5 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
Miles Mikolas put together a good performance in Tuesday's no-decision versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mikolas earned his eighth quality start of the season with seven scoreless frames of one-hit ball. He also allowed a walk and struck out six on the evening. Mikolas started the season getting hit hard, but he come along lately with five quality starts over his last six starts. Mikolas doesn't rack up enough strikeouts to be a must-roster, but with the way he is pitching lately, he is worth a look as a backend starter or streamer. Next up for Mikolas will be a date with the rival Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Angels outfielder
Taylor Ward went 2-for-2 with a walk, double, home run and two RBI in Tuesday's loss versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. His home run would cut the Diamondbacks lead to two at the time, but it wouldn't be enough for the Angels to make a comeback. Despite the strong performance for Ward, he left the game early with lower back tightness and was replaced by outfielder
Mickey Moniak in the top of the eighth inning. More should be known on Ward's status ahead of Wednesday's contest, but he can be considered day-to-day until more is known. On the year, Ward is now hitting .253 with 12 homers and 36 RBI. When healthy, Ward makes for a useful outfielder in all formats. Should Ward miss any time, Moniak would see more at-bats, but he can be left on the waiver wire for now.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Rhett Bollinger
5 days agoOakland Athletics prospect
Jacob Wilson (knee) was placed on the injured list by the Las Vegas Aviators on May 18 with an undisclosed knee injury. It remains unclear when Wilson will return from the injured list. The shortstop played 28 games at Triple-A this season, hitting .438 with three home runs and 22 RBI. The 22-year-old has shown elite bat-to-ball skills, making him an enticing prospect and allowing him to rise to the No. 1 overall prospect status in Oakland's organization. He has shown that he is a pure hitter, and if the power develops a bit more, he could be a big-time fantasy contributor in the future at the shortstop position. In a short sample size at Las Vegas this year, he demonstrated what he can do in a best-case scenario. A late-season call-up would make him noteworthy in the fantasy landscape. If not, a 2025 major league debut is likely if he returns to full health.
--Brian BuckeySource: MILB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Freddie Freeman put together a big performance in Tuesday's victory versus the Texas Rangers. The slugger went 3-for-4 on the evening with three runs and a solo home run. Freeman was one of five Dodgers to go yard in a 15-2 routing of the defending World Series champs. On the season, Freeman is now hitting .297 with nine homers, 41 RBI and three stolen bases. At age 34, Freeman has shown no issues of slowing down and hitting behind
Mookie Betts and
Shohei Ohtani may be the spot in any lineup in baseball. The veteran remains one of the safest and most consistent option at the first base position moving forward.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoArizona Diamondbacks shortstop prospect
Jordan Lawlar (thumb) wasted little time in his return from the injured list. In his 2024 debut with Triple-A Reno, the talented shortstop homered, doubled, and drove in three runs, coming up a triple short of hitting for the cycle. He was reinstated from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday after being on the shelf all season with a torn ligament in his right thumb. Lawlar is the No. 8 overall prospect in baseball and the top-ranked shortstop prospect. Splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A last season, the 21-year-old showed off his power-speed potential with 20 home runs and 36 stolen bases to go with aa.874 OPS. An elite prospect, Lawlar should force his way to the Diamondbacks' big-league roster this season. Not many players are ahead of him on the stash list for minor leaguers, as he should be an impact waiver wire add when he gets the call to the show.
