RADIO
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
DJ Giddens Well-Positioned to Hold Dynasty Value
As a rookie in 2025, Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens was frequently held out of games as a healthy scratch, and across his nine appearances, he carried the ball only 26 times, failing to reach 100 yards on the season. Any significant additions to the Colts' running back room in the 2026 offseason could have theoretically left last year's fifth-round pick fighting for a roster spot, but with Indianapolis allowing both Ameer Abdullah and Tyler Goodson to depart in free agency and spending only a seventh-round pick on Kentucky's Seth McGowan in the 2026 NFL Draft, Giddens is right back in line to serve as Jonathan Taylor's primary backup. With Taylor handling an astronomical 86.6% of the team's running back carries in 2025, it's unlikely that the backup role provides any significant work barring a major philosophical shift or injury, neither of which can be ruled out following Taylor's 369-touch campaign. In a worst-case scenario where the three-time Pro Bowler is forced to miss significant time, Giddens and McGowan would likely split work, giving both a potential avenue to see their value rise and making them both worthwhile end-of-bench stashes in deep dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Leo Carlsson Receives Huge Offer Sheet From Flyers
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson received a five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. The Ducks have until July 10 to match the offer. If they do not match it, the team will receive four first-round draft picks as compensation. Based on the contract's average annual value, Carlsson is set to become the NHL's highest-paid player. Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl currently holds the highest cap hit in the league at $14 million. Carlsson became a restricted free agent on July 1 after completing a three-year, entry-level contract. He took a big leap in 2025-26, posting a career-high 67 points (29 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games. In 201 career games, Carlsson has put up 141 points (61 goals, 80 assists).
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Andrew Nembhard Backs Up SGA With 23 Points for Canada
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard backed up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 23 points, four rebounds, and four assists in Canada's 110-84 rout of Puerto Rico in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. It capped a strong showing for a player coming off the best season of his career. With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined all of 2025-26, Nembhard slid into the lead-guard role and posted career highs of 16.9 points and 7.7 assists over 57 games. Here's the fantasy catch, though: that breakout was largely a product of opportunity. Haliburton is expected back next season, which reclaims the primary ball-handling duties and shrinks Nembhard toward the secondary role he filled before, when he averaged closer to 10.0 points and 5.0 assists. There may be an early-season window while Haliburton ramps up from the Achilles, but don't pay 2025-26 prices. His value fades the moment the offense runs back through Haliburton.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
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
Kyle Williams Faces an Uphill Climb to Fantasy Relevance
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams caught only 10 passes in a disappointing 2025 rookie season. While the elite speed that had fantasy managers excited about his spot on a somewhat pedestrian depth chart allowed him to convert three of those receptions into touchdowns while averaging more than 20 yards per catch, he will need to find more ways to stand out in his second season in a receiver room that suddenly ranks among the most loaded in the league. Trade and free agent acquisitions A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs are likely to see the majority of time in two-receiver sets. Behind them, Williams' speed is a standout quality among a diverse supporting group of Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte, who remains on the roster despite being the subject of trade rumors for much of the offseason. However, without the play strength to regularly shift inside, the 2025 third-round pick could struggle to find consistent work in an offense that regularly asks its receivers to help out in the run game. Williams has the traits to make him a low-exposure late-round pick in best-ball drafts, but a lack of reliable usage will make him hard to trust in lineup leagues, and he's fallen to WR88 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
VJ Edgecombe Fills the Stat Sheet in Bahamas Rout of Jamaica
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe stuffed the stat sheet with 26 points, nine rebounds, and five steals to lead his native Bahamas to a 123-74 rout of Jamaica in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Americas qualifiers. The 20-year-old shot 10-of-16 from the field and 6-of-11 from deep, with veteran sharpshooter and mentor Buddy Hield chipping in 15 points alongside him. For fantasy, Edgecombe is the young riser worth circling. He's coming off a sensational rookie year: 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over 75 games with a historic 34-point debut, and this line shows the same multi-category punch that makes him a real Year 2 breakout candidate. The steals are the sweetener: he's a genuine source in a scarce category. The one caveat is usage, as the newly acquired Jaylen Brown joins Tyrese Maxey in the pecking order for touches. Even so, target Edgecombe as a rising mid-round guard with league-winning upside.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
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
What Can Fantasy Managers Expect from Eli Stowers in 2026?
