RADIO
Manny Machado Remains a Worthy Buy-Low Candidate
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado has been one of the best hitters in baseball for over a decade, but the 33-year-old has struggled mightily to this point in 2026. Across 220 plate appearances, Machado is hitting .169/.265/.339 with nine home runs, 27 RBI, 27 runs scored, and one stolen base. Machado's strikeout rate is a career-worst 23.2%, while his 7.7% barrel rate is his worst mark since his rookie season in 2015. As he hits his mid-30s, Machado could simply be suffering from age-related decline. Still, the veteran's extended track record of both consistency and durability makes it hard to believe he won't claw his way back to respectable production by the end of the year. Entering 2026, Machado had posted five consecutive seasons with at least 600 plate appearances, 27 home runs, and 90 RBI. Fantasy managers should not expect peak performance, but Machado still profiles as a worthy buy-low candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Riley Greene's Current Pathway to Production May Be Unsustainable
Across 232 plate appearances entering play on Thursday, Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene was hitting .305/.401/.440 with four home runs, 25 RBI, 30 runs scored, and one stolen base. While Greene has been a productive hitter, his power output has come down considerably from where it was in 2025, when he clubbed 36 home runs across 655 plate appearances. Greene's barrel rate is down from 17.1% last season to 12.6% this season. As the weather heats up in Detroit, Greene could find more power. However, if he doesn't, his current path to production may be unsustainable. With a 28% strikeout rate and a heavily inflated .435 batting average on balls in play, Greene's batting average seems likely to regress closer to his career mark of .268 over the course of a full season. As a result, fantasy managers may want to consider selling high on Greene before he runs into some batting average regression.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Mason Miller Worth Selling High On at the Peak of His Value?
As we near the end of May, San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller has arguably been the most dominant reliever in baseball in 2026. Across 23 2/3 innings (23 games), Miller owns a 0.76 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 47 strikeouts, and 16 saves. He's averaging 101.2 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out a completely ridiculous 52.2% of the batters he's faced. Barring injury, there's little reason to think that Miller won't continue to provide high-end closer production for fantasy managers. At the same time, managers with another viable ninth-inning option on their roster may want to consider shopping Miller now, when he's at the absolute peak of his value. If the offers for Miller are astronomical, trading him could be a way to build a more well-rounded overall roster. There's obviously nothing wrong with holding onto the 27-year-old, but selling high could be worth exploring.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark Still a Top Hitter to Stash with Multi-Category Potential
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark remains firmly on the stash radar after hitting safely in 12 of his last 14 games at Triple-A Toledo, going 16-for-60 (.267) during that stretch with four doubles, a triple, one home run, and two stolen bases. The Tigers' top-ranked prospect owns a respectable .267/.338/.390 slash line in 46 games for the Mud Hens, with two home runs and 11 steals, while his 14.8 percent strikeout rate shows he's not overmatched at the top level of the minors. The left-handed slugger is also drawing walks at a 9.5 percent rate thanks to a 77th percentile chase rate, displaying a good all-around approach. Although the organization is in no rush to get him to the majors, the former third-overall draft pick should get that chance in the coming weeks and should be considered a high-end stash option for his multi-category fantasy potential.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Do Fantasy Managers Have a Buy-Low Window on Sal Stewart?
Across 241 plate appearances so far in 2026, Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart is hitting .256/.353/.473 with 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 34 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. However, Stewart's overall stat line is buoyed by a red-hot start to the season, as he posted a .943 OPS through the end of April. The 22-year-old has slowed down considerably in May, slashing .226/.327/.355 with three home runs, seven RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Even with the rough month baked in, Stewart owns excellent walk (12.9%) and barrel (15.5%) rates for the year overall. He's also remained an everyday fixture in the heart of the Cincinnati lineup, and as a young player, it's not surprising to see him struggle a bit as the league adjusts to him. With Stewart's value at a relative low point, fantasy managers may want to see if they can buy low on him in hopes of a return to form in the summer months.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joe Burrow Solidified as a Top Dynasty Quarterback?
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is one of the best pure passers in the NFL, but persistent injuries have capped his fantasy upside and raised some questions about his long-term dynasty outlook. Burrow has played 10 or fewer games in two of the last three seasons. Last year, he was healthy for just eight games, as he totaled 1,809 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. Those are great results on a per-game basis, but he ultimately let down many of his fantasy managers as they were forced to pivot to other quarterbacks when he got hurt. A healthy Burrow can be a top-five dynasty quarterback. After all, he was QB4 or higher in each of the two years where he played all 17 games. However, the injury concern is valid, and it has resulted in him falling to QB6 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings. He's still a high-upside dynasty quarterback, but he has fallen out of the top three tiers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Does Jordan Love Still Have Top-12 Upside in Dynasty?
