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Kade Anderson on Fast Track to MLB Debut?
Seattle Mariners starting pitching prospect Kade Anderson could be on a fast track to making his MLB debut. Typically, college pitchers are the quickest to make their MLB debut -- faster than college hitters, and faster than all prep players in general. Not only was Anderson drafted out of college last summer, but he also has elite draft capital as a former No. 3 overall pick. Furthermore, he's also pitching incredibly well this season, maintaining a 0.37 ERA and 1.13 FIP with 14.05 K/9, 1.48 BB/9, and a 46.7% ground ball rate. He hasn't allowed a home run yet, either. We'd be a bit surprised to see Anderson jump straight from Double-A to MLB, so there's still a little time before he makes his debut. However, fantasy managers shouldn't wait. Stashing Anderson now is the right move, because we do expect to see him in the majors this year, and he has the potential to rack up strikeouts, limit walks and home runs, and pitch deep into games for the Mariners. He currently ranks #11 among starting pitching prospects in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryce Miller Could Make Season Debut Next Week
The Seattle Mariners are leaning toward activating right-hander Bryce Miller (oblique) from the 15-day injured list on their upcoming road trip, which begins on Friday in Chicago against the White Sox, a club source told Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Miller is scheduled to join the team in Chicago to check in with coaches and trainers. If he's cleared, the 27-year-old could rejoin Seattle's starting rotation to make his 2026 season debut in the middle of next week in Houston against the division-rival Astros. Miller threw five shutout innings on Wednesday with High-A Everett in what he hopes will be his final minor-league rehab start. "I'm ready to go," Miller said. He's been on the 15-day injured list all season to this point, but he's worth a look on the waiver wire for fantasy managers seeking rotation help. Miller is currently rostered in only 29% of Yahoo leagues and is hoping to regain his 2024 form, when he had a 2.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 171:45 K:BB in 31 starts, after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Roman Anthony Remains Sidelined in Series Opener Versus Rays
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (wrist) continues to sit out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series opener at Fenway Park against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, per MLB.com. It will be Anthony's third straight missed game after spraining his right wrist on a swing during Monday's contest against the Detroit Tigers. The Red Sox are optimistic that Anthony won't have to miss much more time, but if he cannot return to action this weekend against Tampa, he could be placed on the 10-day injured list. Jarren Duran is starting in left field again and will bat leadoff for the BoSox, with Masataka Yoshida serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth against Rays right-hander Griffin Jax. An extended absence for Anthony will continue to benefit the left-handed-hitting Yoshida, who is hitting .310 (18-for-58) on the year, but with zero home runs. Anthony looked like the real deal as a top prospect in baseball during his MLB debut in 2025 before ending the year on the injured list, but he's struggled so far in 2026, slashing .229/.354/.321 with a .675 OPS, only one homer, five RBI, 12 runs, and two steals in 109 at-bats. Fantasy managers need to be patient and hope his wrist injury doesn't lead to an IL stint.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Braden Montgomery Notches First Triple-A Hit as MLB Debut Inches Closer
Chicago White Sox outfield prospect Braden Montgomery went 1-for-5 with a single in his second game at the Triple-A level on Wednesday. He's now just 1-for-9 since his promotion, but he posted a fantastic .296/.412/.565 slash line with six homers, a 16.2% walk rate, and 148 wRC+ when he was at Double-A this year. We expect that Montgomery will fare well at the plate in Charlotte, even though he has just one hit through his first two games. He's widely regarded as a plus hitter with impressive power and glovework. The 23-year-old also has high draft capital as a former first-round pick. Montgomery ranks #19 among outfield prospects in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball dynasty rankings. Now that he's just one level away from the majors, he's absolutely worth stashing in anticipation of his eventual debut.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sal Frelick Could Be on the Verge of Breaking Out of His Current Slump
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick is off to a rough start to the 2026 season, hitting .210/.315/.321 with three home runs, nine RBI, 17 runs scored, and one stolen base across his first 130 plate appearances. Frelick put together a breakout campaign in 2025, logging a .756 OPS with 12 home runs and 19 stolen bases across 594 trips to the plate. While he hasn't been able to replicate the same success so far in 2026, there may be reason to believe that a hot streak could be coming. With an 11.5% walk rate and just a 10% strikeout rate, Frelick's plate skills remain elite. His subpar batting average is likely a symptom of poor batted-ball luck, as his current batting average on balls in play of .221 is significantly below his career mark of .300. Frelick also dealt with a side injury in early April that may be impacting his performance. As Frelick gets further removed from the injury, his power and speed output may start to gradually improve. In leagues where he may have been dropped, Frelick could be worth adding off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Burger Still Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire Amidst Cold Streak?
