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.

STARTING PITCHER

Zach Eflin, Phillies: Eflin continued his brilliant June on Wednesday with seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. With the victory, Eflin is now 6-2, and that dominance versus the Yankees lowered his ERA from 3.44 to 3.02 for the year. The key for Eflin has been keeping the ball in the park. He allowed his last tater May 30. For the past month, Eflin went 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA and 28:6 K:BB in 30.2 innings. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: owned

Sandy Alcantara, Marlins: Alcantara, the Marlins' top pitching prospect, came over from St. Louis in the Marcell Ozuna trade and made his debut as a starter for Miami on Friday. He allowed one run on three hits and five walks with two strikeouts in five innings to pick up the win against the Mets. When acquired, questions existed over his future role, but Miami decided to develop Alcantara as a starter, though there is still the outside possibility he becomes a late-inning reliever. The rationale for this possible role is that Alcantara can touch triple digits with his fastball, but he has shaky command and inconsistent secondary offerings, making him potentially fit better as a reliever. With both Dan Straily (suspension) and Jose Urena (shoulder) returning in the near future, Alcantara could head back to Triple-A New Orleans after Friday's start. But Alcantara, who owns a respectable 3.71 ERA and 64:34 K:BB over 85 Triple-A innings this year, earned this look-see, even if it's just a one-off. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (stash bid, up substantially if he sticks and in keeper leagues)

Matt Harvey, Reds: Harvey has upped his trade value his last three efforts, posting a 3.06 ERA and back-to-back quality starts. The overall numbers are still ugly, but if he can be serviceable for the next month or so, Cincy likely will flip him to a contender. Harvey is also trying to show he is deserving of a big contract as a free agent, meaning he will hopefully be focused during and between each outing. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Mitch Keller, Pirates: After dominating Double-A Altoona, Keller was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis, this week. He earned the bump in level by posting a 0.69 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in four June starts and a 2.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 76:32 K:BB in 86 innings at Altoona. Drafted in the second round in 2014, Keller possesses a mid-90s fastball with late life, along with a potentially plus curveball that works as an out pitch, but his changeup lags well behind as a fringe offering. Further development of that last pitch will drive his future success and how quickly he hits the majors. As we noted in our recent update, the Pirates are a conservative organization with such decisions, and there are plenty of other young arms who are close to big-league ready the team probably wants to evaluate in this rebuilding year. Keller appears primed to make his big-league debut in early 2019. But the possibility still exists for a late-2018 debut, potentially making him worth a stash in some leagues. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (stash candidate, increase in keeper leagues)

Pablo Lopez, Marlins: Lopez was promoted to start Saturday for Miami and allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five in six innings to notch the win against the Mets. After dominating in the minors for the Mariners, Lopez was traded to the Marlins as part of the David Phelps deal last July. He struggled at High-A Modesto prior to the deal but righted the ship and was brilliant at High-A Jupiter. Lopez opened 2018 at Double-A Jacksonville, posting a sparkling 0.62 ERA over eight assignments to earn a bump up to Triple-A New Orleans. He has notched a 3.38 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB over his first four starts in Triple-A to earn the time in the show. While the immediate future of Miami's rotation remains in flux, Lopez has an intriguing profile that could help in deeper leagues if he sticks in the bigs. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Dereck Rodriguez, Giants: Rodriquez's days as a starter might be numbered with Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) due back next week and Johnny Cueto (elbow) not far behind. But he has pitched better than expected, throwing four quality starts in six trips to the mound as a starter since making his season debut as a reliever May 29. Rodriguez threw seven innings of one-run ball against the Nationals last Sunday and followed that up with 6.1 scoreless innings Saturday, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out five. He now has a 3.16 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 33:9 K:BB through 37 innings. Rodriguez will likely head back to Triple-A Sacramento when either Samardzija or Cueto returns from the disabled list -- even if the Giants use a six-man rotation -- unless Andrew Suarez is optioned down. Despite not being considered a top prospect by the team when the year began, Rodriguez posted a 3.40 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 50.1 innings at Triple-A to earn the original callup. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (in case he sticks, Suarez is sent down and SF uses a six-man rotation)

