NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Estimate how much of your $100 starting free-agent budget you should bid on them.

This year, we are again using grids into the FAAB articles, so users can easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

The grids, which are sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This serves as a reflection of a player's skills and role on an A-E scale. Cody Bellinger would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into an everyday role.

As always, if there is a player that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask about the player in the comments.

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers, including my dad, father-in-law and brothers-in-law.

STARTING PITCHER

Seth Lugo, Mets: Lugo, profiled for two weeks, gets another nod, as he will remain in the Mets' rotation with Noah Syndergaard sidelined indefinitely due to the strained ligament in his right index finger. Lugo, who transitioned from starter to reliever to begin the year, should be stretched out enough to take on a normal workload after throwing 84 over six shutout innings Sunday against the Yankees. He provided evidence of that by tossing 100 pitches in his loss Friday against Arizona. The velocity of Lugo's fastball hasn't been adversely impacted by moving back to starting but is something to watch, along with the spin rate of his curveball now that he is not in the bullpen. Moving Lugo to the rotation has robbed Peter to pay Paul, adversely impacting middle and late relief, but for the time being, Lugo is to remain a starter. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $22

Clayton Richard, Padres: Richard had a decent year last season for San Diego, recording a 4.79 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 32 starts, spanning 197.1 innings. His advanced metrics showed a pitcher who deserved a better fate, which helped contribute to San Diego inking Richard to a two-year, $6 million contract extension last September. Richard is on a roll, allowing three runs or fewer while going at least seven innings in six of the last eight starts and just missed that mark Friday, allowing two runs in six innings against the Braves. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: owned

Anibal Sanchez, Braves: Sanchez has been brilliant since returning from a strained right hamstring. He tossed seven scoreless innings Thursday, lowering his ERA to 1.93 ERA in 37.1 innings pitched on the season. Those numbers mask a 4.27 FIP and a 4.03 xFIP, as his ERA is driven off an unsustainable 90.3 percent strand rate. With Julio Teheran possibly back Sunday from his thumb injury and Mike Soroka now over his shoulder injury, room may not exist for Sanchez to remain as part of the five-man rotation once Mike Foltynewicz returns from his triceps injury. Monitor the situation closely, since Sanchez's performance does warrant him remaining as one of the starters, at least until the wheels fall off. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Freddy Peralta, Brewers: Peralta, who made one spectacular and one meh start when he was promoted in May, will likely take the mound versus the Pirates on Tuesday. Last Sunday, Peralta was passed over for Brandon Woodruff to replace Zach Davies (shoulder) in the Milwaukee rotation. But he will get at least this new spot start. After a rough start to his career in 2014, Peralta flipped the switch in mid-2016 and has been stellar ever since. Peralta got the original call after he was impressive his seven starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs, compiling a 3.63 ERA to go with his league-best five wins and 46 strikeouts. He is coming off throwing three shutout innings Thursday and allowed just two runs while striking 11 the Sunday he was passed over for Woodruff. Peralta's low-90s fastball plays as a plus pitch thanks to a deceptive crossfire delivery, and his slider and changeup serve as useful secondary offerings. If Peralta pitches well, he could remain in the rotation until Davies is ready to return. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Erick Fedde, Nationals: Fedde seems like he has been around forever but is just 25 years old. He received another chance this week with Stephen Strasburg (shoulder) and Jeremy Hellickson (hamstring) on the disabled list but allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over five innings while striking out three against the Yankees on Wednesday. He wasn't great in the minors prior to this start, posting a 4.76 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with 61 strikeouts across 56.2 innings at Triple-A Syracuse. But he was on the 40-man roster and on turn, which contributed to his getting the call. If Hell Boy or Strasburg is out long-term, look for the Nats to make a deal for a starter. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Jefry Rodriguez/Austin Voth, Nationals: Rodriguez or Voth could get the start for the Nationals on Tuesday against the Orioles with Stephen Strasburg (shoulder) and Jeremy Hellickson (hamstring) both unlikely to be ready to come off the disabled list. Rodriguez tossed 4.2 scoreless innings in relief of Hellickson when he was injured on June 3. He took a step forward at High-A Potomac last year and built on that, posting a 3.57 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP and a 66:24 K:BB through 63 innings for Double-A Harrisburg. Voth has a 4.37 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP and a 59:19 K:BB through 55.2 innings with Triple-A Syracuse this season and has less upside than Rodriguez, but he could be a streaming option against Baltimore. Rodriguez - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4; Voth - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Caleb Ferguson, Dodgers: Ferguson, promoted to start last Wednesday against the Pirates, was called back up to start this past Tuesday. Selected in the 38th round in 2014, Ferguson split time between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, accruing a 1.53 ERA and 52:17 K:BB in 47 innings. Ferguson is a soft-tossing lefty, whose fastball sits between 88 and 91 mph. He's had continued success as he's moved the ladder but may just be in the majors for an additional start or two, including Sunday's outing, while several members of L.A.'s rotation remain sidelined. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Injury activations/updates

