NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

This is our weekly look at National League free agents. We have two goals for this article: 

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 

Shaun Anderson, Giants – Anderson, who came to San Francisco for Eduardo Nunez, posted a 4.11 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 37:11 K:BB over 35 innings this season with Triple-A Sacramento while earning a call up and start this week. He allowed three runs - including two earned - on two hits and three walks while striking out five in five innings Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Manager Bruce Bochy announced that Anderson will remain in the rotation for at least one more turn, although his spot as a starter could depend on Drew Pomeranz's (lat) recovery and performance. 12 team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Yu Darvish, Cubs – Darvish struck out 11 in 5.1 innings Wednesday against the Reds. Though he failed to complete six innings for the eighth time in nine starts this year, Darvish put together his most encouraging outing of the season. His ERA rose each of the last five years with a 55:33 K:BB while allowing eight home runs in 42 innings, but maybe he can build on his last effort on Monday against the Phillies. 12 team Mixed: $5, 15-team Mixed: Owned; 12-team NL: Owned 

Erick Fedde, Nationals – Fedde is moving into the Washington rotation - replacing Anibal Sanchez, who is out with a hamstring injury - and will make at least one start. Fedde, who posted a 3.38 ERA in 10.2 innings, failed in the past to secure a rotation spot. But he pitched well at Triple-A and has carried that success over to the majors this year. 12 team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Cole Irvin, Phillies – Irvin, the International League's Pitcher of the Year last season, was profiled after he was promoted to start Sunday. He allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings Sunday in a win over the Royals, earning a second outing Friday against Colorado. In that start, he surrendered four runs - with three earned - on five hits and a walk while striking out two over six innings to get the win. As we noted in an update late last year, scouting reports have him as a back-of-the-rotation, command-driven lefty, as he lacks velocity and has no plus secondary pitches. Irvin recorded a 2.57 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 131:35 K:BB in 161.1 innings in 2018 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In six starts this season, Irvin posted a 2.25 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB, earning the call up in place of the injured Vince Velasquez, who is sidelined with a strained right forearm. 12 team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (upped bid from last week)

Jordan Lyles, Pirates: Lyles broke camp as the Pirates' fifth starter. He compiled a 4.11 ERA in 87.2 innings last year switching between relieving and starting for the Padres before moving to the Brewers. Despite making only 18 starts out of 113 appearances since 2016, Lyles earned the role out of spring training and has run with the job. He has posted a 1.97 ERA to go with a 1.05 WHIP and 47:16 K:BB in 45.2 innings. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: Owned

Injury activations/updates

Chase Anderson, Brewers – Anderson, on the injured list since May 1 when he was scratched from his start after a blister burst during pre-game warmups, was activated from the injured list to start Saturday against the Braves. He experienced no issues in his rehab outing with Triple-A San Antonio last Monday, clearing the way for him to rejoin the rotation. Prior to be sidelined, Anderson was working a starter, but he opened the season in the bullpen. Freddy Peralta was moved to the 'pen, opening the rotation spot for Anderson. 12 team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same as before)

Carlos Martinez, Cardinals – Martinez, profiled the last three weeks and sidelined with a shoulder injury, gets another mention, as he was activated from the injured list Friday. That activation came after Martinez made five appearances across three levels in 11 days, pitching more than one inning during each of his final two outings, allowing one run on five hits and four walks while striking out five in 6.2 innings. Martinez's fastball sat in the 95-98 mph range and he threw up to 30 pitches. He bounced between the starting rotation and the bullpen during the 2018 campaign, posting a 3.11 ERA with 117 strikeouts over 118.2 frames. If Martinez can build up the strength in his shoulder working as a reliever, he could possibly make a handful of starts in the second half of the season. 12 team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (up if you think he starts)

Jimmy Nelson, Brewers: Nelson, who missed all of 2018 recovering from shoulder surgery due to an injury suffered while running the bases late in 2017, made his third rehab start at Triple-A San Antonio on Friday and tossed 5.2 scoreless innings, giving up three hits and one walk while striking out eight. He allowed three runs on two hits and four walks across 3.1 innings in his first appearance and three runs on five hits and one walk across 5.1 innings in his second. Nelson will make one more rehab start before rejoining the Brewers. When healthy in 2017, Nelson posted a 12-6 record with a 3.49 ERA, 10.2 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 175.1 innings. He may be ready to return after this rehab start and his velocity may take a bit of time to get back to his pre-injury mark of 94.6 mph, but he is worth the risk due to pedigree. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (same as prior)