Max Fried, Braves: Fried was called up and started Saturday against the Cardinals, earning the win by tossing 6.2 shutout innings, during which he allowed four hits and three walks while striking out 11. This outing continues Fried's odd history of pitching better in the majors than in the minors. Prior to Saturday's start, Fried had a 3.09 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB in 23.1 innings across five career starts in the majors but a 4.29 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 1.37 WHIP and 51:19 K:BB in 50.1 innings (nine starts) at Triple-A Gwinnett this year. With Brandon McCarthy sidelined with a knee injury, Fried, who has two plus pitches in his fastball and curveball, has earned at least one more turn in the Atlanta rotation. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Corey Oswalt, Mets: Oswalt was promoted and started Friday in place of Jacob deGrom, who was scratched due to family issues. He was set to start Saturday but moved up a day with deGrom scratched. Oswalt allowed six runs in 2.2 innings, with all six scoring in the second after cruising the first two frames. With Seth Lugo shifted back to the bullpen, Oswalt will remain in the Mets' rotation for at least one more turn, starting Wednesday against the Blue Jays. With a solid outing against Toronto, Oswalt could stick for as long as Noah Syndergaard (finger) remains sidelined. Oswalt has a 5.32 ERA over 10 starts at Triple-A Las Vegas but has posted an ERA of 3.38 with a 1.38 WHIP over his past three starts. Last season, he notched a stellar 2.28 ERA in 24 starts for Double-A Binghamton but projects to a No. 4 or 5 starter in the majors. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Injury activations/updates

Jeff Samardzija, Giants: Samardzija left his May 29 start with right shoulder tightness. Prior to the injury, Shark had posted an ugly 26:23 K:BB with a 6.56 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 35.2 innings. Samardizija made what should be his final rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, lasting four innings while surrendering six runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts in an 88-pitch outing. He was slated to join the parent club this weekend in Arizona and toss a bullpen session, after which a return date will be decided. But he looks likely to re-enter the rotation during the Giants' three-game series at Coors Field early this week. Samardzija signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Giants in December of 2015, so he still has nearly 2.5 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 from 7.39 to 8.8, lowered his walk rate to just 1.4 BB/9 and finished 13th among qualified starters in K-BB percentage (20.4), resulting in a 3.65 FIP. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

Shelby Miller, Diamondbacks: Activated recently from the DL after recovering from Tommy John surgery last May, Miller was bombed in his season debut, lasting 3.2 innings while giving up five runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts Monday. His second outing wasn't much better, as Miller allowed six runs on nine hits in just five innings Saturday against the Giants. One piece of good news is that his fastball was clocked at 97.6 mph during his first outing, confirming his elbow is fully healed. Miller made four rehab starts in the minors and had his best outing in his final start prior to activation. He stood out from 2013-15 but fell off a cliff in 2016 and made just four starts last season. If you're a believer, the one bad initial outing shouldn't sway you. If not, lower the proposed bid. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (lowered bid from prior)

Jeremy Hellickson, Nationals: Hellickson was more than just a pleasant surprise in Washington prior to injuring his hamstring June 3. He posted a 2.28 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 43.1 innings over nine starts prior to being sidelined. Despite a fastball averaging just 89 mph, down a tick from last year, Hell Boy has given Washington way more than they expected when they signed him to a minor-league deal March 15. He has benefitted from a .254 BABIP and 80.6 percent strand rate, but if Hellickson, who notched a 5.43 ERA and 5.77 ERA in 30 starts between the Phillies and Orioles last season, continues to generate lots of groundballs at a rate similar to twice last year, he shouldn't fall off too much. Hellickson allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in 4.2 innings in his return off the disabled list Saturday. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

Zach Davies, Brewers: Davies, limited to just eight starts and sidelined twice with shoulder soreness, may finally on the verge of returning. He threw 57 pitches over 4.1 innings in his second rehab start with Triple-A Colorado Springs last Sunday and made his last rehab outing with Low-A Wisconsin on Friday. However, that assignment was cut short due to a lower-back issue, limiting him to 48 pitches, well short of the 80 pitches or seven innings planned. Davies was slated to be activated this week and slide right back into the Milwaukee rotation, but there is now no timeframe for that return, which means Brent Suter and Freddy Peralta will stick in Milwaukee's quintet for now. After a poor first half of 2017, Davies finished strong, showing his 2016 numbers were no fluke. Once healthy, he should provide solid across-the-board numbers save for a middling strikeout rate. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Julio Urias, Dodgers: Urias was L.A.'s top pitching prospect when he was promoted in 2016. In 77 innings, he showed flashes of what made him so special. After opening 2017 in the minors, Urias got the nod early in the year, pitching well his first few starts. But after he struggled and was sent to the minors, shoulder soreness shut him down, and Urias underwent successful left anterior capsule surgery last June. Urias' fastball hit 88 mph in a bullpen workout last week, and he was scheduled to throw two more bullpen sessions this week. His fastball sat in the 93 mph range prior to the injury, so he has a ways to go, but he is reportedly throwing with a free and easy motion. Urias will be built up as a starter, not a reliever, and should start a rehab assignment sometime in July. It's possible he will be back in the majors by the end of July, but that may be somewhat optimistic. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (stash bid)

