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Luis Lara a Top Waiver Target for Five-Category Upside?
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Luis Lara has reached base in each of his first three major-league games since being recalled on July 7, adding his first extra-base hit on Saturday, July 11, against Pittsburgh. The 21-year-old earned the promotion after batting .321/.432/.470 with nine home runs, 42 RBI, 67 runs, and 24 stolen bases in 78 games at Triple-A Nashville. He walked 54 times while striking out only 48, an encouraging sign that the average and on-base skills can travel. The crowded outfield is the catch. Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, and Garrett Mitchell are all competing for starts, but Lara has already appeared at all three outfield spots, and Blake Perkins was optioned when he arrived. RotoBaller's latest waiver rankings put Lara at 10% rostered and recommend him in 10-team leagues. The speed and average should arrive first, while the nine Triple-A homers leave room for more than a two-category profile.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zion Rose Goes to Royals at No. 6 Overall in MLB Draft
The Kansas City Royals selected University of Louisville outfielder Zion Rose with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 MLB draft on Saturday, per MLB.com. It's a bit of a surprise that Rose snuck into the top 10 picks in this year's draft, as MLB.com had him ranked as the No. 30 overall prospect in this year's draft. The 21-year-old former catcher stands at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds. In his final collegiate season in 2026 with Louisville, he slashed .417/.491/.646 with a 1.137 OPS, six home runs, 47 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 44 runs scored across 36 games and 173 plate appearances. Rose is a plus runner on the basepaths, and the Royals will surely look to get more out of his raw power by getting him to lift the ball more in the air. He produces high-end exit velocities thanks to above-average bat speed, and he also has solid bat-to-ball skills at the plate. Rose will need to improve his plate discipline as he heads to the next level, but his speed will be his calling card as an eventual dynasty stash candidate sooner rather than later.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Pirates Take Outfielder Derek Curiel With Fifth Overall Pick
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Louisiana State outfielder Derek Curiel with the fifth overall pick on Saturday in the 2026 MLB draft. Curiel was considered the No. 12 prospect in this year's draft. The 21-year-old stands at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds and bats from the left side of the plate. In his second and final season with the Tigers in 2026, he hit .353/.431/.526 with a .957 OPS, six home runs, 46 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 64 runs scored in 58 games and 274 plate appearances. He's a bit of a surprise to sneak into the top five picks of this year's draft because of the fact that he's considered more of a glove-first center fielder with more of an ability to hit for average than power. Curiel has great bat-to-ball skills, though, and a fluid swing from the left side. As things currently stand, Curiel could struggle to even reach 15 homers per season as he works his way up the minor-league ladder in the coming years, but perhaps he'll develop more power as he adds some weight to his currently lean frame. He has been compared to Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich without as much power.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Sean Burke Now a Must-Add in 10-Team Leagues?
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Sean Burke carved up the Athletics on Friday, July 10, allowing one run over seven innings while striking out nine and walking nobody. It was another strong turn in a stretch that has changed his fantasy outlook. Burke has a 1.69 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and only five walks across his last 32 innings, and he now sits at 6-4 with a 3.41 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 115 strikeouts in 105 2/3 frames. The home run ball can still bite him, and he has given up four during that five-outing run. Still, this is not just a lucky ERA stretch. Burke owns a 26.4% strikeout rate, a 7.6% walk rate, and a 3.62 xERA. With a 66% Yahoo roster rate, he should already be gone in most 10-team leagues and deserves priority-add treatment anywhere he is still available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jackson Flora Selected by Giants with Fourth Pick in MLB Draft
The San Francisco Giants are selecting right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora out of UC Santa Barbara with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Flora is yet another pitcher out of UC Santa Barbara to be selected with a high-end pick, as the Angels called Tyler Bremner with the second overall pick in last summer's draft. Flora spent three seasons in college but turned in his most dominant season in 2026. Over a career-high 102 innings, the right-hander posted a sharp 1.06 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP, both of which set career-best marks by a wide margin. He struck out 133 batters while walking 32. Flora is best known for an elite fastball that can touch triple digits, which MLB.com gave a 70 grade during the pre-draft process. Flora has established himself as the clear No. 1 pitcher in the 2026 class and should be the first selected in all first-year player drafts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Marcus Semien To Begin Rehab Assignment After All-Star Break
New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (hip) will begin a rehab assignment after the All-Star Break. The level at which the assignment will begin has not been announced, but chances are this will be an extensive assignment given the news earlier in the week that the 35-year-old isn't expected to return to the Mets in July. Sidelined with a Grade 3 hip flexor strain on June 25, the veteran had an initial minimum recovery timeline of four to six weeks, which could effectively come to pass by the end of July. That being said, given that the Mets are seemingly out of a playoff spot for the time being, there is likely no rush to bring him back anytime soon. Semien has hit nine home runs and stolen six bases this season, albeit with a disappointing .214 batting average.
