RADIO
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
Chase Burns Scheduled to Make his Next Start on Tuesday
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Chase Burns (groin), who pulled out of the All-Star Game on Tuesday due to a groin issue that he picked up in his final start of the first half on July 8 against the Philadelphia Phillies, is penciled in to make his first start of the second half next Tuesday on the road against the Seattle Mariners, per MLB.com. Burns will avoid a trip to the injured list and will get some extra rest at the midway point of the season. The 23-year-old former second overall pick from Wake Forest University in 2024 has had a breakout first full season in the majors with the Reds in 2025, going 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA (3.40 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 118 strikeouts and 37 walks in 102 2/3 innings pitched across 18 starts. If anything, Burns might be a sell-high candidate in single-year fantasy leagues, but he's a firm hold in dynasty/keeper leagues for his high-end strikeout upside long-term. Going into the second half, Burns ranks in the 87th percentile in strikeout rate, the 89th percentile in whiff rate, and the 84th percentile in chase rate. Get ready to throw him back into your starting lineups next week in Seattle.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is it Time to Stash Jhostynxon Garcia Following Triple-A Surge?
Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia has had his audition this season with the Pirates at the big-league level, and it didn't go resoundingly well. That being said, he still might be a name to keep in mind for the second half of the season for fantasy purposes. In the minors this season, between High-A Bradenton and Triple-A Indianapolis, Garcia is hitting .279 with nine homers and 30 RBI to go with 38 runs scored and five stolen bases. He hit just .200 in his brief spell with Pittsburgh, but that doesn't mean he will be precluded from another shot at the big leagues. He is the No. 4 overall prospect in the Pirates' system, and at 23 years old, he should get another opportunity in Pittsburgh. Additionally, Garcia enters the midway point swinging a hot bat, posting a .333/.419/.463 line over his last 15 games. He is an impact outfielder, and while the Pirates' outfield is deep at the big league level, it would be wise to stash Garcia as a potential impact bat in the second half, especially for those in deeper 15-team leagues with several N/A spots.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Time to Stash Elmer Rodriguez Ahead of Looming Return to Yankees?
New York Yankees starting pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez could be a sneaky pitching source for fantasy owners during the second half of the season. Rodriguez has had his audition with the big-league club and went 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP. He struck out 10 in 17 innings pitched over four starts. Rodriguez has spent much of the season dominating at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. At Scranton, the right-hander has posted a 5-3 overall record with a 2.85 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 67 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. He also has the prospect pedigree as the Yankees' No. 3 overall prospect. Having already tried his hand in the majors, now might be a good time to stash Rodriguez before he is called up again to aid the Yankees. His strikeout numbers are good in the minors, making him a promising candidate to perform well in the major league rotation. With Carlos Rodon set to face a lengthy absence, Rodriguez is in a good position to earn another stint in the Bronx later in the summer.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Can Ceddanne Rafaela Continue His Momentum in the Second Half?
Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela earned his way to the All-Star game with a .281 batting average, eight homers, 12 stolen bases, and a .333 wOBA to go with his excellent defense. The 25-year-old has been much more selective this season and has hit .289 with six of those stolen bases over his 35 games since June 1. His contact metrics haven't been great over that span, but he has done a good job of piling up run production from the second spot in the lineup as Boston's batting order has come to life over the last few weeks. Rafaela is a solid source of speed and some potential power. He's been a streaky contributor throughout his time in the majors and has the potential to get hot in the second half and continue his emergence as a strong and versatile option on your fantasy roster.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Should You Sell High on Davis Martin?
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Davis Martin had a very strong first half of the season, already setting a personal best with nine wins in his 18 starts while posting a 3.41 ERA through 100 1/3 innings. His K% is up from last year, and he has been especially effective at home with a 1.80 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. However, despite his overall success, Martin has some concerning underlying metrics. He has a 4.31 xERA as a result of a 43.8% hard-hit rate against him, which ranks only in the 12th percentile of qualified pitchers. He's also in the bottom 20 percent of pitchers in terms of xBA and average exit velocity allowed. He gave up five runs in his last start against the Red Sox and has allowed at least four runs in four of his last nine starts. He could be due for some regression in the second half, so if you can flip him to a team that needs pitching for an option with better metrics, Martin's value may be near its peak.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ralphy Velazquez Ready to Bring Power Skills to Major Leagues
Cleveland Guardians prospect Ralphy Velazquez has split his time nicely this season between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. Between the two levels, Velazquez has 11 homers and 47 RBI to go with 44 runs scored while hitting .293. A first-base prospect who bats left-handed, Velazquez was the No. 23 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Velazquez, who can also play in the outfield, is the top prospect in the Guardians' system. At age 21, he might be a stash-worthy fantasy prospect who can fill a roster spot at first base or outfield. He has shown nice hitting skills in the minors with a high batting average and some solid power. He doesn't steal bases, but he fills the other four categories quite nicely. Velazquez's numbers have dipped a little bit since moving to Triple-A, but it appears he is ready to face big-league pitching. Now is the time to make a move on Velazquez before your peers, as he appears poised for a second-half promotion to Cleveland.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Is Ivan Herrera a Buy-Low Target Behind the Plate for the Second Half?