RELIEF PITCHER

Greg Holland, Cardinals: Holland flamed out to start the season before landing on the disabled list with a hip impingement, which possibly was a context of rushing to be ready to pitch in the majors after his late signing by St. Louis. He struggled again while rehabbing with Triple-A Memphis and Double-A Springfield but still was activated June 19. Holland appears to have regained his form for the first four months of last season, making five scoreless appearances, during which he has allowed just two hits whole striking out seven in 4.2 innings. Bud Norris is still the closer, and Jordan Hicks waits in the wings, but Holland might be a nice stash candidate just in case. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Scott Alexander, Dodgers: Alexander has become manager Dave Roberts' prime lefty out of the bullpen with Tony Cingrani (shoulder) on the shelf. Since returning from the minors May 9, Alexander has posted a 2.74 ERA with 20 strikeouts and six holds over 23 innings. Alexander won't replace Kenley Jansen, but he looks to be a decent source of holds for leagues that use that category. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4

Injury activations/updates

Carl Edwards Jr., Cubs: Edwards, out since May 30 with right shoulder inflammation, headed to Triple-A Iowa for a rehab assignment Thursday. After a hot start to the season, Edwards fell apart in May, posting a 5.56 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 11.1 innings, which might have been due to the injury. When Edwards returns – likely just before or after the All-Star break -- he should resume his high-leverage role in the late innings setting up Brandon Morrow. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

CATCHER

John Ryan Murphy, Diamondbacks: Murphy, already the starter in Arizona, will receive a spike in playing time with Alex Avila landing on the disabled list. As our recent update noted, his numbers across the board far outpace Avila and Jeff Mathis', as Murphy's .250 average trumps both Mathis' (.176) and Avila's (.124), and he has recorded more extra-base hits (15) than the other catchers combined (seven). Murphy, acquired by Arizona in a July 2017 deal with Minnesota, should exceed his career highs in games and plate appearances sometime in July, and he has already outpaced his previous bests in home runs and RBI. 12-team Mixed: $12; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned

FIRST BASE

Wilmer Flores, Mets: Flores, who returned to action mid-June after missing a little more than two weeks with lower-back soreness, has been red-hot at the plate, Prior to being sidelined, Flores had been playing regularly and was hitting .290/.352/.435 with one home run in 62 May at-bats. Flores can get exposed with consistent playing time, but he has shown a knack for the walkoff hit and can turn around even the best of fastballs. His base hit Saturday extended his hitting streak to eight games, and he has reached base safely in all 15 games back since returning from the disabled list. With Adrian Gonzalez gone, Dominic Smith showing he isn't ready for the job, Kevin Plawecki not really a first baseman and Peter Alonso still in the minors, Flores should continue to see regular action at first base. Oddly enough, Flores is scuffling against southpaws, whom he usually torches, but he will get a chance to improve his numbers against lefties as long as he remains hot when facing righties. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Christian Walker, Diamondbacks: Walker rode the shuttle from Triple-A Reno to the majors once again Friday. During his prior three stints with the D-backs, Walker played in 17 games, going 3-for-17 with two RBI and 10 strikeouts. He provides depth at first base and righty power off the bench. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

SECOND BASE

Jeff McNeil, Mets: McNeil was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas in mid-June following a dominant run at Double-A Binghamton. He hit .327/.402/.626 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI over 57 games for the Rumble Ponies to earn the call up. McNeil will remain with the 51s to show his Double-A numbers weren't a fluke and should at minimum see major-league playing time if and when Asdrubal Cabrera is traded, considering the Mets' season has cratered. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Max Moroff, Pirates: Moroff was called up for another tour of duty in Pittsburgh, replacing Sean Rodriguez, who landed on the 10-day disabled list. Like his prior stints in the majors, Moroff, who slashed .314/.398/.586 with four home runs and 17 RBI his last 20 games for Triple-A Indianapolis, will be used as a utility infielder. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

Pat Valaika, Rockies: Valaika, who spent nearly a month in the minors, was called back up last Saturday. He provides added depth at all four infield spots for the Rockies. Over 37 games with Colorado earlier this season, Valaika hit just .120/.185/.173. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

THIRD BASE

Scott Kingery, Phillies: Kingery hasn't had the season hoped for by most who drafted him based on his stellar spring. But he has shown signs lately of righting the ship. Kingery went 3-for-4 Friday, including his fourth home run of the season and first since June 12, and went 17-for-56 over his last 16 games if June. Despite his struggles, Kingery was in the lineup nearly every day and qualifies at third base and shortstop – perhaps outfield in some setups, too. The future is still very bright for Kingery, so grab him if dropped in your league. 12-team Mixed: $35; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned

David Bote, Cubs: Bote was called up to replace Kris Bryant (shoulder) on the Cubs' 25-man roster. It likely will be another short stint in the majors for Bote, who likely will head right back to Iowa when Bryant is activated, which for now is scheduled to come July 3. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Injury activations/updates

