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Nathan Eovaldi Finishes First Half Strong With 10 K's Against Angels
It wasn't the prettiest outing, but Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi finished the first half of his 2026 season strong in a 7-6 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night at Globe Life Field. Eovaldi allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits while walking two and striking out a season-high 10 batters in six innings for a no-decision. Eovaldi generated 23 swings and misses for his 10th quality start of the season. The 36-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five straight starts going into next week's All-Star break, and he now holds a 9-7 record, 4.04 ERA (4.04 FIP) and 1.18 WHIP with 120 strikeouts and 26 walks in 111 1/3 innings pitched across his 18 starts in 2026 in his 15th year in the big leagues. Durability is a concern for Eovaldi at his age, but when healthy, he has a stable floor, and he currently ranks 12th in baseball with 120 strikeouts. Eovaldi is sporting a solid 25.9% strikeout rate and 5.6% walk rate.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Walker Jenkins Enjoying Surge at Triple-A, Re-Entering Must-Stash Territory?
Minnesota Twins top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has battled injuries throughout his MiLB career, but when on the field, he has shown immense upside. Jenkins spent a lengthy stint on the Triple-A injured list this season but has since returned to St. Paul and is looking like his former self. Over his last 12 contests since returning to the top club in the system, the former fifth overall pick has posted an elite .327/.353/.551 line with a .904 OPS. During this stretch, the No. 14 overall prospect in the sport has hit four doubles and two triples, with one home run, and held a 7:2 K:BB. Prior to this stretch, Jenkins held a much lower .256/.398/.389 line over the first 25 games of his Triple-A season. While injuries will always be a factor, Jenkins is among the top performers in the minor leagues when healthy. If the Twins look to sell some pieces at the deadline, their top-ranked prospect could face minimal competition for late-season at-bats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Seaver King Enduring Cold Slump at Triple-A, Should Managers be Concerned?
Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Seaver King began the 2026 regular season at the Double-A level but was quickly bumped up to the top club in the system after a hot start. At the Double-A level, King, the team's former 10th-round pick, batted .336/.427/.562 line with 10 doubles, five home runs, and five stolen bases over a short 35-game stint, which prompted the early call-up. While he enjoyed an impressive start to his Triple-A tenure, the young infielder has recently hit a cold streak at the plate. Over his last 16 games, King has held a modest .246/.338/.333 line with just one home run. However, over his 18 games prior to the skid, King posted a much higher .293 AVG and an .853 OPS. While this recent slump may have slightly delayed his MLB debut, King remains on track to compete for a late-season promotion to D.C., making him a worthy stash target in deeper 12+ team leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ty Johnson Emerging as Worthy Stash Candidate with Elite Strikeout Potential
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitching prospect Ty Johnson has begun to showcase high-end strikeout potential at the Triple-A level and has put himself on the stash radar for those in deeper leagues. Over his last three contests (15 1/3 innings), Johnson has struck out at least nine hitters in each game. However, he has had varying levels of success in these three starts, surrendering six runs back on June 18, but has bounced back well, holding a 1.80 ERA over his last two games (10 innings). Overall, through 49 1/3 innings with Durham this season, the No. 18-ranked prospect in the system per MLB.com has carried a 2.74 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a 65:19 K:BB. While the emergence of Ian Seymour has blocked Johnson from an immediate promotion, he is worth following in deeper formats as he could find a role later in the season.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Charlie Condon Still a Priority Stash Ahead of Looming All-Star Break?
Colorado Rockies top prospect Charlie Condon has enjoyed an impressive power surge at Triple-A and continues to maintain elite stash upside ahead of the All-Star break. While the former George standout has not tallied a hit over his last four games, prior to this short skid, Condon was showing immense upside. Over the previous 21 contests, the 23-year-old launched 12 home runs while carrying a sharp .415/.500/1.012 slash line, adding three doubles and a 20:10 K:BB. Through his first 78 games at the top level in the Colorado system, the former No. 3 overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft has carried a .286/.413/.585 line with a .998 OPS. Given his elite power upside, Condon remains a must-stash candidate in all 12-team leagues as he could be a league-winner down the stretch once he earns the call.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Grant Taylor a Must-Add Off the Waiver Wire?
