RADIO
Jaxon Wiggins Back on the Stash Radar Amid Return to Action?
Chicago Cubs starting pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins (elbow) began his rehab stint in the Arizona Complex League this week. Wiggins has been on the shelf since April 4 due to an elbow injury but has been cleared to take the next steps in his recovery. While the right-hander still has a lengthy rehab assignment ahead of him, managers should continue to monitor his production as he may quickly emerge as a top pitcher to stash given his clear path to the majors. In his first pitching appearance in nearly two months, Wiggins logged two innings of two-run ball (one earned) with a 2:1 K:BB. Last summer, Wiggins, the team's No. 3-ranked prospect, spent most of his time at Double-A, where he posted an elite 1.93 ERA with a 52:17 K:BB. With several Chicago starters on the shelf, Wiggins could compete for an MLB debut early in the second half if he is able to move past this injury. For now, managers in deeper leagues should monitor his status as he progresses through the system on this rehab assignment.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Carlos Lagrange Sharp in Move to Bullpen, On Verge of MLB Promotion?
New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange has been quite productive in his transition to the bullpen and is quickly approaching his MLB debut much sooner than anticipated. The hard-throwing right-hander began the 2026 season in the team's Triple-A starting rotation, but endured some growing pains facing the top hitters in the minor leagues. Over 49 innings of work, Lagrange posted a 4.41 ERA with a modest 1.33 WHIP. However, since moving to a relief role, the No. 73-ranked prospect on MLB.com has looked quite comfortable, logging 9 2/3 innings (three outings) to the tune of a 2.79 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, with a 15:3 K:BB. While he will likely not compete for save opportunities in the Bronx, he could emerge as a go-to high-leverage option and hold high-end upside in holds leagues. For now, Lagrange is a worthy stash target in deeper 12+ team leauges that reward holds as he could debut ahead of the All-Star break.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Abimelec Ortiz Still on the Stash Radar Amid Triple-A Slump?
Washington Nationals first base prospect Abimelec Ortiz has flashed high-end talent at the Triple-A level throughout his minor league career, but has hit a bit of a cold streak at the dish. Over his last 10 contests with Rochester, Ortiz has posted a modest .205/.279/.359 line with a low .638 OPS. During this stretch, he has hit just one home run. However, prior to this brief skid, Ortiz carried a much higher .266/.368/.532 line with an .899 OPS, 12 doubles, and an impressive 10 long balls. Last summer, Ortiz spent most of his time with Double-A but did earn a brief taste of Triple-A in the second half, where he posted a high .953 OPS over a 41-game stint. While this slump has slightly limited his short-term stash upside, Ortiz remains in play to compete for an MLB debut in the coming weeks. Managers in deep leagues should monitor his status as he could re-emerge as a top stash candidate once he turns the corner.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ralphy Velazquez Turning the Corner at Triple-A, Holding Sneaky Stash Upside?
Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez has begun to break out of his early slump at Triple-A Columbus. Velazquez began the 2026 season with Double-A, but a hot start propelled him to the top club in the minor leagues. Over his last 20 games with Columbus, Velazquez has posted a solid .225/.295/.450 line with four home runs and a home run. This is a notable improvement compared to the .205/.279/.282 line he posted during his first 10 games at Columbus. Earlier in the campaign, Velazquez was flashing high-end talent at Akron, holding a .317/.414/.566 line with a stellar .980 OPS and seven long balls (over just 36 games). Given that the Guardians have lacked consistent production at their first-base position, Velazquez could push for an early-second-half debut if he were to maintain this pace at Triple-A.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Walker Jenkins Enjoying Power Binge, Re-Entering Top Stash Territory?
