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

Zack Wheeler, Mets: The Mets offense has been on a milk carton, but the starting staff held its own in the team's recent slide. Contributing broadly to the performance of the five-man rotation has been Wheeler, who has rebounded after a rough patch. Wheeler allowed just three hits and a walk across seven scoreless innings, striking out five, in a no-decision Wednesday. He has now tossed three quality starts in his last four outings, lowering his ERA from 5.92 to 4.57 over that stretch. With a 62:22 K:BB in 62 innings and his pitches working, Wheeler looks to be near the top of his game. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: $33

Clay Buchholz, Diamondbacks: Buchholz has made four starts for Arizona, notching a 1.88 ERA, a 0.83 WHIP and a 21:3 K:BB in 24 innings. Shelby Miller is close to returning from Tommy John surgery, but Buchholz isn't ready to relinquish his spot in the team's starting rotation. Buchholz joined Arizona on a minor-league deal in early May after being let go by the Royals, posting a 2.93 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 27.2 innings (five starts) between Double-A and Triple-A to earn the promotion. He still may just be a placeholder until Miller or Robbie Ray (oblique) returns, but he is making Arizona's decision difficult. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

Trevor Richards, Marlins: Richards, who spent most of the first month of the season with the Marlins, was promoted from Triple-A to start Thursday. He allowed three runs in five innings, striking out four and yielding seven hits versus St. Louis. Richards surrendered one earned run across 12 frames this spring with nine strikeouts and a 1.17 WHIP to earn the original nod. But he compiled just a 4.94 ERA and 24:14 K:BB across five outings and 23.2 innings of work, resulting in a demotion. Richards notched a 2.06 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and stellar 37:4 K:BB cross six starts (39.1 innings) with New Orleans to earn this second chance. He projects long-term as a reliever but could stick as the team's fifth starter. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Brandon Woodruff, Brewers: Woodruff will be promoted to start Sunday in place of Zach Davies, who is not ready to return from his shoulder injury. He has bounced up and down between the majors and Triple-A Colorado Springs and his stint this time will depend on how long Davies is out. Woodruff has posted a 2.10 ERA over six starts at Triple-A this season but has worked as both a starter and reliever for the big club this year with mixed results. Even if Woodruff doesn't remain in the rotation (Freddy Peralta is knocking, too), he could stick in the bullpen, depending on when Davies returns. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Dereck Rodriguez, Giants: Rodriguez, promoted to start last Sunday, pitched Saturday against the Nationals, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two across 2.2 innings. With Madison Bumgarner now back in the rotation, Rodriguez will likely head back to Triple-A Sacramento when Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) returns from the disabled list. Rodriguez, not considered a top prospect by the team when the year began, posted a 3.40 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 50.1 innings at Triple-A to earn the callup. He allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out six across six innings to earn the win in his debut, and he's likely next up if a starter is needed, though San Francisco may also get Johnny Cueto back by the end of this month. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

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, but he's lined up to return from the disabled list Wednesday. He received the initial promotion after posting a 1.99 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP and a 24:5 K:BB ratio at Triple-A Gwinnett. Taken in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft, Soroka finished second in the Southern League in ERA (2.75) and sixth in K-BB% (14.5 percent) last year. He uses a low-90s fastball, along with a plus slider and developing changeup to retire hitters. He pounds the zone, boasting a career 1.9 BB/9 and 2.91 ERA. Soroka notched a 3.68 ERA and a 15:4 K:BB through his first 14.2 innings in Atlanta, who's having him skip his final rehab start and instead will limit him to 85-90 pitches in his return outing. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team NL: $35

Shelby Miller, Diamondbacks: Miller, recovering from Tommy John surgery last May, gets another mention, allowed one run on four hits and four walks while striking out six in a rehab start for Double-A Jackson on Monday, throwing 52 of his 79 pitches for strikes. That outing was Miller's second rehab start, and he will make at least one more to boost his pitch count before he returns to the majors. If Miller can toss 90-100 pitches, he might be activated this week. When that happens, Miller should replace Clay Buchholz as Arizona's fifth starter, or possibly Matt Koch, benefitting from the humidor in Chase Field. Before falling off a cliff in 2016 and then undergoing the surgery, Miller was serviceable or better from 2013-15. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (same spec return bid)

