April 28, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Matt Wallner (hamstring) could miss most of May due to his left hamstring strain. Team president Derek Falvey noted that the severity of his injury could keep him sidelined for the upcoming month. Wallner exited their contest on April 15 with this injury and was then placed on the 10-day injured list. Before his injury, Wallner was enjoying a solid start to the campaign, holding a .263/.373/.474 slash line with five doubles, two triples, and one home run. Under the hood, the 27-year-old has generated a .351 xwOBA with an elite 76.5 mph bat speed, which are both above the average marks. In addition, Wallner has also drawn walks at an impressive 13.4 percent rate. While he remains sidelined,
Trevor Larnach and DeShawn Keirsey should see time in right field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bobby Nightengale
April 28, 2025
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Ceddanne Rafaela went 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBI in his team's 13-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, adding a double and a sac fly. Rafaela hadn't collected an extra-base knock or driven in a run in over a week, so it was nice to see him do so in their bludgeoning of the Guardians. He had four hard-hit balls, too, with three of them exceeding 100 MPH. The Curacao native's average hasn't caught up, but he's making better contact overall this season, with an xBA of .257 and modest increases in exit velocity (89.6 MPH) and hard-hit rate (43.7%). Furthermore, he's cut his strikeout percentage (16.8%) and raised his walk rate from a season ago.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
April 28, 2025
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher
George Kirby (shoulder) is slated to throw live batting practice on Monday. This will be the first time he faces live hitters since being shut down with this shoulder injury in March. The 27-year-old was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status after his session, as this is an important step in his recovery process. If he continues to perform well, he could eventually be cleared to embark on a rehab assignment in the coming weeks. Last season, the right-hander held a strong 3.53 ERA with an impressive 1.07 WHIP across 191 innings of work. While he only tallied 179 punchouts, his elite control gave him significant value in all formats. When he does return, he will carry a solid SP2 value as he should improve your WHIP ratio.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Daniel Kramer
April 28, 2025
Miami Marlins infielder
Connor Norby went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners. He added a double, a single, and two runs scored. The 24-year-old knocked in all three runs in one swing with a three-run blast -- his first homer and RBIs of the season -- in the top of the eighth inning to bring Miami within one, but it was the last runs they'd muster in the contest. Norby is swinging a hot bat since returning from the injured list, notching at least one hit in six of nine games with two three-hit efforts. He's striking out at an undesirable 34.3% clip and has yet to draw a walk, but holds a .303 average and is already one off of his stolen base total from last season in 145 fewer at-bats.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
April 28, 2025
Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitching prospect
Parker Messick tossed five shutout innings during his start against Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In this outing, Messick allowed just one hit and a walk, and matched a season-high eight punchouts. This was a strong bounce-back outing for Messick as well, as he allowed four runs in each of his previous two starts. Through 22 1/3 innings (five starts), the southpaw has posted a solid 3.22 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP. During this stretch, the Florida State product has held a 30:10 K:BB and allowed just two home runs. Last summer, the 24-year-old progressed through the Cleveland system quite quickly and should be in the mix for his MLB debut later this summer, given his current production. Last season, Messick held an impressive 2.83 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP across 133 2/3 innings split between High-A and Double-A. If he continues to perform well, Messick could become a worthy stash target.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
April 28, 2025
Houston Astros infield prospect
Brice Matthews went 2-for-4 with a home run and two stolen bases during Sunday's contest against Triple-A Tacoma. This outing extended Matthews's hitting streak to four games. During this stretch, Matthews has gone deep twice and held a 2:3 K:BB. However, before this surge at the plate, the former 28th overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft had carried a modest .213/.359/.293 slash line with one double, one triple, and one home run. During this 21-game stretch, Matthews held a modest 32:16 K:BB and only tallied five RBI. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression at Triple-A as he appears to be turning the corner. If the Nebraska product continues to show growth, he should compete for a second-half MLB debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
April 28, 2025
New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jonah Tong struck out a season-high 10 batters during his start on Sunday against Double-A New Hampshire. In this start, Tong tossed four shutout innings. He allowed just one hit and one walk. This was Tong's first start, not allowing a run this season. Through his first four starts of the campaign (17 1/3 innings), the right-hander has struck out 30 batters and held a 4.15 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression at Double-A, as he is flashing elite strikeout upside. Last season, the former seventh-round selection spent most of his time with High-A, where he held a 3.71 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP with 110 punchouts across 85 innings. If he continues to perform well with Double-A, he should be in the mix for a promotion to Triple-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