RELIEF PITCHER

Steve Cishek, Cubs – Cishek was profiled last week as a part of the 'you-guess-the-Chicago-closer portion' of our show. A week later, Cishek looks to be the primary closer in Chicago having notched saves Sunday and Monday. With Pedro Strop out with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and joining Brandon Morrow (elbow) on the injured list, Cishek could get an extended run at holding the closer job - similar to his stints in Miami and Seattle. Brandon Kintzler, Carl Edwards Jr. and Brad Brach may also factor into the mix, but Cishek looks to be the one to own. 12 team Mixed: $3, 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

CATCHER 

Elias Diaz, Pirates: Diaz has started the last three games with Francisco Cervelli sidelined, possibly due to him catching a bat to the back of his glove hand on Wednesday. Diaz has struggled in his playing time so far this season, but has recorded five hits in those three games. He totalled 10 home runs and 34 runs batted playing in 82 games last year as Cervelli's backup, so he has shown that he can be productive offensively. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Tyler Flowers, Braves: Flowers may be a good buy-low candidate. Despite slashing .293/.356/.488 in 90 plate appearances, Flowers has just eight RBI despite four home runs. That output is low for a player with that slash line, so a regression up to the mean in terms of production could be in the cards. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: Owned

Jacob Nottingham, Brewers: Nottingham was promoted Thursday with Manny Pina landing on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain. He was slashing .247/.351/.395 in 94 plate appearances at Triple-A San Antonio prior to his promotion and will see minimal action behind Yasmani Grandal. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2 

Blake Swihart, Diamondbacks: Swihart, who played 28 games at catcher and 21 in the outfield last season, is seeing time at both positions again this season. With Alex Avila now back, look for Swihart to see most of his playing time in the outfield and as a pinch-hitter. After a slow start, he has started to find his stride at the plate, blasting three home runs over his last nine games. You could do worse for a second catcher in NL-only leagues. And if his playing time picks up, a possible starter in single-catcher leagues. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 

Injury activations/updates

Victor Caratini, Cubs – Caratini, sidelined since undergoing surgery to repair his fractured hand in mid-April, was activated and started Thursday. He rejoined the Cubs after completing a nine-game minor-league rehab assignment, which began at Low-A South Bend. Prior to being injured, Caratini was red-hot at the plate. Now that he is back, look for Chicago to try and find ways to get his bat in the lineup. 12 team Mixed: $0, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Francisco Mejia, Padres – Mejia, out since May 11 with a sprained knee, started baseball activities and could be in line for a rehab assignment soon. Prior to getting injured, Mejia was hitting just .167 over 54 at-bats. He's been known to wield a big time bat, but major questions exist as to whether or not he can play passable defense at catcher to stick behind the plate or if he needs to move to third base or the outfield. His strong spring earned him a timeshare with Austin Hedges, who has failed to take advantage of Mejia's absence and grab a hold of the role. 12 team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 

FIRST BASE

Matt Beaty, Dodgers – Beaty, profiled two weeks ago, gets another mention as he was called up for the second time in three weeks. He has gotten off to a solid start at Triple-A this season, batting .299 with three homers and 15 RBI over 28 games. Beaty doesn't hit for much power, but could see a handful of games at first base and give Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger the occasional day off when David Freese isn't in the lineup. 12 team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Pablo Sandoval, Giants – Sandoval has seen additional playing time to start the season with Brandon Belt dealing with a knee injury and scuffling at the plate. He hit .248/.310/.417 with nine homers in 252 plate appearances before a hamstring injury ended his season in late July. San Francisco re-signed Sandoval to a one-year deal and he has provided the team better than expected offense. He's slashing a surprising .282/.300/.603 through 38 games with five homers and 14 RBI and should continue to see time at both corner infield spots. 12 team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