Chicago White Sox right-hander Grant Taylor picked up his third save of the season on July 4 after Seranthony Dominguez fell apart the day before (July 3), allowing two earned runs on two walks over one-third of an inning. The two of them (Taylor and Domínguez) have been going back and forth of late, squandering their opportunities at every turn; however, since the calendar turned to July, Taylor has looked sharper and received more opportunities. Additionally, he has simply been better than Domínguez overall this season. Taylor has a 2.89 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings (35 games). Meanwhile, Dominguez has a 4.55 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and a 39:20 K:BB ratio over 35 games, and has blown 5 saves on the season. Taylor is clearly the more dominant pitcher, and the only thing holding him back has been the White Sox committing to him, as they paid Dominguez in the off season to come in to be their closer, however, the White Sox currently sit atop the AL Central at 47-45, and are perhaps more competitive than they thoguht coming into the season, and are going to have to lean on guys that are performing (like Taylor) to finish up games for them. If the passing of the crown has truly taken place, this would make Taylor a must-add in all formats, as he would enter the top 15 at the position in the rankings.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Will Jonathon Long Play a Role for the Cubs in the Second Half?
Chicago Cubs first-base prospect Jonathon Long has shown significant upside at the Triple-A level and could play a role as the team looks to clinch a postseason spot down the stretch. Long is currently ranked MLB.com's No. 7 overall prospect. He spent the entire 2025 season at the Triple-A level, where he posted a solid .305/.404/.479 line with 23 doubles, 20 home runs and a 116:79 K:BB. While he got off to a slower start at the beginning of the 2026 season, he has since rounded into form. Over his last 29 contests with the top club, the first baseman has posted an elite .302/.388/.629 line with a 1.017 OPS, 14 doubles and eight home runs. Even though Michael Busch remains the primary first baseman, Long could find a role as a potential late-season DH or an injury replacement. His upside and recent surge make him a worthy candidate to continue monitoring in deeper leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Joshua Baez Still the Top Stash Target Amid Triple-A Skid?
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has hit a brief skid at the Triple-A level but still remains an elite stash target in all formats. Over the last 10 games, the budding outfielder has taken a massive step back at Triple-A, posting a low .104/.154/.271 line with two doubles and two home runs. However, prior to this brief stint in the batter's box, the No. 48-ranked prospect in baseball according to MLB.com carried an impressive .347/.389/.891 line with an eye-catching six doubles, 15 home runs, and two stolen bases over his last 24 games. Overall this season, Baez has held his own at Triple-A, launching 28 home runs, stealing 14 bases, and posting a .900 OPS. While there is no clear path to at-bats in the St. Louis outfield, his five-category potential keeps him atop all stash lists ahead of the All-Star break.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Kyle Karros Performing Well for Rockies, Worth a Waiver-Wire Add?
Colorado Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros has been hitting well of late, slashing .308/.419/.692 with two home runs, six runs scored, five RBI, and three stolen bases over his last seven days, and has raised his average up to .260 on the season with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 46 runs scored, three stolen bases, and a .795 OPS. The 23-year-old infielder was a former fifth-round pick, and after 156 plate appearances in 2025, he is getting a chance at a full starter workload in 2026 with 310 plate appearances on the season. The underlying data supports his solid campaign, with a .256 xBA, .341 xwOBA, and .408 xSLG. He also demonstrates solid plate discipline, with his 12.9 percent walk rate (88th percentile), 21.3 percent strikeout rate (52nd percentile), and 24.5 percent chase rate (81st percentile). With the current state of the third base position, with Jose Ramirez (hand), Matt Chapman (abdominal), and players like Austin Riley significantly underperforming, Karros should be someone fantasy managers should take a look at on the waiver wire. He plays half his games at Coors Field, is hitting near the top of the Rockies lineup, and is not highly rostered in most formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kirby Yates Takes Fourth Loss, is he Falling Out of Angels Closer Committee?
Los Angeles Angels reliever Kirby Yates picked up his fourth loss of the season on Thursday, entering the contest with the game tied in the ninth inning and allowing two hits and one earned run in one-third of an inning. Yates now owns a solid 3.15 ERA and 1.00 WHIP on the season with two saves in four opportunities. Considering Yates has been sharp overall this season, and this was his first run allowed since June 8, he should remain the leader in the reliever room to pick up saves. Angels manager Kurt Suzuki appears to be committed to a closer for the most part, as evidenced by his selection of Jordan Romano as the closer earlier this season, even as Romano posted a 10.13 ERA in six save opportunities. At 39 years old, Yates may not be as sharp as he once was, but he appears to be the clear closer for the Angels at this time, as Ryan Zeferjahn appears to be his biggest competition, and he hasn't picked up a save since June 12, while Yates picked up his most recent save on June 27. The biggest downfall for Yates here is that the Angels have had only 27 save opportunities this season and are 37-57.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Will Andrew Kittredge Continue to See Ninth-Inning Opportunities?
