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.

This is the final column of the season. Thanks to everyone who has read and/or commented on the column during the year. If you have additional comments or suggestions, please email support@rotowire.com or jan.levine@gmail.com.

I will be also out of pocket from 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 23, until Tuesday, Sept. 25, at around 8 p.m. The RotoWire crew will handle all questions in that time, and I will address anything unanswered when I check back in. Thanks!

STARTING PITCHER

Cody Reed, Reds: Reed is closing the year strong for Cincinnati. After fanning a career-high 10 batters in five innings in his prior start, Reed fired six scoreless innings, earning the victory Thursday by allowing just five hits while striking out six against Miami. With those brilliant efforts, Reed lowered his ERA to 3.66 and 1.32 WHIP with a 40:13 K:BB in 39.1 innings into what should be his final outing of the season next Wednesday against the Royals. He looks to be a favorite for a rotation spot heading into the offseason. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18

Nick Kingham, Pirates: Kingham will slide into the Pirates' rotation, replacing the injured Joe Musgrove. Earlier in the season, Kingham showed signs of being a solid starter, posting a 4.77 ERA in 66 innings with 60 strikeouts as a member of the rotation. Now, he gets two starts, including Sunday's, to close out his rookie campaign. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

RELIEF PITCHER

Matt Strahm, Padres: Strahm, who has pitched out of the bullpen this season, will get a chance to compete for a rotation spot next spring. He has logged a 2.01 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 58.1 innings this season, so the Padres know they have an elite reliever on their hands as a fallback option if he is unable to move to starting. Strahm has four plus pitches, but he has mainly relied on his mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider to get outs as a reliever. But he has the stuff to succeed out as a starter, which was his role in the minors until the 2016 season. San Diego also could elect to try Strahm at closer if the Padres move Kirby Yates. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

CATCHER

Jorge Alfaro, Phillies: Alfaro, Philadelphia's starter behind the plate to open the year, lost his role as the No. 1 catcher following Wilson Ramos' acquisition. Ramos came off the disabled list in mid-August, but Alfaro typically sees at least a couple starts a week. He has made the most of those chances so far in September, going 9-for-25 with a home run and five runs batted in. With Philly likely about to fall out playoff contention, the team could opt to reduce Ramos' workload, affording Alfaro additional at-bats. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

FIRST BASE

Aramis Garcia, Giants:Brandon Belt's knee injury will sideline him for the rest of the season. Garcia and Austin Slater will man first base. In addition, with Buster Posey (hip) out for the remainder of the season, Garcia is splitting time at catcher with Nick Hundley. He played 10 games behind the plate at Triple-A Reno and 69 at Double-A Richmond, meaning he might qualify at the position in some leagues. Look for Garcia to be in the lineup almost daily the final week of the regular season and, if eligible, serve as a solid second catcher in almost all formats. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

SECOND BASE

Garrett Hampson, Rockies:Trevor Story's elbow inflammation opens the door for Hampson to see some starts at shortstop along with Ian Desmond. Story's injury won't require surgery, but there is no timeframe for his return. As Colorado looks to stay in the playoff hunt, whoever puts together one or two solid games could run the table. Hampson, who has played decently in his brief stints to date in the majors, might replace DJ LeMahieu, who is a free agent this offseason, at second base. So his value is much higher in keeper leagues. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

THIRD BASE

Jeff McNeil, Mets: The McNeil hit show continues to roll on. In September alone, McNeil has nine multi-hit games and is hitting .337 since his promotion. Most impressive is his 21:12 K:BB in 215 plate appearances, as McNeil has shown a consistent ability to make consistent contact and foil good two-strike pitches for hits. McNeil, who played 12 games at third at Triple-A Las Vegas and might qualify in your league at that position as well, should head into spring training as the team's starting second baseman and No. 2 hitter behind Amed Rosario. 12-team Mixed: $45; 15-team Mixed: $65; 12-team NL: Owned

SHORTSTOP

Amed Rosario, Mets: Rosario is closing out the season in style. In 19 September contests, through Thursday's games, Rosario was slashing .338/.358/.519 with a pair of home runs, six runs driven in, 13 runs scored and five stolen bases. Rosario has settled in nicely to the leadoff spot for the Mets, and while his K:BB needs work, his late blend of power coupled with his speed has him set to open 2019 in a similar role. 12-team Mixed: $55; 15-team Mixed: Owned; 12-team NL: Onwed

OUTFIELD

Jay Bruce, Mets: Bruce, profiled last week, gets another mention as he continues to close out the year strong. He has had an injury-plagued and disappointing season but is making up for it in September. Bruce is 16-for-64 through 19 games this month with three doubles, five homers and 16 RBI. Following Saturday's game, Bruce has played 16 games at first, so he has a shot to go into next year eligible there along with the outfield. 12-team Mixed: $44; 15-team Mixed: $55; 12-team NL: Owned

Aaron Altherr, Phillies: Altherr has made the most of the playing time received since his call back up to the majors, slashing .286/.355/.607 with a pair of home runs in 12 games. With Nick Williams (shoulder/hand) dinged up, Altherr could continue to see increased opportunities over the final week of the season. Coming off breakthrough 2017 season, Altherr regressed substantially this year, but he could partially salvage the year with a strong close. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18

Victor Robles, Nationals: Robles has endured a difficult 2018, missing over three months with a hyperextended left elbow suffered April 9 and struggling a bit at the plate. Due to the time he's missed, Robles managed a .278/.356/.386 slash line with two home runs, 14 steals (on 20 attempts) and a 26:18 K:BB in 182 plate appearances at Triple-A Syracuse. The future is still bright for Robles, who has ceded the spotlight this year to Juan Soto. With Soto, Bryce Harper and Adam Eaton in the Nats' outfield, Robles didn't se that much time after he was first promoted. But Eaton's knee injury has sidelined him most of the last week, resulting in consistent at-bats for Robles, though he has yet to make the most of this chance. If Harper signs elsewhere this offseason, Robles should be a starter in 2019. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (up substantially in keeper leagues)

Jon Jay, Diamondbacks: Jay started his third straight game, leading off Saturday. This increase in playing time is due to Steven Souza's struggles at the plate. With Arizona all but officially out of playoff contention, look for Jay to get a handful of starts the final week of the season and possibly provide a small boost in batting average along with some counting stats. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7