Gage Wood Features Elite Strikeout Upside
Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Gage Wood pitched four strong innings in his start on Thursday night with two earned runs, four hits, and two walks to go with 10 strikeouts. The strikeout upside is a picture of what makes Wood such a special pitching prospect. The results haven't been overwhelming for Wood at Double-A Reading, but he has featured that strikeout potential. In 16 starts at Reading, the right-hander has pitched 63 2/3 innings and struck out 94 batters, which is at an elite level. But he has an ERA of 4.81 and a WHIP of 1.29, which are good but not great at Double-A. Wood features a 70-grade fastball with a 55-grade curveball and a 50-grade slider. Overall, Wood looks like a promising future fantasy starter but now looks more like a dynasty league play than a redraft play, as he will probably remain in the minors for the rest of this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Brandon Marsh Losing Playing Time Amidst Second-Half Slump
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh has had a solid season overall in 2026, hitting .271/.318/.426 with 17 home runs, 57 RBI, 67 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 511 plate appearances. However, the 28-year-old has run into a rough patch of late. After hitting .301 with 15 homers across 363 plate appearances in the first half of the season, Marsh has hit just .195 with two long balls across 148 trips to the plate since the All-Star break. The lefty-swinging Marsh has also been significantly worse against same-handed pitching this season, posting a .624 OPS with a 36.9% strikeout rate against southpaws. If his overall struggles persist, Marsh could continue to lose playing time against left-handed starting pitching. Fantasy managers should monitor Marsh closely as we hit the final month of the regular season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jhoan Duran a High-End Fantasy Closer as Phillies Push for Playoffs
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed closer Jhoan Duran continues to be a high-end fantasy closer for a team that is currently locked into the second National League wild-card position. Since Duran's last blown save on July 27 against the division-rival Miami Marlins, he has gone 4-for-4 in save opportunities, including three saves in a row from Aug. 16 through Aug. 19. In 12 appearances (12 innings pitched) in the month of August, Duran has allowed just one earned run on 11 hits while walking two and striking out 14 batters. The 28-year-old Dominican hurler is 1-4 in his first full season in the City of Brotherly Love with a sparkling 1.71 ERA (1.22 FIP) and a 1.03 WHIP with 67 strikeouts and only eight walks all year in 47 1/3 innings out of the Phillies' bullpen. Duran's 28 saves are only four off his career high, set last year with the Phillies and Minnesota Twins. His 28 saves are tied with Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias for the eighth-most in the league. Duran has blown only two of his 30 save opportunities in 2026 and should have many more chances to set a new career high in saves over the final month of the regular season.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Gage Wood Offers High Upside For Dynasty Formats
Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Gage Wood is the top prospect in the Phillies system and has advanced to Double-A in his age-22 season this year. Wood has shown modest results at Double-A Reading with 14 starts and an 0-2 record with a 4.45 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 77 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings pitched. The strikeout rate is very good, but the other numbers leave a bit to be desired. He started the season at A-ball pitching for Clearwater before his promotion to Reading on May 18. Wood has a dominant fastball, with the pitch graded out at 70. But he has work to do on his secondary pitches, with the top-graded one being his curveball at 55-grade, with a 50-grade slider, and a 45-grade changeup. Wood likely needs more time in the minors but is a good name for dynasty leagues, as he could debut for the Phillies next season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Alec Bohm a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Amidst August Hot Streak
Across 513 plate appearances this season entering play on Tuesday, Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm was hitting .246/.302/.387 with 14 home runs, 76 RBI, 49 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 30-year-old got off to a rough start to the season, hitting .151 with one home run across 119 plate appearances through the end of April. However, Bohm has rebounded and largely produced at his established levels since the start of May. Bohm has been particularly hot in August, hitting .359 with 17 RBI across 85 trips to the plate this month. With just a 13.6% strikeout rate, Bohm's ability to put the ball in play keeps his batting average floor high and helps him rack up run production while playing an everyday role in the heart of the Phillies lineup. As long as he stays healthy the rest of the way, Bohm has a chance to top 90 RBI for the third time in the last four seasons. Especially amidst his current hot streak, Bohm is a worthy waiver wire target in leagues where he is not already rostered.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryson Stott Returns for Series Opener on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryson Stott (foot) is starting at third base and will bat sixth in Monday's series opener against the hosting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert, according to MLB.com. X-rays came back negative on Stott's foot on Sunday after he was forced from the game early, and he was diagnosed with a right-foot contusion. He will not have to miss any games because of it, although fantasy managers may want to keep him on their benches as he works through a rough patch offensively. Stott is hitting .294 (20-for-68) with a homer, four doubles, 10 RBI, five stolen bases, and 13 runs scored in 21 games so far in August, but he has gone hitless in his last 13 plate appearances over his last four games. Overall, the left-handed-hitting former first-rounder in 2019 from UNLV is slashing .259/.337/.406 with just nine home runs, 59 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases across his 433 at-bats in 2026. After the Phillies picked up Luis Arraez at the trade deadline, Stott moved across the diamond as the team's regular third baseman. He is hitting .429 with a 1.071 OPS and an RBI in just seven career at-bats against Gilbert.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Alec Bohm Back From Hamstring Injury to Face Mariners
