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Jake Burger an Overlooked Waiver-Wire Pickup for Home Runs and RBI?
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger is not going to fill every category, but few hitters this available can match his home run and RBI production. The Texas Rangers first baseman is batting .246/.310/.425 with 14 homers, 52 RBI, and 38 runs across 313 at-bats. He has appeared at first base in 84 of his 85 games, so playing time is not the concern. Burger's 46.5% hard-hit rate and 90.1 mph average exit velocity also back up the power case. Managers will have to live with some empty stretches and almost no speed. Burger has only two steals, and his 9.3% barrel rate is solid rather than elite. That is a reasonable tradeoff for a regular bat who can help in two scarce categories. RotoBaller recommends him in leagues with 10 or more teams, while he remains rostered in just 28% of Yahoo leagues. In those formats, he should be added wherever home runs and RBI are the priority.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eric Hartman a Top Dynasty Riser in the First Half
Atlanta Braves outfielder Eric Hartman enjoyed one of the most impressive first-half showings in the entire minor leagues. Through his first 73 games at the High-A level, Hartman held a sharp .292/.364/.550 slash line with 16 doubles, 20 home runs and an eye-catching 30 stolen bases. While he was a high-end speed asset at Low-A last summer, swiping 44 bags, he hit only five home runs over this noted 83-game stretch. Dynasty managers should continue to pay close attention to the 20-year-old's development, as his dynasty stock has soared over the past two months. Even though he is still viewed as Atlanta's No. 19-ranked prospect on MLB.com, he should find himself much higher on that list by the second half. If he continues at this pace, a late-season call-up to Double-A is not out of the question. Dynasty managers should continue to keep a close eye on the budding outfielder.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is River Ryan Still a Top Stash Target After Hitting the Injured List?
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher River Ryan was flashing high upside at the Triple-A level before being placed on the 7-day IL with a hamstring strain. The right-handed pitcher battled injuries early in the season but was looking comfortable at the top club before being moved back to the injured list last week. From May 15 through June 10 (25 innings), the right-handed pitcher posted a strong 2.16 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with a 30:5 K:BB. However, he would serve up a season-worst eight earned runs on June 17, his final start before being moved to the IL. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress at Triple-A as he could compete for an early promotion after the All-Star break. Currently on the MLB roster, the Dodgers are without Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, and another current starter, Roki Sasaki, is enduring significant growing pains at the major-league level. If Ryan can return to action and showcase similar upside, he could earn a spot in Los Angeles early in the second half.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Edward Florentino Starting to Turn the Corner at High-A
Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Edward Florentino endured some growing pains over his first stint at High-A Greensboro but has since begun to turn the corner. Over his last 15 games of action at this level (June 13 - July 2), Florentino has carried a sharp .293/.397/.534 line with a strong .932 OPS. Over this 15-game stint, Florentino has hit three doubles, hit three home runs, and even chipped in two stolen bases. Prior to this stretch, Florentino carried a much lower .184/.331/.325 line with one double and five home runs over his first 31 games at the High-A level. Currently, the 19-year-old is viewed as the No.34-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com and the team's No. 2-ranked prospect. Dynasty managers should continue to keep a close eye on his progression as he could be given a late-season taste of Double-A if he maintains this pace.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Lazaro Montes Continues to Flash High-End Power, Is a 2026 MLB Debut Still in Play?
Seattle Mariners top-ranked outfield prospect Lazaro Montes has showcased high-end power upside at the Double-A level this season. Through 77 total contests with Double-A Arkansas, the slugger has launched 25 round-trippers with a .236/.368/.561 line. During this stretch, he has posted a .929 OPS with a 99:51 K:BB. However, he has been even more impressive as of late. Over his last 28 contests (since June 1), the 6-foot-5 hitter has gone deep 13 times while holding a sharp .281/.439/.729 slash line. Last summer, Montes split his time between High-A and Double-A. Given that he has taken his production up a level over the past month, an early call to Triple-A in the second half remains in play. Managers in deeper redraft leagues should continue to monitor his status, as a late-season call-up during the stretch run is not out of the question.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Josue De Paula the Top Outfield Prospect in Baseball?
