RADIO
Elly De La Cruz Set to Begin Rehab Assignment at Triple-A
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, per a team announcement. De La Cruz has been on the 10-day injured list since June 1 due to a hamstring strain, but he appears to be close to a return to the big leagues. Across 257 plate appearances before the injury, De La Cruz hit .280/.346/.509 with 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. The 24-year-old's underlying contact metrics were the best of his career, as he had logged a 14.6% barrel rate and a 50.9% hard-hit rate. Although De La Cruz was just 10 for 15 as a base stealer before the injury, speed remains a major part of his fantasy appeal. De La Cruz also struggled mightily in the second half of the 2025 season while attempting to play through a quad injury, so fantasy managers will have to hope that the superstar shortstop is fully recovered this time around. Still, De La Cruz profiles as a must-start shortstop with five-category upside upon his return to the Reds lineup.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Is Roki Sasaki Still a Breakout Candidate to Target on the Waiver Wire?
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki had a rough outing in his most recent start against the Chicago White Sox on June 12, allowing seven earned runs across 4 1/3 innings. Sasaki's overall numbers for the year are unimpressive, as he's recorded a 3-4 record with a 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts across 62 1/3 innings (12 starts). However, the talented 24-year-old appeared to be turning a corner before this most recent hiccup. Across his last four starts leading into the Chicago game, Sasaki had allowed just four earned runs while striking out 29 across 24 1/3 innings. The hard-throwing right-hander also looks to have solved some of his control issues after a rough April that saw him walk 22 batters across 22 2/3 innings. Sasaki's inconsistency to this point in his MLB career brings some risk to his profile. Still, he clearly has talent in his arm and could offer major strikeout upside for fantasy managers if he can put it all together. Sasaki remains a worthy waiver wire gamble ahead of a potential breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seth Lugo Reinstated and Starting on Friday Against Nationals
The Kansas City Royals announced on Friday that they reinstated veteran right-hander Seth Lugo (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list and optioned right-hander Mason Black to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Lugo will return from the IL to face the Washington Nationals on Friday after he was struck in the forehead by a line drive in a scary scene at Kauffman Stadium against the Texas Rangers in his last start on June 10. The 36-year-old veteran will return to a 2-4 record with a 3.86 ERA (3.56 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 25 walks in 79 1/3 innings pitched over his 14 starts in his 11th year in the majors. Despite being a soft-tosser with a below-average 19.8% strikeout rate, Lugo has kept hitters off balance enough to make him a deep-league streaming option. We would not recommend him in his first start off the IL, though, against a Nationals ballclub that ranks fifth in the league in OPS (.744). Lugo has little room for error with a lack of strikeout upside, and he'll likely have a limited pitch count in this one after not making a minor-league rehab start.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Should Colt Emerson be Considered a Priority Waiver-Wire Target?
Across 94 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Seattle Mariners infielder Colt Emerson is hitting .235/.309/.529 with six home runs, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 20-year-old has struggled with swing-and-miss, posting a 29.8% strikeout rate that may put a ceiling on his batting average. However, he's shown off his power stroke in recent weeks and has already hit four home runs in June. Emerson has also established himself as the everyday shortstop in Seattle, with veteran Mariners infielder J.P. Crawford being moved from shortstop to third base upon his return from a hand injury earlier this month. Emerson's underlying contact metrics (5.3% barrel rate, 29.8% hard-hit rate) do not support his power output so far, which should be a bit of a red flag for fantasy managers. Still, Emerson is considered to be one of the top prospects in all of baseball and hit seven home runs across 169 plate appearances at Triple-A this season before his promotion. Given his prospect pedigree and his role in Seattle, Emerson profiles as a priority waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dustin May a Must-Add Arm Ahead of Potential Breakout
Once considered a top prospect during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, current St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his career to this point. However, the 28-year-old looks like he may be putting it all together in 2026. Across 81 2/3 innings (14 starts) on the year, May has recorded a 5-6 record with a 3.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts. He's been particularly dominant of late, recording 15 strikeouts across 15 scoreless innings over two starts against the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. May's average fastball velocity is back up to 97 miles per hour after it dipped to 95.5 mph in 2025. He generates a ton of ground balls (46.2% ground ball rate) and limits home runs (0.55 HR/9). Particularly given his pitcher-friendly home environment in St. Louis, May profiles as a must-add starting pitcher on the waiver wire ahead of what could be a breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mick Abel a Must-Add Starting Pitcher Ahead of Looming Injury Return