Rich Hill, Dodgers: Hill, who maybe should be called Captain Blister, looks to be close to returning from his most recent bout with the injury. He threw a four-inning simulated game Saturday, and if the bullpen session he may toss this week goes well, his next outing will be in the big leagues over the weekend. Hill has been getting up to nine laser treatments per day, which have expedited the blister's healing process. Speculation persists that Hill could end up in the bullpen, which would limit his value. 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 (up if you think he stays healthy)

Anthony DeSclafani, Reds: DeSclafani, out since straining his left oblique in early March, allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings Tuesday in his first major-league start since Sept. 28, 2016. This outing came after DeSclafani made four rehab starts for Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville, as he replaced Homer Bailey in the Reds' rotation. After making 31 starts in 2015, DeSclafani took a step forward in 2016, despite getting limited to 20 major-league starts due to a strained oblique. Last year was a complete loss, as he was diagnosed with a UCL sprain in spring training and made just two rehab starts. Despite a low K rate, HR tendency versus LH hitters and difficult home park, DeSclafani's upside still makes him a tantalizing fantasy bet. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (upped bid)

Julio Urias, Dodgers: Urias was LA'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 June of last season. Urias threw off a mound for the first time since that procedure in late May and believes he could be back in the majors by the end of July, but that may be somewhat optimistic. He still has a long road ahead, but so far he has not had any setbacks. Urias likely will be back in August in a yet undetermined role. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (stash bid)

Ivan Nova, Pirates: Nova, out since May 25 with a sprained right ring finger, was activated from the 10-day disabled list to take the hill for Sunday's game against the Cubs. He was good in five of his first six starts but hit the skids in four of his next five prior to landing on the disabled list. Overall, Nova has a 4.96 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and a 47:10 K:BB ratio in 61.2 innings. He likely will replace Nick Kingham or Trevor Williams in the Pirates' rotation. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Freddy Peralta, Brewers: Peralta, who made one spectacular and one meh start when he was promoted in May, was considered to replace Zach Davies (shoulder) in the Milwaukee rotation Sunday. The Brewers opted to promote Brandon Woodruff but Peralta is likely next in line. 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 6.1 one-hit innings Tuesday and would be on turn Sunday if Milwaukee has selected him. Perelta'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 does eventually get a callup, he could remain in the rotation until Davies is ready to return. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

RELIEF PITCHER

Robert Gsellman/Anthony Swarzak, Mets: Mentioned last week, Gsellman gets another nod joined by Swarzak now that Jeurys Familia has landed on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder soreness. Since a four-run hiccup May 2, Gsellman has been quite good, posting a 2.61 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 20.2 innings, with all four runs allowed in three straight contests last week. He's also racked up a pair of saves in that span. Manager Mickey Callaway used Familia in the eighth inning to face the top and heart of the Mets' opponent's batting order, turned to Gsellman in the ninth inning to notch the save. Swarzak just returned from missing two-plus months with an oblique injury, pitching Tuesday following his activation. He was brilliant last year, resulting in New York giving him a two-year, $14 million deal this offseason to serve as a bridge to Familia. Gsellman is the No. 1 option to close, followed by Swarzak, especially with Seth Lugo continuing to fill in for Noah Syndergaard (finger) in the Mets' rotation. Gsellman -- 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $22 (upped bid); Swarzak -- 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

Jordan Hicks, Cardinals:Bud Norris blew his second save in his past three opportunities Friday, which was marred by a rain delay he was forced to wait out. Heading into Saturday's save opportunity, Norris had worked on back-to-back days, so manager Mike Matheny turned to Hicks, who locked down the win with a scoreless ninth inning. The hard-throwing righty now has a 2.18 ERA and a 24:19 K:BB in 33 innings. Most of those free passes came earlier in the season, but his more frequent use and command of his slider has made his fastball tougher to hit with most of his K's coming lately. Matheny already has confirmed Norris remains St. Louis' primary closer, but Hicks and his 100-plus velocity loom close in the wings should Norris experienced more sustained setbacks. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18

