who the best players in the world are picking up and whether we should add them.
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Tools
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 20
Tyler Mahle (SP -TEX)
Tyler Mahle was picked up in 57 Main Event leagues with a max bid of $71 and a minimum bid of $8. Mahle returned from the injured list (IL) last week after missing the first half of the season with Tommy John surgery. Mahle has a ton of talent, but most pitchers struggle with command and control once they return from Tommy John surgery, which makes him risky on top of the concerns about how deep into games the Rangers will let him go.
Ryan Walker (SP, RP – SF)
Ryan Walker was picked up in 52 leagues with a max bid of $185 and a minimum bid of $12. With Camilo Doval optioned to the minors, Walker was named the Giants’ closer and already received a save. If he can hold down the closer role for the rest of the season he could make a massive difference for fantasy.
Justin Martinez (RP – ARI)
Justin Martinez was picked up in 49 leagues with a max bid of $85 and a minimum bid of $6. Martinez seems to be emerging as the closer in Arizona after Paul Sewald lost the role. He has the Diamondbacks’ last two saves and a win in the last week. Martinez can struggle with control, but his command is good and he has filthy stuff. There is some risk that they will continue with a committee or go back to Sewald, but if he can keep the job, he will be very valuable.
Adrian Del Castillo (C – ARI)
Adrian Del Castillo was picked up in 49 leagues with a max bid of $35 and a minimum bid of $1. With Gabriel Moreno out for a while, Del Castillo will be the main catcher in Arizona. He crushed in AAA, hitting .319/.403/.608 with 24 home runs in 452 plate appearances. He has struggled with strikeouts in the past but made strides in the department in AAA this season. If he can keep the contact skills intact, then he could be a big pickup in a good offense.
Bowden Francis (RP, SP – TOR)
Bowden Francis was picked up in 45 leagues with a max bid of $41 and a minimum bid of $1. Francis had an enticing two-start week against the Angels and the Cubs and has pitched very well since being recalled from the minors. Bowden has a full arsenal, but nothing particularly overwhelming. He relies on good control and command to be successful. If he can keep that going well he could be a big starting pitcher down the stretch.
Seranthony Dominguez (RP – BAL)
Seranthony Dominguez was picked up in 40 leagues with a max bid of $53 and a minimum bid of $1. The Orioles have removed Craig Kimbrel from the closer role and appear to be moving to a committee of Dominguez and Yennier Cano. However, Cano has struggled as of late and Dominguez has closing experience. If he can grab full control of the role, there is a lot of upside in being the closer in Baltimore.
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