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) has been sidelined since mid-April due to elbow inflammation. However, the 24-year-old has traveled with the team to Arizona for their weekend series and appears poised to come off the injured list and rejoin the Twins rotation on Sunday. Across 20 1/3 innings (four games) before the injury, Abel recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. After allowing nine earned runs in his first two outings of the year, Abel recorded 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts across his last two starts before he was placed on the injured list. The former top prospect also pitched very well in his most recent rehab appearances, allowing just one earned run while striking out 10 across eight innings (two starts) with Triple-A St. Paul. Abel offers significant strikeout upside for fantasy managers upon his return and profiles as a priority stash candidate on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tanner Scott Remains a Must-Add Closer on the Waiver Wire
Across 31 innings (33 games) in 2026, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tanner Scott has recorded a 2.32 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 38 strikeouts, and nine saves. The 31-year-old began the season in a setup role, but he has emerged as the team's preferred option in the ninth inning with Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) currently working his way back from elbow surgery. While Diaz is expected to return this season, he's unlikely to be back in the big leagues until after the All-Star break. Scott has been more than capable as a stand-in, averaging 96.7 miles per hour on his fastball and logging a dominant 30.7% K-BB rate. Until Diaz returns, Scott profiles as a must-start closer for fantasy managers. In any league where he remains available on the waiver wire, Scott profiles as a priority target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Royce Lewis Heating Up in June, Re-Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target
Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis has had a rough year overall in 2026, hitting .199/.283/.356 with six home runs, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The oft-injured slugger missed time in April due to an LCL sprain in his left knee and has seen his strikeout rate rise from 19.9% in 2025 to 28.9%. However, Lewis has started to heat up in recent weeks. Across 47 plate appearances in June, the 27-year-old is hitting .286/.340/.548 with three home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored, and one stolen base. Lewis' underlying contact metrics remain strong, as he's posted a 12% barrel rate on the season. If he can maintain his current health, Lewis profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cubs Promote Outfield Prospect Justin Dean to Major Leagues
The Chicago Cubs are calling up outfield prospect Justin Dean from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, according to Milb Central. Dean will make his debut with the Cubs after hitting just .238 (43-for-181) with three home runs, 25 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 38 runs scored in 56 games across 223 plate appearances at Iowa. The 29-year-old former 17th-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in 2018 out of Lenoir-Rhyne University made his big-league debut last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he played in just 18 games and was mostly a defensive replacement late in games, going hitless in two plate appearances with one stolen base and one strikeout. Dean has experience playing all three outfield spots in the minor leagues, but beyond that, he doesn't really have much fantasy upside at almost 30 years old as bench depth for the Cubbies in the short term. In his eight minor-league seasons, Dean has hit .251/.357/.367 with a .723 OPS, 42 homers, 264 RBI, and 253 stolen bases in 745 games played. Fantasy managers should avoid Dean off the waiver wire.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Ernie Clement Out With Hip Soreness on Friday
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement (hip) is dealing with some soreness in his left hip and will sit out of Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the hosting Chicago Cubs, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. The Blue Jays have been looking to get Clement a day of rest during their current stretch of 16 games in 16 days. Davis Schneider is making the start at second base on Friday and will bat eighth against Cubs right-hander Ben Brown. It doesn't sound like Clement's hip injury is very serious, so he could be right back in the starting nine on Saturday on the North Side of Chicago for Game 2 of the series. The contact-oriented Clement is currently hitting a strong .294 (85-for-289) for Toronto through 74 games in 2026 with a league-high 20 doubles, seven home runs, 28 RBI, 35 runs scored, and two stolen bases across an even 300 plate appearances. He's well on his way to setting a new career high in long balls after hitting just 12 in 2024 in his second season in Toronto. Clement is attractive in most fantasy leagues for his positional eligibility at first base, second base, third base, and shortstop.
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
"Strong Possibility" Shane Bieber Returns on Monday
The Toronto Blue Jays are waiting until right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) throws a side session on Saturday before announcing anything officially, but there is a "strong possibility" that he will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start on Monday against the Houston Astros, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. "All signs point towards he'll be ready to go," manager John Schneider said. Bieber said he's happy with how he felt after his last minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, when he reached 80 pitches. The 31-year-old former American League Cy Young winner has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2026 while recovering from right-elbow inflammation. In his five rehab starts, his overall numbers weren't exactly great, posting a 6.88 ERA with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 17 innings pitched, but stuff-wise, he was pleased. The two-time All-Star returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025 in his first year in Toronto to go 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and seven walks in 40 1/3 innings in just seven regular-season starts. Bieber is no longer a fantasy ace, but he should at least be worth a roster spot as rotation depth in deep-mixed leagues, and his matchup for his first start of the season on Monday against Houston is a favorable one.