Source: Anthony DiComo
Source: Anthony DiComo
Twins Select Top Catching Prospect Vahn Lackey With Third Overall Pick
The Minnesota Twins are selecting catcher Vahn Lackey out of Georgia Tech with the third overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Lackey is not only considered the top catching prospect in this year's class but also one of the top all-around hitters. Lackey made his college debut at Georgia Tech in 2024, posting a modest .711 OPS over his first 36 games. However, over the past two seasons, Lackey has been one of the most dominant backstops in college baseball. During the 2025 campaign, Lackey posted a career-high .397/.519/.772 line with 16 doubles, 20 home runs and 15 stolen bases. According to MLB.com, Lackey has the raw profile to hit nearly 30 home runs once he reaches the big leagues. Additionally, his 50-grade speed should also provide him with added fantasy value as he swiped at least 15 bags in each of the last two seasons. Dynasty managers needing assistance behind the dish should feel confident taking the 21-year-old with a high first-year draft pick.
Source: Minnesota Twins
Source: Minnesota Twins
Grady Emerson Selected Second Overall by Rays
With the second overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Tampa Bay Rays are selecting high school shortstop Grady Emerson. The 18-year-old shortstop is widely considered the top high school prospect in this year's draft class and sits as MLB.com's No. 1 prospect in the 2026 class. Emerson, who is committed to Texas, was awarded the Gatorade National High School Baseball Player of the Year Award and has one of the most developed profiles despite his young age. According to MLB.com, Emerson generates high exit velocities while making smart decisions in the batter's box. Additionally, the left-handed-swinging bat has the potential to push for 25 home runs per season when he reaches the majors and possesses above-average speed on the bases. In terms of his glove, Emerson received a 60-grade fielding score on MLB.com, suggesting he has the tools to become one of the top all-around players when he debuts. While dynasty managers may have to wait several years before he reaches the majors, his raw upside makes him well worth selecting with a top pick in all first-year player drafts.
Source: Tampa Bay Rays
Source: Tampa Bay Rays
Bo Bichette Out With Lower-Body Soreness
New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (ankle) is out of the lineup for a second consecutive day with what is being described as sore legs and right-ankle soreness. It has been reported that Bichette took several foul balls off his legs, though he is also dealing with lingering ankle soreness. The 28-year-old is expected to be available off the bench but plans to use Sunday's game and the All-Star Break as a full reset. Before this recent absence from the lineup, he had played in every game for the Mets, albeit with mixed results. The news is somewhat concerning, given Bichette's extensive injury history, which includes multiple lower-body injuries that have landed him on the Injured List three times over the past two seasons. Whether the next few days are enough for him to complete his planned reset remains to be seen, making this a situation worth monitoring as the second half of the season approaches.
Source: Anthony DiComo
Source: Anthony DiComo
White Sox Select Roch Cholowsky With First Overall Pick
The Chicago White Sox are selecting shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Cholowsky made his college debut at UCLA during the 2024 season, where he posted a solid .308/.399/.500 slash line over a 52-game sample. However, in 2025 and 2026, Cholowsky emerged as one of the nation's best players. During this two-year stretch, the infielder posted an OPS above 1.000 in each campaign and hit at least 20 long balls in each season. In 2026, Cholowsky posted a .320/.452/.636 slash line over his final collegiate campaign. According to the MLB.com scouting report, the shortstop is credited with having the raw upside to have four-plus tools by the end of his development. He is known for an optimized swing which can translate to above-average power and a low swing-and-miss rate. Given his college experience, fantasy managers should expect Cholowsky to compete for an early MLB call-up in 2027 and likely begin his MiLB career in the upper minor leagues. His ability to hit for power and for a high average will make him a top pick in all dynasty first-year player drafts.
