This article is part of our NL FAAB Factor series.
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. This week, I only covered the more significant Sept. 1 callups, but I'm happy to address any players you want me to cover in the comment section.
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. This week, I only covered the more significant Sept. 1 callups, but I'm happy to address any players you want me to cover in the comment section.
STARTING PITCHER
Cody Reed, Reds: Reed, who had been pitching out of the bullpen for Cincy since his recall in mid-August, moved into the starting rotation Thursday. He surrendered one run on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings and 73 pitches against the Brewers. Reed should remain in the rotation for September, as he tries to prove that he should head to spring training next year penciled in as a starter. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Lucas Sims, Reds: Sims, profiled last week, gets another mention, as he was promoted Saturday. He came over to Cincy in the Adam Duvall deal and has pitched well for Triple-A Louisville. In five starts, Sims has posted a 3.82 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB in 28.1 innings. Those numbers build off his successful campaign at Triple-A Gwinnett prior to the trade. Look for the Reds to give Sims several starts in September to determine if he could head into spring training next season as a possible rotation option. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Jeff Brigham, Marlins: Brigham was promoted Saturday and will make his major-league debut starting in place of the injured Pablo Lopez. He earned the callup by posting a 1.18 ERA in seven starts for Double-A Jacksonville and a 3.44 ERA in nine starts for Triple-A New Orleans, walking less than 6.5 percent of batters at each stop. If Brigham pitches well, he could remain in the rotation the rest of the month. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4
Kyle Wright, Braves: Wright, one of the Braves' top pitching prospects, was promoted Saturday with the rosters expanded. The 22-year-old had a 2.51 ERA in 28.2 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett following a late-July promotion from Double-A Mississippi. At that level, Wright notched a 3.70 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 105:43 K:BB with a 0.5 HR/9 through 109.1 innings across 20 starts. As we noted in our preseason outlook, Wright's best pitch is his mid-90s fastball -- a double-plus offering thanks to its late life. He complements it with a curveball and slider, both of which can be out pitches on the right day. His changeup is his fourth pitch, but it too shows plus potential at times. He will work out of the bullpen for Atlanta but could be in the team's rotation next season. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (up in keeper leagues)
Injury activations/updates
Zach Davies, Brewers: Davies, making his seventh rehab appearance, tossed a nine-inning shutout for the Low-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers last Monday, allowing seven hits while posting a 6:0 K:BB. That was Davies' second straight dominant rehab appearance, and he was recalled to start Monday against the Cubs, his first major-league outing since May 29. After a poor first half of 2017, Davies finished strong, showing that his 2016 numbers were no fluke. Now finally healthy, he should provide solid across-the-board numbers, save for a middling strikeout rate the final month of the season. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (increased bid)
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 at the end of June. He allowed one run on three hits and five walks with two strikeouts in five innings to pick up the win against the Mets. A few days after that outing, Alcantara was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a right axillary infection. When he was acquired, questions existed over his future role, but Miami decided to develop Alcantara as a starter, though there is still the outside possibility he'll become 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. Alcantara, who posted a 3.71 ERA and 64:34 K:BB in his 85 Triple-A innings prior to his callup, has posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in eight starts since rejoining the affiliate following his activation off the disabled list. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
Adam Wainwright, Cardinals: Wainwright, who last pitched in the majors May 13, continued his path back to the majors, firing four scoreless innings in Triple-A Memphis' win over Nashville on Monday, allowing three hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts. He made what should be final rehab start Saturday for Memphis, and he could rejoin the Cardinals to start Sept. 7. Given his struggles since the 2015 season, don't expect much from Wainwright if he is able to return, but he has looked better in his rehab appearances than expected, and given his prior pedigree and experience, he is most certainly worth a flier. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9 (slightly increased bid)