Martin Prado, Marlins: Sidelined again due to an injured hamstring, Prado started a rehab assignment Tuesday at High-A Jupiter. He likely will rejoin the majors early this week. While Prado has been out, Brian Anderson and Miguel Rojas have manned the hot corner. When Prado returns, he may not get his starting job back and instead serve as part of a platoon to keep Anderson and Derek Dietrich in the lineup. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

SHORTSTOP

Jose Peraza, Reds: Peraza was likely to be the odd-man out when the reds promoted Nick Senzel. With Senzel out for the remainder of the season following surgery to repair a fractured right ring finger, Peraza has a new lease on life and hold on the shortstop job. In June, Peraza went 30-for-97 with two home runs, five steals, 11 RBI and 15 runs scored in 25 games. Peraza has done a much better job getting on base the past several weeks and is now up to 45 runs scored alongside 14 stolen bases for the year. He should easily exceed the career highs he set last season of 50 and 23, respectively, and if he continues to reach base at his recent pace, he could come close to 100 runs scored. 12-team Mixed: $35; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned

Addison Russell, Cubs: Russell made his major-league debut at 21 and exploded on the scene the following season, blasting 21 home runs while driving in 95 runs. He regressed last season, adversely impacted by divorce proceedings, a decline in his walk, an increase in his strikeout rate and a dip in on-base percentage. Russell righted the ship after returning from a foot injury that sidelined him six weeks, hitting .274/.324/.516 over his final 30 games, while swatting five of his 12 homers during that span. He got off to a poor start this year, but following a big game Thursday, Russell is now hitting .329 (26-for-79) in June. On the season, the 24-year-old shortstop has just five home runs and 26 RBI but owns a solid .283/.355/.407 triple slash, which should continue to rise if his hot month is not an aberration but a sign of things to come. 12-team Mixed: $25; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned

OUTFIELD

Manuel Margot, Padres: Margot, who held his own as a rookie with 13 home runs, 17 stolen bases and a .722 OPS, was brutal to start 2018. He struggled in April and May, but since the calendar flipped to June, Margot looks like the hitter of last season. For the month, through Tuesday's games, Margot is 25-for-81 with two home runs, nine runs scored, 11 runs batted in, an 11:9 K:BB and .872 OPS. In addition, he has grabbed a stranglehold on a starting outfield spot, which looked to be in severe doubt when the month began. 12-team Mixed: $25; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team NL: owned

Keon Broxton, Brewers: Broxton was called up with Lorenzo Cain (hamstring) landing on the disabled list. He hit 20 home runs and stole 21 bases over 143 games, albeit with a .220 batting average and .299 on-base percentage, with the Brewers in 2017, but this will be his first stint with the big club this year. Broxton had nine home runs, 24 stolen bases and .773 OPS at Triple-A Colorado Springs at the time of his call up. He will see time in center field with Christian Yelich, who also is dealing with an injury, and Ryan Braun left Friday's game with a bad back. This rash of injuries could open a longer-term spot for Broxton, who homered twice, scored three runs and drove in four runs in a 3-for-4 game Friday against the Reds. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Raimel Tapia, Rockies: Tapia was surprisingly called up Saturday, replacing Jon Gray on the 25-man roster. He was hitting .308/.353/.527 in 74 games for Triple-A Albuquerque, so it's not as if the promotion wasn't deserved. In 92 major-league games over the past two seasons, Tapia slashed .283/.322/.394. However, with Geraldo Parra, Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez all healthy -- and Noel Cuevas and Ian Desmond available as backup plans -- he likely won't see much action. In addition, Tapia may be sent down to make room for Antonio Senzatela to make a spot start Tuesday. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

Injury activations/updates

Steven Souza, Diamondbacks: Acquired by the Diamondbacks this past offseason, Souza opened the season on the disabled list, as he was been sidelined from March 21 with a right pectoral strain suffered while attempting to make a diving catch. He returned to action May 3 but experienced soreness in the area two weeks later, landing back in the disabled list. Souza opened a rehab assignment at High-A Visalia on Tuesday but is limited to serving as the designated hitter, as he yet to be cleared to throw. He moved his rehab assignment to Triple-A Reno on Friday and played catch from approximately 120-to-130 feet prior to Friday's rehab game, so he may be close to playing the outfield. Once that happens, he will likely see several rehab games in the outfield before he rejoins Arizona, possibly just before the All-Star break. Souza launched 27 of his 30 home runs against right-handers, offsetting his poor contact rate, which adversely impacts his batting average. But his solid eye and walk rate enhance his value in leagues that use on-base percentage. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: $27

Dylan Cozens, Phillies: Cozens, sidelined with a quad injury, was activated off the disabled list last Sunday. He continues to provide the Phillies with a backup outfielder at the corner spots and a lefty power bat off the bench. With Rhys Hoskins, Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams and Aaron Altherr splitting time at the three outfield positions, little room exists for Cozens to see consistent at-bats, which could result in a demotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2