Source: Jeff Passan
Source: Jeff Passan
Travis d'Arnaud Runs the Bases
Los Angeles Angels catcher Travis d'Arnaud (foot) has progressed in his recovery from plantar fasciitis. First, on July 5, he resumed swinging a bat and throwing a baseball. Less than a week later, he ran the bases for the first time on Friday, a significant milestone as he continues to work his way back to the field. Limited in his playing time before the injury, the 37-year-old is still working to return from this significant injury and play again in 2026. While the Angels already have Logan O'Hoppe and Tyler Heineman, neither has run away with the job as an effective, fantasy-relevant catcher, making d'Arnaud a viable option only in deeper two-catcher leagues if he can return. That said, his offensive game is limited, making him a volume play at best.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Edwin Diaz Begins Rehab Assignment on Saturday
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Ontario on Saturday. The 32-year-old pitcher recently started throwing live bullpen sessions to batters at the beginning of July and has now been deemed ready for game action. It's unclear how long this rehab assignment will last, but judging by the level of competition where he's starting, multiple appearances are likely in store. The former All-Star has been sidelined since April with loose bodies in his elbow that required surgery to remove. Now that his health is improving, he can and should be stashed on fantasy rosters with the expectation that he will rejoin the Dodgers at some point in August.
Source: Ontario Tower Buzzers
Source: Ontario Tower Buzzers
Nick Kurtz Officially Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
The Athletics officially announced on Saturday that they placed first baseman Nick Kurtz (thumb) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 10) with a right-thumb capsule sprain and recalled catcher Brian Serven from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Kurtz suffered the injury on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers when he jammed his right hand while trying to catch a ball in the first inning. He will miss the end of the first half of the season, next week's All-Star Game in Philadelphia, and the start of the second half of the year next weekend. Joey Meneses was called up from the minors and made the start at first base for the A's on Friday night against the Chicago White Sox, and he and Jeff McNeil could see more playing time for the team until Kurtz can return. Kurtz needs to be held in all fantasy leagues as an elite source of power at the first base position. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger is hitting .266/.405/.497 with a .902 OPS, 20 homers, 66 RBI, 61 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 334 at-bats after hitting 36 homers and driving in 86 in only 117 games played in 2025 as a rookie.
Source: A's Communications
Source: A's Communications
Rookie Left-Hander Eduardo Rivera Called Up by Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox recalled left-handed pitching prospect Eduardo Rivera from Triple-A Worcester to start Saturday's game versus the New York Mets, according to MLB insider Hector Gomez. The 23-year-old southpaw could cover multiple innings as the opener in Queens on Saturday, but he should not be considered a viable fantasy streamer. Per MLB Pipeline, Rivera is considered Boston's No. 25 prospect. The former 11th-round pick by the Athletics in 2021 made his big-league debut in Boston back on April 22 against the New York Yankees and threw 3 1/3 shutout innings with one hit allowed, three strikeouts, and no walks. At Double-A Portland and Worcester on the farm, Rivera has gone 7-2 with a 2.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 62:24 K:BB in 48 innings across 22 appearances (four starts). He could go deeper than most traditional openers on Saturday, but even against the last-place Mets, Rivera should be avoided for fantasy purposes. There's also a good chance he'll be sent back to Worcester after the game, so fantasy managers shouldn't be looking to pick him up.
Source: Hector Gomez
Source: Hector Gomez
Konnor Griffin Moved to 60-Day Injured List
The Pittsburgh Pirates transferred shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) to the 60-day injured list on Saturday to open up roster spots for newly-acquired infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-hander Brandon Eisert, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. The Pirates placed Griffin on the 10-day IL on Tuesday with a torn tendon in his left ring finger, and he was given an eight- to 10-week timeline for a return, so he'll be out well into the second half of the season. The earliest he'll be able to return will be on Sept. 4. It's a tough break for the Bucs and for the 20-year-old rookie phenom, who was holding his own in his first 225 major-league at-bats, hitting .276/.332/.404 with a .736 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 35 runs scored in his first MLB season in 2026. With Griffin out for the foreseeable future, Jared Triolo has been manning the 6 in Pittsburgh, but Gonzalez could see some time there as well after the Pirates acquired him from the Chicago White Sox on Friday night. Griffin is still rostered in 77% of Yahoo leagues despite his serious finger injury.
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