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love's dynasty outlook has taken a hit in recent years. Formerly a first-round pick, Love seemed like a top dynasty option after finishing as the QB5 in 2023. However, he has fallen to QB15 or lower in each of his last two seasons, raising questions about whether he can be a top-12 option (and a fantasy starter) going forward. The Packers' identity has been a run-first offense lately, leaving fewer pass attempts for Love. In 2025, Green Bay ran the ball 47.69%, which was fifth-most in the NFL. Love doesn't have a ton of flashy weapons around him, either. Romeo Doubs departed in free agency, leaving him with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Matthew Golden as his top wide receivers. Tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) is also in the mix, and while he has a great track record, he's working his way back from injury. If the Packers continue to be run-heavy for years to come, Love will likely struggle to emerge as a QB1 in fantasy football consistently, despite having a talented throwing arm. Dynasty managers should be open to the idea of trading him away and upgrading at the quarterback position.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can Dalton Schultz Have Another Top-10 Season?
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz finished as the overall TE10 in PPR leagues last year, but there are questions about his dynasty outlook as he prepares for his age-30 season. Schultz played in all 17 games last year, catching 82 passes for 777 yards and three touchdowns. His 106 targets ranked second on the team, putting him just 14 targets behind team leader Nico Collins. The involvement was very encouraging, and his high reception total made up for the fact that he wasn't a huge touchdown threat. However, as the Texans' receiver room gets better and healthier, Schultz could fall out of favor. Collins is an ever-present threat, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are due for Year 2 breakouts, and Tank Dell (knee) is working his way back from injury. Therefore, although Schultz may still have the tight end room to himself, it's hard to imagine he'll end up with 100+ targets again. He projects as more of a mid-to-low TE2 going forward in dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kris Bubic Still Dealing With General Arm Fatigue
Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) has started his throwing progression, but he's still dealing with general arm fatigue, according to MLB.com. Bubic has continued to play catch, though, and he's expected to return to the Royals' starting rotation in June. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 18 (retroactive to May 15) with left-elbow soreness. Bubic won't be allowed to ramp up his throwing program until his arm fatigue goes away, so he could be looking at more of a late-June return. The 28-year-old southpaw went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA (3.68 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 26 walks in 50 1/3 innings pitched over his first nine starts this year before landing on the shelf. Bubic was a first-time All-Star in 2025, when he went 8-7 for the Royals with a career-low 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 116:39 K:BB in 20 starts. Even though we don't have a clear picture of when exactly Bubic might return, he's a worthy stash candidate in deeper mixed fantasy leagues for pitching depth for the rest of the year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hype Brewing for a Jayden Higgins Breakout in Year 2
Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins has emerged as a potential Year 2 breakout, and head coach Demeco Ryans indicated that Higgins has made the physical leap needed to become a weekly fantasy threat. "Bigger, stronger, and faster," Ryans said regarding Higgins. "Going to have a really great year based on what he's doing." While we need to be cautious how much trust we invest in coachspeak, these comments would suggest that the Iowa State product is ready to become a key piece in the Texans' offense, building on an impressive rookie season. In 17 games as a rookie last year, he caught 41 passes for 525 yards and six touchdowns. He was the WR47, and he could have an even easier path to production now that Christian Kirk is gone, although Tank Dell (knee) could be back in the mix. All in all, we're intrigued by the possibility of Higgins blossoming into a top-36 fantasy receiver next year. He's an intriguing trade target in dynasty leagues.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Nolan Schanuel Dealing With Ankle Tendinitis, Length of Absence Unknown
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (ankle) said his MRI exam showed that he has left-ankle tendinitis, and he's not sure how long he'll be on the 10-day injured list, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. It's an injury that Schanuel has been dealing with since April, but it flared up recently. The Angels initially classified his injury as left-calf inflammation. At least for the foreseeable future, infielder Vaughn Grissom figures to take most of the available playing time at first base in Anaheim with Schanuel sidelined. Even in AL-only leagues, Schanuel isn't a must-hold while he's out, as the former 11th overall pick in 2023 out of Florida Atlantic is hitting .262 (50-for-191) with only four home runs, 24 RBI, and 18 stolen bases over his 49 games and 208 plate appearances in 2026. He also has a weak .313 on-base percentage and a career-low .700 OPS. Schanuel is currently rostered in just 12% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
Ben Johnson Suggests Buying Stock in Luther Burden III
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has generated plenty of buzz this offseason. Not only are fantasy managers getting excited about the young receiver, but Bears head coach Ben Johnson has expressed optimism, too. "I'm buying Luther Burden stock right now," Johnson said. "He's been extremely coachable." Burden was arguably the most dependable Bears receiver in 2025, especially during the second half of the season. He caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, and he played so well that the Bears felt compelled to trade DJ Moore this offseason. Now, Burden and Rome Odunze are competing to be the top receiver in a Bears offense that is trending up very quickly. Burden has the potential to be Caleb Williams' top target, giving him top-24 upside in fantasy football. Between being a potential Year 2 breakout and drawing praise from Johnson, Burden is a glaring trade target for fantasy managers in dynasty leagues.