Entering play on Thursday, Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger had logged just seven hits in his last 49 plate appearances. The 30-year-old is now hitting .218/.253/.380 with six home runs, 21 RBI, and 14 runs scored across his first 150 plate appearances of 2026. Burger's 28.7% strikeout rate is his worst mark since 2022, and he's started to slide from the middle of the Rangers batting order to the bottom. However, Burger still owns strong underlying batted-ball metrics with a 10% barrel rate and a 50% hard-hit rate. He's recorded 85 home runs over his last 1,645 MLB plate appearances, so he remains a power threat for fantasy managers to deploy in a corner infield spot. Burger's profile comes with plenty of risk, but he could be a worthy buy-low target off the waiver wire amidst his current cold spell.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark's Elite Speed Pushing Him Closer to MLB Debut
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has been hitting the ball well ever since his promotion to Triple-A, and his top-tier run tool could get him to the majors sooner rather than later. The former No. 3 pick is a four-tool prospect, with power grading out as his only average trait. At Triple-A this year, he's slashing .276/.355/.390 with one home run, nine steals, an 11.3% walk rate, a 14.9% strikeout rate, and 102 wRC+. He's been a steal and on-base threat at every level, and he also tapped into a little more power last year with 14 homers. Between the elite draft capital, an impressive statistical track record, and a well-rounded set of skills, Clark's MLB debut seems to be a matter of "when" and not "if." We fully expect him to get the call at some point this season, and while we know the Tigers won't rush his development, they could also benefit from his presence in the majors. Clark is a must-stash prospect in fantasy baseball ahead of his anticipated promotion.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jasson Dominguez Exits Early on Thursday After Colliding with Outfield Wall
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (shoulder, head) was removed in the first inning of his team's game on Thursday against the Texas Rangers after colliding with the left field wall. Per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, Dominguez has been placed in concussion protocol and will also undergo an MRI on his left shoulder. The 23-year-old began the year in Triple-A but earned a promotion to the big leagues after Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf) was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 25. Across 32 plate appearances with New York, Dominguez hit .200/.250/.367 with one home run, four RBI, and three runs scored. The former top prospect offers the potential for five-category fantasy contribution, but he's struggled to log an extended run of everyday MLB playing time due to injuries and defensive concerns. Should Dominguez require a trip to the injured list, Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones could be the next man up in New York.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Ryan Waldschmidt a Top Outfielder to Stash Despite Injury Scare?
Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt (head) had an impressive month of April at the plate, and he could be due for a promotion to the majors very soon. When he does get called up, he'll be making his MLB debut. The 31st overall pick in the 2024 draft, Waldschmidt is slashing .285/.400/.480 with three home runs, six steals, a 12.6% walk rate, a 24.5% strikeout rate, and 117 wRC+ at Triple-A this year. He's also a talented defender who has the ability to play any of the three outfield spots, although 93.5% of his defensive innings this season have come in center field. The biggest concern with Waldschmidt right now is that he took a pitch to the head on Tuesday, and he didn't play on Wednesday. Depending on the severity, he could be due for a stint on the injured list. Once he returns to action, though, he'll continue his push for a spot on the major league roster. Regarded as a power and speed threat, Waldschmidt is worth stashing in many fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Spencer Jones Emerging as a Potential Stash Option Following Major-League Injury
New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones turns 25 years old in mid-May, but he's still awaiting an opportunity to make his MLB debut. That opportunity may soon present itself, as Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf) is currently on the injured list, and Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (shoulder, head) may soon be joining him after colliding with the left field wall on Thursday. Per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, Dominguez has been placed in concussion protocol and will also undergo an MRI on his left shoulder. Jones hit 35 home runs across 506 minor league plate appearances in 2025 and is off to another strong start at Triple-A in 2026, hitting .258/.366/.592 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, 25 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Batting average is a major concern for Jones, as he owns a 32.4% strikeout rate this season and struck out in 36.6% of his Triple-A plate appearances in 2025. Still, he offers significant power and speed upside if he gets a shot with the Yankees. Fantasy managers should monitor for updates on both Dominguez and Jones in the coming days.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Colt Emerson Homers Wednesday, Getting Closer to MLB Debut?
