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Top Overall Pick Roch Cholowsky Signs With White Sox
The No. 1 overall pick in this year's MLB draft, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, passed his physical and will sign with the Chicago White Sox for $10.35 million, according to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline. It shatters the MLB draft bonus record of $9.3 million set by Cincinnati Reds right-hander Chase Burns and Colorado Rockies first baseman/outfielder Charlie Condon in 2024. Cholowsky is the best all-around college shortstop prospect since Troy Tulowitzki, and the 21-year-old is so advanced that there have been rumblings that he has a realistic chance to make his major-league debut on the South Side of Chicago as early as next season. He stands at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds and thoroughly impressed big-league scouts with 44 home runs, 134 RBI, and eight stolen bases in his final two collegiate seasons with the Bruins. Cholowsky has the quickness to stay at shortstop long term, but one of the few knocks against his fantasy profile will be his lack of stolen-base upside. Otherwise, though, Cholowsky has a realistic shot at competing for an Opening Day roster spot in spring training in 2027.
Source: MLB Pipeline - Jim Callis
Source: MLB Pipeline - Jim Callis
Tommy Edman's Balanced Profile Makes Him a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target
After undergoing offseason ankle surgery, Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman did not make his 2026 debut until June 17. However, the 31-year-old has performed well since his return, hitting .343/.421/.478 with one home run, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 78 plate appearances. With a 5.5% barrel rate (career 4.9%), Edman does not profile as a major power source for fantasy managers. However, as a switch-hitter who can play all over the diamond, Edman should see near every-day playing time in the prolific Dodgers lineup. The veteran brings a balanced approach at the plate without any major weaknesses, and he may get back to being a speed asset now that his ankle issues are hopefully behind him. Particularly in deeper leagues, fantasy managers may want to target Edman on the waiver wire ahead of the second half of the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Should Fantasy Managers Prioritize Chase Meidroth on the Waiver Wire?
Across 392 plate appearances in 2026, Chicago White Sox infielder Chase Meidroth is hitting .269/.341/.379 with seven home runs, 31 RBI, 54 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 24-year-old has made some power strides this season after hitting five homers across 505 plate appearances in 2025, but he still owns just a 4.2% barrel rate and a 34% hard-hit rate. Meidroth has also seen his strikeout rate spike from 14.3% last season to 24.0% in 2026. Still, Meidroth owns a strong 9.4% walk rate and profiles as a plus defender in the middle infield for Chicago, which keeps him in the lineup on an everyday basis. He also swiped 14 bags in 2025, so he could get to a bit more speed over the final few months of the current season. Fantasy managers should not expect league-winning production from Meidroth, but he's a useful depth piece to target on deep-league waiver wires.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mauricio Dubon a Multi-Positional Depth Piece to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 372 plate appearances so far in 2026, Atlanta Braves utility man Mauricio Dubon is hitting .265/.319/.420 with 10 home runs, 51 RBI, 42 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Dubon's underlying power metrics remain underwhelming, as he's logged a 4.8% barrel rate and a 30.8% hard-hit rate on the year. However, Dubon limits whiffs (14.7% strikeout rate) and has already matched his career-high for home runs in a season in his first campaign with Atlanta. The 31-year-old's defensive versatility has allowed him to maintain an everyday role in the Braves lineup and also provides valuable multi-positional eligibility for fantasy managers. Dubon may not have the highest production ceiling, but he profiles as a highly useful depth piece for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Royce Lewis Re-Emerging as a Power/Speed Threat on the Waiver Wire
Across 256 plate appearances in 2026, Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis is hitting .219/.297/.399 with 10 home runs, 29 RBI, 30 runs scored, and six stolen bases. The 27-year-old's overall line is held down by his brutal start to the year, as he hit .164 with three home runs across 119 plate appearances through the end of May. However, Lewis has been much better of late, hitting .266 with seven home runs across 137 plate appearances since the start of June. Lewis owns a 13% barrel rate on the season and has demonstrated significant power upside at earlier points in his career, hitting 31 home runs across 564 plate appearances from 2023 through 2024. Health remains a major concern for Lewis, as he's reached 400 plate appearances in a season just once in his career and has already missed time in 2026 due to a knee injury. Still, Lewis carries notable power/speed potential when healthy and could be worth targeting on the waiver wire in leagues where he remains available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon Sproat a Second-Half Breakout Candidate Worth Targeting