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Jordan Love Happy With his Pass-Catching Group
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love said he "still has some great weapons" in the passing game going into the 2026 season despite losing Romeo Doubs in free agency and Dontayvion Wicks to an offseason trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, mentioning Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and second-year wideout Matthew Golden as his top options. The Packers also have tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) coming back from a torn ACL that cut his season short in 2025, so Love certainly still has plenty of pass-catching weapons to take the next step in 2026 in his sixth year in the NFL. The 27-year-old former 26th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of Utah State threw for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only six interceptions in 15 regular-season starts last year, which placed him as the QB16 in fantasy scoring. Love has proven to be a strong downfield passer -- that should continue if Watson stays healthy all year -- but Green Bay's offense as a whole will need to be more consistent if Love is going to jump up to the QB1 ranks in fantasy. Right now, RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 18 fantasy QB for the 2026 campaign.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Jayden Daniels has a "Long Way to Go" to Master the Offense
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued second year in the NFL in 2025, said he has a "long way to go" as he attempts to master the new system of offensive coordinator David Blough, according to John Keim of ESPN. It is the second offensive system that Daniels has had to learn in his first three NFL seasons. Daniels has looked comfortable with his footwork while operating more under center, but he still has plenty to work on. A sprained knee and hamstring and a dislocated left elbow limited him to just seven games in his sophomore campaign, a big change from when he was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 while helping the team to a 12-5 record and its first appearance in the NFC Championship game since 1991. Daniels threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for 891 yards and six more TDs on the ground. If the former second overall pick out of Louisiana State University can stay on the field in 2026, he's an obvious high-end bounce-back candidate at the QB position. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 3 QB for 2026, behind only Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Jonathan Taylor Could Dominate Touches Again in Indy's Backfield
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was one of just 11 RBs in 2025 to play every single game, which led to him carrying the ball 323 times, 12 more than any other player in the league, according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. The 27-year-old has 1,551 carries in his NFL career, which could suggest he might be reaching that point where many RBs' production begins to dip. "That's a fair assessment," head coach Shane Steichen said when asked if he's considered dialing back Taylor's workload at all. "It's hard to take him off the field when he's running so good, but getting Seth McGowan in the fold and DJ Giddens, and see how those guys come along in training camp, and we'll go from there," Steichen added. Since entering the NFL in 2020, Taylor's 1,551 carries rank third-most in the league. JT was a Pro Bowler for the third time in 2025, reaching 1,585 rushing yards and a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns on a league-high 323 carries, adding a career-high 46 catches for 378 yards and two more TDs in 17 starts to finish behind only Christian McCaffrey in fantasy scoring. The Colts will surely be mindful of Taylor's workload in his seventh NFL campaign in 2026, but with little experience behind him in the backfield, he should still see high-end volume, making him an easy top-five RB target in fantasy drafts.