Los Angeles Dodgers top-ranked outfield prospect Josue De Paula has enjoyed an impressive first half with Double-A Tulsa this season and has put himself near the top of most prospect rankings. Last summer, De Paula spent the majority of his time with High-A before having a brief four-game taste of Double-A late in the second half. However, in 2026, the Dodgers have kept the 21-year-old with Tulsa during the entire first half. Over this 75-game stint, De Paula has posted a .318/.416/.554 slash line with 25 doubles, 15 home runs, and 22 stolen bases. Over his last 29 games, he has been even more productive, carrying a .341/.424/.643 line with a stellar 1.066 OPS. While a 2026 MLB debut is out of the question, De Paula is making a strong case to be viewed as the clear top-ranked outfield prospect in baseball.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Kerry Carpenter a Must-Add Power Bat in 10-Team Leagues?
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter has been doing exactly what fantasy managers need from a power bat. The Detroit Tigers outfielder is hitting .232/.306/.492 with 13 home runs, 36 RBI, and 22 runs across 185 at-bats. His latest surge included the Tigers' first grand slam of the season on June 27 and another homer three days later. Carpenter has also backed up the results with a 10.6% barrel rate and 46.9% hard-hit rate. The only real drawback is his limited work against left-handed pitching. Carpenter has just 17 at-bats versus southpaws, while all 13 of his homers have come against right-handers. That makes him easier to manage in daily-lineup leagues, but the platoon risk is not enough to erase the power value. RotoBaller recommends him in leagues with 10 or more teams, and he is still only 41% rostered on Yahoo. Managers looking for home runs and RBI should add him now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shohei Ohtani Dealing With Bicep Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (bicep) came out of Friday's game against the division-rival San Diego Padres in the seventh inning because he felt something in his bicep in his last at-bat, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Ohtani called it "precautionary." He was replaced at designated hitter by veteran Miguel Rojas. Ohtani went 0-for-3 at the plate before departing in the team's eventual 4-3 win. On the mound on Friday, the 31-year-old four-time MVP allowed three earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out nine in six innings for a no-decision. His injury doesn't appear to be very serious, but manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani will not play in Game 3 of the series against SD on Saturday on the Fourth of July. The Japanese superstar got off to a bit of a slow start at the plate earlier this year, but he quickly turned it around and is now slashing .288/.403/.524 with a .927 OPS, 18 homers, 50 RBI, 60 runs, and six steals in 309 at-bats. On the mound, the four-time All-Star is in the National League Cy Young race, going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA (2.62 FIP), 0.95 WHIP, and 95:26 K:BB in 85 2/3 innings over 14 starts. Check back on Sunday to see if he's ready to return for the series finale at Dodger Stadium.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Luis Lara Snaps Lengthy Power Drought, Back on the Stash Radar?
Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara snapped his lengthy 42-game power skid at Triple-A on July 2. This was Lara's eighth round-tripper of the young season. Despite having a lengthy power skid at the dish, the young outfielder was enjoying a surge at the dish to begin the season and showing the highest power upside of his career. Over the first 33 games of the Triple-A regular season, the 21-year-old (the team's No. 5-ranked prospect) went deep seven times while carrying a sharp .341/.438/.561 line with a high .998 OPS. Overall, Lara has carried a .325/.435/.468 line over his first 76 games of Triple-A. Given that the Brewers recently signed him to a massive seven-year extension, fantasy managers should view him as a top stash candidate among outfielders as he is on the verge of earning the call. He should be on the verge of a call-up shortly after the All-Star break.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Caleb Kilian a Priority Pickup for Saves-Needy Managers?
Giants right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian has done enough to keep the ninth inning in San Francisco, even after a four-run blowup against the Athletics on June 25. The Giants went right back to him in their next two save situations, and he converted both. Kilian allowed one run while closing out the Atlanta Braves on June 28, then followed with a perfect inning and two strikeouts against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 1. He owns seven saves with a 4.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 43 strikeouts over 36 innings. Manager Tony Vitello officially named Kilian the closer in mid-June, while Ryan Walker has remained in a fireman role since returning from Triple-A. The ratios are not spotless, but Kilian's 43 strikeouts give him some value beyond the saves. RotoBaller recommends him in leagues with 10 or more teams, and his 11% Yahoo roster rate leaves him widely available. Saves-needy managers should treat him as a priority pickup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Travis Bazzana Too Productive to Leave on the Waiver Wire?