Source: Brad Biggs
Source: Brad Biggs
Jorge Soler Playing Through Groin Injury
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler (groin) recently said that he can run at 60-70% right now due to a nagging groin injury, but manager Kurt Suzuki shrugged at the suggestion that the right-handed slugger needs time off, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. "He just had a day off," Suzuki said. "We had a team day off (on Monday). He's swinging the bat fine. He's looking good. And he's in the lineup." Soler said the soreness started "a few days ago," but Suzuki said it's just something normal that players go through over the course of a long season. The 34-year-old, who is hitting .215/.298/.403 with a .701 OPS in 191 at-bats in 2026, was last out of the lineup on May 21. Despite not being 100%, he has exactly one hit in each of his last seven games he's started, but that has included just one extra-base hit. It doesn't appear that the Cuban outfielder is in danger of landing on the injured list, but fantasy managers can't really do much with Soler unless he's hitting for power. He has nine home runs, 30 RBI, and 25 runs scored on the year for the last-place Halos.
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
Dodgers Promote No. 19 Prospect Ryan Ward, Will he Play Enough in L.A.?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are recalling outfielder/first baseman Ryan Ward with Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) going on the 10-day injured list on Thursday, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Ward is the Dodgers' No. 19 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and led the minors with 36 home runs in 2025. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter and former eighth-round pick in 2019 out of Bryan University had two hits in six plate appearances with an RBI for the Blue earlier this year. In 47 games across 214 plate appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City this year, Ward has hit .254/.379/.418 with a .797 OPS, six home runs, nine doubles, a triple, 31 RBI, six stolen bases, and 28 runs scored. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound prospect consistently hits balls hard and has intriguing power for fantasy managers in deeper leagues looking for a spark. Ward could play regularly in L.A. going forward against right-handed pitchers with both Teoscar and Enrique Hernandez (oblique) out for at least several weeks, if not more.
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Tigers Place Kenley Jansen on Injured List With Pelvic Inflammation
The Detroit Tigers placed veteran right-handed closer Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with pelvic inflammation and recalled left-hander Drew Sommers from the minors in a corresponding move, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The Tigers initially announced that Jansen was removed from his outing on Wednesday night against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, with a right-groin injury. The 17-year veteran and four-time All-Star has seven saves in 18 appearances in his first year with Detroit, but he's also gone 1-3 and has struggled to a 4.80 ERA (5.80 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and nine walks in 15 innings pitched. Will Vest hasn't been any better in 2026 and has also dealt with injuries, so right-hander Kyle Finnegan should be the reliever to target off the waiver wire now that Jansen is on the shelf. Finnegan has just one save this year and has walked 19, but he's allowed just five earned runs in 25 2/3 frames with 15 K's, and he has 113 career saves in six-plus MLB seasons. He is rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Casey Mize Plays Catch, Still Awaiting MRI Results
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) played catch on Thursday but is still awaiting the results of an MRI exam after being pulled from his start early on Wednesday due to right-groin tightness, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. McCosky notes that it's not a bad sign that Mize was able to throw on Thursday, although the Tigers don't have to make an immediate move with him. It's a positive development that the 29-year-old former first overall pick out of Auburn in 2018 did some throwing a day after his injury, but it doesn't necessarily mean that he will avoid the injured list. We should have a better idea of Mize's status in the next day or two. Mize was a first-time All-Star in 2025, his fifth year with the Tigers, and is currently sporting a career-low 2.27 ERA (2.38 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP, with a career-best 26.5% strikeout rate and a 6.5% walk rate in 47 2/3 frames across nine starts. As long as he can continue to miss more bats and stay healthy, Mize will be an intriguing matchup-based streamer in fantasy. He's rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Gleyber Torres Starting a Rehab Assignment on Friday
Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres (oblique) will head to Triple-A Toledo on Friday for a minor-league rehab assignment, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Torres might be a day or two before he plays in his first game. The Tigers won't rush Torres once he starts playing in games down on the farm since he has been sidelined for almost four weeks due to a strained left oblique muscle. But barring a setback, Torres could be back with the big-league squad by the end of next week. The 29-year-old veteran Venezuelan second baseman will return to starting duties at the keystone in Motown when he's reinstated from the 10-day injured list. The three-time All-Star shouldn't be expected to return to the 20-homer mark, and he also has very minimal speed, but he has great plate discipline and should continue to be an asset in leagues that count on-base percentage. Torres was slashing .259/.389/.328 with two home runs, 11 RBI, 18 runs, 25 walks, and 22 K's in 32 games across 144 plate appearances for Detroit at the time of his injury.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Kerry Carpenter to Start a Rehab Assignment on Friday
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Friday, according to MLive Media Group's Evan Woodbery. Carpenter was cleared to resume playing in games after he took part in right-hander Justin Verlander's (hip) simulated game on Wednesday. If he can avoid any setbacks this weekend, Carpenter could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list to rejoin the Tigers' starting lineup at some point early next week. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has been on the shelf for just under three weeks with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. Before his injury, Carpenter was batting a disappointing .216 (22-for-102) with six home runs, 17 RBI, 11 runs scored, 11 walks, and 40 strikeouts across 37 games (117 plate appearances). He won't offer much speed and strikes out too much to be an asset in on-base-percentage leagues, but Carpenter proved last year with his career-high 26 homers that he can help in the power department against right-handed pitchers. He's currently rostered in just under 40% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Tarik Skubal to Throw Another Sim Game on Monday
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) will throw another simulated game/live batting practice session on Monday at Tropicana Field, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Manager A.J. Hinch said Skubal might get an extra day before his next outing as well, which would push it to June 7. Woodbery speculates that if Skubal continues to avoid setbacks and the Tigers keep pushing his timeline, he could make a minor-league rehab start on June 12, with a return to the Tigers' starting rotation potentially coming on June 17 in Houston against the Astros. The back-to-back American League Cy Young winner has made exceptional progress after having a minimally invasive procedure to remove a loose body from his left elbow. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star threw 39 pitches in 2 2/3 innings during a sim game on Tuesday and came out of it feeling fine. Skubal would love to return as soon as possible in June to build his trade value before the early August deadline. He went 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 45 K's in 43 1/3 innings over seven starts this year before going on the 15-day injured list.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Quinn Priester Only Goes Two-Thirds of an Inning in Latest Rehab Start
It was another disappointing showing for Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (shoulder) in his latest minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday. Priester allowed three earned runs on two hits while walking three and striking out one in just two-thirds of an inning for the Sounds. The Brewers went into Wednesday's appearance hoping that Priester would go five innings and/or 80 to 85 pitches, so he came well short of expectations. The 25-year-old former first-rounder back in 2019 by the Pittsburgh Pirates, needed 38 pitches on Wednesday and couldn't even get out of the first inning. He has been pretty awful in both of his separate rehab starts while trying to recover from symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, and it wouldn't be a surprise at this point if Priester gets shut down again at some point. Through six rehab starts on the farm, he's posted a horrific 21.60 ERA and 3.60 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and 17 walks. It's getting harder and harder to justify holding him in deeper fantasy leagues. Priester is rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Taj Bradley's Next Start Pushed to Friday Against Bucs
Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley's next start has been pushed back to the series opener on Friday in Pittsburgh against the Pirates, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Kendry Rojas will re-enter the Twins' starting rotation to pitch on Thursday in the series finale against the Chicago White Sox. The move doesn't change all that much for Bradley, who has been really strong for fantasy managers in 2026, going 5-1 with a 2.77 ERA (3.26 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with 59 strikeouts and 19 walks in 52 innings across his nine starts. In his return from the injured list last week after missing time with a pectoral injury, Bradley allowed an earned run with two walks and seven strikeouts in five innings against the Boston Red Sox for his fifth win of the year. The Pirates are no cake walk of a matchup, but Bradley has earned the trust of fantasy managers at this point and should be in most starting lineups to kick off the weekend at PNC Park. He has had at least seven K's in each of his last three outings, and the Pirates rank second in baseball in strikeouts (520).
