August 13, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect
Andrew Painter has had a rough stretch at Triple-A. In his last start on Sunday against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the former first-round pick allowed nine hits and seven earned runs through 4 1/3 innings. In his previous outing on August 5, Painter also struggled serving up five runs with a 4:4 K:BB through four innings of work against Scranton as well. However, before this rough two-game skid, Painter held a solid 3.12 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over his last three outings, which suggested he may have been nearing the final stages of his development. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress at Triple-A as the Phillies could look to promote him to strengthen their rotation during the final months of the season. While he has struggled recently, he is still a strong stash option in standard formats, given his high strikeout upside.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
August 13, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect
Bubba Chandler struggled in his recent outing at Triple-A. Facing Omaha, the top pitching prospect in Pittsburgh served up six hits and three runs across four innings of work. He allowed two free passes and struck out only three. This was a bit of a step back compared to his previous outing, where he also allowed three runs but struck out seven and served up just one walk. Over his last eight starts, Chandler has had very mixed results, holding an overall 4.42 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP. During these 38 2/3 innings, Chandler has tallied 42 strikeouts with 29 walks. Through 96 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season, Chandler has posted a modest 3.82 ERA and a 1.42 WIP. Given his inconsistency, fantasy managers should only consider stashing him in deeper 12+ team formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
August 13, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop prospect
J.J. Wetherholt went 2-for-5 with a home run against Triple-A Charlotte. The 22-year-old hit his seventh homer since being promoted to Triple-A Memphis on July 7, and is slashing .301/.394/.639 in 99 plate appearances during that time. Everything looks great under the hood for the Cardinals' top prospect. He has more walks than strikeouts, has stolen 16 bases across Double-A and Triple-A, and boasts a strong 50% hard-hit rate at Triple-A. He's been able to lift the ball for power, and he should be held in high esteem in dynasty leagues. There's a chance he gets called up when rosters expand, and he'd be worth picking up in most formats.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
August 13, 2025
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher
Cade Smith earned his fifth win of the season in Tuesday's 4-3 game against the Marlins. Smith came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning with the game tied, two outs, and a runner on first. He got the third out on a strikeout and stayed in to pitch the ninth inning with a one-run lead, posting a 1-2-3 inning with no strikeouts. The 26-year-old has split save opportunities and high-leverage situations with
Hunter Gaddis while
Emmanuel Clase is being investigated for sports betting. Smith has pitched well all season, collecting five wins, five saves, and 19 holds to go with a 2.68 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and a 12.41 K/9 rate in 53 2/3 innings of work. He should offer the most fantasy value out of the Guardians' bullpen down the stretch.
--Connelly DoanSource: MLB.com
August 13, 2025
Houston Astros infield prospect
Brice Matthews went 1-for-4 with a home run in a 4-3 win against Triple-A Salt Lake. Matthews was optioned to Triple-A on August 1 following the activation of Jeremy Peña. He struggled during his brief time in the majors despite clubbing three homers in 11 games. He struggled to make consistent contact with a giant 45 percent strikeout rate, and hit just .143. On the occasions he did make contact, he produced an impressive 26.3 percent barrel rate. He'll need to clean up the swing and miss woes to make the most out of his power, and it has been an issue for him in the minors as well. He likely won't be on fantasy radars for the near future.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
August 13, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher
Juan Morillo earned the first save of his big-league career in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Rangers. Morillo came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by one and turned in a 1-2-3 performance with no strikeouts. The Diamondbacks' bullpen was plagued by injuries earlier in the season, and the team is now in fourth place in the National League West. Four different pitchers have seen save opportunities in the last seven days, including the 26-year-old. Morillo has a lackluster 4.76 ERA, a 1.66 WHIP, and an 8.89 K/9 rate in 28 1/3 innings of work. At this point, it seems like a true dart throw as to who may get the next save opportunity for the team, limiting the potential to find fantasy value.
--Connelly DoanSource: MLB.com
August 13, 2025
Texas Rangers relief pitcher
Chris Martin (calf) felt pain in his left calf while throwing a live bullpen on Tuesday and will pause his rehab ramp-up, per Dallas News' Shawn McFarland. Martin, who has been on the injured list since July 20, was progressing through regular bullpen sessions and training, but felt irritation when advancing to more strenuous activities. The 39-year-old was putting together a solid season before his injury, collecting 12 holds with a 2.36 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and a 25.7% strikeout rate in 34 1/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers will have to wait for another update, although Martin was only offering fantasy value in saves-plus-holds leagues, given his role.