Mike Soroka, Braves: Soroka, called up to start May 1 against the Mets, pitched twice more before he was shut down with a strained right shoulder. He returned to action Wednesday against the woebegone Mets, allowing just one hit and one walk striking out four across 6.1 scoreless innings. Soroka received the initial promotion after posting a 1.99 ERA along with a .97 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB ratio at Triple-A Gwinnett. Taken in the first round of 2015, Soroka finished second in the Southern League in ERA (2.75) and sixth in K-BB% (14.5 percent). He uses a low-90s fastball, along with a plus slider and developing changeup to retire hitters. Soroka pounds the zone, boasting a career 1.9 BB/9 and 2.91 ERA, and barring injury, should be in the majors the rest of the way. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team NL: $35 (same as last week)

Shelby Miller, Diamondbacks: Miller, recovering from Tommy John surgery last May, gets another mention, as he made a pair of rehab starts this week and is likely just one more minor-league start away from rejoining the D-Backs. He was bombed Sunday, which partly necessitated making two more rehabs starts, rather than one additional. Miller stood out in 2013-15 but fell off a cliff and made just four starts in his injury-shortened 2017. When he's deemed ready, he should replace Zack Godley, Matt Koch or Clay Buchholz in Arizona's rotation and benefit from the humidor in Chase Field. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (same return bid)

Rich Hill, Dodgers: Hill, who was mentioned last week and maybe should be called Captain Blister, made a rehab start for High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday. He threw 4.2 innings, striking out 10 batters while allowing two unearned runs on four hits across 75 pitches. This outing came after he threw a four-inning simulated game Saturday with no issues. Hill had been getting up to nine laser treatments per day on his blister, which have expedited the healing process. He will be activated from the 10-day disabled list and rejoin the club next week to face the Cubs on Tuesday. Speculation persists that Hill could end up in the bullpen, which would limit his value, but that has yet to be determined. In addition, given how much time he has missed the past few seasons with the blister woes, relying on him takes a strong constitution. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (same as prior, up if you think he stays healthy)

Joey Lucchesi, Padres: Lucchesi jumped from Double-A San Antonio to the majors thanks to a solid spring training. The second player from the 2016 draft to play in the majors and selected in the fourth round, Lucchesi received the chance to start due to the injury to Dinelson Lamet. Lucchesi logged just 60.1 innings in Double-A last season and probably needs more seasoning, but he didn't look out of place his first nine starts in the majors, posting a 3.23 ERA with a 3.2 K:BB ratio in 47.1 innings. The 6-foot-4 lefty has a unique delivery that hides the ball well, and he repeats that delivery consistently. Lucchesi, who projects as a No. 3 or 4 starter, made his first rehab start Thursday, tossed four scoreless innings while striking out six with High-A Lake Elsinore. He may rejoin the Padres to start Tuesday or Wednesday. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Jeff Samardzija, Giants: Samardzija left his May 29 start with right shoulder tightness. Prior to the injury, Shark had posted a mediocre 26:23 K:BB with a 6.56 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP in 35.2 innings. Samardzija made what should be the first of several rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, striking out four and allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings and 43 pitches. He signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Giants in December of 2015, so he still has nearly two and a half years left on his contract, making it tough to deal or walk away from him. Last season, Samardzija posted a 4.14 ERA, but that doesn't accurately represent how well he pitched. He upped his K/9 rate from 7.4 to 8.8, lowered his walk rate to just 1.4 BB/9 and finished 13th among qualified starters in K-BB% (20.4), resulting in a 3.65 FIP. If he can somehow regain either his form from last season or 2016, the Giants could make a run at the wild card with Madison Bumgarner now back in action. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

RELIEF PITCHER

Justin Miller, Nationals: Miller has been almost unhittable since his promotion to the majors on May 24. He had allowed just two hits in 10.2 innings over eight appearances with a 0.00 ERA, a 0.19 WHIP and a 21:0 K:BB prior to surrendering his first run Friday. These numbers, which build off the 15.1 K/9 and 0.40 WHIP across 13.2 scoreless innings Miler posted with Triple-A Syracuse, are shocking for a 31-year-old with a career 4.45 ERA in the majors. A major component in his rise is the significant uptick in his fastball from 90 mph last season to 93 mph as part of the Washington organization. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Injury activations/updates