St. Louis Cardinals catcher/designated hitter Ivan Herrera has improved his plate discipline in the first half of the season, cutting down on his strikeout rate and increasing his walk rate. His batting average has dropped as well, though, and his ISO and SLG are both below his numbers from the last two years. The Cardinals have tried to keep the 26-year-old fresh by playing him just 36 games behind the plate and 59 games at designated hitter. Hopefully, his fresher legs will lead to more power in the second half, but he struggled over the past 20 games, with just a .183 batting average and 26.8% hard-hit rate. His track record over the last few seasons does give him upside in the second half. After the All-Star break last season, he hit .260 with 11 homers and a .344 wOBA. Since he's in a prime lineup spot, hitting second for the Cardinals, he has the potential for a nice bounce-back in the second half and could be a nice pickup if his current manager is down on him due to his slump.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Does Triple-A Call Up Mean Chase Davis is Inching his Way Toward Majors?
St. Louis Cardinals prospect Chase Davis has done most of his damage this year at Double-A Springfield with eight homers and 24 RBI to go with 24 runs scored and nine stolen bases, but he just recently got the call-up to Triple-A Memphis. The first-round pick out of Arizona has spent a bit of time this year injured and has rehabbed at High-A and Rookie ball. He has shown off the speed that makes him a five-tool contributor. The 24-year-old outfielder is not ranked among St. Louis' top overall prospects, but he was the No. 21 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. The left-handed hitter is putting up solid numbers in the minors but will have to prove himself at Triple-A before he can put his best foot forward towards a big league call-up. The St. Louis outfield of Jordan Walker, Nathan Church, and Lars Nootbaar seems pretty set, but if Davis continues to make waves, he could force his way to the majors.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
James Wood on His Way to a Career Year
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood continues to impress and is establishing himself as one of the top power hitters in the MLB. He has hit 28 homers in 97 games and seems certain to pass his previous career-high of 31 homers from last year. His batting average is up from .256 to .279 while his wOBA has climbed from .353 to .416. He's already matched his career high with 15 stolen bases as well. He has the highest barrel rate and the highest hard-hit rate in the majors this season, along with the second-highest average exit velocity behind only Oneil Cruz. With such strong underlying metrics and elite production, Wood looks poised to be a fantasy centerpiece for years to come. He's still only 23 years old and continues to be one of the most exciting hitters in the game heading into the second half.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Jeff Hoffman a Sneaky Stash Based on Underlying Metrics?
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman had a brutal start to the year and lost his job as the team's closer, with the emergence of Louis Varland as an elite bullpen option. He has put together a few strong weeks, though, and could return to fantasy relevance at some point after the All-Star break. He is 5-6 with a 4.57 ERA in his 44 games, but his 2.64 FIP and 3.07 xERA indicate he has pitched much better than his ERA indicates. He has a sky-high .402 BABIP against him (league average is .289 this season), so there could be some positive regression for him in the second half if ht gets some better batted-ball luck. Hoffman did give up two earned runs in his last outing before the break, snapping a 13-game span without an earned run against him. Varland will likely keep the closer job as long as he's healthy, but Hoffman could be a very valuable setup option or end up in a closer spot as bullpens get shuffled at the Trade Deadline. In deep leagues, he makes sense to stash and see, while in standard-sized leagues, he's definitely a reliever to keep a close eye on.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ben Joyce a Top Stash Option for Late-Season Saves?
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Ben Joyce (shoulder) has yet to pitch in the big leagues this season as he works his way back from the shoulder surgery that has kept him out since May 2025. However, the 25-year-old began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League before the All-Star break, so he could be on track to return to the Angels bullpen before the end of July. Joyce struggled in a limited sample size of innings in 2025 before suffering the shoulder injury. Still, he was an effective reliever for the Angels in 2024, recording a 2.08 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP with 33 strikeouts and four saves across 34 2/3 innings. Joyce is known for his electric fastball, which he threw at an average velocity of 102.4 miles per hour in 2024. Los Angeles has had difficulty filling its closer role so far this season, with right-handers Ryan Zeferjahn, Kirby Yates, and Sam Bachman currently sharing ninth-inning duties. If Joyce can prove he is fully healthy, he could be the favorite for saves with the Angels upon his return to the big leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Agustin Ramirez Still a High-Priority Stash Candidate?
After hitting .230 with two home runs through his first 129 plate appearances of 2026, Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville in early May. The 24-year-old's defense behind the plate may have been the biggest reason for his demotion, and could remain a barrier to his return to the big leagues. However, Ramirez carries five-category potential that is unique at the catcher position and makes him an intriguing option for fantasy managers. Across 195 plate appearances at Triple-A this season, Ramirez is hitting .250/.328/.436 with seven home runs, 27 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. The young backstop proved he could perform at the plate in the big leagues in 2025, hitting 21 home runs and swiping 16 bags across 585 trips to the plate. Particularly in deeper league formats, Ramirez may still be worth stashing off the waiver wire for his theoretical upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Petersen Emerging as a Potential Saves Source in Miami?
Across 39 innings (41 games) so far this season, Miami Marlins right-hander Michael Petersen (hamstring) has pitched to a 3.07 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and one save. Petersen exited early from Miami's final game before the All-Star break on Sunday with a hamstring injury, so fantasy managers should monitor for his health status coming out of the break. Assuming he can avoid a stint on the injured list, Petersen could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a potential source of saves. The 32-year-old has arguably been the best arm in the Miami bullpen in 2026, as he's averaged 97.8 miles per hour on his fastball and has recorded a 29.4% strikeout rate. Miami has largely deployed Petersen in a setup role ahead of closer Pete Fairbanks. However, Fairbanks owns a 6.83 ERA and is allowing 2.17 HR/9 on the year. If the Marlins eventually decide to make a change in the ninth inning, Petersen could be next in line.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
