RADIO
Gavin Williams Allows Three Homers, Fans Season-High 11 Hitters
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams took the loss on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he still managed to display plenty of strikeout form. Williams allowed five earned runs on seven hits (three home runs) while walking none and striking out a season-high 11 hitters in six innings for his fifth loss of the year in the 7-1 defeat at the hands of the Bucs. The long ball came back to bite Williams in a game in which he threw 65 of his 84 pitches for strikes and reached the 11-strikeout mark for the fourth time this year. It was the 26-year-old's first loss in over a month. Williams is now 10-5 on the season with a 4.00 ERA (3.86 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP with 145 strikeouts and 37 walks in a league-high 119 1/3 innings across 20 starts for the Guardians in his fourth year in the big leagues. After walking a league-high 83 batters in 2025, Williams has a career-low 7.6% walk rate coupled with a career-high 29.9% strikeout rate. He's a clear buy in fantasy baseball leagues for the second half.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Caleb Durbin Has Earned a Spot in 10-Team Leagues
Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin has not done much for batting average, but the category mix still plays. He is hitting .228 with nine home runs, 38 runs, 39 RBI, and 10 steals across 285 at-bats. Durbin also came out of the break with five hits in the July 17 doubleheader against Tampa Bay, three in the opener and two in the nightcap. The contact helps keep the floor from falling out. Durbin has struck out just 44 times in 317 plate appearances, plays regularly at third, and carries second-base eligibility in Yahoo leagues. He is not a must-add in every format, but there is enough here for managers who need a little speed without punting power. Durbin is currently on 37% of Yahoo rosters and belongs in the 10-team mix.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gage Jump Still Brings Waiver-Wire Strikeout Upside
Athletics left-handed starting pitcher Gage Jump has been knocked around in July, but the strikeouts keep showing up. He fanned eight over 3 2/3 innings against Washington on Friday, July 17, while allowing four runs, three earned. Jump now has a 7.30 ERA and 1.95 WHIP through three July starts. Ugly, yes. He also has 16 strikeouts in only 12 1/3 innings during that stretch. His full major-league line looks much better: a 3.78 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts against 17 walks over 52 1/3 innings. The fastball averages 96.3 mph, and the swing-and-miss ability gives him a reason to remain patient. Jump is rostered in just 29% of Yahoo leagues. Tough home matchups may require some discretion, but he still belongs on rosters in 10-team formats for managers who need strikeouts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mickey Moniak a Clear Waiver-Wire Option
Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak is rostered in just 40% of Yahoo leagues despite batting .276 with 15 home runs, 40 RBI, and 31 runs across 217 at-bats. He added two hits and drove in a pair during Saturday's 10-3 win over Cincinnati. The home runs have slowed lately, but Moniak has still gone deep 39 times since the start of last season. Most of that damage has come against right-handed pitching, and Colorado can sit him when a lefty is on the mound. That makes him easier to use in daily-lineup formats, but it does not erase the power. Moniak is not an automatic start every day. He is still a clear add in 10-team leagues for fantasy managers who need home runs and can work around the occasional platoon sit.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam Antonacci Is Too Useful to Leave on the Waiver Wire
Chicago White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci is still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues despite batting .285 with seven home runs, 50 runs, 29 RBI, and 13 steals across 270 at-bats. He homered on Friday, July 17, then went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Saturday. That is not a reason to jump off. Antonacci owns a .376 on-base percentage and has struck out in just 15.3% of his 313 plate appearances. That contact, plus a regular turn atop Chicago's lineup, keeps the runs and steals coming. The power is not big, but it is no longer empty, either. Seven homers work just fine alongside 13 steals and 50 runs. Antonacci also qualifies at second base, third base, and the outfield. At 47% rostered on Yahoo, he should not be sitting on the wire in competitive 10-team leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Landen Roupp's Breakout Case Is Getting Harder to Ignore
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp followed eight innings of one-run ball against Toronto with seven scoreless at Seattle on Friday, July 17. He has allowed one earned run across 15 innings, though the two strikeouts against the Mariners keep the run from looking spotless. Still, the case is not built on two box scores. Roupp owns a 3.38 xERA beneath his 3.98 ERA, and hitters have managed just a 28.8% hard-hit rate and 3.9% barrel rate against him. His curveball remains nasty, with a 34.6% whiff rate, .174 xBA, and .219 xSLG. The control can unravel. Arizona chased him after 2 2/3 innings on June 30, when he walked six and allowed six runs. That outing is the risk. The contact profile is the reason to buy into the rise, and Roupp looks like a useful second-half arm rather than a two-start mirage.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
MacKenzie Gore's Strikeouts Keep the Buy-Low Case Alive
Texas Rangers starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore has taken a beating in July, with five more runs allowed over 5 2/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. His ERA for the month is up to 8.24 after four starts, and six balls have already left the yard in 19 2/3 innings. Ugly, no way around it. The strikeouts have not disappeared, though. Gore has 25 of them against four walks during the skid, bringing him to 122 punchouts over 110 2/3 frames this season. His ERA climbed to 4.80, while his xERA sat at 3.88 entering Saturday. That gap does not erase the home-run trouble, and Gore has always carried some volatility. It does leave room for better days. With the swing-and-miss still intact and the walks under control, he belongs in the buy-low conversation rather than on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zac Veen Not Slowing Down in Minor Leagues as MLB Promotion is in Reach
Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen has continued to showcase high-end production at the Triple-A club and is making a strong case to earn his second stint in the major leagues. Through his last 40 contests at the Triple-A club in the Colorado system, the former ninth overall pick from the 2020 MLB Draft has carried an elite .355/.375/.734 line with a 1.109 OPS. During this noted surge, Veen has gone deep 12 times, tacked on 20 doubles, swiped four bags, and even hit four triples. On the season, Veen has done more than prove he's ready for the majors, posting a .967 OPS with 16 home runs and 16 stolen bases. With the Rockies likely to move many key bats at the deadline, including outfielder Mickey Moniak, Veen should face minimal competition for second-half at-bats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Cam Cannarella Opening the Door for Late-Season Promotion
Miami Marlins outfield prospect Cam Cannarella has been a fast riser within the team's system and is now just one stop away from joining Miami for a late-season playoff push. Cannarella has appeared in two Triple-A contests since joining them this week. After going 0-for-4 in his debut, Cannarella bounced back on Saturday, going 2-for-4 with a run and a stolen base. The former 42nd pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Clemson opened the campaign at the High-A level but has progressed quickly through the minor leagues. Across 52 games shared between High-A and Double-A, Cannarella posted an elite .365/.443/.599 line with a 1.042 OPS, seven doubles, 12 home runs, and nine stolen bases. While the Miami outfield is crowded, if Cannarella continues this pace, he will be in a great position to debut during the stretch run.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Recent Power Binge Puts Hector Rodriguez on the Doorstep of Major Leagues
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez has enjoyed a power binge at the Triple-A level and is making a strong case to earn the call to the big leagues. Over his last 12 games at Triple-A Louisville, the 22-year-old has gone deep five times and added a double. During this stretch, Rodriguez has carried a .286/.375/.667 with a 1.042 OPS. Rodriguez has spent the entire 2026 campaign at the Triple-A level and has continued to flash elite power potential, going deep 23 times while posting a strong .280/.360/.538 line with a .898 OPS. Given his current pace, it appears Rodriguez seems well-positioned to join the Reds down the stretch. With recent reports suggesting the Reds are looking to sell expiring contracts at the trade deadline, Rodriguez's call to the big leagues should happen sooner rather than later.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Kaelen Culpepper Seeing Stash Value Drop While on Injured List
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper (finger) continues to see his stash value fall and his potential for a late-season call-up decline due to his stint on the injured list. Culpepper has been on the shelf since the end of June due to a finger injury. This is the second injury he has suffered this season, as he also missed time due to a hip injury. However, when on the diamond for St. Paul, Culpepper has been quite productive, which kept him high on stash rankings during the first half. Across 63 games with the top club in Minnesota, Culpepper has held a .272/.376/.492 slash line with 14 home runs and 15 stolen bases. While his MLB debut could be delayed, his five-category potential keeps him on the watch list, as he could still provide fantasy value later in the second half.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Zyhir Hope Lights Up the Scoresheet with Another Multi-Home Run Game
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Zyhir Hope turned in another stellar effort at the Double-A level on Saturday evening. Facing Frisco, the No. 19 overall prospect in the sport went 3-for-4 with two home runs and two RBI. Hope has spent the entire 2026 campaign with Double-A and has performed at a high level. Through 84 total contests with Tulsa, the budding superstar has carried a .292/.373/.538 slash line with a .910 OPS. He has launched 16 doubles, added 21 round-trippers, and even swiped 15 bags. However, over his last 12 contests, Hope has seen his production soar even further, especially when looking at his power. During this noted stretch, Hope has launched eight long balls with a 1.021 SLG. Given his current pace, a call-up to Triple-A seems very likely down the stretch.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Anthony Eyanson Extends Near-Perfect Start to Professional Career
Boston Red Sox right-handed pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson has yet to slow down over his first professional campaign and is establishing himself as one of the top pitching prospects in the game. On Saturday, Eyanson turned in another stellar showing, striking out eight hitters over five one-hit innings. He did not allow a run. Since moving up to Double-A, Eyanson has logged 40 1/3 innings of work to the tune of a 1.56 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a sharp 45:18 K:BB. He began his professional career (and season) at the High-A level, where he needed only 20 1/3 innings with a stellar 0.44 ERA and a 0.49 WHIP. Given his current production, Eyanson has a path to earning a cup of coffee at Triple-A late in the second half. He is a fast-rising prospect in dynasty/keeper formats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Otto Lopez Suffers Finger Injury on Saturday
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that a groundball "got the nail pretty good" on middle infielder Otto Lopez's right ring finger in Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The skipper didn't have much information on Lopez's finger after the game about whether testing would be needed. The 27-year-old took a groundball to his finger in the second inning, but he remained in for the duration of the contest and finished 1-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a strikeout in the 8-6 loss on the road in Milwaukee. It sounds like Lopez will undergo testing, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect the first-time All-Star in 2026 to be available for Sunday's series finale at American Family Field. In his fifth year in the majors (third with Miami), Lopez entered Saturday's tilt leading the league in hits (129), doubles (27), and batting average (.336) in 96 games and 414 plate appearances. If his finger injury is serious, both Leo Jimenez and Javier Sanoja would both be candidates to take over playing time at the 6 in Miami for the Fish.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Zack Gelof to Begin Doing Baseball Activities Next Week
Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (knee) is expected to begin doing baseball activities once his stitches are removed on Tuesday. Gelof has been out since right before the All-Star break due to a right knee laceration. It sounds like he's extremely close to getting back on the field. There's a decent chance that Gelof doesn't require a minor league rehab assignment, but that'll depend on how he feels once he gets the stitches. out. Gelof has done enough damage with the bat this season to warrant rostering in at least deep leagues. He has blasted 11 home runs while slashing .273/.327/.476 this season.
Source: Martin Gallegos
Source: Martin Gallegos
