RADIO
Dylan Cease Is Back in the Fantasy Ace Tier
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease went into the break with a 2.56 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and an AL-best 148 strikeouts in 98 1/3 innings. He followed that by striking out three in a scoreless first inning as the American League starter on July 14. The 4.55 ERA from 2025 is getting harder to recognize. Cease has pushed his strikeout rate to a career-high 36.9%, and hitters have managed a .264 xwOBA with a 33% hard-hit rate against him. The walks have not disappeared. His 11% rate is actually up from last year, and rest-of-season projections land closer to the low-3.00s than his current ERA. That is the risk. The rest looks ace-level, including a changeup that has jumped from barely 1% usage in 2025 to 11.5% this season. Cease is not someone to move just because the first-half price is high. Hold him and keep collecting strikeouts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rainiel Rodriguez Resolidifying Status as Strong Dynasty Asset
St. Louis Cardinals catching prospect Rainiel Rodriguez put an exclamation point on the end of a strong first half by blasting another home run at Double-A Springfield in his last game before the break. The Cards' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 12) was promoted to Double-A in mid-May and really found his footing there over the last month. From June 10 through July 10, the 5-foot-10 Dominican went 31-for-95 (.326) with five doubles, seven home runs, and four stolen bases in 23 games. The 19-year-old is slashing .262/.361/.436 overall at Double-A with eight home runs in a total of 44 games there, an impressive feat for one of the youngest players at that level, joining MLB's No. 1 and No. 2 prospects, Jesus Made and Leo De Vries, as the only players under the age of 20 at Double-A. Look for a strong second half from the young backstop, with a potential late-season promotion to Triple-A, and he could be knocking on the door to the majors in 2027, so even redraft fantasy managers should be familiar with the name.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jacob deGrom Lined Up to Return on Sunday?
Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom's (glute) next start is still to be determined, but he said he was going to play catch during this week's All-Star break and will probably throw off the mound in Atlanta to begin the second half of the season, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. The Rangers have listed their starter for Sunday's series finale against the Braves as TBA, so it's possible that deGrom could return to the starting rotation to take that start. The Rangers scratched deGrom from his final start of the first half with a mild left-glute strain, but if he can get through a bullpen session in the next few days, he could get the green light to return on Sunday. If he needs more time, deGrom could make his first start of the second half next week versus the Chicago White Sox. Either way, the matchups won't be ideal for the two-time Cy Young winner and oft-injured hurler. In 18 starts (100 2/3 innings) in the first half of 2026, the 38-year-old went 7-5 with a 3.49 ERA (3.40 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 122 strikeouts and 22 walks for the Rangers. deGrom will continue to be an injury risk for fantasy managers, but he still has high-end strikeout upside and is mostly a must-start when he takes the mound for Texas.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Bryson Stott Can Outrun His First-Half Price
Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott finished the first half at .249/.308/.393 with seven homers, 42 RBI, 37 runs, and 17 steals in 353 plate appearances. Not one caught stealing. That speed has kept the fantasy line useful while the bat slowly comes around. Stott hit .287/.374/.415 in June, and the contact underneath looks better than it did a year ago. His hard-hit rate jumped from 29.5% to 38.3%, with the barrel rate up from 5.1% to 6.8%. Statcast has him at a .264 expected average and .407 expected slugging percentage. Nothing here screams middle-of-the-order breakout, especially with Philadelphia usually batting him sixth and dropping him to ninth against Tarik Skubal on July 12. Still, 17-for-17 on steals with better contact is worth buying. A modest lift in average and power could make Stott a real second-half asset.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gabriel Hughes to Kick Off Second Half for Rockies on Friday
Colorado Rockies right-handed pitching prospect Gabriel Hughes will start the first game of the second half of the season for the Rockies on Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The 24-year-old former 10th overall pick in 2022 out of Gonzaga University has looked good so far in his first two major-league appearances (one start), allowing three earned runs on six hits while walking three and striking out eight in nine innings pitched. In his first MLB start in a tough matchup against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, Hughes struck out seven and allowed three runs in six innings of work. The strong showing from the team's No. 16 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has earned him at least one more start to open the second half in Colorado's starting rotation. Fantasy managers looking for streamers should probably stay away from the young hurler against Cincy at hitter-friendly Coors Field. In the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League with Triple-A Albuquerque before his call-up, Hughes had a 5.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 48:11 K:BB in 40 2/3 innings over nine outings (seven starts) for the Isotopes.
