RADIO
Paul Goldschmidt a High-Upside Power Bat to Roster with Increased Playing Time
New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt opened the 2026 season in a bench role and saw little playing time early on, logging just 33 plate appearances through the end of April. However, injuries to Yankees sluggers Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Aaron Judge (rib) have opened up an opportunity for the veteran to emerge as a key piece of his team's lineup. Across 156 plate appearances on the year, Goldschmidt is hitting .281/.359/.525 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, 23 runs scored, and one stolen base. His underlying power metrics have bounced back after a down year in 2025, as his barrel rate is up from 7.9% to 11.9%. Goldschmidt has also batted no lower than third in the Yankees' lineup in eight straight games, logging nine RBI in that span. New York may have a tough time fitting all three of Goldschmidt, Stanton, and Ben Rice in the lineup once Stanton returns. Still, Stanton remains on the shelf for now, and Goldschmidt's production is impossible to ignore. He profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers for as long as he's in an everyday role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gavin Sheets Remains a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire Despite Recent Skid
Across 213 plate appearances in 2026, San Diego Padres first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets is hitting .223/.315/.441 with 10 home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The lefty-swinger is limited to a big-side platoon role, as he's hit .143 in 38 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Still, Sheets' 9.5% barrel rate and 45.3% hard-hit rate both support solid power output. He also owns a 10.8% walk rate, which helps lift his production floor and keeps his playing time stable. Sheets typically hits in the heart of the Padres' lineup on days that he starts. If some of San Diego's struggling hitters around Sheets start to heat up over the summer months, Sheets will be in a good position to rack up counting stats. His upside is limited by his lack of ability to hit lefties, but Sheets still profiles as a solid deep-league power bat to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Troy Melton Emerging as a Breakout Candidate on the Waiver Wire
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Troy Melton picked up his third win of the season on Tuesday night, allowing four earned runs but striking out five across five innings of work in his team's 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins. The 25-year-old has been effective in 2026 since returning from the elbow injury that delayed his start to the season until late May. Across 25 2/3 innings (four starts), Melton has recorded a 3-0 record with a 2.81 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts. The right-hander's average velocity is down from 97.1 miles per hour in 2025 to 95.9 mph, and he's struck out just 13.7% of the batters he's faced, both of which are worrying signs. Still, Melton owns a 2.78 ERA across 71 1/3 career MLB innings, and he showcased more strikeout upside in the minors, logging a 32.4% strikeout rate across 75 2/3 minor league innings in 2025. He's worth targeting on the waiver wire ahead of a potential breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Matthew Liberatore a Viable Deep-League Streamer?
Across 66 1/3 innings (13 starts) in 2026, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore has recorded a 3-3 record with a 4.48 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and 61 strikeouts. While Liberatore's top-line numbers don't leap off the page, he's been a bit better of late. Over his last four starts (19 1/3 innings), the 26-year-old owns a 31.4% strikeout rate. Liberatore's overall K-BB rate for the season remains an unimpressive 12.1%, and his xERA is 5.19, so his fantasy upside appears limited. Still, the left-hander is locked into a rotation spot in St. Louis and has begun to demonstrate some strikeout upside. In deeper leagues, Liberatore could be a worthy starting pitcher streamer to target on the waiver wire in the right matchups. Liberatore's next scheduled start is on Saturday in Minnesota against the Twins.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joc Pederson Emerging as a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 202 plate appearances so far in 2026, Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson is hitting .237/.343/.444 with eight home runs, 23 RBI, and 25 runs scored. The 34-year-old got off to a slow start to the season but rebounded in May, posting a .919 OPS with six home runs last month. Pederson's playing time is limited to a strict big-side platoon role, as he's logged just 15 plate appearances against left-handed pitching on the year. Still, he's proven he can be an effective deep-league power source for fantasy managers even in a relatively small number of at-bats throughout his career. Pederson had a down year at the plate in 2025, but he hit .275 with 23 home runs across 449 plate appearances with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024. With a 13.4% walk rate, 9.1% barrel rate, and 47% hard-hit rate, Pederson's underlying metrics back up his solid production in 2026. For fantasy managers in need of power, Pederson profiles as a useful waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Agustin Ramirez a Top Stash Candidate with Five-Category Potential?