Philadelphia Phillies corner infielder Alec Bohm (hamstring) is starting at first base and will bat fifth for the Phils in Monday's series opener on the road in Seattle against Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert, according to MLB.com. Bohm is returning to action to begin the new week after he was rested in Sunday's series finale versus the St. Louis Cardinals due to tightness in his hamstring/groin. Given how hot the right-handed slugger has been at the dish lately, fantasy managers who have Bohm rostered will want to get him back into their starting lineups on Monday. The 30-year-old veteran is currently hitting .378 (28-for-74) with a .947 OPS, a homer, six doubles, one triple, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored, and a stolen base in 20 games across 81 plate appearances in the month of August. The strong last few weeks have boosted the former first-rounder's season slash line to .248/.305/.390 with 14 home runs, 75 RBI, and 49 runs scored in 464 at-bats. In 10 career at-bats against Gilbert, Bohm has picked up three hits and has a .600 OPS.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Luis Arraez Returns to Phillies' Lineup on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Luis Arraez (hamstring) is back at second base and is hitting cleanup for the Phillies in Monday's series opener against the hosting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert, per MLB.com. Arraez did not start Sunday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals due to hamstring cramping, but he entered the contest late and is now back in the starting nine. The 29-year-old four-time All-Star and three-time batting champion is not a great source of power (he only has six home runs), but he continues to hit for average, entering the week with a .322 average (159-for-494) with 54 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in his eighth year in the big leagues. Since being acquired at the trade deadline by the Phillies, Arraez has gone 23-for-74 (.311) with two home runs, 11 RBI, and 11 runs scored in 18 games played for his new club. Despite hitting just .167 with a homer and two RBI in 12 career at-bats against Gilbert, fantasy managers should be looking to get Arraez back into their starting lineups for the new week.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Trea Turner Back for Monday's Series Opener
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (knee) is back at shortstop and is batting second for Monday's series opener at home against the division-rival Miami Marlins and right-hander Janson Junk, per MLB.com. Turner fouled a ball off his right knee on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins and was held out of the series finale on Sunday at Target Field as a precaution. The veteran shortstop is ready to begin a new week and should be returned to starting lineups in traditional fantasy formats. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger winner is hitting only .247 (122-for-493) after batting a league-high .304 last year, but he's three home runs and three stolen bases away from the fourth 20-20 season of his MLB career in his 12th year in the majors. Turner has gone 13-for-53 (.245) with a .675 OPS, only one home run, three doubles, four RBI, and seven runs scored so far in 13 games in August. He is searching for his first hit against Junk but has only had three career at-bats against him going into Monday's contest.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Trea Turner Sitting on Sunday With Knee Injury
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (knee) is out of the team's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale in Minnesota against the Twins, according to MLB.com. Turner fouled a ball off himself in Saturday's contest against the Twins and is dealing with a right-knee/ankle contusion. The good news is that he didn't require any X-rays following Saturday's game and appeared to be walking around fine in the clubhouse. The veteran shortstop expects to be fine and should be back in action for Monday's series opener at home against the division-rival Miami Marlins. Edmundo Sosa will start at the 6 on Sunday and will bat ninth against Twins right-hander Dean Kremer. Turner is currently slashing .247/.298/.398 with a .696 OPS, 17 home runs, 47 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 82 runs scored in 120 games played across 533 plate appearances in 2026 in his 12th year in the big leagues. The three-time All-Star still has decent pop, but he's not running nearly as much and has shown plenty of signs of offensive decline as he nears the back end of his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Trea Turner Exits Early Due to Knee Injury
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (knee) left early during Saturday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Turner exited the game after fouling a pitch off his right knee, according to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He was removed from the game in the eighth inning with the Phillies already leading big. The team was likely just being cautious, especially with a big lead on the scoreboard late in the contest. Before leaving, Turner went 1-for-3 with a single, a run scored, and a walk. Justin Crawford replaced him in the lineup while Edmundo Sosa took over at shortstop. Fantasy managers should check back after the game for another update on his injury. UPDATE: Turner bruised his right knee but didn't require X-rays and was walking around the clubhouse without any issue. He said it looked worse than it actually was.