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
Chase Burns Signs Seven-Year Extension With Reds
Right-hander Chase Burns and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a seven-year, $105 million contract extension on Thursday, a source told Jon Morosi of the MLB Network. It's the largest contract given to a pitcher with less than four years of MLB service. The Reds are locking up one of the best young arms in baseball for the long-term after a breakout first half in his first full season in the big leagues in 2026. The 23-year-old former second overall pick in 2024 out of Wake Forest University was unavailable to pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game due to a minor groin issue, but he's expected to return to Cincy's starting rotation next Tuesday to face the Seattle Mariners. In his first 18 starts (102 2/3 innings) this year, Burns has gone 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA (3.40 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 118 strikeouts and 37 walks for the Reds. He has been a must-start in all fantasy leagues as one of the best young strikeout arms in baseball, and his future is very bright as long as he can stay healthy. Burns could be a sell-high candidate in single-year fantasy leagues if the Reds look to manage his workload down the stretch.
Source: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
Source: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
Brewers to Manage Jacob Misiorowski's Innings in the Second Half?
Milwaukee Brewers All-Star right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, who had his final start of the first half skipped due to arm fatigue, is already within 31 innings of his total from last year in the minors, majors, and the playoffs. The whole case for the Brewers as a World Series contender revolves around the 24-year-old leader in ERA (1.62), strikeouts (167), WHIP (0.76), and batting average against making it to the playoffs at full strength. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy writes that it's going to require "some creativity in the coming months" as it relates to Misiorowski's workload. The flamethrowing righty is already getting extra rest at the halfway point of the season, and it's going to be critical for a banged-up Milwaukee starting rotation to have enough starting arms around the Miz in the lead-up to October. We would never recommend selling the most dominant starting arm in baseball, but the fact of the matter is that Misiorowski probably won't be as reliable in fantasy in the second half from an innings standpoint as the Brewers look to manage his workload.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Should Fantasy Managers Look to Move Logan Webb?
Across 100 1/3 innings (16 starts) in 2026, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb has recorded a 5-7 record with a 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 80 strikeouts. The 29-year-old got off to a rough start to the season, recording a 5.06 ERA across his first 48 innings of the year before hitting the injured list in early May with a knee injury. Webb has been a different pitcher since returning from the IL, posting a 2.75 ERA across 62 1/3 innings. However, Webb hit the All-Star break on a sour note, allowing 12 earned runs across his final two starts (10 innings) before the break. The veteran right-hander's strikeout rate has also regressed significantly in 2026, as he's struck out 19.4% of the batters he's faced this season after logging a 26.2% strikeout rate in 2025. Webb may still be a reliable innings-eater in the second half of the year, but fantasy managers may want to explore trade offers for him to see if Webb can be sold for ace-level value.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Spencer Arrighetti a Starting Pitcher to Fade Amidst Current Struggles
Across 82 innings (15 starts) in 2026, Houston Astros starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti has recorded a 7-5 record with a 4.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts. The 26-year-old got off to a fantastic start to the year, recording a 1.34 ERA across 47 innings through the end of May. However, Arrighetti has struggled mightily since, posting an 8.74 ERA over his last 35 innings (seven starts). Free passes remain a major issue for Arrighetti, as he's logged a 12.4% walk rate on the season and owns a career mark of 11.3%. With constant traffic on the bases, Arrighetti's elevated 1.32 HR/9 is a recipe for blow-up outings. The right-hander also averages just 92.4 miles per hour on his fastball and has posted a middling 22.8% strikeout rate, so he does not offer enough strikeout upside to make up for his potential ratio damage. Arrighetti profiles as a starting pitcher for fantasy managers to fade coming out of the All-Star break.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can Gerrit Cole Return to Ace Form in the Second Half of 2026?
