RADIO
Ralphy Velazquez Emerging as Stash Candidate for Power Upside
Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez belted a home run at Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, his first since being promoted to the Clippers back on May 18. Though he's hitting just .241 in 14 games at that level, the left-handed slugger has turned it around as of late, going 5-for-15 (.333) with four of those five hits going for extra bases (two doubles, one triple, one home run). The former first-rounder is coming off a 22-home run season in 2025 and was slashing .317/.414/.566 with seven home runs through 36 games this season at Double-A Akron before his promotion. If he can build on the recent momentum, the Guardians' second-ranked prospect should receive a second-half call-up to the big leagues. Until then, the 21-year-old remains a stash consideration in deep leagues for his power potential.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Does Jacob Melton's Speed Make him a Stash Candidate?
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton (ankle) should be nearing a rehab assignment and could be back at Triple-A Durham around mid-June or shortly thereafter. The Rays' fourth-ranked prospect has been out since suffering a Grade 2 left ankle sprain on April 22. After a rough 3-for-24 (.125) start to the year, the former second-round draft pick began to turn things around, going 12-for-41 (.293) with seven doubles, a triple, and an eye-opening 14 steals in 13 games. The left-handed slugger hit well enough at Triple-A in the Houston organization last year to earn himself a 32-game, 78-plate appearance major league debut, and although he went just 11-for-70 (.157), the speed was on full display, having tallied seven steals in his limited action. The 25-year-old's strikeout rate stood at a sky-high 40.2 percent earlier this season at Durham, so it is something he'll need to get under control before making it back to the majors, but the likelihood of a return to action soon and his ability to steal bases should put him back on fantasy managers' radar, though he hasn't reached stash-worthy status yet.
Source: Adam Berry - MLB.com
Source: Adam Berry - MLB.com
Joe Rock Offers Speculative Waiver Appeal After Promotion
Chicago White Sox pitcher Joe Rock is joining the major-league roster as David Sandlin heads back to Triple-A Charlotte. Rock was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays last month and has been stretching out as a starter in the minors since joining the organization. He has limited MLB experience, with three career relief appearances, so fantasy managers should view this as a speculative move until his role becomes clearer. Rock's fantasy appeal comes from the chance that Chicago could use him for length, especially with the White Sox continuing to shuffle arms. He posted a 5.40 ERA over 13 games with Triple-A Durham before the trade, and only slightly improved with Charlotte, posting a 4.00 ERA over nine frames, so there is a clear risk in the profile. Given his unclear role, Rock is only worth monitoring in deeper formats for the time being.
Source: Sam Phelan
Source: Sam Phelan
Cam Smith Carrying Value in Deeper Leagues with Emerging Power
Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith is starting to show signs of life at the plate, giving fantasy managers a reason to keep him on the waiver-wire radar. Smith went 2-for-5 with two doubles and one RBI in Monday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Los Angeles Angels. He is 6-for-21 over his last five games with two doubles, one triple, four RBI, and an 8:1 K:BB. The season-long production remains modest, but Smith's recent success gives him some appeal. Through 67 games, he has hit six home runs, brought in 25 runs, scored 26, and added 10 doubles. With 75% of Yahoo leagues still leaving him available, Smith is a reasonable pickup for fantasy managers in deeper leagues looking to get ahead on a young bat with developing power (13.2% barrel rate), as he should continue to see a prominent role in this lineup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Has Jett Williams Fallen Off the Stash Radar?
Milwaukee Brewers infield/outfield prospect Jett Williams continues to scuffle at Triple-A Nashville, going just 7-for-56 (.125) over his last 14 games for the Sounds, which includes just one extra-base hit (a triple) and one steal. It has dampened his prospects for a big league debut in the near future, but if he can turn it around, a call-up around the All-Star break could be well within reach. The Brewers' third-ranked prospect can do a little of everything, coming off a 17-homer campaign a season ago in which he also stole 34 bags while hitting .261 with a strong 13.3 percent walk rate. The former first-rounder is still showcasing many of those skills in 2026, with five home runs, 12 steals, and a 13.4 percent walk rate through 60 games. Combined with the ability to play multiple positions on the infield and center field, his versatility on both offense and defense could be an asset in the majors. The 22-year-old is eligible at 2B, SS, and OF in Yahoo! leagues, so there is plenty of appeal here as a potential stash candidate in deeper leagues, he just needs to pick it up at the plate.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
After Latest Dominant Outing, is Now a Good Time to Stash Kade Anderson?
