On this lighter MLB slate, daily fantasy players should look closely at matchups to capitalize on value picks. Jacob deGrom stands out as a high-upside pitcher against the Houston Astros, having recorded a dominant streak of performances including a recent outing with 10 strikeouts. AJ Smith-Shawver has been impressive since rejoining the Braves rotation, providing potential for DFS lineups while taking on the Nationals. Meanwhile, Chris Paddack offers an appealing bargain option against a struggling Orioles lineup, aiming to continue his solid form. For infielders, Austin Riley's recent hot streak and Jonathan Aranda's impressive season make them compelling choices. The outfield offers power and speed options, notably Shohei Ohtani, who is on a home run tear. Stacking the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers could yield significant returns in tournament play.

This FAAB column aims to identify key targets for fantasy managers in leagues utilizing Thursday FAAB and to preview upcoming Sunday targets. As the MLB season continues, it’s crucial to keep an eye on performers as attention shifts to other sports like the NFL Draft and the NBA playoffs.

Matthew Liberatore of the St. Louis Cardinals is a standout, with a 40% roster rate and a dominant performance, making him a solid target. Gunnar Hoglund of the Athletics, AJ Smith-Shawver of the Braves, and Lance McCullers of the Astros are also highlighted as useful additions. Additionally, Shelby Miller's reliability for the Diamondbacks and Hunter Goodman’s impressive offensive contributions for the Rockies make them intriguing options as well.

The Atlanta Braves are already in discussions about potential trades ahead of the Winter Meetings, with top prospect Hurston Waldrep highlighted as a candidate for a move. As the Braves have shown a willingness to trade young pitching, Waldrep's position may be precarious, especially with emerging talents like Spencer Schwellenbach and recent draft pick Cam Caminiti.

Waldrep's Major League debut in 2024 was challenging, but his Triple-A performance indicates promise. Scouts praise his fastball and splitter, suggesting he could develop into a solid starter if he improves his command. The Braves may need to make strategic trades to manage their crowded pitching pipeline.

The Atlanta Braves have a core of players aged over 25, making the selection of the best player under 25 a challenge. However, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter has identified starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach as the top choice for 2024, following his impressive performance after debuting on May 29.

Schwellenbach recorded a 2.54 ERA and 95 strikeouts over his last 15 starts, showcasing his potential as a key player for the Braves. Meanwhile, center fielder Michael Harris II, despite an injury-plagued season, is also a strong contender for the title.

As Schwellenbach will turn 25 next May, the Braves may see new emerging talents like AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. competing for the best under 25 title in the coming seasons.