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole had the start of his 2026 season delayed by recovery from Tommy John surgery. Since returning in late May, the veteran right-hander has recorded a 3-4 record with a 4.04 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts across 49 innings (nine starts). Cole is averaging 96.7 miles per hour on his fastball and has avoided free passes, allowing just a 5.3% walk rate. However, his strikeout rate has dipped to 22.7%, well below his career mark of 28.5%. Still, the 35-year-old's biggest issues have come from the long ball, as he's allowed 1.47 HR/9. While Cole has had issues with home runs at different points in his Yankee career, he allowed just 0.86 HR/9 in 2023 and 1.04 HR/9 in 2024. Fantasy managers should no longer expect SP1 production from Cole. However, with some slight improvement in his strikeout rate and some regression to the mean in his home run rate, Cole could still be a very valuable pitcher in the second half of the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jackson Merrill a Prime Buy-Low Candidate with Five-Category Upside
After an injury-marred 2025 campaign, San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill entered 2026 in search of a bounce-back season. That hasn't fully come to fruition yet, as he's hitting .219/.278/.350 with 10 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases across 392 plate appearances on the year. After posting a 17% strikeout rate in his emergent 2024 rookie season, Merrill's strikeout rate is up to 25% in 2026. However, there's still reason to believe that the 23-year-old's batting average should improve in the second half of the season. His 44.9% hard-hit rate is a career-best, and Merrill's .274 batting average on balls in play is well below his career mark of .305. Even amidst his first-half struggles, Merrill still provided fantasy managers with solid counting stats and above-average speed. He profiles as a prime buy-low candidate coming out of the All-Star break.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can Freddie Freeman Sustain His Elite Production in the Second Half of 2026?
Across 408 plate appearances in 2026, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is hitting .290/.375/.487 with 15 home runs, 49 RBI, 52 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Even in his age-36 season, Freeman continues to look like one of the better all-around hitters in baseball. He's posted a 10.6% barrel rate and 45.1% hard-hit rate on the year, right in line with his career marks of 11.2% (barrel) and 44.2% (hard-hit). Freeman's plate approach also remains elite, as he's walked in 11.5% of his plate appearances while striking out at just a 15.9% rate. The future Hall of Famer may not be a true threat on the bases anymore, but he still chips in the occasional stolen base for fantasy managers as well. Given his track record, underlying metrics, and everyday role in the potent Dodgers order, Freeman remains a bankable source of high-level four-category production as long as he stays healthy.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonathan Aranda's 2026 Breakout Poised to Continue After the All-Star Break?
Across 406 plate appearances so far in 2026, Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda is hitting .297/.394/.471 with 14 home runs, 64 RBI, and 48 runs scored. After mostly working in a big-side platoon role through the early portion of his Rays career, the 28-year-old has emerged as an everyday staple in the heart of the Tampa Bay lineup this season. Aranda's underlying metrics are not quite as strong as in previous years, but he still maintains a solid 10.4% barrel rate and 44.8% hard-hit rate. The lefty slugger has also posted a 12.6% walk rate while lowering his strikeout rate to a career-low 21.7%. While Aranda does not bring any speed, he profiles as a high-level source of run production and batting average with solid power. Fantasy managers should buy into his breakout season continuing into the second half of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jack Wenninger Looking for Shot to Contribute at Big-League Level
New York Mets pitching prospect Jack Wenninger is dealing at Triple-A Syracuse with a 4-5 record and a 3.50 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 77 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings pitched. The 24-year-old right-hander has done his best at Syracuse to prove he is worthy of a shot in the Mets' starting rotation. He has looked dominant in July, logging 11 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.54 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP. Wenninger is the No. 4 overall prospect in the Mets' system after he was drafted in the sixth round in the 2023 Draft. If the Mets continue to struggle, or move one of their current starters ahead of the deadline, look for Wenninger to get a big-league shot with his power fastball and elite splitter. That being said, fantasy managers could look ahead and head to the waiver wire to snatch up Wenninger before others. He has the prospect pedigree and the potential opportunity with the struggling Mets team to contribute at the big-league level.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
George Klassen is a Risky Stash to Target Entering Second Half
Los Angeles Angels pitching prospect George Klassen has endured some growing pains over his first two MLB starts. He is saddled with an 0-1 record, a 11.57 ERA, and a 3.64 WHIP. Klassen is doing his best to prove that he is worth another shot with the Angels while pitching with Triple-A Salt Lake. The numbers are much more respectable at Salt Lake with a 4-6 record and a 4.48 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, along with 64 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings. However, he has shown some progress in July, carrying a 3.06 ERA and a sharp 0.96 WHIP. Should Klassen continue to prove himself at Salt Lake, he could find his way into the Angels rotation. It's a risky play, but a stash could end up being beneficial for fantasy managers looking for a pitching edge. As of now, the former sixth-round selection is best viewed as a risky stash target in deeper leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