SECOND BASE

Keston Hiura, Brewers – Hiura, the Brewers' top hitting prospect and profiled two weeks ago, gets another mention as he got the call to the majors this week replacing the injured Travis Shaw (wrist). He was raking at Triple-A San Antonio, hitting .333/.408/.698 with 11 homers in 37 games. He projects as an average defender at best, but scouts love both his contact and power ability. Hiura had some struggles making contact early on by striking out 24 times over San Antonio's first 15 games, but showed progress in that area by whiffing only 24 times over his last 22. Drafted in the first round in 2017, he's hit at every level up the ladder and is getting a chance with Shaw sidelined. Mike Moustakas has moved from second to third base with Hiura now manning the keystone, at least until Shaw is ready to return. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team NL: $11; 12-team NL: $18 (up if you think he sticks) 

Scott Kingery, Phillies – Kingery began his rehab assignment with Low-A Lakewood on Tuesday and moved to Double-A Reading on Thursday. He struggled this spring, carrying forward his issues from his regular season numbers, but turned it on once the season started. Prior to straining his hamstring on Apr. 19, Kingery was slashing .406/.457/.719 with two homers, six RBI, five runs and a stolen base in 14 games this season. He should see time at second, third and shortstop once activated off the injured list. If he stays hot and Maikel Franco hits as he did the first 63 games last season and not the rest of the way, Kingery could see more playing time at the hot corner. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (same as prior)

Injury activations/updates

Scooter Gennett, Reds: Gennett, on the injured list since he severely strained his right groin on Mar. 22, was on the field Tuesday but hasn't been cleared for baseball activity yet. That should come relatively soon, meaning he'll be reinstated from the 60-day injured list when first eligible May 27. Gennett hit .310 with 23 homers, 92 RBI and 86 runs last season and signed a one-year, $9.78 million contract with the Reds in January of 2019. Cincinnati have rotated several players in at second base looking to find a replacement for Gennett, with Derek Dietrich the latest. Once Gennett is healthy, look for him to regain his starting second base job. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (early return bid)

THIRD BASE

Jon Berti, Marlins: Berti continues to see action at multiple positions for the Marlins. He has played third, short, left and center for Miami. Berti is slashing just .237/.324/.373 with a pair of home runs, a steal, four RBI and 12 runs over 22 games, though he has played well the last five games. He's also been leading off for Miami, adding to his value. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 

J.D. Davis, Mets: Davis, traded by the Astros to the Mets this offseason, has seen an expected uptick in at-bats in New York. After hitting well in Triple-A, Davis has struggled in the majors due to his inability to catch up to premium velocity. With Jed Lowrie (knee) and Todd Frazier (oblique) sidelined for Opening Day, Davis received additional playing time. With Frazier back and scuffling and the team looking for offense, Davis has received the lion's share of the playing time at third base and could see action in the outfield with Michael Conforto (concussion) sidelined. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Jake Elmore, Pirates – Elmore was promoted Monday with Jung Ho Kang (side) landing on the injured list. He had been tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A Indianapolis, slashing .380/.444/.546 with two homers and 16 RBI over 31 games. Elmore is splitting time with Colin Moran at the hot corner, but his time in the majors may last only until Lonnie Chisenhall (calf) is ready to return. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4 

Colin Moran, Pirates: Moran, on the short side of a platoon at third base with Jung Ho Kang, is seeing additional playing time with Kang (side) landing on the injured list. Despite Kang's absence, Moran is still sitting against southpaws, ceding starts to Jake Elmore and Kevin Newman. In addition, Lonnie Chisenhall (calf) may factor in the mix when he is ready to return. If Moran doesn't start to hit, even if his defense at the hot corner is passable - which was an issue last season - he will continue to lose playing time against righties. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 

Austin Riley, Braves– Riley, profiled last week as a possible call up candidate, got the nod this week. That promotion resulted from Ender Inciarte (back) landing on the injured list, and Riley didn't disappoint by blasting a home run in two of his first four games while playing left field. Riley was batting .299/.377/.681 with 15 homers and 39 RBI while increasing his walk rate and cutting his strikeout rate in 37 games for Triple-A Gwinnett, thus earning the promotion. He is blocked at third base by Josh Donaldson, which prompted Atlanta to recently begin giving Riley a couple starts per week in the outfield at Gwinnett. If Riley continues to hit, he could remain with the Braves even when Inciarte is ready to return. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: $33 (up if think he sticks) 

