RADIO
Ty France a Sneaky Waiver-Wire Addition Amid Hot Stretch
San Diego Padres first baseman Ty France has quietly been one of the team's most consistent offensive producers this summer. He hit .326 (29-for-89) with a .966 OPS, six home runs, six doubles, 20 RBI, and 13 runs scored in 23 games and 100 plate appearances in July, and he's off to a good start so far in five games in August, going 6-for-20 (.300) with five runs scored for the Friars. The 32-year-old veteran's recent hot streak at the plate has boosted his season slash line to an impressive .288/.342/.520 with an .862 OPS, 16 home runs, 49 RBI, 39 runs scored, and a stolen base in 89 games played across 311 plate appearances in his eighth year in the big leagues. France is suddenly five home runs shy of setting a new career high in that category in his return to San Diego in 2026. While his .255 expected batting average and .331 xwOBA (current wOBA of .368) say that we've probably seen the best from France this year, he's still a decent corner-infield option for some pop in deep-mixed fantasy leagues while he's hot. After his red-hot stretch in July, he's now rostered in 40% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Garrett Mitchell's Speed Still on Display Despite Recent Slump
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell still managed to make an impact in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates despite going 0-for-2 at the plate, as he had two walks and two stolen bases. The 27-year-old has yet to record a hit in five games in August, going 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts, but he does have two runs scored and three stolen bases in 20 plate appearances. Mitchell, a former first-rounder in 2020 from UCLA, is hitting .257/.354/.419 on the year with a .773 OPS, eight home runs, 49 RBI, 49 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across his 327 at-bats in a career-high 103 games in his fifth year in the majors with Milwaukee. Despite his recent slump, Mitchell can be useful as an outfield depth option for his speed on the strong side of a platoon with the Brew Crew. Mitchell was money for fantasy managers in July, batting .315 (28-for-89) with an .896 OPS, two homers, nine doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored, and two steals in 25 games played. Perhaps the biggest takeaway for Mitchell in 2026 is that he has finally managed to stay healthy.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yoendrys Gomez May be Challenged for Saves After Trade Deadline
Minnesota Twins right-handed reliever Yoendrys Gomez quickly became the team's favorite for saves after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays early in the season, but he could have competition for the ninth-inning role the rest of the 2026 season after the Twins added veteran righty Jeff Hoffman at Monday's trade deadline. The 26-year-old Venezuelan hurler has been much better since joining the Twins, posting a 1.93 ERA (3.03 FIP), 1.16 WHIP, 13 saves, and a 33:15 K:BB in 32 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. In 11 appearances for the Twins in July, Gomez was solid, allowing just two earned runs with seven walks, 10 strikeouts, two wins, and five saves in 10 1/3 innings pitched. It's not like he has pitched poorly with the Twins, but the addition of Hoffman will give manager Derek Shelton another option in high-leverage, late-game situations as the Twins try to sneak into the postseason. Gomez is still worth rostering in deeper leagues (he's rostered in 31% of Yahoo leagues), but don't be surprised if Hoffman joins the saves mix in Minnesota.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Kemp Alderman Showing Off Power in Limited Appearances at Triple-A
Miami Marlins outfield prospect Kemp Alderman is compiling a nice season with Triple-A Jacksonville with 14 homers and 45 RBI to go with 49 runs scored and seven stolen bases while hitting .281 in 270 at-bats. Alderman missed some time with an injury in May and June but has still produced a consistent season at age 23 at Triple-A. Alderman is the No. 7 prospect in the Marlins' system and boasts 60-grade power as shown by his 14 home runs in 72 games played. Miami has a lot of names in the outfield mix at the big league level, but Alderman's power could play at the MLB level. He is a name worth keeping an eye on the rest of the season in case he is called up to Miami. Fantasy managers will want to react quickly if he does get a chance to make his MLB debut because his power-speed combo could be a help for fantasy teams.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Steven Cruz Claiming a Bigger Portion of Saves in KC
Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Steven Cruz has jumped into the saves picture for the Royals after Alex Lange has allowed 16 runs in his last 10 appearances. Cruz was entrusted in a save situation on Wednesday against the division-rival Minnesota Twins, and he delivered to close out the 2-1 win. He threw a clean inning with one strikeout to earn his third save of the season for the Royals. The 27-year-old Dominican pitcher is 2-3 in 2026 with a 4.29 ERA (5.50 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 total innings pitched in his fourth year in the majors with the Royals. Cruz's surface stats aren't all that impressive, but he's been much better since the start of July, allowing only four earned runs on 11 hits while walking three and striking out 13 in 15 2/3 innings during that stretch. He's also picked up all three of his saves and has added two holds. It's unclear if veteran reliever Carlos Estevez (shoulder) will even be able to make it back at all this year, so Cruz could have plenty of runway to close out the year as the Royals' primary closer over Lange. Cruz is rostered in just 3% of Yahoo leagues and is widely available.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Parks Harber Making Most of Promotion To Triple-A Sacramento
San Francisco Giants third base/outfield prospect Parks Harber has performed since a promotion to Triple-A Sacramento on July 17. With Sacramento, Harber is hitting .329 in 73 at-bats with four homers and 17 RBI to go with 12 runs scored. Harber is the No. 12 prospect in the Giants' system and boasts 55-grade power. The 24-year-old can play third base or the outfield and could give some versatility to the Giants down the stretch this season. Harber could be called upon this season to give San Francisco some big-league depth in the outfield or at third base, but is a bit of a risky stash, just because even his value as a big leaguer is a bit uncertain. A right-handed hitter, Harber has some power in his bat but is looking like a long shot to make a big impact this year as a big leaguer after just recently being promoted to Triple-A.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Andrew Kittredge Deserving of Waiver Attention After Earning Fifth Save
Baltimore Orioles veteran right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge is becoming more attractive in deeper fantasy baseball leagues for managers desperate for saves. Kittredge locked down his fifth save of the season by throwing a clean inning with no hits allowed, no walks, and no strikeouts on Wednesday to close out a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Camden Yards. The 36-year-old has allowed three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings pitched so far in August, but he has two saves in his last four appearances and is now second on the team this year in saves. In 12 relief outings in July, Kittredge didn't give up a single run and had three walks, seven strikeouts, three saves, one blown save, and three holds in 11 innings pitched. He's 1-3 on the season with a 4.05 ERA (4.20 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and 10 walks in 33 1/3 total innings. Kittredge definitely is not a sexy reliever by any means, but with Ryan Helsley (elbow) still on the injured list, he could continue to get save opportunities alongside Yennier Cano and Rico Garcia, and he's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jacob Melton Currently Injured but Could Still Debut With Rays
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton (hamstring) was placed on the seven-day injured list with a right-hamstring strain and is expected to miss about a week at Triple-A Durham. Melton has had a nice season with Durham, batting .285 in 123 at-bats at Triple-A with five homers and 23 RBI to go with 24 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. The 25-year-old has shown off his five-category ability this season with Durham and is currently the No. 6 prospect in Tampa's system. He has 60-grade power and 60-grade speed, which shows off his ability to hit at a high level while also establishing himself as a stolen base threat. Melton debuted with the Houston Astros at the major league level in 2025 before being traded to Tampa Bay in December of 2025. Melton has MLB experience and could play for the Rays before the end of this year. He is worth stashing as he returns from his injury.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Nick Pivetta "All Systems Forward" After Injury Scare
San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen said that right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) had a normal day of recovery on Wednesday and threw out to 90 feet, according to Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan. Pivetta was checked out by doctors as an extra precaution, but Stammen said it sounds like it's "all systems forward" right now. The 33-year-old veteran walked off the mound abruptly in the middle of an at-bat in his first minor-league rehab appearance with Single-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday due to tightness in his right elbow, but after throwing in the bullpen afterwards, he felt fine. Pivetta may have avoided a serious setback from a forearm/elbow injury that has limited him to just four starts in 2026. It looks like he will attempt to stay on schedule and make another rehab start. In a best-case scenario for Pivetta and the Padres, he'll return to SD's starting rotation by the end of the month as the Friars look to make a playoff push. When healthy, Pivetta showed last year that he can be the team's ace after going 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 190:50 K:BB in 31 regular-season starts in what was a career year in 2025.