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins (shoulder) recently began his rehab assignment in the lower levels of the Twins system and has been quite productive in his return to action. Earlier this week, he played one game in Low-A, going 4-for-5 with a double and a home run. On Tuesday evening, Jenkins moved up to High-A Cedar Rapids, where he went 2-for-5 with another home run. Jenkins has been on the shelf for over a month of action, but given how comfortable he has looked in his rehab outings, he could rejoin Triple-A in the immediate future. Before suffering this injury, Jenkins carried a .256/.396/.389 line with six doubles, two home runs, five home runs, and an 18:19 K:BB at St. Paul. While this injury delayed his potential MLB debut, Jenkins will find himself back on the verge of a promotion once he returns to the top club. If he faces no setbacks, he could compete for a promotion in July, making him a viable stash option in deeper 12+ team leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Emilio Pagan to Throw Sim Game on Saturday
Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring) received clearance to face hitters on June 13 after his MRI exam looked good, and he threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. Pagan will pitch in a simulated game/live bullpen session on Saturday, June 19, at Yankee Stadium, according to MLB.com. The veteran hurler has been on the 15-day injured list since May 6 due to a Grade 2 strained left hamstring, but barring a setback as he continues to build up, he could rejoin the back end of the Reds' bullpen before the calendar flips to July. If the 35-year-old looks good this weekend during his sim game, he could be cleared to go on a short minor-league rehab assignment. Although Pagan wasn't looking all that great in 2026 before his hamstring injury -- he had a 6.43 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, six saves, and 11 strikeouts in 14 innings -- he will most likely be put right back into the closer's role in Cincy by manager Terry Francona. The Reds' bullpen has been one of the worst units in baseball since Pagan went down with his injury in early May. The 10-year veteran (71 career saves) is currently rostered in 62% of Yahoo leagues, so fantasy managers who need saves should consider picking him up now.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brenton Doyle Increasing the Intensity of his Swings
Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (oblique) had a hitting session in the batting cage at Wrigley Field earlier this week and reported that he's increasing the intensity of his swings, per MLB.com. Doyle has been on the 10-day injured list since May 21 with a left-oblique contusion, but it's a good sign that he's increasing his baseball activities as he nears a potential minor-league rehab assignment. The 28-year-old is progressing, but there remains no firm timetable for his return to the Rockies. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can continue to ignore the former fourth-rounder in 2019 out of Shepherd University for now, especially since he won't be guaranteed an everyday role once he returns to the major-league roster. Doyle broke out in 2024 in his second full season in Colorado with a .260/.317/.446 slash line, 23 home runs, 72 RBI, and 30 steals in 149 games. He's been on the decline since and is currently hitting .207 (23-for-111) with just one homer, four RBI, nine steals, and a 32.8% strikeout rate in 43 games played in 2026.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is Colt Keith a Worthy Waiver-Wire Target Ahead of Potential Power Breakout?
Across 209 plate appearances in 2026, Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith has hit .267/.311/.390 with four home runs, 16 RBI, 27 runs scored, and three stolen bases. While the 24-year-old's power output for the season has been disappointing, he may be on the verge of a breakout after hitting three home runs on Monday night in Detroit's win over the Houston Astros. Keith owns a 8.5% barrel rate and 42.5% hard-hit rate on the year - far from elite power metrics, but capable marks that point to double-digit homer power over the course of a full season. The lefty-swinging Keith has logged just 11 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this season, so his platoon usage holds down his playing time ceiling. Still, he profiles as a modest five-category contributor against right-handed pitching and could be worth streaming off the waiver wire in weeks when Detroit faces a string of right-handed starting pitchers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mickey Moniak to Start a Rehab Assignment on Thursday
Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak (ankle) is scheduled to play in minor-league rehab games at Triple-A Albuquerque from June 18-20, according to MLB.com. He will then return to Denver on June 21 to be evaluated by the team's medical staff, according to manager Warren Schaefer. Moniak has been on the 10-day injured list since May 22 with right-ankle tendinitis, but he's getting close to a return, barring a setback this weekend. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder could rejoin the Rockies' starting lineup as early as Monday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox. Moniak broke out last year in his first year with the Rockies, slashing .270/.306/.518 with an .824 OPS, a career-high 24 home runs, 68 RBI, and nine stolen bases in 135 games. He has kept it going so far in 2026, batting .280 (42-for-150) with 12 homers, 28 RBI, 21 runs, and a steal in 43 games played. However, his xwOBA of .324 and expected batting average of .228 should give fantasy managers pause as to whether to continue riding him the rest of the way.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Spencer Steer's Stability Makes Him a Priority Waiver-Wire Target
Across 275 plate appearances in 2026, Cincinnati Reds outfielder/first baseman Spencer Steer is hitting .249/.335/.436 with 11 home runs, 28 RBI, 42 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The 28-year-old may no longer carry the same speed upside he did earlier in his career when he stole 25 bases in 2024. Still, Steer profiles as a balanced contributor with multi-positional eligibility. He owns a 13% barrel rate on the season and seems like a solid bet to top 20 home runs for the fourth consecutive campaign in 2026. Steer also owns a 10.5% walk rate with a manageable 21.1% strikeout rate, which keeps his production floor at the plate stable. In any fantasy league where he's not already rostered, Steer profiles as a must-add hitter to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Burrows Being Skipped in Astros Rotation
The Houston Astros are going with pitchers Tatsuya Imai, Spencer Arrighetti, and Kai-Wei Teng for their upcoming three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians this weekend, which means they will skip right-hander Mike Burrows, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Burrows will be skipped in the rotation for the time being, but with right-hander Cristian Javier (shoulder) potentially returning to the big-league roster soon, the 26-year-old could be moved to a relief role entirely after his struggles in 2026. The former 11th-rounder by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018 has gone 3-8 this year with a bloated 5.86 ERA (5.69 FIP) and 1.58 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 30 walks in 78 1/3 frames across his 14 starts in his first season with the Astros (third total in the majors). Burrows leads the league in hits allowed (94) and earned runs (51) as well. He's really fallen apart in his last six starts, allowing 29 runs (26 earned) on 42 hits (10 homers) while walking 16 and striking out 23 in 33 2/3 innings pitched. Burrows has quickly lost most of what little fantasy value he had, and he's now rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Is Dustin May a Top Pickup Ahead of Potential Post-Hype Breakout?