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Bobby Nightengale
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Bobby Nightengale
Eagles, Patriots "Not Particularly Close" to A.J. Brown Deal
Although the Philadelphia Eagles are expected to trade wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots after Monday, June, 1, the two sides are "not particularly close" to pulling something off immediately next week, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The Eagles want a 2027 first-rounder in exchange for Brown, and the Patriots reportedly do not want to give up a 2027 first-rounder, as of right now. New England remains the most likely destination for Brown before the 2026 regular season, but another suitor could emerge if the Eagles and Patriots are struggling to work out a deal that pleases both sides. Schefter said that trade talks surrounding Brown could drag on for the "foreseeable future." The Eagles' moves this offseason -- trading for Dontayvion Wicks and drafting Makai Lemon in the first round -- have all pointed to Brown being moved, so that's still the likely resolution. The Pats signed Romeo Doubs in free agency, but they also cut Stefon Diggs and are looking for a true No. 1 wideout like Brown. Brown had his sixth 1,000-receiving season in 2025, but he averaged a career-low 12.9 yards per catch in 15 starts in his fourth and likely last year in Philly.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Kenyon Sadiq has Hernia Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
New York Jets rookie first-round tight end Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) had surgery for a sports hernia, but head coach Aaron Glenn said he expects the Oregon product to be ready for training camp, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 21-year-old should be fine for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September, but he is going to miss valuable reps going into his first year in the NFL during OTAs and minicamp next month. Sadiq is a physical freak at 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds and is more of an oversized receiver than a traditional tight end. He caught 51 passes for 560 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns in 14 games in 2025 in his final season with the Ducks, and he could immediately be fantasy relevant in single-year leagues in 2026, even though Geno Smith will be starting at QB for the Jets. The presence of second-year TE Mason Taylor will definitely lower Sadiq's ceiling in redraft leagues, but RotoBaller already has him ranked as the No. 15 fantasy TE for the upcoming campaign.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Jacob deGrom a Risky Buy-Low Candidate
Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom looked like his previous Cy Young self in April, going 2-1 with a 1.35 ERA (2.84 FIP), 33 strikeouts, and only seven walks in 26 2/3 innings over his five starts. Although he bounced back on Wednesday by allowing just two earned runs in six innings in a no-decision against the Houston Astros, it was tough sledding for the 37-year-old veteran in May, as he went 1-3 with a 5.72 ERA (5.61 FIP), 30 strikeouts, five walks, and nine home runs allowed in 28 1/3 frames across five starts. Overall, the two-time Cy Young winner has gone 3-4 with a 3.77 ERA (4.16 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 70 strikeouts, 12 walks, and a league-high 13 home runs allowed in 59 2/3 innings across 11 starts in his fourth year in Texas. deGrom surely isn't as bad as his numbers would suggest in May, but given his long track record of injuries, buying low on the veteran hurler won't be very attractive to risk-averse fantasy managers. In his three full seasons with the Rangers, deGrom has exceeded 100 innings just once, and he combined for 42 innings in the other two seasons.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Junior Caminero is an Elite Source of Power
Fantasy managers potentially considering buying low on Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero can probably forget about it. Caminero just snapped a nine-game hitting streak with an 0-for-3 performance in the 11-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, and before that, he had gone 19-for-64 (.297) with four home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI, and 11 runs scored in 16 games, dating back to May 7. Overall in May, he's slashing .271/.386/.471 with an .857 OPS, five round-trippers, two doubles, 12 RBI, and 15 runs scored in 23 games across 101 plate appearances. The 22-year-old Dominican third baseman is a big reason why the low-budget Rays remain in first place in the American League West. Caminero's home run total of 13 seems lackluster after he popped a career-high 45 dingers in 154 games in 2025 in a breakout season, but his power remains real. He currently sits in the 87th percentile in expected slugging, the 85th percentile in xwOBA, and the 80th percentile in hard-hit rate. Caminero is also in the 80th percentile in walk rate and has an expected batting average of .279.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Now is the Time to Buy Low on Rookie Konnor Griffin