Cleveland Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana has quickly become a useful contributor across the board for fantasy managers. He's hitting .255/.347/.420 with seven home runs, 27 runs, 27 RBI, and 12 steals across 212 at-bats. He has also taken over the leadoff spot, where his patience and speed give him a steady path to runs and stolen-base chances. Bazzana has added four hits, two walks, and two RBI over his last two games. The power may not climb much higher without better contact quality. Bazzana owns a 4.3% barrel rate and 37.0% hard-hit rate, so his value is built more on volume and category balance than a looming home-run surge. That is still plenty useful. RotoBaller recommends him in leagues with 10 or more teams, yet he remains rostered in only 44% of Yahoo leagues. Managers looking for help across every hitting category should be aggressive while he is still available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Royce Lewis a Must-Add Waiver Target With Power-Speed Upside?
Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis still carries an ugly .212 average, which is probably why he remains available in so many leagues. The season line does not reflect the hitter Minnesota has seen since recalling him on June 6. Lewis batted .279/.330/.512 in June with five home runs, 12 runs, 10 RBI, and two stolen bases. The Twins have also found him regular playing time, primarily at first base but with the flexibility to move around the infield. The strikeouts are still a problem. Lewis has fanned in 27.9% of his plate appearances, so the batting average could remain volatile. His 12.3% barrel rate is a much better reason to buy in, and he has already paired eight homers with six steals across 198 at-bats. At 36% rostered on Yahoo, Lewis is a must-add in 10-team formats and an easy claim in standard mixed leagues. There is enough power-speed upside here to live with the average risk.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Wells Converts Friday Save, Worth a Speculative Add?
Right-handed reliever Tyler Wells got the Baltimore Orioles' first save chance after Ryan Helsley (elbow) returned to the 15-day injured list, and he handled it cleanly. Wells retired the Cincinnati Reds in order on 10 pitches in a 3-0 win Friday, July 3, striking out one for his first save since 2023. Rico Garcia covered the sixth and seventh before Yennier Cano worked the eighth. The outing puts Wells in the mix, but it does not make him Baltimore's temporary closer. Andrew Kittredge had pitched Tuesday and Wednesday, while RotoBaller ranked Wells behind Kittredge and Garcia before the save. Wells owns a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 43 strikeouts over 40 2/3 innings, making him a speculative add in 15-team saves leagues. His 3% Yahoo roster rate makes him easy to find, but managers in shallower formats can wait to see who gets the next chance.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake McCarthy Stays Red-Hot on Friday as Strong Waiver-Wire Target
Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy stayed red-hot at the plate as the Rockies' table-setter in Friday night's 15-3 rout over the division-rival San Francisco Giants at Coors Field, going 4-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, six RBI, and a stolen base to raise his season average to .308 and his OPS to .868. McCarthy is having a career year in 2026 in his first year in Denver, and he now has a strong .308/.346/.522 slash line with nine long balls, 47 RBI, 36 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases in his 269 plate appearances. The 28-year-old former first-rounder by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2018 MLB draft out of the University of Virginia is mostly intriguing as a waiver-wire pickup for his speed 97 steals in his five-plus years in the majors, but he's also contributing a high average and has already reached a new career high in home runs in 74 games. McCarthy led off the game on Friday against San Fran with a homer and also added a grand slam in a statement game that will have fantasy managers heading to the waiver wire on Saturday to add him. He's currently rostered in 44% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yankees Send Outfield Prospect Spencer Jones Back to Triple-A
The New York Yankees announced that they optioned outfield prospect Spencer Jones (illness) back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Friday's 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins in the Bronx. Jones has been under the weather this week with an illness, but he should be fine and will most likely resurface in the big leagues at some point in the second half for the Yankees. But for now, the 25-year-old former 25th overall pick in 2022 out of Vanderbilt University will head back to the farm to work on making more contact. In his first 30 games (82 plate appearances) this year at the big-league level, Jones went 17-for-73 (.233) with two home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored, a stolen base, nine walks, and 34 strikeouts (41.5% strikeout rate). The good news is that Jones hit .265 (13-for-49) with two homers, four doubles, five RBI, and six runs scored in 20 games since rejoining the Yanks on June 5. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound hulking outfielder remains a must-stash in dynasty/keeper leagues for his power/speed upside, but fantasy managers in shallow-mixed leagues can move on for now.
Source: New York Yankees
Source: New York Yankees