April 28, 2025
Boston Red Sox infield prospect
Marcelo Mayer continued to stay hot at the plate. During Sunday's double-header against Syracuse, Mayer went 3-for-7 with two doubles, a home run, six RBI, and a 2:1 K:BB. Over his last nine games, Mayer has enjoyed an impressive power surge, posting a strong .417/.452/.944 slash line with four doubles and five long balls. During this stretch, the No. 11-ranked prospect in the sport has tallied 24 RBI. Mayer performed well in Double-A last season but was unable to make his Triple-A debut due to numerous injuries. However, the former fourth overall pick has shown significant growth at the top level of the minor leagues and has opened the door for an early 2025 MLB debut. Through his first 23 games at Worcester, Mayer has held a .280/.324/.548 line. If he continues to hit for power, he will become an intriguing stash option in standard leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
April 28, 2025
Chicago Cubs infield prospect
Matt Shaw went 2-for-5 with a double and a home run during their contest on Sunday against Triple-A Louisville. This was his second-straight contest, tallying two hits. This was also his first long ball since returning to Triple-A. Shaw was able to earn a spot on the MLB roster out of spring training but was optioned following his first 18 games when he held a .172/.294/.241 slash line with just one double and a home run. During this first taste of the MLB, he held a 26.5 percent strikeout rate. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he should be in the mix for an early return to the major leagues. Last summer at Triple-A, the former 13th overall pick held a .298/.395/.534 slash line. Fantasy managers in deeper NL-only formats should continue to stash Shaw on their bench.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
April 28, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitching prospect
Jacob Misiorowski tossed five shutout innings in his latest outing on Sunday against the Durham Bulls. In this outing, Misiorowski allowed just three hits, no walks, and struck out a season-high batters. This was his second-straight outing not allowing a run. Through his first 29 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season, the former second-round selection has held a strong 1.82 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP. Across this stint, he has struck out 38 batters and served up 13 free passes. This is a great sign as the 23-year-old has continued to build off his strong Triple-A debut last summer when he held a 2.55 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP across his first 17 2/3 innings at that level. Given his steady progression, he should be in the mix for an early 2025 MLB debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
April 27, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Aaron Nola didn't factor into the decision on Sunday but was solid in a 3-1 win over the Cubs. He allowed one run on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts in seven innings. This was a step in the right direction for Nola who had lost all five of his starts before this one with a 6.43 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. This start lowered his ERA to 5.40, but he still has plenty of work to do before his stats look more in line with that of a near-ace that many fantasy managers drafted him to be. He'll look to carry this momentum into his next start, tentatively scheduled to be against the Diamondbacks.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 27, 2025
New York Mets starting pitcher
Tylor Megill allowed three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out nine over 6 ⅓ innings in an 8-7 loss to the Nationals on Sunday. This was the first time of the season that he allowed more than two runs in a start, which speaks to just how good he has been. More importantly, this was his first quality start and appearance of at least six innings of the year. If he can become more efficient and last longer into games he could be a real standout in fantasy, as he has already shown his strikeout upside with 19 punchouts combined over his past two starts. Megill will look to keep things up in his next time out, currently lined up to be against the Cardinals.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 27, 2025
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Hunter Brown earned his fourth win of the season on Sunday, striking out nine over six innings while allowing one run on seven hits and one walk in a 7-3 victory over the Royals. This is his sixth straight quality start to begin the year and his second straight nine-strikeout performance. Brown has looked every bit like an ace, with his ERA now down to 1.22. He should be able to keep things up in his next start, which is currently lined up to be against the White Sox in Chicago.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 27, 2025
Miami Marlins catcher
Agustin Ramirez continued to impress on Sunday, going 2-for-5 with two solo home runs in a 7-6 loss to the Mariners. He has been nothing short of spectacular to begin his major league career, slashing .474/.524/1.158 through his first five games. Seven of his nine hits have been for extra bases, with three home runs and four doubles. He's also stolen one base so far, showing off his legs that led to 22 stolen bases in the minors last season. Ramirez has 20 home run and 20 steal upside which is extremely rare for a catcher, and is a must-add unless you already have an elite catcher.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 27, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Andy Pages went 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBI in a 9-2 win against the Pirates on Sunday. He has been on fire as of late, as this was his third straight game of three hits or more. He's now slashing .277/.355/.506 with five home runs, 11 RBI, 11 runs, and one stolen base through 25 games this season. Everyday playing time in a stacked Dodgers lineup tends to bring good outcomes, and Pages could be worth a pickup as a streaming option while he's hot.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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