Adam Ottavino, Rockies: Ottavino, who missed 15 days with a strained left oblique, was activated off the disabled list Thursday. After struggling in 2017 and seeing his GB/FB decline by more than 60 percent and BB/9 almost triple to 6.58, Ottavino worked this offseason on improving the spin rate on his offerings. Early on, those changes have paid dividends, as he has upped his GB/FB from 1.15 to 2.00 while lowering his BB/9 to 3.4 and increasing his K/9 by nearly 35 percent to 14.4 while posting a 0.92 ERA and 0.65 WHIP. Wade Davis has been a lockdown closer his first year in Colorado, but manager Bud Black has shown confidence in Ottavino, using him as Davis' main setup man and the team's closer when Davis requires a day off. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

CATCHER

Tom Murphy, Rockies: Murphy, who seemingly has been the Rockies' top pick for catcher of the future the last few years, may now be getting a chance to fill that role. He earned the promotion and opportunity by slashing .289/.359/.642 with 16 homers in 49 games with Triple-A Albuquerque. It's not clear what Murphy's role will be, but he might push Chris Iannetta for regular playing time with Iannetta struggling to provide much value with the bat (.403 SLG), especially outside of Colorado. Iannetta is signed through 2019 with a $750,000 buyout in 2020, but if Murphy hits, the Rockies could install him as the team's starter. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (up if you think he keeps the job)

Jacob Stallings, Pirates: Stallings was promoted to give Pittsburgh an additional backup catcher with Francisco Cervelli dealing with an injured jaw. He was slashing .294/.341/.399 in 40 games played with Triple-A Indianapolis and will see minimal playing time unless Cervelli is sidelined. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Injury activations/updates

Austin Hedges, Padres: Hedges, sidelined all of May with right elbow tendinitis, finally began a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday and could be activated from the 10-day disabled list ahead of the Padres' two-game set against the Athletics that begins Tuesday. He originally kicked off a rehab stint at Triple-A El Paso on May 21 but was sidelined for several days following that move due to soreness in the elbow. Hedges posted some power numbers last season, blasting 18 home runs but hit just .218 and even with the 18 home runs, posted a .398 slugging percentage. Raffy Lopez and A.J. Ellis have held down the fort while Hedges was out, but Hedges should regain his starting role when he returns. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7

FIRST BASE

Dominic Smith, Mets: Smith was promoted Tuesday after the Mets waived Adrian Gonzalez following the Subway Series. He hit just .260/.343/.370 with a pair of home runs and 25 RBI over 56 games despite playing in a hitter's paradise at Triple-A Las Vegas. The power he showed last year disappeared, as Smith may still be adjusting to his new physique following his loss of 20-plus pounds this offseason and seven more since the year began to get to 225 pounds. The job may not be his for long, as Peter Alonso crushed the ball at Double-A Binghamton, earning a promotion to Las Vegas. New York does not seem inclined to bring Alonso to the show this year, but if he continues to hit, Alonso may force the team's hand. Smith will see most of the action at first base, but with Wilmer Flores now back, he will need to hit to keep the job. He has gotten off to a strong start his first five games since his recall, including blasting a home run Friday, and he might see time in the outfield, as he has this year in the minors. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Peter Alonso, Mets: Alonso was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas following Dominic Smith's callup to the parent club. He earned the step up in level by slashing .315/.442/.574 with 15 home runs and 52 RBI over 269 plate appearances for Binghamton. Alonso still needs to improve against right-handed pitching and continue to work on his defense, which has been a bit better this year. If he continues to rake with the 51s, the Mets will have little choice, despite their reluctance, to bring him up to the majors. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (early spec bid)

Injury activations/updates

Eric Thames, Brewers: Thames, who had been sidelined since April 24 with a torn UCL in his right thumb that required surgery, was activated Monday after a short rehab stint. The 31-year-old first baseman hit .250 with seven home runs and 13 RBI in 22 games prior to landing on the disabled list. In Thames' absence, Jesus Aguilar has more than ably filled his spot, allowing Milwaukee to give Thames ample time to heal. To keep Aguilar's bat in the lineup, Milwaukee will also use Thames in left or right field, but that will prove difficult with an already overcrowded outfield. Stay tuned to see how the playing time issues are resolved now that Thames is back. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (same bid as prior weeks)

Wilmer Flores, Mets: Flores, who had been out since May 27 with lower-back soreness, completed a rehab assignment and was activated Friday. After a slow start, Flores had been playing regularly and was hitting .290/.352/.435 with one home run in 62 May at-bats before he was sidelined. Even with the return of Todd Frazier, the Mets are desperate for offense, so look for Flores to see most of his at-bats against lefties, despite his poor numbers against southpaws this year. If Dominic Smith fails to heat up, Flores should see additional action at first base. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