Source: Scott Lauber
Source: Scott Lauber
Bryce Harper Playing Through Knee Soreness
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (knee) remains in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Harper continues to play despite dealing with knee soreness that has worsened since moving to the outfield, according to Charlotte Varnes. Harper fouled a ball off his knee before the All-Star break, and it hasn't stopped bothering him. He'll be at the designated hitter spot for the second time in three games on Monday. The Phillies will move things around and have Derek Hill in right field while Kyle Schwarber gets the start at first base. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation closely. For now, Harper is playing, but he might need a stint on the Injured List.
Source: Charlotte Varnes
Source: Charlotte Varnes
Bryson Stott Moving to Third Base
The Philadelphia Phillies acquired All-Star infielder Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants on Monday, causing a shakeup on the Phillies' infield going forward, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Arraez will continue to play second base in Philly, and the team's first choice appears to be to move Bryson Stott to third base and Alec Bohm to first base. The domino effect means that first baseman Bryce Harper will be moving back to right field. The 28-year-old Stott already has eligibility in Yahoo leagues at second base and shortstop, so now he'll gain third-base eligibility to close out the 2026 season and for next year, which will definitely be a boost to his fantasy profile. The former first-rounder in 2019 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is currently hitting a modest .252/.317/.407 with a .723 OPS, eight home runs, 50 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 19 steals in 106 games and 409 plate appearances in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues with the Phillies. Stott has minimal power and on-base skills, but he's useful for infield depth in deeper fantasy leagues for his speed and positional versatility. He's rostered in exactly half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Bryce Harper Expected to Move to the Outfield
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper is expected to move back to the outfield to make room for recently acquired infielder Luis Arraez, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Alec Bohm is set to move to first base, with Bryson Stott moving from second to third. Harper will move back to right field, a position he hasn't played since 2022. For fantasy purposes, it will definitely put more strain on the 33-year-old veteran physically, but he will also be gaining outfield eligibility to close out the 2026 season and for next year. The two-time MVP and nine-time All-Star heads into the new week slashing .255/.360/.497 on the year with an .858 OPS, 23 home runs, 66 RBI, 67 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 112 games across 472 plate appearances in his eighth year with the Phillies. Fantasy managers are hoping the move to the outfield will help Harper get back on track offensively, as he hit just .172 (15-for-87) with a .625 OPS, two homers, six doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, nine runs, 14 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 24 games in July, easily his worst month of the season so far.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Luis Arraez Shipped to Phillies in Major Trade
The San Francisco Giants are trading infielder Luis Arraez to the Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Athletic's Jason Stark. In this deal, the Phillies are also receiving bullpen arm Caleb Kilian and sending No. 9-ranked prospect Ramon Marquez and pitching prospect Marty Gair. Arraez was viewed as one of the top remaining hitters on the market and will bolster one of the most potent lineups in the National League. With the Giants this season, the infielder has posted a dominant .324 AVG with a .360 OBP and .440 SLG. He is in the 92nd percentile in xBA but has generated very soft contact, with a first percentile hard-hit rate and barrel rate. However, Arraez possesses elite eye at the dish, holding a low 4.5% K% and 7.9% whiff rate, both of which place him in the top percentile among qualified hitters. While managers should not expect his power totals to increase going forward, he should be put in prime scoring positions, batting in a lineup alongside Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. He is expected to have an everyday role at the keystone, which would push Bryson Stott to a utility role. Kilian should compete for low-leverage opportunities and is not expected to hold much fantasy value outside of deep 15+ team formats that reward holds. UPDATE: Francys Romero reports that Arraez is unlikely to debut with the Phillies until Tuesday's game against the division-rival Washington Nationals.
Source: Jayson Stark
Source: Jayson Stark
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