July 18, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks catching prospect
Adrian Del Castillo was participating in optional workouts at Chase Field and has a locker in the clubhouse. This suggests that the young backstop will likely join the team officially on Friday when they begin a series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Del Castillo made his MLB debut last season but has spent the entire 2025 campaign in the minor leagues. He has also dealt with numerous injuries, having appeared in only 28 total minor league games. However, when on the diamond, he has been very effective. Through 14 games with the Reno Aces, Del Castillo has posted a .288/.386/.559 with a .945 OPS. During his first look in the big leagues, Del Castillo held his own, posting a .313/.368/.525 line with five doubles and four home runs. He is worth a look in all two-catcher leagues given his upside bat.
--Andy SmithSource: Alex Weiner
July 18, 2025
Washington Nationals outfield prospect
Robert Hassell III has been on an impressive run since returning to Triple-A Rochester in mid-June. Through his last 22 games at the top level of the minor leagues, Hassell has posted an impressive .298/.404/.488 slash line with four doubles, four home runs, five stolen bases, and 12 RBI. Prior to this recent surge, Hassell received his first look at the big leagues but did not find much success, holding a .218/.222/.269 line over his first 79 PA. He hit just one home run and swiped a bag. In total, through 65 games at Rochester this season, Hassell has posted a solid .291/.361/.433 slash line with 11 doubles, eight long balls, and 14 stolen bases. He is worth keeping a close eye on as he should earn a second look at the majors later in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 18, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitching prospect
Yilber Diaz has been struggling at Triple-A Reno throughout the first half of the campaign. The No.5-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com has typically been deployed in a relief role and has logged 39 innings to the tune of an 11.31 ERA with a 2.36 WHIP. During this stretch, Diaz has struck out 45 hitters and served up 55 walks. In his most recent outing on July 12, he allowed three runs and was unable to tally one out. This is a significant drop in production for the right-hander as he was quite effective with Triple-A last season and even made his MLB debut. Through 50 1/3 innings with Triple-A last season, Diaz held a 3.22 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. Fantasy managers should not expect Diaz to be in the mix to return to Arizona, given his struggles.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 18, 2025
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect
Hurston Waldrep struggled over the first half of 2025, posting a 4.97 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and a 9.1 percent strikeout-to-walk rate. The whiffs have gone away from the right-hander, as his 21.8 percent strikeout rate and 11.6 percent swinging strike rate are the second lowest at any level of his minor league career. There's been plenty of opportunity in the Atlanta rotation, and Waldrep has just been unable to seize it. He's made two big league starts in his career but failed to complete four innings in either, allowing six and seven runs, plus eight combined walks in those outings. The former Florida first-round pick still has talent, but his poor command continues to hold him back from reaching his potential.
--Kyle McCarthySource: FanGraphs
July 18, 2025
Houston Astros pitching prospect
Miguel Ullola owns the second-highest walk rate in Triple-A at 15.8 percent, but has limited damage otherwise and holds a 3.80 ERA in 64 innings as we head into the second half. Ullola's command ails him fairly often, as he has allowed four or more walks in five of his 16 starts this season. He has great stuff, which has led to a strong 27.4 percent strikeout rate, but the walk rate is untenable. In addition, he doesn't combat the free passes with a high ground ball rate at just 36.3 percent. The right-hander has previously shown better ground ball rates at other levels of the minor leagues, and that could be a key piece for him. He likely projects as a reliever in the major leagues and could develop into a solid one with Houston's track record.
--Kyle McCarthySource: FanGraphs
July 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect
Carson Williams had mixed results over the first half at Triple-A Durham, hitting .216/.322/.445 (99 wRC+) with 16 homers and 17 stolen bases. The power and speed combination is super impressive, as he is one of just three players in the entire minor leagues to put up those numbers or better. The downside is that the contact ability has been really poor, with a 34.4 percent strikeout rate. The contact has to improve for him to become a serious consideration for a promotion to the big leagues. His blend of power and speed with his defensive prowess keeps his floor relatively high, but it can be wiped away by a poor hit tool. Williams' strikeout rate will be a key area for fantasy managers to keep an eye on in the second half.
--Kyle McCarthySource: FanGraphs
July 18, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect
Justin Crawford has been one of the most prolific contact and speed threats in Triple-A this season, swiping 29 bags in 38 attempts. He's hitting .331/.407/432 with a 127 wRC+ as a 21-year-old as he has flown through the Philadelphia pipeline. Crawford has made seamless transitions to each level he's been at. Since his time at Low-A as a 19-year-old, he's posted a 120 wRC+ or better at every stop while being one of the younger players. His 70-grade speed has led to a high number of steals while also maintaining a strong strikeout rate to maximize his legs. There's also some power to be tapped into with the speedy outfielder, as he has shown a solid 41.6 percent hard-hit rate and 110.6 MPH MaxEV at Triple-A this year. Those are meaningful numbers and signal some power potential, which raises the ceiling for him as a fantasy asset.