--Brian BuckeySource: MLB Pipeline
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez continued his strong season with another home run in Tuesday's victory versus the Texas Rangers. Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a walk and two-run homer on the evening. The home run would be his 17th of the year to go along with his 50th RBI and a solid .266 batting average. The 31-year-old was a huge bargain for the Dodgers this offseason as he signed a one-year contract. Hernandez hit a career-high 32 homers in 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays and he could surpass that with the way he his hitting this season. Entrenched in the No. 5 spot of the order, Hernandez remains a great option for managers moving forward.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoJeff Passan of ESPN.com has reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired superutilityman
Cavan Biggio from the Toronto Blue Jays. Biggio, 29, was designated for assignment last week after spending over five years with the franchise. Biggio struggled this season offensively and was hitting .200 with two homers and nine RBI over 110 at-bats this season. His addition to the Dodgers could mean that utilitymen,
Enrique Hernandez or
Chris Taylor could be replaced with Biggio. Regardless, none of the three hold value and can be left on the waiver wire for now.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers catcher
Will Smith put together a dominant day at the plate in the teams 15-2 victory against the Texas Rangers. Smith started his day with a three-run homer off
Dane Dunning in the bottom of the first inning and that alone would be enough for the Dodgers to earn their 42nd victory of the season. Smith would finish the day with three hits in four at-bats with a walk and two runs scored to go along with his three-run homer. Smith was in a mini slump entering the contest, but has continued to put together a strong season behind the dish with a .296 batting average to go along with 10 homers and 42 RBI. Smith remains one of the best catchers in the league and a must-start when he is starting.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani put together a big performance in Tuesday's 13-run victory against the Texas Rangers. Ohtani went 1-for-2 on the evening with two walks, one stolen base and a two-run homer. Ohtani's homer was blasted with an exit velocity of 114.2 MPH that landed 433 feet from home plate. The two-way superstar has only swung the bat with his new club, but he hasn't missed a beat since signing with the Dodgers this offseason. On the year, Ohtani is now hitting .312 with 16 homers, 43 RBI and 15 stolen bases. He remains one of the best options in all formats moving forward.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoHouston Astros starting pitcher
Ronel Blanco put together another strong outing to earn his sixth victory of the season on Tuesday versus the San Francisco Giants. Blanco earned a quality start with six innings of one-run ball, in which he allowed three hits, one walk and struck out eight on the evening. After allowing eight runs in his first two starts off his suspension for an illegal use of a substance, Blanco put together his best outing since his return. Despite his suspension, Blanco has come out of nowhere this season and will carry a cool 2.67 ERA into his next outing in a very favorable matchup against the Chicago White Sox.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoDespite pitching well in his big-league debut, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Drew Thorpe earned a tough luck no-decision. Thorpe threw five scoreless innings before being pulled and allowed three hits, two runs (one earned), two walks and recorded four strikeouts versus the Seattle Mariners. The 23-year-old looked impressive, but poor defense and a bad performance out of the bullpen spoiled his chance at a victory. Thorpe was one of the pieces the White Sox received back from the San Diego Padres for
Dylan Cease this offseason and with the White Sox appearing to be committed to throwing in the towel on this season, it stands to reason that Thorpe should remain in the rotation for the immediate future, which makes him worth a look in deeper mixed leagues. Thorpe is lined up to face a middle of the pact Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday and is worthy of consideration in that matchup.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoHouston Astros relief pitcher
Ryan Pressly earned his second save of the season in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Giants. Pressly entered the game to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by two and turned in a 1-2-3 performance with two strikeouts. Closer
Josh Hader had pitched each of the last two days for the Astros, so Pressly was called upon to reprise his old role. The 25-year-old has had an uncharacteristically poor season, converting just two of seven save opportunities with seven holds, a 5.19 ERA, and a 12.12 K/9 rate in 26 innings pitched. While Hader was the team's big off-season signing, he has only seen three more save opportunities than Pressly, who served as the team's lockdown closer from 2021-23. He is still worth a roster spot in deeper roto leagues given his history and role as next-in-line, but his ERA will need to continue to improve before he returns to a true fantasy option.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoAfter blowing his last save opportunity in London, Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher
Jose Alvarado picked up his 12th save of the season in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Red Sox. Alvarado entered the game to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first out on a ground-out, allowed a single, and got the final two outs on a pop-out and strikeout. The 29-year-old has seen the most save opportunities of the team this season and has pitched well overall, converting all but two opportunities with a 3.41 ERA, a 9.93 K/9 rate, and a 3.72 BB/9 rate.
Jeff Hoffman has seen eight save opportunities and has also pitched very well this season. Both players are worth a look in roto leagues, but Alvarado has provided more universal fantasy value.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Zack Wheeler continued his stellar season in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Red Sox. Wheeler pitched seven innings, allowing one run on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts. The 34-year-old has rebounded after a relatively pedestrian 2023 season and is now 8-3 with a 2.16 ERA, a 9.75 K/9 rate, and a 2.77 BB/9 rate in 14 starts and 87 2/3 IP. Wheeler's ability to pitch deep into games and rack up strikeouts has made him a top fantasy option once again while being backed by one of baseball's best offenses. He will face a tough matchup in his next projected start at the Orioles but continues to be a must-start fantasy option.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoNew York Yankees designated hitter
Giancarlo Stanton continued his improved offensive June in Tuesday's 10-1 win over the Royals. Stanton went 2-for-4 with a single, a solo home run, two RBI, and a strikeout. He was also hit by a pitch. The 34-year-old veteran's season batting average sits at a disappointing .229, but he has put together his best month of the season to this point. Stanton is slashing .250/.341/.528 with three HR and nine RBI in 36 June at-bats. He is still hitting the ball extremely hard despite his age and now has 16 HR and 38 RBI on the season. He may not be the fantasy contributor he once was, but Stanton is worth a roster spot in at least roto leagues where he should provide HR, runs, and RBI hitting in the middle of a strong Yankees lineup.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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