Kirby Yates, Padres: Yates, who was solid out of the bullpen when he arrived in San Diego last year, has been even better this year. Setting up Brad Hand, Yates has a 1.13 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and a 29:8 K:BB through 24 innings this season, Yates posted 20 holds this year and already has nine this year, along with two saves, including one Saturday. He is second in line to Hand, but Hand has often worked in the seventh or eighth innings depending on where difficult left-handed batters come up. Also, if the Padres decide to trade their closer and his friendly three-year, $19.75 million contract (with a 2021 option) leading into this year's deadline, Yates appears to be the next man up. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (up if he becomes the primary closer)

Steve Cishek, Cubs: Despite allowing a home run Wednesday, Cishek's numbers for the year remain superb. With a 1.88 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a 34:13 K:BB in 28.2 innings, Cishek has been a perfect lead in to Brendan Morrow. You would like to see the walk rate lower, though Cishek has been much better in that regard after a rough start. Cishek, who has seven holds, has closing experience and if Morrow was sidelined or needed a day off, Chicago likely would turn to Cishek in the ninth inning with a lead, as they did Saturday with Cishek notching the save. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Injury activations/updates

CATCHER

Nick Hundley, Giants: Hundley is the recipient of a short-term bump in playing time. With Brandon Belt (appendicitis) sidelined for three weeks, Hundley is seeing extra starts against southpaws, with Buster Posey moving to first base to mask Pablo Sandoval's inability to hit lefties. But if Sandoval remains hot, manager Bruce Bochy might allow him to play against southpaws, so watch the starting lineups closely. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4

Injury activations/updates

Austin Hedges, Padres: Hedges, sidelined all of May with right elbow tendinits, will begin a rehab assignment soon and could rejoin the Padres this week. 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 blasted 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. However, Hedges' return may not occur for a while longer since he just was cleared to throw and will need to ramp up his baseball activities before restarting his minor-league rehab assignment. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7

FIRST BASE

Max Muncy, Dodgers: Muncy, profiled last week, still had an ownership below 50 percent on CBS as of Thursday morning. Qualifying at first, third and in the outfield, Muncy has shown little signs of slowing and manager Dave Roberts continues to write his name in the lineup card. Roberts may try Muncy at second, which has been a black hole production-wise in LA this season as a way to keep his bat in the lineup. If that happens, Muncy's value would rise, since he would now be eligible at three infield spots. Recently, Roberts shifted Cody Bellinger to center field, inserting Muncy at first base. But if Joc Pederson continues to hit, look for Bellinger to shift back close to full-time reps at first and Roberts to try Muncy at second. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: Owned

Injury activations/updates

Eric Thames, Brewers: Thames, sidelined since April 24 with a torn UCL in his right thumb that required surgery, kicked off a rehab stint Wednesday at Triple-A Colorado Springs after a pair of contests in extended spring training. He's seeing reps at first base and in the outfield with the Sky Sox. 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 on his a minor-league rehab stint. To keep Aguilar's bat in the lineup, the Brewers could use Thames in left or right field, but that might prove difficult with an overcrowded outfield. Stay tuned to see how the playing time issues are resolved when Thames is activated, which is expected to occur during Milwaukee's upcoming homestand. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (same bid as last week)

SECOND BASE

Daniel Descalso, Diamondbacks: Descalso might be Arizona's MVP through the first third of the season. He has seen action at four positions and seems to come up with big hit after big hit. Descalso already has seven home runs and 30 RBI, on pace to far exceed the career-best totals he put up in each category last season while also obliterating his best slugging percentage. Despite the Arizona infield being back at full health, look for Descalso to continue to play all over the diamond against righties. He'll continue sitting versus most southpaws, though, somewhat limiting his value. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: owned

THIRD BASE

Brian Anderson, Marlins: Anderson won't hit many home runs, but he already has 14 doubles and two triples, boosting his slugging average to a respectable number. He plays right field almost daily, and with 31 games logged at third, also qualifies at the hot corner. After a relatively slow start to the season, Anderson has been red-hot at the plate, reeling off three straight multi-hit games in the past week while hitting safely in 15 of his last 17 games, batting in the middle of the Miami order. Anderson did hit 22 home runs combined last year in the minors at Double-A and Triple-A, so maybe the power will come at some point despite playing half his games in Marlins Park. 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team NL: Owned

