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Jacob Gonzalez Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target After Hot Start
Since making his MLB debut on May 31, Chicago White Sox infielder Jacob Gonzalez has hit .300/.391/.450 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs scored across 23 plate appearances. With White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) currently on the injured list, Gonzalez has logged everyday playing time at first base since his promotion. The 22-year-old's strong start in the Majors is backed up by his work at Triple-A this season, where he slashed .317/.419/.668 with 19 home runs, 62 RBI, 42 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in just 238 plate appearances. Gonzalez also has the ability to play multiple infield positions, so he could stick in the Chicago lineup even once Murakami returns. Gonzalez profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target who should be prioritized by fantasy managers across all league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Munetaka Murakami Expected to Miss a Couple Weeks After Leaving Friday's Game Early
Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) is expected to miss approximately two weeks after exiting Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers with a hamstring injury. Initial evaluations indicated a hamstring strain, although Murakami is scheduled to undergo additional testing on Saturday. The 26-year-old has been one of baseball's biggest stories in his first MLB season after arriving from Japan's NPB. He is tied for the American League lead with 20 home runs and owns a .240/.378/.560 slash line through 57 games. While any absence from a player with Murakami's power production will be difficult for Chicago to absorb, the early prognosis suggests the White Sox avoided a more serious injury.
Source: Scott Merkin
Source: Scott Merkin
Munetaka Murakami Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) was removed early during Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers. Murakami appeared to have suffered a hamstring injury while running to first base in the third inning. He was pulled from the contest due to hamstring tightness and is expected to undergo further testing. Before leaving, Murakami was hitless during his two plate appearances in the game. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on his status. They shouldn't be shocked if he does end up requiring a stint on the Injured List. If he does miss time, Jacob Gonzalez could be called up to make his big league debut.
Source: James Fegan
Source: James Fegan
Jacob Gonzalez a Must-Stash Power Bat in Fantasy Baseball
Chicago White Sox shortstop prospect Jacob Gonzalez has been one of the top power hitters in the minor leagues this season, and he's a must-stash player in fantasy baseball as he gets closer to making his MLB debut. Through 51 games this year, the 2023 first-round pick is slashing .308/.414/.646 with 18 home runs, seven steals, a 14.1% walk rate, a 20.5% strikeout rate, and 162 wRC+. While that strikeout rate is a little higher than we'd like to see against Triple-A pitching, it's a fair trade-off when you consider that he's homering once in every 13 plate appearances. The advanced metrics are terrific, too, as Gonzalez owns a 113.6 mph maximum exit velocity (95th percentile), a 12.5% barrel rate (87th percentile), and a 22.6% wiff rate (71st percentile). This is a very advanced profile, and we expect Gonzalez to have a relatively seamless transition to the majors once he does get the call. He projects as a big power bat in the majors, while also offering solid speed and defensive versatility at all four infield positions.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Curtis Mead Records First Career Multi-Homer Game in Win Over Guardians
Washington Nationals infielder Curtis Mead had a career night on Monday in the team's 10-2 win over the hosting Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, going 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a strikeout. It was Mead's first career multi-home run in his fourth year in the big leagues. The 25-year-old Australian came into Monday's series opener in Cleveland with a .234/.351/.441 slash line, .793 OPS, only five home runs, 17 RBI, 20 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 39 games across 131 plate appearances in his first year with the Nats. Mead is hitting a very modest .241/.353/.491 on the season with seven home runs now, but he has been displaying more power of late, going deep three times in the last three games. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Mead to keep it up, as he never had more than three round-trippers in a single season before 2026. He's primarily useful in NL-only leagues, mainly for his eligibility at first, second, and third base. Mead is rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Munetaka Murakami's Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami continued to surprise in his first season in the big leagues on Saturday night in an 8-3 win over the crosstown-rival Chicago Cubs, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two more home runs, three RBI, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .236 and his OPS to .943. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger wasn't the only one to terrorize Cubs right-hander starter Jameson Taillon on Saturday, as the veteran hurler gave up five total long balls in his outing. After the two-homer performance at Guaranteed Rate Field on the South Side of Chicago, Murakami is now up to 17 home runs and 32 RBI in his first 45 games with the Pale Hose in 2026. He currently trails only Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for the league lead in home runs (20). Murakami sits in the 91st percentile in xwOBA and is in the 100th percentile in hard-hit rate, so the analytics back up his red-hot start to his first year in the United States. But with a strikeout rate in the third percentile, fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting any kind of help from the Japanese star in the batting average department.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