Jerad Eickhoff, Phillies: Eickhoff, sidelined all season due to a lat injury, was called up with the roster expanding Saturday. He arrives in the majors on the heels of throwing six scoreless innings (83 pitches) in a rehab start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last Saturday. Eickhoff will originally pitch out of the bullpen, as Zach Eflin, Nick Pivetta and Vince Velasquez seem to have the back-end rotation spots held down. But if Philly needs a spot starter or one of those three falters or is injured, Eickhoff is next in line. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Julio Urias, Dodgers: Urias, who has made six minor league rehab appearances, four at High-A Rancho Cucamonga, was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday. He has accrued a 4.22 ERA and 19:4 K:BB across 10.2 innings in those appearances with his fastball hovering around his pre-surgery mark of 94 mph. Urias, who will work as a reliever when he is promoted sometime this month, projects to be a starter in the future, but this is his path to the majors this year. LA's top pitching prospect when he was promoted in 2016, Urias showed flashes of what made him so special in his 77 innings pitched that season. 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. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same bid as prior, increase in keeper leagues)
Eric Lauer, Padres: Lauer, who missed nearly a month with a forearm injury, returned to action Thursday, allowing one run (none earned) on no hits and two walks while striking out two across five innings. With Clayton Richard done for the year, Lauer, who struggled his last two outings before he was shut down after posting a 2.33 ERA his prior eight starts, should remain in the Padres' rotation for September. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5
Bryan Mitchell, Padres: Mitchell, out since early June with a sore right elbow, will be activated from the disabled list Monday to start against the Diamondbacks. He had posted an ugly 7.08 ERA and 23:35 K:BB across 48.1 innings before hitting the DL and has made six starts at High-A as part of his rehab. San Diego may slip in its four rookie starting pitchers at times in the final month of the season, opening the door for Mitchell to make additional starts. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3
RELIEF PITCHER
Robert Gsellman, Mets: Gsellman notched his ninth save of the season Saturday. Following the trade of Jeurys Familia to the Athletics, Gsellman has been and will be the Mets' primary closing option as they play out the rest of a lost 2018 season. He hasn't allowed a run in 11 of his past 12 appearances, and if he puts together a strong finish to this campaign, he'll likely enter 2019 as the best bet to close out games, barring other high-impact back-end acquisitions. At a minimum, Gsellman will be in the late-inning mix next season. 12-team Mixed $15; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team NL: owned
Greg Holland/Justin Miller, Nationals: The back end of the Washington bullpen is a tire fire. Sean Doolittle (toe) remains sidelined, Kelvin Herrera is out for the season and Ryan Madson (back) just returned to active duty and was dealt Friday to Los Angeles. This past week saw Holland, who flamed out in St. Louis, and Miller earn saves. Madson was the favorite to close but is now with the Dodgers and Koda Glover is also in the mix, but for now, Holland and Miller will be the main closers in Washington until Doolittle returns. Holland has been impressive so far in his new uniform, posting a 0.93 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB in 12 appearances (9.2 innings) with Washington, while Miller has been solid all season for the Nationals. Holland - 12-team Mixed $8; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $22 (increase if you think he is the full-time closer); Miller - 12-team Mixed $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
Kolby Allard, Braves: Allard is back in the majors, working out of the Atlanta bullpen, but he projects to remain a starter down the road. He got his feet wet July 31, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks with one strikeout across five innings to earn the win. Allard earned that promotion by posting a 2.80 ERA and striking out 87 batters across 109.1 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett, but the acquisition of Kevin Gausman landed Allard back in the minors. His role now is as a low-leverage or long-relief option for Atlanta and as No. 3 or 4 starter in the future. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (increase in keeper leagues)
Injury activations/updates
Arodys Vizcaino, Braves: Vizcaino, out since July 11 because of shoulder inflammation, is set to pitch an inning for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday. He began throwing a couple of weeks ago and could be activated when eligible on Sept. 10, as he was moved to the 60-day DL on Saturday. A healthy Vizcaino would solidify the back end of the bullpen, though he likely won't close with A.J. Minter serving in the role. Prior to being sidelined, Vizcaino posted 1.65 ERA with 34 strikeouts and a career-high 15 saves in his 32.2 innings of work. He will join Brad Brach as a bridge to Minter in the season's final stretch and perhaps in the playoffs. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
CATCHER