Source: 107.5 The Fan - Kevin Bowen
Source: 107.5 The Fan - Kevin Bowen
Clay Holmes Plans to Resume Throwing by July 1
New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes (leg), who fractured his fibula on May 15 when he was hit by a comebacker, is progressing well and plans to resume throwing by July 1, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. It's a positive update on Holmes, but he still has a long way to go and probably won't be a realistic option to return to the Mets' starting rotation until some point in August. With the 33-year-old veteran out for an extended period of time with his unfortunate injury, he's now only rostered in 23% of Yahoo leagues. Before his fractured fibula, Holmes had gone 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA (3.21 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks in 52 2/3 innings pitched across his nine starts in his second year in Queens. The two-time All-Star's surface numbers were solid, but his expected ERA of 3.80 and 3.21 FIP suggest he was extremely fortunate to be pitching as well as he was early on. Holmes can still be an asset in fantasy to close out the year in 2026 when he returns from his leg injury, just don't expect him to be quite as good as he was in his first nine starts.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Eury Perez Strikes Out Five in First Rehab Start
Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (thigh) had a solid first minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, allowing just one earned run on three hits while walking none and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings against Triple-A Durham. Perez threw 37 of his 51 pitches as he works his way back from a right-thigh strain. If everything continues to go well, Perez might only need one or two more rehab starts before potentially rejoining the Marlins before the All-Star break in mid-July. In addition to throwing 51 pitches on Thursday on the farm, the 23-year-old Dominican hurler was sitting at 96-98 mph with his fastball, topping out at 99.4 mph, so he looks like he could be ready to rejoin the big-league starting rotation sooner rather than later. Before his thigh injury, Perez had gone 3-6 with a career-high 4.60 ERA (4.66 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 28 walks in 62 2/3 innings across his 12 starts in his third year in the majors. His elevated strikeout rate (27.8% in his career) makes him an arm to stash in most fantasy leagues. Perez is currently rostered in 75% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Bryce Eldridge Quickly Turning into a Must-Stash Power Bat
San Francisco Giants rookie first baseman Bryce Eldridge could easily be trending towards a second-half breakout in 2026, and he's starting to generate more attention off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball leagues for his elite raw power from the left side of the plate. In 33 games with the Gigantes this year, Eldridge has delivered a .319/.405/.558 slash line, .962 OPS, six home runs, 16 RBI, and 19 runs scored in a small sample size of 131 plate appearances. He debuted with San Fran in 2025, but he appeared in just 10 games. The 21-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2023 is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak in which he has gone 13-for-31 (.419) with four home runs, two doubles, 10 RBI, and six runs scored in 37 plate appearances. Eldridge went deep in three straight games and has homered in four of his last seven contests after clearing the fences in the team's last game on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves. The Giants could sell off some major pieces at this year's trade deadline, which could put Eldridge in line for a more prominent role in the Bay Area going forward. Fantasy managers in need of some pop should definitely look Eldridge's way, as he's available in more than half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Paul Sewald on a Roll, an Obvious Waiver Pickup for Saves
Arizona Diamondbacks veteran right-handed closer Paul Sewald doesn't light up the radar gun, is 36 years old, and has had his fair share of struggles in a high-leverage role in the past, but you can't argue with his results this year in the desert. The 10-year veteran has a 3.29 ERA (4.08 FIP), which also isn't exactly enticing for a ninth-inning arm, but he is currently tied for third in the majors with 18 saves in 2026 and also has a 0.73 WHIP and a 30.1% strikeout rate in 27 1/3 innings. Sewald is more prone to blow-ups than other high-end fantasy closers, sure, but he hasn't blown a save since May 13 against the Texas Rangers. Since then, he has only allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out 12 in 12 innings over 12 outings with two wins and nine saves for the D-backs. In his first 18 appearances this year, Sewald had a 4.70 ERA (4.33 FIP) with an 0-4 record, nine saves, and one blown save. He's not perfect, but he should be rostered in more than the 68% mark in Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Carson Benge in the Midst of a Rookie-Year Breakout?
New York Mets rookie outfielder Carson Benge has quickly become a lineup regular and table-setter for the Mets in 2026 in his first year in the big leagues, batting .257/.316/.385 with a .701 OPS, seven home runs, nine doubles, two triples, 26 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 39 runs scored in his first 72 big-league games across 288 plate appearances. The 23-year-old former 19th overall pick out of Oklahoma State University in the 2024 MLB draft went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in the team's 6-4 win over the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday out of the leadoff spot, and he's now hitting .293/.338/.533 with four home runs, six RBI, and 14 runs scored in his last 18 games. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has also gone 16-for-49 (.327) with two of his seven home runs against left-handed pitchers. In what has become a lost season for New York, Benge should be a lineup regular all year, and his recent hot streak makes him a must-add off the waiver wire for his high-end upside in multiple fantasy categories. Benge is currently rostered in only 44% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Fantasy Managers Need to Jump on the Payton Tolle Bandwagon
Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle took his fourth loss of the season in his most recent outing on June 16 versus the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, when he allowed three earned runs on four hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out six in just five innings of work. He gave up a season-high four earned runs in six innings for a loss in his previous outing on June 9 against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, but the 23-year-old southpaw remains one of the best young left-handed arms to roster in fantasy baseball leagues in just his second year in the league. The former second-round pick in 2024 out of Texas Christian University is 3-4 in 2026 with a strong 2.93 ERA (3.08 FIP) and 1.06 WHIP with 60 strikeouts and 16 walks in 58 1/3 innings over his 10 starts after having an ERA over 6.00 with a 1.59 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB in 16 1/3 frames in his first seven MLB appearances (three starts) in 2025. Tolle has a 25.5% strikeout rate since debuting last year and a 7.7% walk rate. He has done enough to stick around in Boston's starting rotation and is an emerging young arm with his arrow pointed up. Tolle has bounce-back potential in his next scheduled start against the banged-up Seattle Mariners.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
JJ Bleday Still Worth Rostering Amid Cold Spell in June?
Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday, who was the fourth overall pick by the Miami Marlins in 2019 out of Vanderbilt University, was a first-round bust in his first four years in the big leagues with the Fish and the Athletics, but he has found a home in Cincinnati and is in the midst of the best year of his young MLB career. Through 45 contests with the Reds in 2026, Bleday is hitting .265/.367/.572 with a .940 OPS, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 27 runs scored, and two stolen bases across his 196 plate appearances. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is well on pace to set a new career high in home runs, and his resurgence at the plate has led to him being a popular waiver-wire pickup in the first half of the season. Four of Bleday's 13 homers have come in June, but he's gone 11-for-57 (.193) during the month with two doubles, nine RBI, nine runs, a steal, nine walks, and 12 strikeouts in 15 games. While he may have cooled off a bit in June, Bleday has an expected batting average of .274 and an xwOBA of .388, with his underlying metrics backing his strong start to the 2026 campaign. If you need power off the waiver wire, Bleday is a widely available asset and is currently rostered in 56% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
When Will Joshua Baez Earn the Call to St. Louis?
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has enjoyed an incredible stretch at the plate at Triple-A and is on the verge of earning the call to the big leagues. Through 64 total games with the Memphis Redbirds, the outfielder has held a dominant .275/.343/.628 line with 24 home runs and 12 stolen bases. Over his last 14 contests (since June 2), the outfielder has been even more impressive at the dish, launching eight of these home runs with a .368/.381/.877 line. On June 16, Baez made headlines across the minor leagues, slugging four long balls in a single game. However, despite this level of play, the Cardinals have yet to turn to him. Even though Lars Nootbaar and Nathan Church are both back in action, Baez's current production should pave the way for him to join the MLB roster before the end of the month, especially if they remain in the Wild Card race. He remains an elite prospect to stash in all standard leagues ahead of Week 13.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Mike Babcock Cleared to Work in NHL
Mike Babcock has been cleared to coach in the NHL again, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. Babcock has been unemployed since 2023, when he departed the Columbus Blue Jackets less than three months into his tenure following controversy over his requests to view players' personal photos on their phones. The Edmonton Oilers are interested in hiring Babcock, and the NHL recently launched an investigation into the 2023 events. The investigation was requested by the NHL Players' Association. "The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League," the NHL announced in a statement. Babcock led the Detroit Red Wings to the Stanley Cup win in 2008 and ranks 12th all-time with 700 regular-season wins in 1,301 games.
Source: Emily Kaplan
Source: Emily Kaplan
Is Kade Anderson the Top Pitching Prospect to Stash?
Seattle Mariners left-handed pitching prospect Kade Anderson has seen his short-term fantasy stock take a hit this past week, but the budding ace remains firmly on the stash radar. The Mariners acknowledged that they will be looking to "piggyback" each of their MLB starters and do not view Anderson as part of their immediate plans. While this could change in the second half, for now it appears the former LSU superstar will remain in the minor leagues for the foreseeable future. However, during his first taste of professional baseball, the southpaw has looked nothing short of dominant, posting an elite 1.13 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and an 82:7 K:BB over 55 2/3 innings of work. While his path to the majors is not overly clear, his upside remains elite, making him a top-stash candidate in standard formats with NA spots.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Quinn Mathews Quickly Emerging as Priority Stash Target?
