Bailey Ober Continues to Throw Bullpens
Bailey
Ober
(hip)
has
been
able
to
throw
multiple
bullpen
sessions
since
landing
on
the
injured
list
July
2,
MLB.com
reports.
Following
his
start
on
June
28
against
the
Detroit
Tigers,
Ober
landedread more...
Minnesota
Twins
right-hander
Zebby Matthews Sharp in His Rehab Outing on Sunday
Zebby
Matthews
(shoulder)
threw
four
shutout
innings
with
nine
strikeouts,
no
walks,
and
one
hit
allowed
in
his
start
Sunday
for
Triple-A
St.
Paul.
His
fastball
reached
97-98
mph,
and
he
got
12
outsread more...
Minnesota
Twins
pitcher
Daylen Lile Enjoying Productive Stretch in Washington
Daylen Lile has enjoyed a recent surge at the plate. Over his last 18 games, the No. 9-ranked prospect in the D.C. system on MLB.com has posted a .292/.343/.369 slash line with two doubles, one home run, and three stolen bases. While he has yet to show much power upside in the major leagues, he has shown solid contact skills as he tallied at least one hit in a 14-game stretch earlier in July. During his first 15 games in Washington, Lile held a .152/.200/.326 slash line with just three doubles and a home run. Earlier in the season, the 22-year-old posted an impressive .337/.407/.500 slash line with seven doubles, two long balls, and six swiped bags across his first 26 games with Triple-A. Given his steady progress in the majors, he should continue to have an everyday role after the All-Star break.Source: MLB.com
Washington Nationals outfield prospect Brice Matthews Quiet in First Look at the Majors
Brice Matthews has yet to tally a hit during his first week in the major leagues. The top-ranked prospect in Houston was given the starting nod at the keystone in each of his first two games but went 0-for-7 with five strikeouts. He did not draw a walk. The Astors opted to keep him on the bench on Sunday during their final game of the first half. Fantasy managers should expect Matthews to remain on the team following the All-Star break. However, if he continues to struggle, they will likely send him back to Triple-A to further his development. Earlier this season with Sugar Land, Matthews posted a strong .283/.400/.476 line with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and 25 stolen bases across 73 contests. Given his five-category upside, he is worth holding in all 12+ team leagues for the time being.Source: MiLB.com
Houston Astros infield prospect Nick Kurtz Continues Power Surge on Sunday
Nick Kurtz went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run during their victory on Sunday over the Toronto Blue Jays. Kurtz would go deep in the fifth inning with a two-run show off Toronto relief pitcher Justin Bruihl. Over his last nine contests, the Wake Forest product has been one of the most productive hitters in the major leagues, boasting a .344/.447/.938 slash line with four doubles and five long balls. Following his slow start in the majors, the former fourth overall pick has posted a remarkable .287/.376/.713 line with seven doubles and 16 home runs across his last 35 games. Earlier this season, Kurtz flashed immense power upside with Triple-A Las Vegas. The 22-year-old should continue to be viewed as a must-start first baseman in all formats.Source: MLB.com
Athletics first base prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez Dealing with Side Injury
Emmanuel Rodriguez (side) was removed from Saturday's contest against Triple-A Iowa due to a side injury. He is currently being evaluated by the team, but has not yet provided any further details. Rodriguez was recently sidelined for nearly a month due to a right hip injury and could face another extended absence. Since returning to Triple-A following the hip injury, Rodriguez went 6-for-13 with a double, a home run, and seven RBI across four contests. Overall, the No. 2-ranked prospect in Minnesota has enjoyed a productive campaign with Triple-A St. Paul, holding a .254/.41/.428 line with seven doubles, five home runs, and seven stolen bases. If the 22-year-old can continue to perform with St. Paul, he could be in contention to join the major leagues later in the second half.Source: MLB.com
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Cole Young Extends Hitting Streak to Five Games
Cole Young went 2-for-4 with a home run during their victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon. Young would hit his second MLB long ball in the final frame off Detroit reliever Tommy Kahnle. During this five-game hitting streak, the former 21st overall pick has begun to find his footing in the big leagues. He has held a .389/.476/.778 slash line with a double and two home runs. Before this surge, the No. 3-ranked prospect in the Seattle system held a modest .230/.271/.270 slash line with four doubles and a 25:4 K:BB. Earlier in the season, Young spent 54 games with Triple-A Tacoma and posted a solid .277/.392/.461 line with 13 doubles, five home runs, and four stolen bases before moving up to Seattle. For now, he is worth a look in deeper formats as a middle infielder with upside.Source: MLB.com
Seattle Mariners infield prospect Noah Cameron Strikes Out Eight on Sunday
Noah Cameron was dominant in his most recent outing on Sunday afternoon against the New York Mets. In this outing, Cameron was given a no-decision as he tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings. He allowed seven hits and served up two free passes. He matched a season-high eight strikeouts. Since allowing five runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 27, the southpaw has found his footing, logging 18 1/3 innings (three starts) to the tune of a stellar 0.98 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. Through 70 total innings in the major leagues, the rookie has held his own, posting a 2.31 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP. During this stretch, he has struck out 58 batters while posting an above-average 8.0% walk rate. Given his strong debut, he will likely remain in the Kansas City rotation during the entire second half.Source: MLB.com