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin was the talk of spring training as one of the best prospects since Ken Griffey Jr. That's a lot of hype to live up to. The 20-year-old former ninth overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft hasn't really lived up to the hype through his first 49 games with Pittsburgh, hitting .261/.322/.394 with a .716 OPS, four home runs, eight doubles, two triples, 21 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 29 runs scored across 199 plate appearances. Griffin hasn't been terrible, either, and his buy-low window in both redraft and dynasty leagues could be about to slam shut. He went 1-for-4 at the plate with a home run, his first since May 10, in a loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. In his last 13 games, he has hit .275 with 13 runs scored and three stolen bases, and it might only be a matter of time before Griffin puts it all together in 2026. In 23 games in May, Griffing is batting .292 (26-for-89) with two homers, six doubles, a triple, eight RBI, five steals, and 19 runs scored in 99 plate appearances. The kid can do it all, and he'll probably never be cheaper as a trade chip in fantasy baseball.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Elly De La Cruz Remains a High-End Power/Speed Asset
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz can do things on a baseball field that most big-league players can only dream of. And while the two-time All-Star might be slightly underwhelming through his first 55 games in 2026, we would advise against selling him with the start of June right around the corner. The 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter is currently slashing .279/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 38 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across 246 plate appearances. Considering De La Cruz stole a league-high 67 bases in 2024, his nine thefts so far are a slight disappointment, but fantasy managers can't really complain otherwise. He's on pace to set a new career high in home runs, and his batting average is a career high right now. Under the hood, De La Cruz is in the 95th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 80th percentile in xwOBA, and the 87th percentile in expected slugging. He also has an average exit velocity of 94.1, which ranks ninth in the big leagues. If you end up trading the five-category contributor, you'll likely regret it by the end of 2026.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Is it Time to Buy Low on Fernando Tatis Jr.?
Somehow, San Diego Padres second baseman/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is without a home run with 54 games and 231 plate appearances under his belt in 2026. At this point, many fantasy managers might be giving up hope that he'll homer at all this year. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner has never been cheaper in terms of acquisition cost in a trade, so now is the time to strike. Overall, Tatis is slashing .260/.339/.300 with a .639 OPS, 16 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 19 runs scored in 200 at-bats. Although he's not pulling the ball in the air, which explains the lack of power, Tatis has actually hit quite well in May, going 24-for-88 (.273) with two doubles, a triple, three RBI, eight runs, and six stolen bases. The Dominican star is on a modest four-game hitting streak and has gone 14-for-37 (.378) in his last 10 games, so it's not like he's doing nothing at all, and the stolen bases have helped. Tatis' expected slugging sits in just the 46th percentile, but he's in the 96th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 73rd percentile in xwOBA. Tatis will homer eventually, but even if he doesn't return to the 20-homer mark, which is unlikely at this point, he will at least be a major asset with his wheels.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Gunnar Henderson Ready to Turn Things Around After Two-Homer Game?
Slowly but surely, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson has started to look more like himself in May. The 24-year-old left-handed-hitting shortstop went 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a strikeout in the team's 11-2 rout over the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards on Wednesday to raise his season average to .222 and his OPS to .714. The strong performance was his first multi-homer game of the 2026 campaign. It definitely has not been the season that Henderson's fantasy managers were hoping for, but the buy-low window is closing quickly. Although Henderson is hitting only .222 with the end of May quickly approaching, he has 13 home runs and has gone 14-for-33 (.424) with three long balls in his last 10 games. Henderson has added 29 RBI, 30 runs scored, and six stolen bases across his 252 plate appearances on the year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Joc Pederson has Three Home Runs in his Last Two Games
Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson is starting to heat up at the plate. The 34-year-old left-handed slugger went 3-for-4 at the plate out of the leadoff spot on Wednesday night with two home runs and three RBI in the team's 4-3 loss to the visiting Houston Astros at Globe Life Park. Both of his home runs were of the solo variety, and Pederson has now gone deep three times in the last two games. In his last eight contests, he's gone 10-for-23 (.435) with three homers and six RBI to boost his season-long line to .250/.361/.430 with a .791 OPS, six home runs, 16 RBI, and 20 runs scored in 51 games across 156 plate appearances. Pederson has disappointed so far in his tenure with the Rangers, as he played in only 96 games in 2025 and hit nine home runs with 26 RBI in 306 plate appearances, but if he gets on a heater, he'll be worth a look off the waiver wire for his power production. Right now, Pederson is only rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