Philadelphia Eagles rookie tight end Eli Stowers will be a piece of the puzzle in replacing A.J. Brown's team-leading 120 targets from a season ago. How big a piece remains to be seen, but indications ahead of this month's training camp suggest that the second-round pick out of Vanderbilt remains clearly behind Dallas Goedert and Johnny Mundt as the third tight end on the depth chart. Goedert led the Eagles with 11 touchdowns in 2025, while Mundt was signed to a one-year deal this offseason for what he provides as a blocker, an area of Stowers' game that will need to see notable improvement before he can earn anything close to a full-time role. At 6'3" and 239 pounds, Stowers is likely to work primarily as a jumbo slot as a rookie, but with an apparent leg injury limiting him for parts of minicamp, he still has a ways to go before fantasy managers should expect consistent contributions. Still entirely capable of developing into the top pass-catching tight end in a deep rookie class, Stowers is a wise dynasty investment with plenty of room for long-term growth, but as RotoBaller's TE37, he is unlikely to factor into drafts for 2026 redraft leagues.
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
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Scores 26 Points in Canada's Qualifier Win
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points in 26 minutes to lead Canada to a 110-84 rout of Puerto Rico in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, with "M-V-P!" chants raining down in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. The back-to-back NBA MVP was ruthlessly efficient, going 9-of-14 from the field and 7-of-8 at the line while adding four assists, two steals, and two blocks. For fantasy, the box score is a tidy snapshot of why he's a cornerstone. His value isn't in any single category; it's the blend of high-volume scoring, elite free-throw production, steals, and assists, and it travels across rule sets, as Friday showed. That breadth is what makes him a true build-around: draft him among the very first names off the board, then construct the rest of your roster around the categories he already locks up for you.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Ivica Zubac Dominates in 18 Minutes as Croatia Routs Cyprus
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac needed just 18 minutes to post 24 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks, powering Croatia to a record 123-50 rout of Cyprus and into the second round of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. For fantasy, the number that matters most is the minutes: Zubac looked fully healthy and dominant, an encouraging sign after a lost season. His 2025-26 season was wrecked by the February trade from the Clippers to Indiana, a delayed debut, and a fractured rib that ended his year after just five Pacers games. Remember what he is at full strength, though. In 2024-25, he broke out for 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while earning All-Defensive honors, and he steps into 2026-27 as Indiana's clear starting center, with pick-and-roll upside once Tyrese Haliburton is back. This is a buy-the-bounce-back center: reliable boards, blocks, and field-goal percentage at a likely discount.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Lauri Markkanen Drops 23 Points to Lead Finland Past Hungary
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen poured in a game-high 23 points, adding four rebounds and two assists, to lead Finland past Hungary 85-77 in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. The Finnisher shot 7-for-14 from the field and got to the line at will, giving his national team a reliable No. 1 option down the stretch and showing his scoring travels against physical international defenses. The fantasy takeaway, though, is more complicated than the box score. Markkanen is a gifted scorer, coming off a career-high 26.7 points per game, but he suited up for just 42 contests last season because Utah tanked and sat him down the stretch, drawing a $500,000 league fine. Add in perennial trade chatter, and the Jazz situation, not his talent, is the real fantasy variable. Value the scoring, but discount it for the games Utah may not let him play.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Nikola Jokic Leads Serbia Past Switzerland in World Cup Qualifiers
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic posted 22 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists with zero turnovers to lead Serbia past Switzerland 97-73 and into the second round of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. The three-time MVP was Serbia's hub in every phase, and with Nuggets teammate Jamal Murray watching from the stands, he looked noticeably leaner and more agile, sparking offseason buzz about his conditioning. For fantasy, this is pure reassurance. Jokic is the presumptive No. 1 overall pick after averaging 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and a career-high 10.7 assists last season, and a dominant, healthy summer only reinforces that. The one footnote to track is workload: Serbia expects him across multiple qualifying windows, adding offseason mileage to a 31-year-old, though few players are more durable. Draft him first with total confidence.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
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
Shea Langeliers Leaves Friday's Game Early With Thumb Injury
Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (thumb) was forced from Friday's game early against the Miami Marlins with a left-thumb injury, according to Theo DeRosa of MLB.com. Before being pulled prematurely, Langeliers went 0-for-2 at the plate with two strikeouts. Jonah Heim entered the contest as a pinch-hitter and replaced Langeliers behind the dish. For now, we'll consider Langeliers as day-to-day until we know more about the severity of his thumb injury. It would be a major blow to fantasy managers and the A's if Langeliers is forced to miss extended time with his injury, as he's one of the best power producers at the position in the game with a hitter-friendly home ballpark in Sacramento to boot. The 28-year-old former ninth overall pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2019 out of Baylor University came into Friday's contest with a .265/.330/.497 slash line, .827 OPS, 20 homers, 44 RBI, 51 runs, and two stolen bases in 328 at-bats. Heim would serve as the A's primary backstop if Langeliers is forced to miss additional time. Check back on Saturday for an update on the severity of Langeliers' thumb injury.
Source: MLB.com - Theo DeRosa
Source: MLB.com - Theo DeRosa
Matt Olson Snaps Power Drought With Two Homers Against Mets
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson finally got back in the home run column in Friday night's 5-3 victory over the division-rival New York Mets at Truist Park, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two solo home runs, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .273 and his OPS to .883. It was the first time that Olson had cleared the fences in 16 games, and his second multi-homer performance of the 2026 season. The 32-year-old veteran left-handed slugger hit .315 (28-for-89) with four home runs, four doubles, seven RBI, 13 runs scored, and a stolen base in 23 games across 97 plate appearances during June, but he hadn't homered since June 12 before his two blasts on Friday night. With the big game, Olson is now slashing .273/.345/.538 on the season with 22 home runs, 54 RBI, 57 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 374 plate appearances. He remains one of the most consistent power bats in fantasy, regardless of position.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Luis Garcia Jr. Now has Nine Homers in his Last 15 Games
Washington Nationals infielder Luis Garcia Jr. has been tearing the cover off the baseball lately. That trend continued in Friday night's 9-5 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park, with Garcia going 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a walk to raise his season batting average to .283 and his OPS to .874. There aren't many hitters hotter than Garcia right now. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting infielder wasn't the only one that was feeling it on Friday night, as the Nationals slugged a total of five home runs to put the Pirates away without much of a fight. Garcia now has a whopping nine home runs in his last 13 games and is up to a .396/.453/.1.021 slash line with 17 RBI in his last 15 games played. The recent hot stretch has definitely attracted the interest of fantasy managers, and Garcia is now rostered in 75% of Yahoo leagues. Through May, Garcia was hitting .268 (48-for-179) with only five homers, 30 RBI, 21 runs, and two stolen bases in 54 games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Carlos Lagrange has Sprained Shoulder, Won't Throw for Six Weeks
The New York Yankees are saying that right-handed pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a capsular sprain of his right shoulder, and he'll be shut down from throwing for six weeks, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. It's a real bummer for the Yankees and fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues who have been stashing the hard-throwing 6-foot-7, 248-pounder, as he was seemingly on the verge of joining the Yankees' major-league roster to bolster their bullpen in July. He was placed on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and with an extended absence coming, it's now fair to wonder if he'll get called up to the majors at all in 2027. The team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was recently moved from a starting role to a relief one. Lagrange has gone 1-4 with the RailRiders with a 4.55 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 83:33 K:BB in 63 1/3 innings across 18 outings (11 starts). Fantasy managers in mixed redraft formats can probably hold off on stashing Lagrange now due to his uncertain timetable. He's rostered in 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Rashod Bateman at a Career Crossroads in 2026
Baltimore Ravens veteran wide receiver Rashod Bateman won't be fighting for a roster spot in training camp this summer, but he's at a career crossroads going into the 2026 season, according to Ravens Wire. The 26-year-old former first-rounder should still have a role in Baltimore's new offense, but the competition around him has improved, and one would argue it's more competition than he's had at any point in his career. Zay Flowers is the team's unquestioned top wideout, but Baltimore added rookies Elijah Sarratt and Ja'Kobi Lane in April's NFL draft, and they have the potential to contribute sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, Devontez Walker's stock is trending up after a strong offseason. Targets and snaps "feel far less guaranteed than they once did." The former 27th overall pick in 2021 out of the University of Minnesota had a career-best 45 catches, 756 yards, and nine touchdowns in 17 games in 2024, but he tanked in 2025 with just 19 catches, a career-low 224 yards, and only two TDs in 13 games. Injuries and inconsistency have kept Bateman from realizing his potential as a former first-rounder, and with added competition in 2026, he's unlikely to approach his career-high numbers from 2024.