SECOND BASE

Alen Hanson, Giants: Hanson, who was profiled when he was promoted to replace the injured Joe Panik (sprained his left thumb) and returned earlier this month from his own stint on the disabled list, gets another mention as he could be looking at a spike in playing time. Evan Longoria sustained a fractured fifth metacarpal of his left hand during Thursday's game against Miami, creating a huge hole at the hot corner in Frisco. Pablo Sandoval should see most of the time there once Brandon Belt returns from his appendectomy, which is expected imminently. Hanson will spell Sandoval while also seeing time at second, short and in the outfield and. Before he was sidelined, Hanson was red-hot at the plate, slashing .298/.346/.638 with four home runs, 12 RBI and three stolen bases in 14 games. Unfortunately for Hanson his return came one day after Panik was activated, which has limited his at-bats. But he now should see an increase in playing time, which could re-awaken his bat. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

THIRD BASE

Pablo Sandoval, Giants: Sandoval received a short-term bump in value earlier this month, as he saw most of action at first base after Brandon Belt landed on the disabled list due to needing an appendectomy. Belt is now back, but Sandoval will shift from first to third to replace Evan Longoria, who sustained a fractured fifth metacarpal of his left hand during Thursday's game against Miami. Alen Hanson will also push for time at the hot corner, but Sandoval is likely the primary beneficiary of Longoria's injury, seeing most of the action against righties with Hanson batting versus lefties. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Jung Ho Kang, Pirates: Kang, profiled a few times recently, gets another mention as he was moved up to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday. He tore up High-A Bradenton, recording 10 hits -- including three home runs -- and posting a 6:3 BB:K in 32 plate appearances in the first stop of his stint in the minors. Pittsburgh jumped Kang over Double-A Altoona, and he could be ready to rejoin the parent club in the short term. Kang, profiled in late April when he received a work visa, missed all of 2017 as legal issues in South Korea prevented him from acquiring a work visa. He fulfilled unspecified treatment program obligations stemming from a third DUI in January of 2017, paving the way for the visa. Colin Moran is locked in at third base and for now backed up by David Freese, but Moran has struggled against lefties, which could be Kang's role when he is promoted with Freese backing up first base. If Kang makes the most of his opportunities he may just assume the starting role backed up by Moran. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (slightly upped bid)

SHORTSTOP

Freddy Galvis, Padres: Galvis' overall numbers are rather pedestrian -- .242/.302/.362 -- but he has been red-hot of late. In his past 10 games, Galvis is 9-for-30 with a pair of long balls and nine RBI. Galvis did hit 20 home runs and drive in 67 while stealing 17 bases in 2016 and blasted 12 taters with 61 RBI and 14 swipes last season. But those numbers were posted while playing half his games at Citizens Bank Park. Traded to the Padres in the offseason, Galvis now calls Petco Park home, which will depress his overall output. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: owned

Nick Ahmed, Diamondbacks: Ahmed is hitting just .221 on the season but has nine homers (already tied for his career high set in 2015) on the year. In addition, with 31 RBI, Ahmed is just four shy of setting a new career high. Ahmed's defense is still his calling card, resulting in him starting 62 games already. The strikeout rate is still extremely high, which along with his weak BABIP depresses his overall batting average, but if he keeps hitting long balls and driving in runs, his owners and Arizona won't complain much. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: owned

OUTFIELD

Manuel Margot, Padres: Margot is suffering through a horrific sophomore campaign but finally has shown signs of life. Injuries in April and May impacted Margot at the plate, but now that he is fully healthy, he has been productive at the plate. Margot went 0-for-4 Thursday ending a six-game hitting streak but is 20-for-61 with a 12:9 K:BB since May 23. His turnaround has come at the right time, as both Franchy Cordero (forearm) and Wil Myers (oblique) are in the midst of rehab assignments. But Margot's blend of power and speed should afford him playing time even when San Diego is back at full strength. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: owned

Jon Jay, Diamondbacks: Jay, profiled last week when he was traded to Arizona by Kansas City, gets another mention as he has settled in as the D-Backs' leadoff hitter. With outfield starters A.J. Pollock (thumb) and Steven Souza (pectoral) sidelined, the D-Backs needed support. The veteran outfielder, who hit .307/.363/.374 in 59 games with the Royals, is seeing nearly all the action in the short term in right field with Chris Owings now splitting time in center with Jarrod Dyson. With Pollock out at least until the end of the month and Souza just beginning a throwing program, Jay should be in the lineup almost daily for at least the next few weeks and be a solid source of runs. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

Injury activations/updates

Franchy Cordero, Padres: Cordero, out since May 26 with a strained forearm, kicked off what should be a short rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Thursday. He hit .345 through the first 10 days of May but batted just .140 the rest of the month before he was sidelined. Overall, Cordero hit .237/.307/.439 with seven home runs and five steals in 139 at-bats prior to the injury. With a crowded outfield and Wil Myers (oblique) also kicking off a rehab assignment Thursday, Cordero might have a hard time receiving at-bats and could be optioned back to El Paso, but this arrangement is in flux, and he still has an alluring power-speed combo and attractive batted-ball metrics that make him worth a gamble. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7