Baltimore Orioles 36-year-old right-hander Andrew Kittredge picked up the save in Thursday's win over the Cubs, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. The Orioles had multiple relievers work on Wednesday in a game that featured 16 combined runs, which is why Kittredge picked up the save. With Ryan Helsley (elbow) currently on the IL and seeking a second opinion on his right elbow, the Orioles have been turning to several relievers for saves. Kittredge has been decent this season, posting a 4.70 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with a 22:6 K:BB ratio over 23 innings. In addition to earning his second save of the season in four save opportunities, he also has four holds on the year. The Orioles relievers are hard to figure out: Tyler Wells was last week's flavor of the week after picking up back-to-back saves over the weekend, and with Helsley's return timeline up in the air, if anyone emerges from this pack as the closer, they will have immediate fantasy value. The Orioles have nine relievers with a save opportunity this season, and for fantasy managers to pick up Kittredge, we'll need to see more than one such opportunity.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Diamondbacks to Recall Ryan Waldschmidt, a Must-Add in All Formats?
The Arizona Diamondbacks are recalling their No. 1-ranked prospect, Ryan Waldschmidt, back up to the majors, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. Waldschmidt struggled in his first stint with the Diamondbacks, hitting .259 with a .671 OPS, 11 runs, eight RBI, five stolen bases, and no home runs. Additionally, he was outperforming his underlying data, as he wasn't impacting the ball particularly well (an 86.8 average exit velocity) and was striking out at a 33.7 percent clip, which was significantly higher than his rate in the Minors. In triple-A this season, he is slashing .288/.405/.492 with six home runs, 43 runs scored, 29 RBI, and six stolen bases. Waldschmidt profiles as a five-category contributor with good contact and power skills, but he was not able to showcase that his first time around in the Majors. In July, Waldschmidt slashed .174/.321/.161 in the Minors, so his promotion is more out of necessity, with Pavin Smith being DFA'd, than out of him tearing the cover off the ball in Triple-A. Because of Waldschmidt's prospect pedigree, he is a strong add in deeper five outfield leagues, but based on his production with the Diamondbacks the first time around, he is not a must-add, more so a strong add.
Source: Steve Gilbert
Source: Steve Gilbert
Jesus Luzardo Keeps Rolling, Shuts Down Reds on Thursday
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo is on a strong run, and that continued as he shut down the Cincinnati Reds on the road on Thursday in a 1-0 victory. Luzardo threw seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits, walking two, and striking out 11 to win his eighth game of the 2026 season. The 28-year-old southpaw from Peru has had some uneven performances this year for sure, but he has also allowed two or fewer runs in 13 of his 19 starts in his second year in Philly. He will take an 8-4 record, 3.52 ERA, and 136:35 K:BB in 110 1/3 innings into next week's All-Star break after posting his fourth start of the season with double-digit strikeouts. Since allowing five earned runs in six innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on June 5, Luzardo has given up only six earned runs while walking 14 and striking out 56 in 37 1/3 innings pitched in six starts versus the Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals, New York Mets, and Kansas City Royals. He's rolling going into the break, and fantasy managers can only hope he keeps this form to begin the second half later this month.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Gavin Williams Strikes Out 11 to Win his 10th Game
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams was dominant on Thursday to pick up his 10th win of the season in the team's 5-2 victory over the division-rival Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Williams allowed just two earned runs on three hits (one home run) while walking one and striking out 11 in seven innings of work. It was the 26-year-old's fourth outing this year with double-digit strikeouts and his sixth start with at least seven innings pitched. He will head into next week's All-Star break with a nice 3.81 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 134:37 K:BB in 113 1/3 innings pitched. Since allowing a season-high seven earned runs in five innings in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on June 17, Williams has allowed nine earned runs with 31 strikeouts and seven walks in 21 1/3 innings pitched against the Twins, Seattle Mariners, and the Chicago White Sox twice. The former 23rd overall pick in 2021 from East Carolina University is sporting a career-best 28.3% strikeout rate in 2026 and has lowered his walk rate from a career-high 11.8% last year to a career-low 8.3% this season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ben Rice Getting Back on Track, Clubs Two Homers on Thursday
New York Yankees catcher/first baseman Ben Rice is heating up once again as we near the end of the first half of the 2026 season. In Thursday's 12-4 win over the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, Rice went 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, a season-high five RBI, three runs scored, a walk, and a strikeout as the team's designated hitter. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger delivered his first multi-homer game of the year and the fourth of his career. Rice hit under the Mendoza Line in June, but he already has five home runs and 11 RBI in his 29 at-bats so far in July to raise his season slash line to .275/.366/.590. Rice has added 28 home runs, 65 RBI, and 63 runs scored in his 377 plate appearances in just his second full season in the Bronx. He has proven his breakout in 2025 was no fluke, setting a new career high in long balls in the first half of the season after hitting 26 homers and driving in 65 runs in 138 regular-season games in 2025. Under the hood, Rice ranks in the 79th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 90th percentile in barrel rate, the 91st percentile in xwOBA, and the 88th percentile in xOBP, backing surface stats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