Source: Ravens Wire - Geoffrey A. Knox
Source: Ravens Wire - Geoffrey A. Knox
Emilio Pagan Needs to be Rostered After Returning From Injury
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan was recently activated from the Injured List after missing time due to a hamstring strain. Pagan returned at the end of June after being sidelined since early May. The right-hander had a slow start to the season, but figures to reclaim his role as the primary closer. He currently owns a 6.28 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and six saves in nine attempts across 16 appearances this season. Those aren't pretty numbers to look at, but Pagan has shown he's capable of holding down the closer role. He registered 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA across 70 appearances last season. The Reds don't have much competition at the backend of the bullpen, so Pagan figures to reclaim the full-time role. Fantasy managers looking for bullpen help should add Pagan if he's available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Braelon Allen Motivated to Step Up in Year 3
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen played in just four games in 2025 in his second year in the league due to injuries and finished with 18 rushing attempts for 76 yards and one touchdown, adding two catches for 17 yards. The 22-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2024 out of the University of Wisconsin attacked his rehab process with "hunger and a whole lot of motivation," according to Amanda Vogt of the team's official website. Allen is motivated to turn things around going into the 2026 campaign, and at 250 pounds, says he's the biggest, strongest, and fastest he's ever been. "I played 238-240 [pounds] last year," Allen said. "The most recent [DEXA scan] I did was by far my best. The most lean muscle mass I've ever had, the lowest percentage of body fat, perfect symmetry in both my legs and my arms; everything looked exactly how we wanted it to." According to head coach Aaron Glenn, the Jets have "a three-headed monster" at RB with Allen, Breece Hall, and Isaiah Davis. However, Hall is the Jets' clear RB1 after agreeing to a three-year, $45.75 million contract extension and reaching 1,000 rushing yards in 2025 for the first time in his career. At best, Allen will be hoping for a short-yardage/goal-line role in New York, which makes him mostly a handcuff option for Hall's fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
Source: NewYorkJets.com - Amanda Vogt
Source: NewYorkJets.com - Amanda Vogt
A.J. Ewing Deserves a Look While Swinging Hot Bat
New York Mets infielder/outfielder A.J. Ewing has been nearly impossible to keep off the basepaths recently. Over the last two weeks, Ewing has been slashing .317/.404/.512 with two home runs and eight RBI. So far this season, Ewing has a .352 OBP with four long balls, 19 RBI, and eight steals. He's capable of doing just about everything on the field, which makes him a favorable option for category leagues. He probably hasn't wandered into must-have territory yet, but is someone worth at least looking at in deep leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Samuel Basallo is Gaining Traction Quickly
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo has been experiencing some good times at the plate recently. The fun continued for Basallo during Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. The young catcher went 1-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in the win. It was his 13th blast of the year, which ties him with Carter Jensen for fourth among rookies this season. Over the last 15 games, Basallo is hitting .255 with three homers and 10 RBI. It's never easy for fantasy managers to find a consistent hitter at the catcher spot. Basallo has shown impressive power numbers this season and is deserving of a look in more fantasy leagues going forward.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