Across 81 2/3 innings (14 starts) in 2026, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May has recorded a 5-6 record with a 3.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts. The 28-year-old has been excellent in his last two times out, throwing 15 scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts while allowing just five hits across starts against the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. A former top prospect during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, May has largely struggled to live up to the hype throughout his MLB career to this point. However, the right-hander looks like he could finally be in the midst of a long-awaited breakout in 2026. May's average fastball velocity is back up to 97 miles per hour, and he owns a strong 16.4% K-BB rate. He's also logged a 46.2% ground ball rate and has been very difficult to take deep (0.55 HR/9). Given his recent success, May profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers in need of pitching.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon Woodruff Fans Six in Latest Rehab Start, Nearing a Return?
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) allowed three earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out six in 5 1/3 innings for a win with High-A Wisconsin on Tuesday in his latest minor-league rehab start. Woodruff got up to 82 pitches in the outing, so it's possible that his next start could come in the big leagues with the Brewers. The 33-year-old veteran has been on the 15-day injured list since late April with inflammation in his right shoulder after his velocity dropped off the table. There was concern from the Brewers that he might need another shoulder surgery, but Woodruff has been cleared of any structural damage. The former 11th-round pick in 2014 out of Mississippi State University was 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA (3.96 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and seven walks in 30 innings across six starts with Milwaukee this year before being shut down. The two-time All-Star missed all of 2024 after having shoulder surgery, and his strikeout rate is down considerably at 20.7% after he had a 32.3% strikeout rate in 2025. Woodruff can't be considered a fantasy ace anymore, but he still has value in most fantasy baseball leagues when he's fully healthy, and he's currently rostered in 87% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Henry Bolte Emerging as a High-End Speed Option on the Waiver Wire
After recording a 1.076 OPS across 177 plate appearances to open the year at Triple-A, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte earned a promotion to the big leagues in mid-May. The 22-year-old has continued to hit at the MLB level, slashing .313/.385/.396 with one home run, seven RBI, 10 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 109 plate appearances since making his debut. Bolte has struck out in 29.4% of his trips to the plate, so his batting average is likely to fall off to some degree as his .453 batting average on balls in play regresses to the mean. Still, Bolte has emerged as the everyday center fielder for the Athletics and possesses elite speed. Across 114 minor league games in 2025, Bolte swiped 44 bags. For fantasy managers in need of speed, Bolte profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gleyber Torres Still Out on Wednesday With Side Injury
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (side) will remain on the bench for Detroit's series finale on Wednesday against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park, per MLB.com. Hao-Yu Lee is making the start at the keystone and will bat eighth versus Astros right-hander Peter Lambert. This will be Torres' second missed game after injuring his left side in Monday's series opener in Houston. With a scheduled off day coming for the Tigers, his next chance to return to the starting nine will be for Friday's series opener back at home against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. The Tigers are not ruling out a stint on the injured list for Torres, who has already been on the IL this year with an oblique strain. The 29-year-old Venezuelan middle infielder has hit .280 (44-for-157) on the year with a .395 on-base percentage, but it has come with only four home runs, 18 RBI, and 26 RBI. Since returning from the IL on June 2, Torres has gone 14-for-41 (.341) at the plate with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI, and eight runs scored, so his side injury has come at an inopportune time.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
