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Ralphy Velazquez Ready to Bring Power Skills to Major Leagues
Cleveland Guardians prospect Ralphy Velazquez has split his time nicely this season between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. Between the two levels, Velazquez has 11 homers and 47 RBI to go with 44 runs scored while hitting .293. A first-base prospect who bats left-handed, Velazquez was the No. 23 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Velazquez, who can also play in the outfield, is the top prospect in the Guardians' system. At age 21, he might be a stash-worthy fantasy prospect who can fill a roster spot at first base or outfield. He has shown nice hitting skills in the minors with a high batting average and some solid power. He doesn't steal bases, but he fills the other four categories quite nicely. Velazquez's numbers have dipped a little bit since moving to Triple-A, but it appears he is ready to face big-league pitching. Now is the time to make a move on Velazquez before your peers, as he appears poised for a second-half promotion to Cleveland.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Rookie Kahlil Watson Could be a Second-Half Speed Asset
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Kahlil Watson made his major-league debut with the Guards on June 18 and has hit just .221 (17-for-77) with only three walks and 28 strikeouts in his first 23 big-league games. The 23-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2021 by the Miami Marlins has made the most of his .250 on-base percentage, though, thanks to his wheels on the basepaths, stealing eight bases in nine tries. Cleveland's No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, got his first MLB call-up after hitting .255/.370/.491 with an .861 OPS, 12 home runs, 35 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 44 runs scored in 56 games and 254 plate appearances at Triple-A Columbus. Watson packs a small punch at 5-foot-9 and 178 pounds, but the North Carolina native is an elite athlete who has raw power from the left side of the plate. Plate discipline and swing-and-miss will probably continue to be an issue at the major-league level, though, so fantasy managers in dynasty and AL-only leagues should probably only count on stolen bases the rest of the way if he sticks around in the majors. Watson has also struggled against lefties, so don't count on him playing every day. Right now, Watson is only rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Cooper Ingle Remains a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Target Despite Slow Start
Cleveland Guardians catcher/outfielder Cooper Ingle has gotten off to a slow start since making his MLB debut on June 26, logging just two hits in his first 24 big league plate appearances. However, Ingle is one of the highest-rated prospects in the Guardians system and was having an excellent year at Triple-A before his promotion, hitting .284/.416/.551 with 12 home runs, 41 RBI, 33 runs scored, and one stolen base across 221 plate appearances. Cleveland has deployed Ingle exclusively in either left field or at designated hitter since calling him up, which gives him more playing time upside than a typical fantasy catcher. The 24-year-old also demonstrated elite plate skills during his time in the minors, posting more walks (86) than strikeouts (85) across 510 plate appearances in 2025. Despite his early struggles, Ingle remains a priority waiver wire candidate for fantasy managers in search of power upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Kahlil Watson an Emerging Power/Speed Threat on the Waiver Wire?
Across 62 plate appearances since making his MLB debut on June 18, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Kahlil Watson is hitting .233/.258/.333 with one home run, nine RBI, three runs scored, and six stolen bases. With Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) currently on the injured list due to a fractured foot, Watson has emerged as a near-everyday player for Cleveland. The 23-year-old's underlying plate skills are concerning, as he's logged just a 3.2% walk rate while striking out in 35.5% of his plate appearances. However, Watson owns a strong 10.5% barrel rate, and he posted a 49.7% hard-hit rate across 254 plate appearances at Triple-A this season before being promoted. Watson also stole 15 bases in the minors, so he carries some power/speed upside for fantasy managers. In deeper league formats, Watson could be worth taking a flier on as a waiver wire pickup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ralphy Velazquez No Longer a Stash Candidate Ahead of the Second Half?
Cleveland Guardians first base/outfield prospect Ralphy Velazquez is adjusting nicely to two minor league levels this season, combining to hit .296 between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus with 10 homers and 42 RBI. Velazquez, a former first round pick, is the top prospect in the Guardians system and could be looking at a promotion before the end of this year, but Cleveland could also be patient and wait until 2027 to promote their biggest minor league prize. With Kyle Manzardo and Rhys Hoskins, the Guardians have adequate coverage of first base this season and could play it safe and wait to get a look at the 21-year-old Velazquez until next season. While Velazquez has shown a solid bat, he still has some development to do and fantasy managers in leagues of all sizes may want to wait a bit to add his services to their roster.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Angel Martinez Takes Batting Practice for First Time
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) took batting practice on Saturday for the first time since landing on the 10-day injured list on June 16 with a fractured left foot, according to MLB.com. An MRI exam and CT scan showed a non-displaced fracture after Martinez left the game on June 13 against the division-rival Detroit Tigers. At the time, he was estimated to need four to six weeks to recover. Barring a setback, Martinez could return to the big-league roster at the end of July. The 24-year-old had his walking boot removed last week. Before his foot injury, the 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter was batting .239 (54-for-226) with 11 home runs, 33 RBI, 28 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in his 66 games in his third year in the majors. Martinez was struggling in 11 games in June before fracturing his foot, going 9-for-41 (.220) with two homers, two doubles, four RBI, four runs, one steal, one walk, and 12 strikeouts. He's walking just 2.9% of the time in 2026, so Martinez's plate discipline must improve for him to gain more traction off the waiver wire when he's healthy. He's currently rostered in just 15% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chase DeLauter a Must-Add After Strong Return From Injured List?
Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (rib cage) has picked up where he left off since coming off the 10-day injured list on June 28. He has started all seven games since returning and gone 10-for-31 (.323) with three runs, five RBI, and one steal. The 24-year-old is now batting .269/.336/.410 with seven home runs, 39 RBI, 27 runs, and three steals through 271 at-bats. The plate skills are more convincing than the power so far. DeLauter has a 13.3% strikeout rate and 10.4% walk rate, while his 40.5% hard-hit rate and 5.9% barrel rate are solid rather than dominant. He is rostered in 51% of Yahoo leagues, and RotoBaller recommends him in 12-team formats. That is the right range. DeLauter should be rostered in leagues of that size, but seven homers and three steals do not support a five-category label.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Angel Martinez No Longer Wearing a Walking Boot
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez (foot), who is on the 10-day injured list with a non-displaced foot fracture, is no longer wearing a walking boot and has been hitting off a tee and playing catch in between rounds of treatment, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians said on June 16 that the 24-year-old is expected to miss four to six weeks with his injury. Martinez said on Saturday that he's feeling "way, way better." His timeline could line up for him to return in mid-to-late July, between the All-Star break (July 13-16) and the trade deadline on Aug. 3. The good news for Cleveland is that they reinstated fellow outfielder Chase DeLauter (ribs) from the IL on Sunday. Martinez will be returning to a .239/.276/.442 slash line with a .719 OPS, 11 home runs, 33 RBI, 28 runs scored, and nine steals in his 226 at-bats. His 11 home runs tied his career high set just last year. Martinez has dropped his strikeout rate slightly from 2025 to 21.8% this year, but his career-low 2.9% walk rate doesn't make him a candidate to help in average or on-base percentage. He's rostered in only 16% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Chase DeLauter Reinstated From Injured List on Sunday
The Cleveland Guardians announced on Sunday that they reinstated rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (ribs) from the 10-day injured list and optioned outfielder Petey Halpin to Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move. It's unclear yet if DeLauter will be back in Cleveland's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Emerson Hancock. DeLauter was given the green light to return to the big-league roster after he took batting practice on the field on Saturday with the team. The 24-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is returning from a fracture in his right rib cage that kept him sidelined for two weeks. At the very least, he should return to an everyday role between right field and designated hitter against right-handed pitchers for the Guards. The former 16th overall pick in 2022 out of James Madison University got off to a strong start in his first MLB season in 2026 before fading a bit. He's returning to a .263/.337/.408 slash line with a .745 OPS, seven home runs, 34 RBI, 24 runs, and two steals in his 240 at-bats. DeLauter hasn't hit the ball hard consistently, but his plate discipline has been impressive as a first-year player with a 13.3% strikeout rate and 10.4% walk rate. He's rostered in only 37% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: GuardsInsider
Source: GuardsInsider
Guardians to Promote Top Prospect Cooper Ingle, a Top Add in All Leagues?
According to the team, the Cleveland Guardians are promoting top-ranked catching prospect Cooper Ingle to the major leagues. Ingle is considered the No. 70 overall prospect on MLB.com and the No. 3 overall prospect in the team's system. Ingle is a primary catcher but has recently begun to see time in the outfield, which has opened the door for him to join the major-league roster. With Triple-A Columbus, Ingle has carried a strong .284/.416/.551 line with a stellar .967 OPS. Over this 51-game stretch, Ingle has launched 12 home runs while holding an impressive 50:41 K:BB. With the Guardians, Ingle could quickly carve out a role behind the dish and potentially in the outfield, with Angel Martinez and Chase DeLauter both on the injured list. Given his impressive play at Triple-A this season, Ingle is a worthy pickup in all 12+ team leagues ahead of his MLB debut on Friday night as he should see close to every day at-bats.