Jung Ho Kang, Pirates: Kang is tearing up High-A Bradenton in the first stop of his stint in the minors. Pittsburgh will move Kang up level by level through the minor-league ladder before he rejoins the parents club. 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 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. Josh Bell's struggles at first might even open up semi-frequent work for Kang at first, if they want to try him at a new spot, and of course Jordy Mercer might be easily replaced at shortstop if Kang's bat ignites and they decide to value that more than Mercer's often standout defense. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (slightly upped bid)

Injury activations/updates

Todd Frazier, Mets: Frazier, out since May 7 with hamstring tightness, was activated off the disabled list Tuesday following a short rehab assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday. After a strong start, Frazier tailed off before he was injured and had a .237/.357/.412 slash line in 32 games this season with five home runs and 21 RBI when he went to the disabled list. He looked more like his old homer-friendly self Saturday, clearing the fences against the Yankees. Wilmer Flores, Luis Guillorme and Jose Reyes all manned the hot corner while Frazier was out. The team has been horrific this season against LHP, making the absence of Frazier's right-handed bat even more impactful. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18 (if not owned and same as last week)

SHORTSTOP

Injury activations/updates

J.P. Crawford, Phillies: Crawford, out since late April with a Grade 1 right flexor pronator strain, was activated Wednesday. That activation came after a five-game rehab stint at High-A Clearwater and one at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Crawford won't play every day, though he could regain his starting job. While he was sidelined, Scott Kingery, who is also struggling, filled in at shortstop. If Kingery can't break out of his slump, then Crawford, who was slashing just .146/.246/.328 when he was sidelined, might play almost daily with Kingery sent down to Triple-A. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (slightly upped bid)

OUTFIELD

Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: Gonzalez is one of the most added players on CBS this week due to his performance at the plate. On May 26, CarGo was slashing .214/.262/.366 with four home runs and 16 runs batted in. Since then, Gonzalez has a pair of home runs with 10 RBI, upping his batting average to .268 on the season. The K rate is still too high while the drop in walk rate from last year to this is concerning, but when CarGo gets on a run at the plate, it can last for weeks. Jump on board now, but keep an eye on the back injury that sidelined him Saturday and Sunday. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: owned

Joc Pederson, Dodgers: Pederson sees just about all his action against righties, but he has been productive this season, especially lately, rebounding from last year's debacle. Manager Dave Roberts starts Pederson at one of the three outfield spots against righties, with most of his playing time in center. The main reason for Pederson's turnaround is his cut in K rate, as he is striking out just 14 percent of the time after getting punched out 21.1% last season. This is the third straight year he has cut his strikeout rate, which coupled with an uptick in contact rate and BABIP has resulted in what is so far a career-best batting average. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: owned

Jesse Winker, Reds: Winker looked to be odd-man out in the Reds' outfield last week but started six straight contests and seven of the previous eight through Saturday's games. The lack of power will still limit his output, but maybe his walkoff home run Thursday and tater Saturday are signs of things to come. In leagues that use on-base percentage, Winker, who has 11 hits in those six straight starts to up his average from .239 to .268, holds more value. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Jon Jay, Diamondbacks: Jay acquired from Kansas City for Elvis Luciano and Gabe Speier. With outfield starters A.J. Pollock (thumb) and Steven Souza (pectoral) injured, the D-Backs were in need of support. The veteran outfielder, who is hitting .307/.363/.374 across 59 games this season, should see plenty of action in the short term in right field with Chris Owings to split time in center with Jarrod Dyson. Down the road, look for Jay to settle into a reserve role once the Diamondbacks are back to full strength, but that may take at least a few weeks. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Mike Tauchman, Rockies: Tauchman was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to the majors Tuesday. With David Dahl (foot) still on the disabled list, Tauchman was summoned to provide additional outfield depth and a power bat off the bench. He posted a 385/.431/.673 line across 39 games with the Isotopes this season but went just 1-for-23 (.043) with 11 strikeouts in 15 games with the Rockies earlier in the year. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3