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson's phenomenal professional debut continued in his latest start on Friday, when he didn't allow an earned run for the third straight game after giving up just one hit in five innings of work. It was also the second consecutive game in which he did not walk a batter and struck out nine. The performance brought the left-hander's ERA down to a miserly 1.29 with a 0.69 WHIP in 49 total innings pitched, and his 39.2 percent K-BB% is the highest in all the minor leagues among pitchers who have worked at least 30 innings. After dominating Double-A competition through 10 starts, a test at Triple-A should be close at hand, and if the former third-overall draft pick has success, then a major league debut could happen later this year. Although a big league promotion is not imminent, the 21-year-old is a worthy stash consideration in deeper leagues for his high strikeout upside, especially in leagues where an NA spot is available to tuck him away in until he earns a call-up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jordan Lawlar Holding Sneaky Stash Value Ahead of Impending Return?
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (wrist) remains an intriguing waiver-wire option for managers in deeper leagues with injured-list flexibility. Before being sidelined, Lawlar hit .333 with one home run, two RBI, three runs scored, one stolen base, a .400 on-base percentage, and a .556 slugging percentage across 18 at-bats (six games). Lawlar saw his fantasy value increase during spring training when the former top prospect posted a .333/.448/.604 line with four round-trippers, which earned him a starting role to begin the 2026 campaign. The sample is small, but Lawlar's power-speed profile and early production make him worth monitoring before he returns. Last week, Lawlar's rehab assignment was moved to Triple-A Reno, suggesting the 23-year-old is nearing a return to action. With a 6% Yahoo rostership rate, Lawlar is a speculative stash for fantasy managers in deeper leagues looking to get ahead on a potential impact bat who possesses a five-category skill set.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Padres Place Xander Bogaerts on Paternity List
The San Diego Padres announced on Tuesday that they placed infielder Xander Bogaerts on the paternity list and recalled infielder Will Wagner from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. Bogaerts will likely miss the final two games of the series at Petco Park this week against the Cincinnati Reds, but he could be back with the club for Friday's series opener in Baltimore versus the Orioles. With the veteran shortstop out for a few days, expect Sung-Mun Song to shift over to the 6 for the Friars. In his 14th year in the big leagues and fourth with San Diego, Bogaerts is slashing .231/.303/.356 with a career-low .658 OPS, eight home runs, 27 RBI, nine stolen bases, and 27 runs scored in 63 games across 251 plate appearances. Although he does have hits in each of his last two games, he's been ice-cold so far in June, going 3-for-23 (.130) with a double, an RBI, two runs scored, two walks, and eight strikeouts in seven games played. Bogey is rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: San Diego Padres
Source: San Diego Padres
A.J. Ewing Worth a Look in Deep Leagues for his Speed?
New York Mets rookie second baseman/outfielder A.J. Ewing already has seven stolen bases in 10 attempts in his first 25 major-league games. The team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has hit .259 (22-for-85) with a homer, a double, a triple, seven RBI, and 11 runs scored in his first 99 plate appearances for the injury-riddled and last-place Mets. The 21-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2023 out of a high school in Ohio is currently riding a five-game hitting streak, in which he's gone 7-for-18 (.389) with a double, RBI, three stolen bases, and three runs scored. The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder is definitely worth an add off the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues if you're searching for speed, but Ewing's current 31.3% strikeout rate is certainly a drawback. But as long as he can continue to get on base, Ewing will continue to run with the Mets basically letting their young prospects get plenty of playing time in 2026 in what has quickly turned into a lost season.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Connor Prielipp Still Worth Rostering Despite Inconsistent Results?
Minnesota Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp has been inconsistent in his first nine major-league starts for the Twins this year, going 2-4 with a 5.15 ERA (3.43 FIP) and 1.33 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 18 walks in 43 2/3 innings pitched. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2022 out of the University of Alabama didn't allow more than two earned runs in any of his first five MLB starts, but he has hit a rough patch of late, giving up 18 runs (17 earned) on 25 hits while walking nine and striking out 20 in 18 2/3 innings over his last four starts. The silver lining is that Prielipp only gave up two earned runs in his fourth loss on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Royals in 4 1/3 innings, and he does have seven strikeouts in each of his last two starts. Because of his swing-and-miss stuff alone -- he has a 25.7% strikeout rate and a walk rate under 10% -- Prielipp is worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in just 8% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
White Sox Officially Calling Up Outfield Prospect Braden Montgomery
The Chicago White Sox are officially calling up their No. 2 prospect, outfielder Braden Montgomery, for his MLB debut on Tuesday, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Montgomery is ranked as the No. 21 overall MLB prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and will get his first call to the big leagues after slashing an impressive .314/.422/.548 with a .970 OPS, 10 home runs, 13 doubles, three triples, 41 RBI, 52 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 56 games across 258 plate appearances with Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte this year. The 23-year-old switch-hitter was the 12th overall pick in 2024 by the Boston Red Sox out of Texas A&M University. Montgomery has played both center and right field on the farm, and he should play regularly in Chicago, making him waiver-wire worthy in most fantasy formats for his plus-plus power upside. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder could become a superstar if he tightens up his plate discipline and makes more contact.
