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.

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

STARTING PITCHER

Dario Agrazal, Pirates: Agrazal made what could be a spot start Saturday, allowing three runs – two earned – on six hits with three strikeouts in four innings. He earned the promotion by posting a 3.10 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with a 39:10 K:BB in 49.1 innings in eight starts at Triple-A this season. With Trevor Williams (side) and Jordan Lyles (hamstring) both potentially back this week, Agrazal may have to wait a while for an extended audition in the rotation. 12-team Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

Steven Brault, Pirates: Brault, who started the season with a 8.24 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 20:13 K:BB through 19.2 innings, has turned his season around lately. He's registered a 3-0 record with a 2.05 ERA over his last six starts after tossing six scoreless innings Friday against the Marlins. Overall, Brault has a 4.40 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 40 strikeouts in 47 innings while being basically locked into a rotation spot at this point and could remain in the rotation until Pittsburgh gets some of the injured starting pitchers back. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (upped bid from two weeks ago)

Mitch Keller, Pirates – Keller, the Pirates' top pitching prospect, was called up this week to make his second start in the majors. That outing went worst than the first, as Keller allowed six runs on 10 hits and two walks over three innings while striking out two. In his first start, Keller allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven in four innings. Despite his 3.10 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 74:25 K:BB through 58 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis, Keller - who has incorporated a slider/cutter into his repertoire that previously consisted of a mid-90s fastball and curveball - does not look ready yet for this level. As of now, it looks like he still has a bright future and will remain in the Pittsburgh rotation. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (up in keeper leagues)

Daniel Ponce de Leon, Cardinals – Ponce de Leon, starting in place of the injured Adam Wainwright, allowed one run on two hits with three strikeouts and four walks across four innings during a no-decision against the Mets on Friday. His performance might have earned him another outing, though Alex Reyes may get the call Wednesday in Wainwright's rotation spot. 12 -eam Mixed: No, 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

Alex Reyes, Cardinals: Reyes, profiled two weeks ago gets another mention, as he could start in place of the injured Adam Wainwright (hamstring) on Wednesday. He broke camp as a member of the Cardinals' bullpen, but was sent down after allowing five runs with a 1:6 K:BB over three innings of work. Reyes struggled initially before fracturing his pinkie finger after punching a wall in frustration on Apr. 25. The injury sidelined him for three weeks, but he used that time to tweak his changeup grip and build arm strength. He looked sharp in a pair of starts for High-A Palm Beach, compiling a 1.93 ERA and 11:3 K:BB in 9.1 innings, earning a promotion this week to Triple-A Memphis. Reyes' performance at Triple-A has been up-and-down, but he could get a spot start in place of Wainwright. 12-team Mixed: $2, 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (early spec call up bid, based on him sticking)

Jordan Yamamoto, Marlins: Yamamoto, who came over to the Marlins in the Christian Yelich trade, earned a promotion this past week by posting a 3.58 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 64:25 K:BB over 12 starts with Double-A Jacksonville. He made an impressive major league debut, tossing seven shutout innings while allowing three hits and two walks and striking out five to earn a second start. As we noted in our preseason outlook, Yamamoto was limited by injuries to just 13 starts. He recorded excellent numbers in those starts, finishing with a 1.83 ERA, 32.4 K% and 5.3 BB%. While three of those starts did come in a rehab stint at the rookie-league level, he was similarly effective at High-A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville. Yamamoto doesn't possess elite stuff, but he mixes four pitches - including a high-80s fastball - with excellent control to retire hitters and profiles as a mid-to-back end rotation starter. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

Injury activations/updates

Jhoulys Chacin, Brewers: Chacin, out since Jun. 2 with a lower-back strain, will be activated to start Monday against the Padres. The right-hander has struggled this season with a 5.74 ERA and 1.48 WHIP, but he managed a 3.50 ERA and 1.16 WHIP last year. Last year's numbers give Chacin a bit of a leash and make him worth a look in the hopes the injury explained his poor performance this season. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (just in case he turns it around)

Dinelson Lamet, Padres: Lamet, recovering from Apr. 2018 Tommy John surgery, enjoyed his best outing of the year in his third rehab start, tossing four scoreless innings Monday with High-A Lake Elsinore. He scattered three hits and a walk and struck out five and could be moved to Triple-A El Paso. Lamet posted a 4.57 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 139:54 K:BB through 114.3 innings as a rookie, raising hopes in San Diego that they had a potential ace before he suffered the injury. He threw his fastball and slider over a combined 95 percent of the time as a rookie, which is why he was working on a curveball to go along with a subpar changeup before getting injured. Lamet might need just two rehab starts before being cleared to rejoin the big-league rotation, which could be at the end of the month. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (slightly upped spec return bid)