Across 82 innings (18 games) so far in 2026, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Sproat has recorded a 3-4 record with a 5.16 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts. While the 25-year-old's overall line is not pretty, Sproat has been better after a rough start to the year. Across 33 innings since the start of June, Sproat has pitched to a 3.82 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 35 strikeouts. Command has been a bit of an issue for the young right-hander, as he owns an 11.1% walk rate. Still, Sproat is averaging 96.9 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 24.7% of the batters he's faced this season. Now that he's starting to find his footing in Milwaukee, Sproat could be worth targeting on the waiver wire ahead of a potential second-half breakout.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Henry Bolte a Top Speed Target on the Waiver Wire
Since being called up from Triple-A to make his MLB debut on May 13, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte has hit .261/.343/.347 with three home runs, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The 22-year-old owns a 66.4% ground ball rate, which limits his power upside. However, he's logged a 46.3% hard-hit rate and also possesses high-end speed, which helps provide him with a relatively safe batting average floor despite his elevated 27.7% strikeout rate. Bolte also hit 12 home runs in 177 plate appearances at Triple-A before his promotion this season, so there may be some untapped power potential in his bat if he can figure out how to lift the ball more consistently. Even if he can't tap into more power in 2026, Bolte has established himself as the Athletics' everyday center fielder and profiles as a speed source with some upside for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Corbin Burnes Feeling Good After Starting a Throwing Program
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow) started a throwing program on July 10 and came out of his session feeling good, according to MLB.com. He is scheduled to throw every other day on flat ground and will then progress to throwing off a mound. Burnes has been on the injured list all year after having Tommy John surgery and then suffering a setback with a teres major strain in early June, and he's not expected back with the D-backs' starting rotation until the final month of the regular season in September. When healthy, the 31-year-old veteran has been a top-of-the-rotation ace in his career, but because he might only have a handful of starts later this year, he's only rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues. Fantasy managers in redraft formats can continue to ignore him. Burnes only made 11 starts for the Snakes last year after signing a massive six-year, $210 million contract with the organization in December of 2024. The four-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner has gone 63-38 in his eight big-league seasons with a 3.15 ERA (3.26 FIP), 1.07 WHIP, and 28.5% strikeout rate.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Gleyber Torres Starts Rehab Assignment on Monday
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) began a minor-league rehab assignment on Monday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, going 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI while playing five innings at second base. Torres has been on the 10-day injured list since June 17 with a strained left oblique, but if he can avoid a setback on his rehab assignment this week, there's a chance he could be ready to rejoin the big-league roster for the start of the second half of the 2026 season this weekend. It's the second time this year that Torres has been on the IL with an oblique strain, previously missing over a month the first time around. When the 29-year-old Venezuelan is healthy, he should return to starting duties at the keystone in Motown after hitting .280/.395/.395 with a .790 OPS, four home runs, 18 RBI, and 26 runs scored in his 157 at-bats. The three-time All-Star is most useful in fantasy in leagues that count on-base percentage, as he's not a major power threat or in counting-stats leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Luis Arraez Wants to Stay in San Francisco
During media sessions in Philadelphia this week for the All-Star festivities, San Francisco Giants infielder Luis Arraez said he doesn't want to be traded, but if it happens, he only wants to go somewhere he would play second base, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Many people were raising their eyebrows when the Giants signed Arraez in the offseason to play second base, but he has had outstanding results at the keystone after all the work he put in with infield guru Ron Washington in the offseason. The 29-year-old Venezuelan signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Gigantes, but he's expected to be traded by the deadline in early August, especially since he doesn't have a no-trade clause. The four-time All-Star is hitting .330/.369/.460 at the All-Star break with an .829 OPS, four home runs, 35 RBI, 48 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 91 games played. Arraez has never been a power asset in fantasy, but his elite contact skills and plate discipline still make him useful for a high batting average and on-base percentage, and a move to a contender won't hurt his value.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Chase Burns to Miss All-Star Game With Groin Tightness