--Connelly DoanSource: Shawn McFarland - X.com
August 13, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfield prospect
Owen Caissie went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, and an additional run scored against Triple-A Worcester. Caissie belted his 22nd homer of the season and brings his season slash line to an impressive .292/.393/.573 and a 112:53 K:BB ratio in 400 plate appearances. The power numbers have been standout all season for the lefty slugger while also displaying a plus approach. There were talks of him potentially getting moved at the trade deadline, which would have opened up every day playing time for him, but it ultimately didn't happen. An injury would likely need to pop up for Caissie to get a shot at the majors this season. He'd make for a decent speculative add in 15-team formats in that case.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
August 13, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Aaron Nola (ankle, ribs) looked excellent in Tuesday's rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Nola pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts over 84 pitches. The 32-year-old has made three rehab starts while recovering from ankle and rib injuries, compiling a 2.19 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 12 1/3 IP. This is encouraging for fantasy managers, as Nola had a poor 6.16 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and 23.6% strikeout rate in nine starts with the Phillies before going on the injured list. It was reported last week that Nola may return to the Phillies after this rehab start, so fantasy managers should be on the lookout for more news.
--Connelly DoanSource: MiLB.com
August 13, 2025
Colorado Rockies shortstop prospect Ethan Holliday went 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout in his pro debut Tuesday night with Low-A Fresno. The number four overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft batted second in the lineup and had a solid debut as the top prospect in the Rockies' system. He hit a grounder through the right side of the infield for his first hit after striking out in his first plate appearance. The 18-year-old has incredible raw power and posted ridiculous numbers during his senior year at Stillwater, with a .617 average and 1.309 slugging percentage with 16 homers in 32 games. He'll look to fly through the minor leagues like his brother
Jackson Holliday, and is a strong asset in dynasty leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Thomas Harding
August 13, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman
Brice Turang (pinky) exited Tuesday's 14-0 win over the Pirates early due to a "slight pinky issue," per Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Curt Hogg. Turang went 1-for-3 with a solo home run off of
Paul Skenes and also had a strikeout before being replaced by
Andruw Monasterio. Per manager Pat Murphy, Turang was only pulled because the Brewers were up by so much. It sounds and seems like the issue shouldn't hinder Turang, although fantasy managers should keep an eye out for any news on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has been productive for fantasy once again, slashing .278/.344/.411 with 12 home runs, 56 RBI, and 21 stolen bases in 481 plate appearances.
--Connelly DoanSource: Curt Hogg - X.com
August 13, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman
Willson Contreras (foot) exited Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Rockies after being hit by a pitch in his right foot. Contreras was plunked in the fourth inning, and he stayed in the game until the sixth inning, when he was replaced defensively by
Nolan Gorman. The team reported the injury as a right foot bruise. Contreras went 0-for-1 with the hit-by-pitch before exiting. Fantasy managers should look for further updates in the coming days to get a better idea of whether Contreras may have to miss time. The 33-year-old has produced offensively while transitioning to first base this season, slashing .255/.344/.443 with 16 home runs, 65 RBI, and four stolen bases in 472 plate appearances.
--Connelly DoanSource: Derrick Goold - X.com
August 13, 2025
The San Francisco Giants recalled second baseman/outfielder
Tyler Fitzgerald from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday ahead of their game against the Padres. Fitzgerald played second base for the Giants earlier in the season, but he was playing right field at Triple-A and was slotted in the lineup against the Padres batting eighth and playing right field. Pitcher Carson Wisenhunt was optioned in a corresponding move. The 27-year-old was unable to replicate his 2024 success with the Giants in the first portion of 2025, slashing .227/.287/.333 with three home runs, 13 RBI, and nine stolen bases in 222 plate appearances. As for Wisenhunt, the 24-year-old posted a 5.04 ERA in three starts with the Giants, although he was not faring much better at Triple-A.
--Connelly DoanSource: Shayna Rubin - X.com
August 12, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Oneil Cruz (head) exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers after a collision in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cruz was replaced by veteran
Tommy Pham and is currently undergoing evaluation and treatment from the team's medical staff. The severity of the injury has not yet been disclosed. Cruz is in his fifth season with Pittsburgh and has shown flashes of upside despite an inconsistent year at the plate. Through 108 games, he is slashing .207/.304/.398 with a .702 OPS. With his rare athletic profile and raw power, Cruz remains a key part of the Pirates' long-term plans.
--Julian BrookeSource: Pittsburgh Pirates
August 12, 2025
Chicago Cubs right-hander
Jameson Taillon (calf) is expected to make one final rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday before rejoining the big-league rotation, according to manager Craig Counsell. Taillon has been sidelined since July 4 with a right calf strain but appears on track to return later this month. Before the injury, the 33-year-old posted a 4.44 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 95 1/3 innings across 17 starts. Now in his third season with Chicago, Taillon has long been a model of consistency, never recording a season ERA above 5.00. His return could provide solid stability for a Cubs team with strong postseason aspirations.
--Julian BrookeSource: Maddie Lee
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