Trevor Williams, Pirates: Williams, sidelined since May 16 with a right side strain, threw 71 pitches in a rehab start at Triple-A Indianapolis this past week and will be activated to start Wednesday against the Tigers. Prior to being sidelined, Williams had posted a 3.33 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 42 strikeouts over 54 frames in his first nine starts, building off the surprising success he had a year ago. His stuff doesn't scream 'must-add', but his performance last season and before he was injured warrants a spot in most formats. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (up if fully believe he continues his pre-injury success)

Alex Wood, Reds: Wood's return from back spasms that sidelined him since Mar. 28 has proved to be incredibly slow. But he threw a 20-pitch bullpen session last Saturday and could progress to live batting practice assuming he experiences no pain. Wood is probably at least a month away from rejoining the Reds, at which point he should slide into the starting rotation - although, based on the time he missed, it's possible he works out of the bullpen. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (early spec return bid, to be upped as he gets closer and if he is to start)

RELIEF PITCHER

Seth Lugo, Mets: Lugo has been the Mets' best pitcher out of the bullpen this season. And with Jeurys Familia struggling, he has assumed the role of Edwin Diaz's setup man. In 34.1 innings of work, Lugo has posted a 2.36 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 46:9 K:BB and 10 holds in 34.1 innings. With Diaz looking like a shell of his 2018 self, maybe manager Mickey Callaway gives Lugo a chance to close every once in a while. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (up if think he gets more than a few saves)

A.J. Minter, Braves: Minter, who opened the year as the Braves closer, was demoted on May 9 after continuing to have trouble finding the strike zone. After walking nine in 11 innings in the majors, Minter struck out 15 and walked only two in nine appearances (eight of which were scoreless) for Triple-A Gwinnett. Luke Jackson has been closing, but has been far from lights-out. If he continues to struggle at times and Minter pitches as he did last year, a changing of the guard at the back-end could occur. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (closer spec bid)

CATCHER

Austin Allen, Padres: With Francisco Mejia still down in the minors, Allen is serving as the backup to Austin Hedges. Hedges has recently dealt with an ankle injury and has struggled at the plate, allowing Allen to receive more playing time. Allen posted big numbers at High-A and Double-A the last two seasons, and was off to a strong start at Triple-A El Paso when he was promoted. He has yet to carry over that success into the majors, but is clearly worth a look in two-catcher NL-only leagues.  12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4 

Caleb Joseph, Diamondbacks: Joseph was called up this week to replace Alex Avila, who landed on the injured list with a calf strain. Carson Kelly is entrenched as the starter behind the plate for Arizona, but Joseph should see a handful of starts per week for the D-Backs. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

FIRST BASE

Injury activations/updates

Matt Beaty, Dodgers – Beaty, profiled a few times in May, gets another mention as he was activated off the 10-day IL on Thursday. He has gotten off to a solid start at Triple-A, batting .299 with three homers and 15 RBI over 28 games. Beaty, who was 12-for-42 with seven RBI in 17 games before the injury, could be in line for additional playing time due to Corey Seager's injury. Chris Taylor is getting the first short at manning short but is struggling at the plate, so Enrique Hernandez may have to shift from second base to short. If that occurs, Max Muncy will see more time at the keystone position. That will open up first base for Beaty, who doesn't hit for much power but handles the bat well at the plate. 12 team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

SECOND BASE

Brad Miller, Phillies: Miller was traded from the Yankees to the Phillies on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations. He was slashing .294/.399/.596 with 10 homers and a stolen base through 41 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before being acquired by Philadelphia. Miller will provide infield depth for the Phillies, seeing time at first and second base. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

Luis Urias, Padres – Urias, profiled two weeks ago, gets another mention as he could be up in the majors before the end of the month. Despite a recent slump, Urias has already hit 15 home runs while improving his walk rate at Triple-A El Paso. He displayed more power in Triple-A last year, though that came at the expense of a higher strikeout rate - and that carried over into this season. If Ian Kinsler continues to struggle, San Diego may sit him at second base in favor of Urias despite having signed the former for next year. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same early spec call up bid)