St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has begun to turn the corner at Triple-A and is quickly emerging as a top prospect to stash among pitchers. Mathews turned in a dominant debut season in the St. Louis system in 2024 but has yet to return to that level of play. In 2025, he logged only 99 innings and saw those troubles linger early in 2026. Through his first 35 2/3 innings this season, the southpaw posted a hefty 5.55 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP. During this stint, Mathews posted a rough 44:30 K:BB. However, over his last 21 innings of work (four starts), the former Stanford standout has held a stellar 1.71 ERA with a much-improved 28:9 K:BB. While he may need to show this success over a longer stretch, he has a clear path to the majors given St. Louis' weak rotation. He is a viable target in the 12+ team leagues ahead of Week 13, but can quickly enter priority stash range if he turns in a strong conclusion to June.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Troy Terry Out 5-6 Months After Hip Surgery
Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (hip) is expected to miss the start of next season after undergoing surgery on June 9 to repair a hip impingement and a labral tear. He is expected to miss 5-6 months following the procedure. Hip issues limited Terry to 61 regular-season appearances in 2025-26, though he played in all 12 playoff games. Despite being hurt, Terry still averaged nearly a point per game. His absence will hurt Anaheim at the start of next season, but it will give other players an opportunity to step up. Both Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke could have more fantasy value due to Terry's absence.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Lazaro Montes Flashing Elite Raw Power in Minor Leagues, Can He Debut in 2026?
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes has had a strong start to the Double-A regular season and is establishing himself as one of the top emerging power hitters in the minor leagues. Across 64 games with Double-A Arkansas, the young slugger has gone deep 20 times while holding a .237/.346/.543 line and an .889 OPS. Since the start of June, Montes has been even more dominant at the plate, launching eight of these long balls and carrying a .316/.409/.772 line. This elite play has put himself in strong contention to earn the call to Triple-A, which will open the door for a second-half debut. While fantasy managers will need to wait for him to move up to Triple-A before declaring him a top stash candidate, he is firmly on the watch list, given his elite power upside. If he maintains this pace, he could provide a major spark to a Mariners lineup as they look to clinch a spot in the postseason down the stretch.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Zack Gelof a Must-Add Player Off the Waiver Wire
Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof has been a hitting machine for the Athletics in June. Slashing .350/.409/.683 with 15 runs scored, five home runs, 10 RBI, and two stolen bases. Gelof is currently riding a 22-game hitting streak and has multiple position eligibility in fantasy baseball. In most formats, he has third base, second base, and outfield eligibility, which helps fantasy managers be flexible with their lineups to fill in vulnerable spots. On the season, Gelof is now hitting .286/.336/.508 with 11 home runs, eight stolen bases, 36 runs scored, and 29 RBI. While everything on the surface looks incredible, and he is a must-add player off the waiver wire right now, it is important to note that he has a .224 xBA and a .291 xwOBA, which are both in the bottom 25th percentile of the entire league. Most of his underlying data does suggest regression, but in situations like this, ride the hot streak until the wheels fall off. Especially for a hitter, because with hitters, you can notice the regression slowly as time goes on, instead of a pitcher that has a singular blow-up outing. For fantasy managers hurting for some immediate production due to losing someone like Jose Ramirez (hand), Gelof is a nice replacement.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Josh Cameron Too Far Down the Jaguars Depth Chart to Offer Value?
The Jacksonville Jaguars clearly viewed wide receiver Josh Cameron as one of the top remaining players on their board when they traded up to select him in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but in a receiver room already difficult enough to sort at the top, there is no realistic potential of fantasy relevance so close to the bottom. With Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, and Travis Hunter all expected to hold their own roles in Jacksonville's offense, Cameron's clearest path to a roster spot is likely to come through special teams. Over the past three seasons at Baylor, Cameron returned 45 punts at a highly respectable 14.0-yard average, but, built more like a running back than a traditional X-receiver, his brightest future in the league could come as a kickoff returner. With some fantasy leagues adapting to the NFL's dynamic kickoff changes and rewarding return points, Cameron is not entirely unworthy of a roster spot, but in most formats, he is best left on waivers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Wei-En Lin the Next Athletics Prospect to Debut?
Athletics pitching prospect Wei-En Lin recently moved up to Triple-A and is positioning himself to compete for a second-half debut. While Gage Jump, the team's higher-ranked pitcher, earned the call earlier this season, Lin is waiting in the wings and could find himself high on the star radar in the coming weeks. Lin opened the 2026 regular season with Double-A Midland, where he was near-perfect, holding a 1.93 ERA with a stellar 0.84 WHIP. Over this 51 1/3-inning stint, Lin struck out 53 hitters while walking just 13. This strong start earned him a ticket to Triple-A, where he has encountered some growing pains. Over two outings (1 2/3 innings), Lin has allowed eight earned runs with a 1:4 K:BB. While it will take the No. 90-ranked prospect in baseball some time to adjust to the Triple-A hitters, he could climb the stash ranking in the second half, making him a top prospect to monitor in deeper leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