Drew Butera/Bobby Wilson: The backup catcher callups/acquisitions this week were in Colorado and Chicago, respectively. Butera was sent from Kansas City to Colorado along with cash considerations in exchange for Jerry Vasto on Friday. He provides depth as the third catcher behind Tony Wolters and Chris Iannetta. Wilson, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, was traded to the Cubs from Minnesota on Thursday in exchange for Chris Gimenez and a player to be named later or cash considerations. Once activated, he will be the third catcher behind Willson Contreras and Victor Caratini. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2
FIRST BASE
Chris Shaw, Giants: Shaw, a first-round pick of the Giants in 2015, was promoted following the trade of Andrew McCutchen to the Yankees. Across 101 games with Triple-A Sacramento this year, Shaw has slashed .259/.308/.505 with 24 home runs and 65 RBI. Formerly a first baseman, Shaw shifted last year to left field, and he should see most of the playing time at that spot in September, starting against righties but sitting versus lefties. He provides power that is sorely needed in the Giants' lineup, though the club's home park won't be of much assistance. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
Lucas Duda, Braves: Duda, who spent the first six-plus seasons of his career as a Met, returned to the NL East this week following his trade from the Royals to the Braves. He slashed .242/.311/.415 with 13 homers across 86 games with Kansas City prior to being traded. With no DH spot available in Atlanta and Freddie Freeman locked in at first base, Duda is expected to primarily serve as a bench bat while occasionally picking up a start at first when Freeman is given a day off. 12-team Mixed: owned; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: $5
Christian Walker, Diamondbacks: Walker was promoted Tuesday to give Arizona another bench bat. He posted solid numbers with Triple-A Reno, hitting .299/.354/.568 with 18 homers in 84 games but hit just .208/.296/.375 with one home run in 20 games at the big-league level this season. Walker will back up Paul Goldschmidt and could see the occasional outfield start. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3
SECOND BASE
Adam Frazier, Pirates: Frazier has more than taken advantage of the additional playing time afforded by Josh Harrison's injury woes. From July 25 to Aug. 30, Frazier posted a .360/.414/.629 with four home runs, 17 RBI with 14 runs scored and a 14:8 K:BB. The majority his playing time is coming at second base and Frazier should be in the lineup nearly every day the final month of the season. 12-team Mixed: $18; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team NL: owned
Luis Urias, Padres: Urias, another in what seems to be an endless line of San Diego prospects, was promoted to the majors this week. He earned the promotion by slashing .296/.398/.447 with eight home runs, 83 runs and 45 RBI in 120 games as the youngest qualified hitter in the Pacific Coast League. Urias profiles as a long-term top-of-the-order bat with excellent contact ability with some power coming as he matures. He should be in the lineup nearly every day at second base in September and open 2019 as the starter at the keystone spot. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: $25 (up in keeper leagues)
Injury activations/updates
THIRD BASE
Austin Riley, Braves: Riley, the future at third base for Atlanta, might be called up when rosters expand in September despite not having to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason. The Braves' top prospect was promoted from Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett the second week of May. He earned that bump in levels by posting a .333/.394/.677 line with six home runs and 20 runs batted in across 109 plate appearances. Riley, a supplemental first-round pick in 2015, missed five weeks with a sprained knee from early June to early July and struggled at times in Gwinnett, but rediscovered his stroke at the plate. He posted a .295/.395/.590 line with seven home runs and 21 RBI and scored in August, albeit with a 35:6 K:BB, with those numbers ticking up, especially power-wise, the past two weeks. Riley likely boasts the most power in the organization's farm system, and his path to the bigs might quicken if he can continue to limit his strikeouts and show a solid eye at the plate. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (up substantially in keeper leagues)
Patrick Wisdom, Cardinals: Wisdom was promoted Tuesday to provide the Cardinals with another infielder with Kolten Wong (hamstring) landing on the disabled list and Jedd Gyorko dealing with a groin injury. He posted a .288/.363/.480 slash line with 15 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 107 games at Triple-A after hitting 31 long balls there last season. Yairo Munoz and Greg Garcia will split time at second base with Wisdom backing up Gyorko and Matt Carpenter at the hot corner. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4
Injury activations/updates
Martin Prado, Marlins: Prado, sidelined again since mid-August (with a quadriceps strain), was activated Saturday. Brian Anderson has shifted back to third base, meaning Prado likely will fill a backup role at both corner spots. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4
SHORTSTOP
Yairo Munoz/Greg Garcia, Cardinals: Munoz, who just returned from his sprained right wrist that he suffered Aug. 10, and Garcia are filling in at second base with Kolten Wong on the disabled list. Slashing .284/.348/.428 with six home runs on the season, Munoz originally slid into to a bench role with Wong and Paul DeJong manning the St. Louis middle infield but has been playing almost daily at second base in Wong's absence. He has yet to find his stroke, which could open the door for Garcia to see even more action, though Garcia may also see time at third with Jedd Gyorko nursing a strained groin. Munoz - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Garcia - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5