Injury activations/updates 

Jake Lamb, Diamondbacks: Lamb's no longer feeling pain in his injured left quadriceps and has performed light straight-ahead running drills. He still needs to increase the intensity of his running and execute quick cuts before beginning a rehab assignment. Lamb's 2018 season ended on July 26 after he injured his shoulder, which needed surgery to correct. Prior to getting injured, he failed to build or even approach his 2016 and 2017 breakthrough campaigns. The trade of Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis opened up first base, which is where Lamb was to play this season while ceding the hot corner to Eduardo Escobar. But Lamb was placed on the injured list Apr. 5 with the Grade 2 strain of his left quad muscle, resulting in Christian Walker grabbing a hold of the first base job. Manager Torey Lovullo will have to find time for Lamb, Walker, Eduardo Escobar and Wilmer Flores in a crowded infield. Originally, Lamb was to be the everyday first baseman and start against both right-handers and left-handers, but it's unclear if he will get the chance to reclaim the job once he returns in the next few weeks once he starts and finishes a rehab assignment. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 

SHORTSTOP

Brendan Rodgers, Rockies – Rodgers, Colorado's top pick in the 2015 draft, was red-hot at Triple-A Albuquerque by slashing .356/.421/.644 with nine home runs in 35 games. He has been sizzling as of late, batting .382 with a 1.152 OPS and eight home runs since Apr. 11, warranting a deep look by the Rockies. Originally, the thought was Rodgers was being promoted to replace Trevor Story, who was dealing with a bruised left knee. Story was back in the lineup Friday with Rodgers starting at second base, displacing Ryan McMahon, who looked to be in line for more playing time with Garret Hampson sent down. McMahon could see action at first base with Daniel Murphy playing through a fractured finger, though Mark Reynolds started there Friday. Rodgers, drafted as a shortstop, made 25 of his 34 starts at second base for the Isotopes this year and could get an extended run in the majors at the spot. 12-team Mixed: $9; 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: $27

OUTFIELD 

Jarrod Dyson, Diamondbacks: Dyson, limited the last two seasons with hernia and thigh injuries, continues to make the most of the playing time affording to him due to the season-long absence of Steven Souza. He's gone 11-for-12 in stolen-base attempts, and only two players have swiped more bags this year. Dyson, who was hitting .290 with three home runs, 10 RBI and 21 runs in 93 at-bats heading into Friday's game, is typically in the lineup in center field whenever the Diamondbacks face right-handed starters and sitting against southpaws. Keep an eye on his status, as he left Friday's game after getting hit by a pitch and sat Saturday, though that was against Madison Bumgarner. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: Owned (stolen bases)

Phillip Ervin, Reds: Ervin was promoted Saturday to serve as the Reds' fourth outfielder. He was hitting .228/.333/.315 with one home run and five steals in 25 games with Louisville at the time of his call up. Look for him to see the occasional start. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

Kyle Garlick, Dodgers: Garlick was promoted Friday to join the Dodgers. He earned the call up by hitting well for Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a .280/.375/.627 line with 10 homers in 35 games. Garlick will see occasional starts in the outfield for LA. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 

Carlos Gomez, Mets – Gomez was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse to replace Michael Conforto, who was diagnosed with a concussion. The veteran outfielder slashed .208/.298/.336 with nine home runs and 12 stolen bases in 118 games for the Rays last season, mostly playing right field. Gomez, who started his career in 2007 with the Mets, will split time in center field with Juan Lagares. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 

Injury activations/updates

Lonnie Chisenhall, Pirates: Chisenhall started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday. He missed most of 2018 with a lingering calf issue and then signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with Pittsburgh this past November. At that time, Chisenhall was expected to see a healthy amount of action due to Gregory Polanco's September shoulder surgery. A broken right index finger suffered late in the spring was to sideline Chisenhall 4-6 weeks. He kicked off a rehab stint at Triple-A Indianapolis, but was then sidelined with calf tightness. With the Pittsburgh outfield set, Chisenhall could see time at third base when he returns with Colin Moran and Jung Ho Kang (side, injured list) struggling to get the job done, though Kevin Newman and Jake Elmore may also factor in the mix. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7