Injury activations/updates

Scooter Gennett, Reds: Gennett, on the injured list since he severely strained his right groin on Mar. 22, was to play in simulated games on Friday and Saturday in Arizona and could be cleared to begin a minor league rehab assignment if all goes well. If Gennett has no setbacks, he could return to the Reds by the end of June. He went .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. Cincinnati rotated several players in at second base looking to find a replacement for Gennett, with Derek Dietrich the latest. Once Gennett is healthy, he should regain his starting second base job since Dietrich has recently struggled. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (same early return bid)

Jose Pirela, Padres: Pirela, sidelined since late April with an oblique injury, has been raking during his rehab stint at Triple-A El Paso. His 20-day rehab window will draw to a close Jun. 18, but his recent form could prompt the Padres to bring him back before that date. Josh Naylor, who has seen spotty action since being promoted to the majors May 24, could be most at risk of demotion once Pirela is reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Even if Pirela is activated, his playing time might be minimal, as Luis Urias could receive a promotion before the end of the month and be inserted as the starting second baseman. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4

THIRD BASE 

Colin Moran, Pirates: Moran has made the most of the additional playing afforded to him when Jung Ho Kang landed on the injured list in mid-May. Following Friday's game, Moran was batting .322 with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 90 at-bats since May 19. Overall, he's gone .275 with 10 long balls, 40 RBI and 23 runs in 189 at-bats. He is close to matching his numbers from all of 2018 and should continue to start almost daily at the hot corner despite the recent return of Jung Ho Kang. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18

Injury activations/updates

Jung Ho Kang, Pirates: Kang, out since May 13 with a strained left side, rejoined the Pirates last Saturday. Prior to being injured, he was struggling mightily at the plate by going 0-for-22 in the nine games prior to the injury and a .133 average for the season. Kang has seen action at third and short since returning, but sits behind Colin Moran and Kevin Newman at the two positions. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Jake Lamb, Diamondbacks: Lamb, sidelined with left quad strain, kicked off a rehab stint at Triple-A Reno last Saturday. He should return to the D-Backs before the end of the month. Lamb's 2018 season ended on Jul. 26 after he injured his shoulder, which needed surgery to correct. Prior to that, Lamb 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 and 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 when he returns with Kevin Cron, Christian Walker, Eduardo Escobar and Wilmer Flores in a crowded infield. But Arizona needs help against right-handed pitching, which Lamb should provide once active. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (same as prior) 

SHORTSTOP 

Yadiel Rivera, Marlins: Rivera was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Friday to provide infield depth with Martin Prado (hamstring) landing on the 10-day injured list Friday. He posted a slash line of .318/.333/.516 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI through 61 games with Triple-A New Orleans this season, but hit just .173 in 160 plate appearances last season in the majors. Rivera's stint with the Marlins may last only while Prado is sidelined. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

Chris Taylor, Dodgers: Corey Seager's hamstring injury will cost him several weeks. Taylor is the beneficiary of that injury, as he will step in as the Dodgers' starting shortstop. But if Taylor doesn't find his stroke at the plate after hitting .146 with 16 strikeouts, one home run and one steal in 12 games heading into Saturday's game, he will cede time to Enrique Hernandez at short with Max Muncy shifting over to second base and Matt Beaty starting at first. Taylor was a revelation two years ago, but his numbers declined last year and he has bottomed out this season. Maybe consistent at-bats will be the cure for his ills at the plate. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

OUTFIELD

Carlos Gonzalez, Cubs: Gonzalez, the long-time Rockie, joined the Indians this season but was designated for assignment in late May. He was claimed by the Cubs, and joined the parent club after a short stint in the minors. CarGo is seeing some playing time in right field against right-handed pitching, ceding most of the action to Jason Heyward. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (slightly upped bid from prior week)

Phillip Ervin, Reds: Ervin rode the Louisville/Cincinnati shuttle once again on Saturday, continuing to fill a bench role during his time with the Reds and seeing the occasional start. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4

Nick Williams, Phillies: Williams was to start Sunday and will be in line for additional playing if Jay Bruce's tight left hamstring sidelines him for more than a day or two. He's seen minimal action after getting promoted on Jun. 8 to take the place of Odubel Herrera, who was placed on administrative leave following his arrest. Williams was sent down in mid-May to make room for Scott Kingery to come off the injured list. Prior to his call up, Williams slashed .180/.231/.262 with a homer and four RBI in 38 major-league games. Once Bruce is healthy, Williams will return to a backup role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4