Chris Owings, Diamondbacks: Owings was called back up to the majors Saturday. He posted a .198/.267/.287 line with three homers and nine stolen bases across 273 major-league plate appearances this year before he was sent down to Triple-A Reno. Owings will probably top out at one or two starts per week -- probably against left-handed pitchers -- while serving in a utility role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $4
Injury activations/updates
OUTFIELD
Gorkys Hernandez/Gregor Blanco, Giants: Blanco was promoted Wednesday with Steven Duggar (shoulder) landing on the disabled list. Hernandez is in line for additional playing time due to Duggar's injury and the trade of Andrew McCutchen to the Yankees. Hernandez, who already has career highs in home runs (13) and RBI (36), should start almost daily in center field with Blanco, who hit just .242/.289/.350 across 42 games with the big club earlier in the season, serving as the backup. Hernandez - 12-team Mixed: $8; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: owned; Hernandez - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3
Phillip Ervin, Reds: Ervin has carved out a semi-regular to regular role in the Cincinnati outfield, playing almost daily in left field. From July 25 to Aug. 30, Ervin slashed .315/.375/.539 with four home runs, 19 RBI, 15 runs scored and three stolen bases. Even with the rosters expanding, look for Ervin to remain in the lineup daily. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18
Austin Slater, Giants: Slater should start daily in right field with Andrew McCutchen now a Yankee. He likely won't provide much power but should post a decent batting average and notch stolen bases for your lineup. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11
Socrates Brito, Diamondbacks: Brito, profiled last week, gets another mention, as he was called up with the rosters expanding Saturday. He raked at Triple-A Reno, posting a 318/.383/.540 line with 17 homers and 15 steals. Brito saw a cup of coffee earlier this season when Steven Souza was sidelined but failed to impress. He could carve out a healthy amount of playing time if he produces initially, but this remains a crowded outfield, so don't expect too much. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5
Alex Verdugo, Dodgers: Verdugo did not look out of place in the LA outfield when he was up in the majors earlier this season. He was promoted when the rosters expanded Saturday and should carve out a handful of at-bats the final month of the season. With Matt Kemp, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig and Chris Taylor manning the outfield, Verdugo's real chance at playing time may not come until 2019. He posted a .329/.391/.472 line, 10 homers and eight stolen bases across 379 plate appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (up in keeper leagues)
Curtis Granderson, Brewers: Granderson was traded from the Jays to the Brewers on Friday. The veteran outfielder was hitting .250/.345/.443 with 11 homers in 322 plate appearances against right-handers this season at the time of the trade. Grandy will see the occasional start for Milwaukee but mainly will be a pinch hitter. 12-team Mixed: Owned; 15-team Mixed: Owned; 12-team NL: $4
Adolis Garcia, Cardinals: The fourth/fifth outfielder call up/acquisition this week was in St. Louis. Garcia, who was called up a few days early due to Jedd Gyorko's injury, went 1-for-11 with a single and five strikeouts during his first cup of coffee in the majors. He will be utilized as a reserve outfielder and isn't expected to see much playing time with the Redbirds fighting for a spot in the postseason. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2
Injury activations/updates
Lewis Brinson, Marlins: Brinson, out since early July with a hip bone bruise, was activated with the rosters expanding Saturday. He kicked off a minor-league rehab assignment at Double-A Jacksonville two weeks ago and has shown he is fully over the injury. Brinson, acquired from Milwaukee this past offseason in the Christian Yelich trade, struggled prior to his injury, hitting just .186/.232/.338 with 10 home runs and 30 RBI across 84 games this year. He still projects to be the Marlins' center fielder of the future and should be in the lineup almost daily when he rejoins the team, with Magneuris Sierra shifting to left and Isaac Galloway into a support role. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7
Jarrod Dyson, Diamondbacks: Dyson, sidelined since injuring his right groin July 4 against the Cardinals, kicked off a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno on Friday. He began sprinting and hitting Aug. 22, and he successfully ran the bases Monday, enabling to move to the next step. After missing nearly two months on the shelf, expect Dyson to require at least a few games in the minor leagues before coming off the disabled list in early September. He will serve as a pinch runner and part-time outfielder when he returns, with the potential for some stolen bases. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5