Kansas City Royals pitching prospect Yoshinobu Yamamoto Tosses Gem Against Giants
Yoshinobu Yamamoto bounced back in a big way on Sunday, tossing seven shutout frames against the San Francisco Giants in a 5-2 win. Yamamoto scattered three hits and two walks while punching out seven. Unfortunately for the 26-year-old righty, he was saddled with a no-decision after Tanner Scott blew a save in the ninth. Still, it was a big step in the right direction for Yamamoto, who was coming off a disastrous outing against the Milwaukee Brewers in which he didn't escape the first inning. Things have been a bit shaky for the Japanese star lately, with solid starts sandwiched between rough ones. Still, his numbers look good for the season, as he is 8-7 with a 2.59 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts in 104 ⅓ IP. His next start is TBD as we head into the all-star break, but Yamamoto will be a must-start in fantasy regardless of who he faces.Source: MLB.com
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shota Imanaga Shuts Down Yankees on Sunday
Shota Imanaga (6-3) authored a dominant start on Sunday, tossing seven one-run innings against the New York Yankees in a 4-1 win. Imanaga was excellent throughout this one, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out six. After a solid start to his season, Imanaga missed a month and a half with a hamstring injury. Since his return, he has been fine, but this was by far the best he has looked. Imanaga is now 6-3 with a 2.65 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts in 68 IP. He isn't much of a strikeout artist, but Imanaga does a good job preventing runs and baserunners. He is a must-start pitcher in fantasy, and lines up to start against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, subject to any changes the Cubs decide to make to their rotation during the All-Star break.Source: MLB.com
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi Dominant Again in Seventh Win
Nathan Eovaldi (7-3) pitched into the eighth inning on Sunday, allowing just one run and picking up the win against the Houston Astros. Eovaldi scattered five hits, walked one, and struck out eight over 7 ⅔ IP in what was another convincing performance. The 35-year-old veteran is having a career season, with a lights-out 1.58 ERA and 0.85 WHIP supported by a 94:14 K:BB ratio over 91 IP. Regression is almost certain with numbers like that, but even with that baked in, he should still be considered a must-start fantasy option regardless of matchup. Eovaldi is in line to face the Detroit Tigers next Sunday, but things could change if the Rangers' rotation gets shuffled after the All-Star break.Source: MLB.com
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Ryan Helsley Escapes With Save
Ryan Helsley finished off a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, picking up his 19th save. Helsley made things interesting in this one, allowing a walk and a single before getting three straight outs, including a strikeout, to escape the jam. The 30-year-old fireballer has been decent this year, converting 19 of 24 save opportunities and pitching to a 3.27 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 33 IP. There are some worrisome signs, as Helsley has allowed too many baserunners and is striking out fewer batters than in previous seasons. Still, he hasn't been bad enough for the Cardinals to consider taking him out of the closer role, so fantasy owners should roll with him as long as he keeps getting the job done.Source: MLB.com
St. Louis Cardinals closer Mason Miller Earns Another Save
Mason Miller earned his second save in as many days on Sunday, closing out a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Miller allowed just a single and struck out one in his inning of work. The flamethrower had his stuff today, hitting 104 mph on his fastball. While his numbers are a touch inflated this season, it has still been a good sophomore campaign for Miller. He is 19-for-22 in save opportunities, and carries a 4.04 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 57 strikeouts in 35 ⅔ IP. A couple of blow-up outings are making those ratios look mediocre, but it is clear that when Miller is on, he is nearly untouchable. He should be regarded as an elite closer for fantasy, albeit on an A's team that won't win a ton of games.Source: MLB.com
Athletics closer David Bednar Continues Scoreless Streak
David Bednar slammed the door on the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, tossing a clean ninth inning to preserve a 2-1 win. Bednar allowed a leadoff single to Carlos Correa, but then got three straight outs, including two punchouts, to pick up his 13th save. The 30-year-old righty has been lights out since late May, going 18 straight appearances (17 ⅓ IP) without allowing an earned run and converting all nine of his save chances in that time frame. Bednar is down to a 2.53 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 45 strikeouts in 32 IP on the season. Even with a shaky start, he has been one of the best closers in the majors.Source: MLB.com
Pittsburgh Pirates closer Julio Rodriguez Homers for Third Straight Day
Julio Rodriguez went yard for the third consecutive game on Sunday in an 8-4 win over the Detroit Tigers. Rodriguez blasted a solo home run off right-hander Jack Flaherty in the third inning, but that was hardly his lone contribution. He also chipped in an RBI double, drew two walks, stole a base, and scored three times in a 2-for-3 afternoon as the Mariners completed a three-game road sweep. Rodriguez terrorized the Tigers all weekend, finishing the series 6-for-12 with three HRs, six RBI, eight runs, two steals, and four walks. An All-Star for the third time this season, Rodriguez enters the break hitting .252/.313/.417 with 14 homers, 50 RBI, 63 runs, and 17 steals in 431 plate appearances. The 24-year-old is poised to begin his career with four 20/20 seasons in a row.Source: ESPN
Seattle Mariners outfielder