June 20, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher
Orion Kerkering threw a clean ninth inning to preserve a 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Kerkering was tasked with finishing off a dominant performance for
Cristopher Sanchez. After an error and a single put runners on the corners, Kerkering was able to escape the jam to pick up his second save. The 24-year-old now has two saves, 11 holds, a 2.37 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts in 30 ⅓ IP. It seems to be a two-headed approach in the Phillies' bullpen right now, with Kerkering and
Matt Strahm each picking up multiple saves in the last few weeks. It will likely remain that way, although Strahm has struggled a bit recently. Both are worth a look in deeper formats where saves are tough to come by.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez picked up his sixth win of the year in a 2-1 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Sanchez was extremely efficient in this one, needing just 91 pitches to get through eight one-run innings. He scattered five hits, struck out four, and didn't walk a batter. While he didn't end up with many strikeouts, Sanchez did generate 11 whiffs (10 on his changeup) and had a solid 34% CSW. The lefty improves to 6-2 on the season with a 2.87 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts in 87 ⅔ IP. Sanchez has been phenomenal this season and is a clear must-start pitcher. His next outing is scheduled for next Wednesday, when he will face the Houston Astros on the road.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada reports that starting pitcher
Luis Garcia (elbow) could throw live batting practice next week. The 28-year-old experienced a setback a few months ago when he dealt with soreness and inflammation in his surgically repaired elbow, though it's excellent news that Houston anticipates him throwing BP next week. It's a critical milestone in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. However, he'll still require quite a bit of time on a minor-league rehab assignment to build back up before he rejoins the roster. Garcia plans to do so in late July or early August, which could come to fruition if next week's session goes well. He should boost the Astros' rotation upon his arrival, but his workload will almost certainly be capped.
--Alex CiullaSource: Matt Kawahara
June 20, 2025
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Spencer Strider (2-5) was strong on Thursday, allowing just one run over six innings in a 7-1 win over the New York Mets. Strider once again looked like his old self, striking out eight while allowing just five hits and one walk. This makes two solid outings in a row for the fireballer, who averaged 96 mph on his fastball, up 0.7 mph from his season average. He also induced 18 whiffs, including 14 on his slider. It appears to be a return to form for the 26-year-old, who now holds a 3.89 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 45 strikeouts across 37 IP. The buy-low window on Strider has officially closed, and he is once again a must-start pitcher. His next start should come next Wednesday against these same Mets, but in New York this time.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher
Andre Granillo had a day to remember on Thursday, collecting his first career win and first career save across the Cards' doubleheader with the Chicago White Sox. In Game 1, Granillo came into the game with two outs and runners on second and first in a tie ballgame, and was able to get out of the jam. The Cardinals then took the lead, giving Granillo the win. In Game 2, Granillo tossed a scoreless bottom of the 10th with the Cards' up 8-6 to secure his first save. The 25-year-old now has four straight scoreless appearances to start his career. There aren't any fantasy implications here, but it is a cool story nonetheless.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
Per Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, outfielders
Yordan Alvarez (hand) and
Zach Dezenzo (hand) are still not hitting. Dezenzo has been out with a capsule strain in his hand since the end of May, and though he's reportedly pain-free, he still hasn't picked up a bat. Alvarez, on the other hand, is still recovering from a fracture he sustained in his hand that has sidelined him since May 3. The team has already noted that the fantasy stalwart won't resume hitting until he's fully healed, so he still has a bit more to go. It seems likely that both athletes will require minor-league rehab assignments before rejoining the roster. However, there's been no news on that front for either player.