Source: Cleveland Guardians
Source: Cleveland Guardians
Chase DeLauter Progressing, Could Return During Upcoming Guardians Homestand
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that outfielder Chase DeLauter (rib) is progressing and has a chance to return during the team's upcoming homestand, which begins on Friday. The 24-year-old has been on the 10-day injured list since June 14 due to a fractured rib. Across 270 plate appearances before the injury, DeLauter hit .263/.337/.408 with seven home runs, 34 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Injuries have been a major issue for DeLauter, who has already set career-high marks in plate appearances and games played as a professional this season. DeLauter's lack of power (5.8% barrel rate) has been a bit of a surprise after he posted a 12.5% barrel rate and 51.9% hard-hit rate across 177 Triple-A plate appearances in 2025. However, his 10.4% walk rate and 13.3% strikeout rate indicate high-end plate skills. If DeLauter can find his power stroke in the second half of the season, he could emerge as a breakout fantasy outfielder.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Chase DeLauter Lands on Injured List With Rib Fracture
The Cleveland Guardians placed rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (rib) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 14) on Wednesday with a right side rib fracture and recalled outfield prospect Kahlil Watson from Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. DeLauter suffered the injury over the weekend and will now be sidelined until at least June 24. With outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) and star third baseman Jose Ramirez (hand) also going on the IL this week, rookie Kahlil Watson, who has an intriguing power/speed profile, could see plenty of playing time to close out June in Cleveland. With a small crack in his rib, fantasy managers looking to stash DeLauter shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make it back before the All-Star break in mid-July. The 24-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2022 out of James Madison University got off to a strong start to his rookie campaign in 2026, but he has cooled off recently and is currently slashing .263/.337/.408 with seven home runs, 34 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 240 at-bats. In 10 games in June, DeLauter went 8-for-35 (.229) with a double, two RBI, two runs, three walks, and 11 strikeouts. He's now rostered in fewer than half of Yahoo leagues (44%).
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Guardians Promote Prospect Kahlil Watson to Majors, Worth a Speculative Add?
The Cleveland Guardians recalled outfield prospect Kahlil Watson from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday and placed rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (rib) on the 10-day injured list with a right side rib fracture in a corresponding move, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Watson, the team's 12th-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, could absolutely be worth a pickup in deeper fantasy leagues for his power/speed upside, with DeLauter, third baseman Jose Ramirez (hand), and outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) all going on the IL this week. The 23-year-old first-round pick by the Miami Marlins in 2021 gets his first call to the big leagues after hitting .255/.370/.491 with an .861 OPS, 12 home runs, 12 doubles, a triple, 35 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 44 runs scored across 56 games and 254 plate appearances at Columbus. Watson has played all three outfield spots in the minors, giving Cleveland plenty of options to get his bat in the lineup. Making contact could be a problem in his first taste of the big leagues, but fantasy managers in need of outfield help shouldn't ignore his power/speed upside if he plays regularly.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Angel Martinez Placed on Injured List With Fractured Foot
The Cleveland Guardians placed outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a non-displaced fracture in his left foot, according to Cade Cracas of Sports Illustrated. In a corresponding move, the team recalled outfielder Petey Halpin from Triple-A Columbus. Martinez suffered the injury on Saturday when he fouled a ball off his foot, and now he'll likely miss more than the required 10 days on the IL. The 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter has hit just .239 (54-for-226) on the year, but he has already matched his career high with 11 home runs in 66 games (243 plate appearances), adding 33 RBI, nine stolen bases, and 28 runs scored for the Guards. With rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (ribs) currently dealing with a rib-cage contusion, David Fry has been needed to play the outfield in the last two ballgames. Martinez cleared the fences twice in 11 games in July, but he was hitting .220 (9-for-41) with a walk and 12 strikeouts before getting hurt on Saturday. It's unclear how long he'll be sidelined, but it could be up to around a month, meaning Martinez probably won't be back before the mid-July All-Star break.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Cade Cracas
Source: Sports Illustrated - Cade Cracas
Chase DeLauter Sitting With Ribs Injury on Tuesday
Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLatuer (ribs) is absent from the team's starting lineup on Tuesday on the road in Milwaukee against the Brewers, according to MLB.com. David Fry is starting in right field and will bat cleanup versus Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser. DeLauter is dealing with a rib-cage contusion that he suffered on Saturday when he crashed into the outfield wall, and he'll be missing a second straight game on Tuesday. The 24-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now. Check back to see if he's available to play in Wednesday's contest in Milwaukee. After a strong start in 2026 in his first year in the big leagues, DeLauter has cooled off at the plate and is now slashing .263/.337/.408 with a .745 OPS, seven home runs, 34 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 240 at-bats. In his first 10 games in June, DeLauter has gone 8-for-35 (.229) with a double, two RBI, two runs scored, three walks, and 11 strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