--Kyle McCarthySource: FanGraphs
July 17, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Brandon Pfaadt is scheduled to start on Friday against the Cardinals to open the second half of the season, reports Alex Weiner of AZ Sports. He'll be followed by
Ryne Nelson on Saturday and
Merrill Kelly on Sunday, which leaves
Zac Gallen to start the next series against the Astros. Pfaadt ended the first half with one of his better starts of the season, allowing two runs over eight innings against the Padres. The 26-year-old has also suffered a handful of very bad outings, which have ballooned his season-long ERA to 5.16 and his WHIP to 1.31. The right-hander has also struck out batters at a lesser rate than in 2024, with only 84 punchouts in 99 ⅓ innings.
--Jeremy HeistSource: Alex Weiner
July 17, 2025
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Spencer Strider is expected to start the second half opener on Friday against the Yankees, reports David O'Brien of The Athletic. This move doesn't come as a surprise, as
Chris Sale and
Spencer Schwellenbach are both on the injured list. Strider will be followed by
Joey Wentz on Saturday and
Grant Holmes on Sunday. The 26-year-old isn't quite as dominant as he was before his 2024 surgery, but he did end the first half with a strong eleven-strikeout performance against the Athletics. Through 11 games and 61 ⅔ innings, he has posted a 3.94 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 74 strikeouts and 24 walks.
--Jeremy HeistSource: David O'Brien
July 17, 2025
Pitcher
Dane Dunning was traded from the Texas Rangers to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday in exchange for
Jose Ruiz and cash, reports David O'Brien of The Athletic. It's unclear if he will be used as a starter or reliever. The 30-year-old has only appeared in five games at the major league level in 2025, and they were all relief appearances. However, the Braves have lost a lot of starting pitching depth this season, and Dunning was a reliable starter previously in his career. In 2024, 15 of his 26 appearances were starts, but he struggled to the tune of a 5.30 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 95 innings.
UPDATE: Dunning is expected to work in a long-relief role for Atlanta, giving him very little to no fantasy appeal.--Jeremy HeistSource: David O'Brien
July 17, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher
Paxton Schultz (finger) began a rehab assignment with the FCL Blue Jays on Thursday. He last pitched in a game on June 28 before landing on the injured list due to right middle finger inflammation. Compared to most injuries to a pitcher's throwing hand or arm, finger inflammation is a minor one, and he looks to be on pace to return by the end of the month. The 27-year-old could be activated as early as next week, as rehab assignments for relievers usually don't take as long. So far in 2025, he's posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 27 strikeouts in 23 ⅔ innings.
--Jeremy HeistSource: MLB.com
July 17, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher
Shelby Miller (forearm) began a throwing program on Thursday, reports Alex Weiner of AZ Sports. He last pitched in a game on July 5 before going on the injured list with a forearm strain. He was last reported to be getting a second opinion on his forearm and UCL, which usually isn't a good sign, but the results must have been positive if he was approved to begin throwing. The 34-year-old still likely is a ways away from returning, but this is a good first step in his recovery. He could once again see ninth inning work upon his return, as he totaled 10 saves in 2025 before the injury.
--Jeremy HeistSource: Alex Weiner
July 17, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman
Eugenio Suarez (hand) is expected to return to the lineup in the second-half opener, reports Alex Weiner of AZ Sports. He was hit by a pitch in the hand during the All-Star game and was obviously removed after for precautionary reasons, but he seems to have avoided a major injury. It's been officially ruled a hand contusion, and the slugger will look to keep up his massive home run pace in the second half. The 33-year-old is fourth in the majors with 31 home runs, making him one of the most valuable players in fantasy so far.
--Jeremy HeistSource: Alex Weiner
July 17, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander
Mitch Keller is known to have multiple teams pursuing him in advance of the July 31 trade deadline. Add the New York Yankees to the list of interested clubs, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. It's a logical fit: Keller could be among the top starters on the move in the next two weeks, and the injury-riddled Yankees are in the market for established rotation help. The 29-year-old has at least shown to be a competent innings-eater in recent seasons, including 2025. Despite a 3-10 record, he held his own in the first half of the season, tallying 14 quality starts with a 3.48 ERA (3.81 xERA), a 1.14 WHIP, and 92:27 K:BB over 119 frames. Keller is on a $15 million salary and in the second season of a five-year, $77 million contract. That's reasonable compensation for what Keller brings to the table, but he could prove too pricey for the Yankees if they're determined to limit luxury tax penalties.
--Connor ByrneSource: Noah Hiles - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
July
17,
2025
All-Star
right-hander
Hunter
Brown
is
not
part
of
the
Houston
Astros'
weekend
rotation
plans
for
their
road
series
against
the
division-rival
Seattle
Mariners.
They'll
go
with
left-hander
Brandon
Walter
on
Friday,
read more...
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