--Alex CiullaSource: Matt Kawahara
June 20, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado had a big game in the second half of the Cards' doubleheader with the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, going 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBI. Arenado helped get his team out to an early lead by homering in the third, and they would eventually win 6-5, although they did need a 10th inning to do so. The veteran infielder has been a little better at the dish recently, and has finally seen his OPS rise above .700 for the first time since May 28. On the season, Arenado has a .247 AVG, 34 runs, nine homers, 38 RBI, and one steal. Even with the recent upswing, he's been pretty disappointing and is borderline droppable in standard-sized leagues.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher
Joe Boyle allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight over five innings in Thursday's 8-4 win over Triple-A Omaha. Outside of allowing two home runs to
Joey Wiemer, Boyle was quite good in this outing, generating 18 whiffs on 37 swings and stretching out to 88 pitches. The Rays' help in improving Boyle's control has allowed him to leverage his great stuff for plenty of strikeouts. He ranked second among all Triple-A starters in strikeout rate before this start. The 6-foot-8 right-hander has lowered his walk rate from 17.7 percent to 11.1 percent while also upping his zone rate from 48.3 percent to 51.4 percent. He could be a candidate to join the major-league rotation at any time, and his strikeout upside makes him worth a pickup in deeper leagues if that happens.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
June 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect
Carson Williams went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI with a run scored in Thursday's 8-4 win against Triple-A Omaha. Williams has enjoyed a productive month of June, hitting .275/.373/.569 with four homers and three stolen bases in 60 plate appearances. Positively, he's cut his strikeout rate down into the mid-20 percent range during this time. Overall, the season-long numbers still look disappointing as he's hitting .201/.306/.397 with a strikeout rate north of 35 percent. The 21-year-old is still young for the level and has big power, but will need to continue to develop his contact ability in the minors before being considered for a promotion.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
June 20, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect
Logan Henderson allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings against Triple-A Iowa. Henderson took the loss on Thursday, as he allowed two homers to spoil his day. He was still effective in the whiffs category with his fastball and changeup combination working to great effect. The right-hander ended with 15 whiffs on the night, with his fastball and changeup accounting for 13 of them. The 23-year-old performed admirably when given the opportunity in the majors, pitching to a 1.71 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts in 21 innings. He's mirrored similar dominant levels at Triple-A Nashville with a 2.44 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts in 48 innings. He should be expected to return to the majors at some point soon and would be worthy of a pickup in most formats.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
June 19, 2025
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect
Noah Schultz took the loss against Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, allowing six runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings. The 21-year-old still generated 16 swinging strikes on 43 swings and allowed only two extra-base hits. He did give up a good amount of hard contact, but it wasn't all bad. Schultz held a 3.34 ERA in 56 2/3 innings at Double-A Birmingham but also owned an elevated 14.4 percent walk rate, which led to a 1.59 WHIP. The 6-foot-10 left-hander has serious upside but needs to improve his command as he ages. Schultz is currently ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect on MLB.com and likely won't be a call-up candidate until next season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
June 19, 2025
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Chase DeLauter went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Thursday's 8-6 loss against Triple-A Indianapolis. After finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in the suspended game earlier in the day, DeLauter went deep again and has caught fire in June. The 23-year-old is slashing .333/.439/.521 with two home runs and a 9:4 BB:K. He's complemented this mature approach with strong quality-of-contact metrics, with a 49 percent hard-hit rate and 9.8 percent barrel rate in 73 plate appearances. DeLauter won't steal many bags, but his combination of power and contact is quite appealing and could earn him a promotion to the big leagues this summer.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
June 19, 2025
Detroit Tigers ace left-hander
Tarik Skubal (8-2) collected his eighth win of the year Thursday in a 9-2 blowout of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The reigning American League Cy Young winner was not in peak form, but he still delivered 5 2/3 innings of two-run, six-hit ball with six strikeouts against three walks in the first game of a doubleheader. Skubal, who has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 11 of 15 starts, owns an eye-popping 2.06 ERA (1.91 FIP) with 117:12 K:BB and a 0.85 WHIP through 96 innings. He's scheduled to get the ball against the Athletics on Tuesday.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
June
19,
2025
Los
Angeles
Angels
outfielder
Jo
Adell
continued
his
June
power
surge
in
the
Halos'
7-3
loss
to
the
New
York
Yankees
on
Thursday.
Adell
belted
his
15th
home
run
of
the
year,
a
solo
shot
off
read more...
June 19, 2025
Los Angeles Angels outfielder
Mike Trout walloped his 12th home run of the year in the club's 7-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Thursday. Along with his 423-foot solo blast off left-hander
Carlos Rodon, Trout chipped in a single in a 2-for-4 afternoon. The 33-year-old started the season slowly before spending most of May on the injured list with a bone bruise in his left knee, but he has fared much better since returning. Going back to his activation on May 30, Trout has hit a terrific .324 (22-of-68) with three homers, 10 RBI, eight runs scored, and 11 walks in 19 games. The future Hall of Famer will face Houston Astros standout right-hander
Hunter Brown on Friday. Trout is 0-for-3 against Brown.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
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