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Yainer Diaz Starting his Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (oblique) is starting his minor-league rehab assignment with the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Tuesday, according to Astros reporter Michael Schwab. Diaz has been sidelined since May 5 due to a strained left oblique, but he's nearing a return and could potentially rejoin the Astros this weekend if he can avoid a setback with Sugar Land. The 27-year-old will be Houston's starting catcher once he's reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Veteran Christian Vazquez has been serving as the starting catcher in Diaz's absence, with Cesar Salazar working as his backup. Diaz doesn't have great plate discipline and is more of a free swinger, but he has a .276 career batting average in four-plus MLB seasons and has reached the 20-homer mark in two of his three full seasons in the big leagues. While providing above-average pop at the weakest position in fantasy baseball, Diaz is certainly deserving of a waiver-wire pickup now if you need help at catcher. He's currently rostered in only 42% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Michael Schwab
Source: Michael Schwab
Shane Bieber Making Another Rehab Start on Thursday
Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) will make another minor-league rehab start at Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. It will be Bieber's fourth rehab start as he continues to work his way back from inflammation in his surgically-repaired right elbow. The 31-year-old only made two starts in 2024 in his final season with the Cleveland Guardians and then made seven regular-season starts last year for Toronto, going 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings pitched. In five outings (four starts) in the Jays' run to the World Series, Bieber went 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA (4.26 FIP), 1.45 WHIP, and 18:6 K:BB in 18 2/3 frames. He's hoping to get up to around 70-75 pitches with Buffalo on Thursday, which means his next start could be his 2026 season debut in the big leagues at some point next week. The former American League Cy Young winner is not the same pitcher he was with Cleveland, and he comes with obvious durability concerns, but he's worth taking a shot on for rotation depth in mixed fantasy leagues now that his season debut is right around the corner. Bieber is currently rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Braden Montgomery Set to Be Called Up by White Sox?
Matt Snyder of CBS Sports reports that he is "hearing whispers" that Chicago White Sox outfield prospect Braden Montgomery is on the verge of being called up for his MLB debut. The 23-year-old has dominated Triple-A pitching so far in 2026, hitting .314/.422/.548 with 10 home runs, 41 RBI, 52 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 258 plate appearances. He also owns an elite 15.1% walk rate and has posted a 53.8% hard-hit rate this season. Montgomery is considered to be one of the elite prospects in the White Sox system, so it seems unlikely that the team would promote him to the big leagues without a plan to play him every day. Chicago has gotten middling production from the right field combination of Rikuu Nishida, Randal Grichuk, and Derek Hill, which could be where Montgomery slots in at the big-league level. If Montgomery is indeed on his way up to the Majors, he profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Snyder
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Snyder
Stephen Kolek Set to Rejoin the Rotation on Tuesday
Kansas City Royals right-hander Stephen Kolek (personal), who was placed on the family medical emergency list last Thursday, is listed as the team's starter for Tuesday's contest against the visiting Texas Rangers, per MLB.com. Kolek could be pitching with a heavy heart, but he'll be available for KC for what will be his seventh start of the year. The 29-year-old former 11th-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 out of Texas A&M University has gone 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA (4.11 FIP) and 0.97 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and only eight walks in 38 innings over his six starts in 2026 in his first full season with the Royals. He gave up four earned runs in five innings for his first loss of the year back on May 29 at the Rangers, but he bounced back nicely his last time out by allowing only two earned runs with a season-high eight strikeouts in seven innings in a no-decision on June 3 against the Cincinnati Reds. Kolek doesn't have much fantasy upside because of his career 17.4% strikeout rate, and he's only fanning 18.1% of the batters he's faced this year, but the Rangers have been a good matchup in 2026 and rank 20th in MLB with a .698 OPS.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