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Chase Burns (groin) will not pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game due to right-groin tightness, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. The 23-year-old reported the injury to manager Terry Francona on Friday. "He just said, 'I am just worried about doing something I shouldn't do,'" Francona said. Burns hurt his groin covering home plate on a wild pitch last Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning, but he stayed in the game and finished with 106 pitches through only five innings. The hard-throwing right-hander allowed a career-high six walks in that outing, but he said he didn't feel anything wrong while on the mound. It remains to be seen if Burns will be ready to roll for Cincy's starting rotation to begin the second half of the season, but it doesn't sound like his groin injury is serious enough to send him to the injured list. The former second overall pick from Wake Forest University in 2024 has been excellent in his first full year in the majors, 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 frames over 18 starts.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
Mets Not Considering Moving Luke Weaver into Closer Role
New York Mets interim manager Andy Green said that at this point in time, he's not considering replacing right-handed closer Devin Williams with right-hander Luke Weaver in the closer's role, according to Laura Albanese of Newsday Sports. Williams, who has a 4.83 ERA and 1.71 WHIP through the first half of his first season in New York, blew back-to-back save chances going into this week's All-Star break, allowing four earned runs in his last 3 1/3 innings pitched. The 31-year-old veteran also has 44 strikeouts and 19 walks while collecting 13 saves in 31 2/3 innings in the first half. Weaver, meanwhile, only has one save but has been much more reliable overall, posting a 2-1 record, 1.85 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 43:11 K:BB in 39 innings pitched in his first season with the Mets. Green might not be ready to pull Williams from the closer's role, but his tune could change early in the second half if Williams continues to struggle. Fantasy managers chasing saves should think about snagging Weaver off the waiver wire. He's currently rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Newsday - Laura Albanese
Source: Newsday - Laura Albanese
Brewers Haven't Opened Extension Talks With Jacob Misiorowski
There have been no conversations between superstar right-hander Jacob Misiorowski and the Milwaukee Brewers, league sources told Robert Murray of FanSided. The 24-year-old flamethrower has taken baseball by storm in his second season in the big leagues. He made the All-Star team after just five appearances in 2025 and has a 1.62 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 111 innings in a dominant first half in 2026. The Miz was clocked at 105.5 mph on a fastball last month, the fastest pitch thrown by a starting pitcher in the pitch-tracking era. However, Misiorowski was scratched from his start on Sunday before the All-Star break due to general fatigue. He's expected to resume throwing on Tuesday, but he's not expected to slot back into Milwaukee's starting rotation immediately out of the break this weekend. The Brewers are going to be mindful of the young phenom's workload the rest of the way, as he's already thrown 20 fewer innings than his career high. Despite everything the hard-throwing right-hander has done early in his MLB career, the Brew Crew have yet to approach him about an extension. That could be coming this winter.
Source: FanSided - Robert Murray
Source: FanSided - Robert Murray
Is Seaver King Worth Stashing Despite Recent Injury?
Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Seaver King is currently on the 7-day IL at Triple-A Rochester, but he still holds a solid stash upside in deeper leagues. His combined numbers this season at Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester are a .306 batting average, 10 homers, and 51 RBI, along with 50 runs and nine stolen bases. He has demonstrated five-tool ability during his time healthy this season in the minors, but faces a logjam in the MLB infield. He is blocked by CJ Abrams at shortstop in the big leagues and by Nasim Nunez at second base. King seems to have the tools to be a big-league contributor, but 2027 might be the year he becomes a fantasy contributor as he continues to get healthy and develop. The 23-year-old could be a name to watch in fantasy leagues, but it might be a surprise if his Washington Nationals future comes as early as the 2026 season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Karson Milbrandt Still a Top Stash Option Amid Triple-A Struggles?
Miami Marlins starting pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt is making a strong case for a promotion to the big league club despite two rough starts at Triple-A Jacksonville in his latest outings. Milbrandt has pitched well at two levels this year, going 4-1 at Double-A Pensacola with a 1.34 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 47 innings. Then he has gone 0-2 with a 5.48 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 23.0 innings pitched for Jacksonville. The Jacksonville numbers are slightly concerning for the 22-year-old right-hander, especially the nine earned runs he has given up in his last two starts. The numbers at Double-A and his prospect pedigree as the Marlins No. 4 overall prospect make him a desirable waiver-wire option as he waits for his shot to prove himself in Miami. With Eury Perez and Janson Junk healthy again, the Marlins rotation is at capacity right now, but a good stretch in the second half at Jacksonville could give Milbrandt a chance to show off his skills in Miami.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