After getting off to a slow start to the 2026 season, Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville in early May. The 24-year-old has performed well since being sent down, hitting .255/.324/.426 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 16 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. Ramirez's speed is rare relative to his position and gives him significant fantasy upside. The young backstop also showed he can produce at the big-league level in 2025, hitting .231 with 21 home runs and 16 stolen bases across 585 plate appearances. The biggest issue in Ramirez's profile is his porous defense, which was likely the reason why he was sent down earlier this year. Still, Ramirez carries enough offensive upside that Miami seems likely to find a place for him in the lineup sooner rather than later. Fantasy managers in need of help behind the plate should consider stashing Ramirez off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
River Ryan Looks to Bounce Back, Remains on Stash Radar for Now
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher River Ryan was humming along at Triple-A Oklahoma City before his last outing, posting a 2.05 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and an elite 29.5 percent K-BB% through his first five starts. In his latest start, though, the former 11th-round draft pick yielded four earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four. The walks were easily a season high after walking a total of three in the five previous contests, and four strikeouts tied a season low total. Although it took some shine off his stash status, everyone has a dud performance from time to time, and with a good 2.89 ERA still for the year, along with a 1.09 WHIP and a FIP that is actually lower (2.51), the arrow is still pointing up for Ryan. If the right-hander struggles in his next outing, which comes Wednesday night in Charlotte, then it may be time to reconsider stashing him, but for now, the 27-year-old is a worthwhile stash option in deeper leagues as he waits for an opening in the Dodgers' six-man rotation.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Braves Recall Top Prospect JR Ritchie, Worth Adding in Standard Leagues?
The Atlanta Braves recalled right-handed pitching prospect JR Ritchie to the majors on Wednesday, according to Milb Central. It will be the second time that Ritchie has been in the big leagues in 2026 in his rookie season, having posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 16 walks and 21 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings over his first five starts in Atlanta in his first go-around. The team's No. 2 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has been much better in his eight starts (39 1/3 innings) with Triple-A Gwinnett this year, going 4-2 with a 2.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 36:20 K:BB. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder throws in the high-90s and gets plenty of swing and miss with his fastball, making him an intriguing arm in dynasty/keeper leagues. It appears that Ritchie will be used in more of a relief role this time around in Atlanta, though, so fantasy managers in redraft leagues can hold off on adding him for now. Ritchie is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Can Joshua Baez Slug His Way to a Major-League Debut?
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez continued his power surge on Tuesday, slugging his 18th home run of the season. Over his last 12 games, the Cards' third-ranked prospect is 23-for-58 (.397) with five doubles, two triples, and seven home runs. The former second-round draft pick hasn't shown off his wheels during this hot stretch, but perhaps that is because many of his hits are going for extra bases, and he isn't drawing many walks (three). For the season, the 6-foot-3 slugger is slashing .274/.346/.591, and on top of his 18 home runs, he has 11 steals. With the power comes a high strikeout rate of 32.1 percent, but it was better during the recent 12-game span, down to 25.9 percent. The power and ability to steal bases (he had 54 steals in 2025) are enticing for fantasy, and it is what should earn him a debut by the All-Star break. With multi-category upside, the 22-year-old remains a must-stash in most leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Kris Bubic Hit Hard in Tuesday's Rehab Start
Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) didn't exactly have the best minor-league rehab start on Tuesday for the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits while walking one and striking out zero in just 1 1/3 innings of work to take the loss against Triple-A Las Vegas. The 28-year-old southpaw required 49 pitches to get just four outs. He's attempting to return from soreness in his left elbow and general arm fatigue, but he'll require at least one more rehab start in the minors before the Royals feel comfortable reinserting him into their starting rotation at the big-league level. Before going on the 15-day injured list, Bubic went 3-2 for KC this year with a 4.11 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 26 walks in 50 1/3 innings pitched across his nine starts. Bubic was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his sixth year in the big leagues, and he's currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Brandon Woodruff Strikes Out Five in Rehab Start in Arizona Complex League
In his first minor-league rehab start in the Arizona Complex League on Tuesday, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) gave up three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings of work, according to Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic. Woodruff continued to experiment with a lower arm slot during the outing and leaned heavily on changeups and cutters, with his fastballs averaging under 91 mph. The 33-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star is essentially having to reinvent himself as a pitcher mechanically after more shoulder issues cropped up this season. Woodruff wasn't bad in his six starts, going 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 25:7 K:BB in 30 innings, but he developed dead arm because of his mechanics. Remember, he had right-shoulder surgery and missed all of the 2024 season before making just 12 starts last year. It's unclear when he might return to Milwaukee's starting rotation, but when he does, he could be a much different pitcher, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect a ton of swing-and-miss stuff.