Source: 97.3 The Fan - Sammy Levitt
Source: 97.3 The Fan - Sammy Levitt
Jaxon Wiggins Struggling Since Returning To Iowa Rotation
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins is coming off a start in which he allowed five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings and has struggled since coming off the injured list at Triple-A Iowa on July 10. He's 0-3 in five starts with Iowa since returning from right elbow inflammation. It's been a bit of a lost year for the 24-year-old with the injury, but he is still ranked as the No. 5 overall prospect in the Cubs' system. He boasts a 60-grade fastball with a 55-grade slider and 50-grade changeup. With Iowa this season, Wiggins has 28 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched, which is a good sign. The Cubs 5-man rotation is set right now at the big league level, but Wiggins could be counted on for some depth if they look to give him his major league debut. But right now it would be best to keep Wiggins on the waiver wire unless an injury occurs to one of the Cubs' starters.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Daniel Palencia Blows a Save in First Rehab Appearance
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Daniel Palencia (elbow) didn't exactly have the greatest first minor-league rehab outing on Wednesday at Triple-A Iowa. Palencia allowed an earned run on one hit while walking two and striking out one in two-thirds of an inning to blow the save against Triple-A Indianapolis. He threw half of his pitches for strikes but did sit around 98 mph with his fastball, which is encouraging. The 26-year-old Venezuelan hurler last pitched for the Cubbies on June 15, so he will need at least a couple more rehab appearances to try to get his command in the right place. Once reinstated from the 15-day injured list, the Cubs could ease Palencia back into high-leverage situations out of the bullpen, but the expectation is that Palencia will once again become manager Craig Counsell's preferred option for saves in the ninth inning. Palencia has appeared in only 19 games this year and has a 2.70 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, three saves, and 19 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings pitched after he saved a career-high 22 games for Chicago last year. Palencia is rostered in only 59% of Yahoo leagues. Now is the time to scoop him up if you need saves.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Nick Lodolo Gives Up Three Runs in Rehab Outing on Wednesday
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) tested out his injured finger in a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday and allowed three earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out four in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to Triple-A St. Paul. Manager Terry Francona said that Lodolo looked "OK" while hitting 94 to 95 mph with his fastball and throwing 37 of his 65 pitches for strikes during the outing. The 28-year-old southpaw threw seven of his 15 curveballs for strikes, the pitch that had initially led to his recurring blister problem. The main takeaway is that Lodolo didn't have any issues with his finger, and the Reds could be satisfied enough to have him make his next start back in the big leagues. The former first-rounder from Texas Christian University will be pretty risky for fantasy managers whenever he makes his first start back with the Reds. Lodolo has teased strikeout upside since entering the league in 2022, but he has a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate and a career-high 9.7% walk rate in his 12 starts in 2026.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
George Klassen Could Come Through as a Late-Season Stash
Los Angeles Angels pitching prospect George Klassen has had solid success with Triple-A Salt Lake this season, pitching to a 6-6 record with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP to go with 88 strikeouts in 91 innings pitched. Klassen's strikeout rate is a bit underwhelming but he has a decent record and solid ERA and WHIP. The right-hander is ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the Angels' system. The 24-year-old has the experience necessary to pitch at the major league level if given an opportunity. He has a 70-grade fastball with two 55-grade secondary pitches in his curveball and slider. The Angels seem to have an opening in their rotation and could look toward Klassen's power arm to fill that spot. He needs to improve his strikeout rate for fantasy purposes but he is an arm that is worth taking a chance on in deep leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Pirates Still Don't Have Specific Timetable for Oneil Cruz's Return
The Pittsburgh Pirates still do not have a specific timetable for outfielder Oneil Cruz's (hand) return from the 60-day injured list, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Still don't have a specific date or timeline, but I think we're getting closer all the time. We're waiting for maybe a little bit more information from him, but we're anticipating it happening soon," general manager Ben Cherington said. Despite starting baseball activities on July 29, it doesn't appear that the 27-year-old will be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible on Friday. Fantasy managers will need to be a bit more patient. Once he's cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment, his return to the big leagues won't be far off, barring a setback. The Dominican outfielder is a must-start in all fantasy formats when he's active for the Bucs, and he has hit .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 45 runs scored across his 250 at-bats in 2026 in his sixth major-league season in Pittsburgh. Cruz had a league-high 38 stolen bases in 2025 and is one of the best power/speed assets in baseball when he's healthy.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Brody Hopkins has Pitch Mix Necessary For Big-League Success
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins has had a solid season at Triple-A Durham and could be looking at a late season promotion. Hopkins, a right-hander, is 4-8 this season with a 4.93 ERA and 1.67 WHIP to go with 105 strikeouts in 84 innings. The 24-year-old has made 18 starts in 21 appearances this season and he has struggled a bit with his overall record, but his strikeout rate is encouraging. He is the No. 5 prospect in the Rays' system and possesses a 60-grade fastball and 60-grade curveball with two other 55-grade secondary pitches in his cutter and slider. Hopkins seems to have major league stuff and is just awaiting a promotion to Tampa Bay. The Rays have a deep rotation especially after trading for Freddy Peralta. But with Shane McClanahan on the IL, Hopkins could provide depth at the major league level and would be worth a waiver wire addition in that case.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