Seattle Mariners shortstop prospect Colt Emerson went 3-for-5 with two singles, one home run, and three RBI during a Triple-A game on Wednesday. It's been a relatively modest year at the plate for Emerson, who is slashing .241/.336/.463 with five homers, seven steals, and a 100 wRC+. Still, he represents the future in Seattle, especially after signing an eight-year extension earlier this spring. Because of that enormous contractual commitment, the Mariners may feel incentivized to call him up for his MLB debut sooner rather than later. Even though the numbers at the plate haven't been amazing, his performance on Wednesday -- coupled with above-average defense all year long -- could be enough to move the needle within the Mariners' front office. J.P. Crawford has shortstop locked down, but Emerson could presumably play a healthy dose of games at second or third base in the majors. Because he's getting closer to his MLB debut, managers should strongly consider stashing Emerson in fantasy baseball.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shea Langeliers Returning to the Athletics on Thursday
Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (paternity) is back with the team on Thursday, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Langeliers was placed on the paternity list by the Athletics on Monday and has been out of the lineup for each of his team's last two games as a result. The 28-year-old is off to a scorching start to the 2026 season, hitting .336/.390/.627 with 10 home runs, 18 RBI, and 24 runs scored across 146 plate appearances. Langeliers appears likely to be back in the Athletics' lineup for their game on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies and profiles as a must-start catcher across all fantasy formats.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Cole Young Emerging as a Breakout Second Baseman to Target on the Waiver Wire
After struggling to a .607 OPS across his first 257 MLB plate appearances in 2025, Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young appears to have turned a corner in his sophomore campaign. Across 149 plate appearances in 2026, the 22-year-old is hitting .276/.342/.403 with three home runs, 20 RBI, 20 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Young has raised his barrel rate from 5.6% to 8.1%, and his hard-hit rate from 31.3% to 41.4%. The lefty-swinging Young has also more than held his own against same-handed pitching, hitting .283/.306/.478 against southpaws. Young's batting average could be at risk of regression, as his strikeout rate is up from 18.3% in 2025 to 24.2% in 2026. He's also currently benefiting from an elevated.354 batting average on balls in play. Still, Young has taken over as the unquestioned everyday second baseman in Seattle and offers a well-rounded profile that makes him an appealing waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tarik Skubal Could Return in 4-6 Weeks After Successful Elbow Surgery
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal's left-elbow surgery was such a success on Wednesday that he could start working out within days, and a two-month timetable is even seen as a conservative estimate for the two-time Cy Young winner to return, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Skubal returning in four to six weeks is now possible after he had one relatively small loose body removed from his elbow. The 29-year-old All-Star had arthroscopic surgery with Dr. Neal ElAttrache. We should have a more concrete timetable for when Skubal might rejoin Detroit's starting rotation once he resumes a throwing program, but this is great news all around for the Tigers and fantasy managers. Even though Skubal will miss over a month after going under the knife, he must be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy baseball leagues. Skubal wasn't striking out batters at an elite rate in his first seven starts of 2026, but he still had a nice 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and only six walks in 43 1/3 innings pitched.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Salvador Perez Nursing Sore Hip, May Not Catch This Weekend
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro is unsure if catcher Salvador Perez (hip) will catch this weekend in the series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers because he's still nursing a sore hip, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. "I don't think so. I think we want to take it cautiously. But we're talking to him every day. But for right now, that wouldn't be my plan," Quatraro said. Perez's hip soreness isn't serious enough to keep him out of the lineup, though, as he's serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Slade Cecconi. The 35-year-old veteran is hitting just over the Mendoza Line on the year, but of late, he's gone 13-for-44 (.295) with two home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI, and eight runs scored in his last 11 games since April 25. Durability is going to be an issue for the aging Venezuelan, and he could require more DH days throughout the year in his 15th year in the big leagues.
Source: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
Source: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