Source: Brewer Fanatic - Jack Stern
Source: Brewer Fanatic - Jack Stern
Dillon Dingler Heating Up in June, has Monster Game on Tuesday
Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler went 4-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, a double, four RBI, three runs scored, and a strikeout in the team's 10-4 win over the division-rival Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old third-year player is now hitting .248/.329/.528 with an .857 OPS, 16 home runs, 13 doubles, 48 RBI, and 32 runs scored in 60 games across 248 plate appearances in what has quickly become a breakout campaign for the former second-round pick in 2020 out of The Ohio State University. After stumbling late in May with just six hits in 51 plate appearances in 12 games to close out the month, Dingler has come alive since the calendar flipped to June, going 11-for-28 (.393) with five home runs, two doubles, 14 RBI, and nine runs scored in 32 plate appearances across seven games. He has two four-hit performances in that span. Dingler has quickly become one of the best offensive producers at catcher in 2026, and he's still available in 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Charlie Condon Homers Again, Major-League Debut Coming?
Colorado Rockies corner infield/outfield prospect Charlie Condon homered on Tuesday for the second straight game, and after going 31 games without a home run from April 14 through May 22, the 6-foot-5 slugger has now homered six times in his last 14 games, with five doubles to boot. Not only that, during this stretch he is hitting .280 and reaching base at a .422 clip thanks to a strong 16.9 percent walk rate, while keeping the strikeouts at a palatable 18.6 percent rate. For the season, the Rockies' second-ranked prospect is slashing .250/.385/.466 with 10 home runs and five steals through 55 games. Though it was fellow outfield prospect Cole Carrigg who was recently promoted to Colorado, Condon's turn shouldn't be too far off, and with the ability to play both corner infield spots, both corner outfield spots, or simply be the designated hitter, there are multiple paths to the majors. With multiple players slumping and the team already firmly in the basement of the NL West, the 23-year-old should be up by midseason and should be considered a top bat to stash for home runs.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Matt Olson Nearly Hits Three Homers in Loss to White Sox
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson was seeing the ball well in the 6-5 walk-off loss in Chicago on Tuesday night to the White Sox, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a walk to raise his average to .271 on the year and his OPS to .903. Both of Olson's home runs came in his first two at-bats of the game, and it was his first multi-homer performance of the 2026 season. The 32-year-old left-handed slugger nearly had a third round-tripper in the game, but it was brought back. Olson remains one of the most consistent power hitters in the game, and he's been especially hot lately, going 17-for-57 (.298) with five home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in his last 14 games since May 24. He's now hitting .271/.342/.561 on the season with a .903 OPS, 19 home runs, 50 RBI, 49 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 262 at-bats. The three-time All-Star leads the league with 147 total bases and trails only Kyle Schwarber for the home run lead in the National League.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chase Meidroth a Priority Target Off the Waiver Wire
Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth has quietly put together a solid season thus far, slashing .274/.344/.390 with five home runs, two stolen bases, 40 runs, and 21 RBI. He is in the top 16 overall in MLB in hits and runs and has demonstrated strong plate discipline metrics, as evidenced by his 26.4 percent chase rate (69th percentile), 19.8 percent whiff rate (74th percentile), and 22.2 percent strikeout rate (42nd percentile). While none of those numbers pop off the charts, they are consistent, and he is seeing every day playing time for the White Sox, who are competing this year (34-31), and Meidroth is batting in the middle of the lineup (fifth), which should continue to produce run-scoring opportunities. Meidroth, who was a former fourth-round pick in 2022, doesn't profile as a player with incredible upside, but his situation and plate discipline have made him into a reliable fantasy asset that fantasy managers should consider at the middle infield position.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
