RADIO
Strikeout Upside Makes Quinn Mathews a Promising Stash Target
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has been striking out batters at a high rate all season in Triple-A Memphis, making him a high-upside option on the waiver wire. Mathews has punched out 97 batters over 79 innings pitched at Memphis this season, compiling a 3.53 ERA and 1.20 WHIP as he continues to make a case to join the St. Louis rotation. The left-hander is the No. 6 overall prospect for the Cardinals, so he has the pedigree; he is just waiting for an opening at the major league level. But now might be the time to act for fantasy managers, as his high strikeout upside makes him a desirable pitcher on the free-agent market. In June, Mathews posted a 2.05 ERA over five starts, and so far in July, he has posted a 1.38 ERA over two starts. He has been picking things up lately at Triple-A and proving he could be ready for a shot with the Cardinals. At 25 years old, his time might be now for fantasy, and he has solidified himself as a top stash target among pitching prospects.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Marcus Semien Starts Rehab Assignment on Sunday
New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (hip) started his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton and went 2-for-3 at the plate with a three-run home run and a strikeout. Semien wasn't expected to begin a rehab assignment until after the All-Star break this week, but apparently the Mets had a change of plans. He played five innings at second base before being pulled. The 35-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star could have a chance to make it back before August after being placed on the 10-day injured list on June 25 with a Grade 3 left-hip flexor strain. If Semien doesn't encounter any setbacks with his hip when he moves to Triple-A Syracuse this weekend, he could come off the IL to rejoin the Mets at some point next week. Fantasy managers won't be in a rush to pick Semien up off the waiver wire, though, after he hit just .214/.271/.341 with a .613 OPS, nine home runs, 29 RBI, 30 runs scored, and six stolen bases across his 290 at-bats in the first half. Semien is rostered in only 36% of Yahoo leagues as a fading fantasy asset in his 14th year in the big leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Alex Lange Worth the Ratio Risk for Saves?
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Alex Lange entered the break with eight saves, but the 5.92 ERA and 1.53 WHIP make him a tough reliever to trust. He had converted seven straight save chances before July, then allowed five earned runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Mets on July 8. That outing was not a blown save, though, and Lange remains the leading option for the ninth. The walks are still a problem. Lange has issued 22 in 38 innings, leaving little room when balls start falling in. Carlos Estevez (right rotator cuff strain) is not expected back until August, while Lucas Erceg and the rest of Kansas City's bullpen remain alternatives if Lange slips again. At 19% rostered on Yahoo, he is a saves gamble rather than a set-and-forget closer. RotoBaller ranks him 44th for Week 16 and recommends him in 12-team leagues. Managers chasing saves can make the add, but the ratios may hurt.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Yoendrys Gomez a Long-Term Saves Source Off Waivers?
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Yoendrys Gomez picked up his 11th save Saturday, working around a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth against the Angels. He has yet to blow a save and owns a 1.71 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP over 26 1/3 innings since coming over from Tampa Bay. Despite all that, Gomez is rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues. Minnesota has stopped short of naming one permanent closer, but Gomez is getting most of the chances. Andrew Morris earned a two-inning save Sunday after Gomez threw 18 pitches the previous night, so this is not a completely exclusive arrangement. The larger concern is a modest 38:20 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 43 2/3 innings overall. Saves carry the profile. RotoBaller recommends Gomez in 12-team leagues, and managers short in that category should treat him as more than a short-term stream.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jack Wenninger is a Sneaky Stash as Second Half Rolls Around
New York Mets starting pitching prospect Jack Wenninger has turned in two strong starts in July and has made a case for a promotion to the big leagues. In July, Wenninger is 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA over two starts, with nine strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Overall at Triple-A Syracuse, Wenninger is 4-5 with a 3.50 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 79.2 innings. The 6-foot-4 right-hander has made 14 starts and 17 total appearances this season for Syracuse and could be second in line for a promotion into the rotation behind Jonah Tong, who has already seen time in New York. At 24 years old, Wenninger is the No. 4 prospect in the Mets' system and could be a sneaky stash in deeper formats, as he appears to be in line for an MLB debut in the second half. An early move on the waiver wire could pay off for fantasy managers seeking pitching depth down the stretch.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
AJ Smith-Shawver to Make Another Rehab Start
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Ken Sugiura reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) will need at least one more minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett before becoming a candidate to join the team's starting rotation in the second half of the season. Smith-Shawver has posted a 2.89 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 11:3 K:BB in his three rehab starts to this point across 9 1/3 innings with Gwinnett and Single-A Augusta as he finishes up his rehab from Tommy John surgery. The former seventh-round pick in 2021 has only appeared in 16 games (15 starts) for Atlanta since debuting in 2023, but he's been solid with a 4-2 record, 3.77 ERA (4.79 FIP), and 1.29 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 34 walks in 74 innings pitched at the major-league level. In his first start with Gwinnett on Saturday, Smith-Shawver allowed two runs while walking three in 2 1/3 innings, but he topped out at 98.7 mph on the radar gun. Barring a setback with his elbow, he should be an option for the Braves' rotation in early August. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider stashing Smith-Shawver now. He's currently rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Kein Sugiura
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Kein Sugiura
Kerry Carpenter a Power Threat Worth Adding?
Detroit Tigers right fielder Kerry Carpenter reached the break at .222/.297/.458 with 13 home runs and 36 RBI in 203 at-bats. July did him no favors. He went 3-for-24 without an extra-base hit and struck out 11 times, which helps explain why he is still only 38% rostered on Yahoo. There is enough thump here to live with the rough average, at least when Detroit is facing a right-hander. Carpenter has hit all 13 of his homers in those matchups, backed by a 90.6 mph average exit velocity, 48.5% hard-hit rate, and 11.4% barrel rate. Lefties are another story. He has seen only 24 plate appearances against them and may not start. RotoBaller puts Carpenter 39th for Week 16, in the 12-team range. Managers who can move him in and out of the lineup should get more than enough home-run help to justify the spot.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tom Kim Hoping to Take Winning Momentum to Royal Birkdale
The good course history and solid play as of late culminated in Tom Kim winning his fourth career PGA Tour title. It was a great week from tee to green, as he led the field in strokes gained average at 3.05. Most of that success came with the irons that have been hot all year. Most of his early-year struggles came on the greens, but he has found traction as of late with gaining strokes in four of his last five events. His solo third at the US Open is proof that he doesn't mind being in the thick of things on the biggest stage. There is plenty of reason to like Kim going into the Open Championship this week. Just be aware that most of his solid performances at the Renaissance Club have rarely transitioned over to the host site of the year's fourth major the following week.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Joshua Baez Still Worth a Stash Despite Decreased Power Output?
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez remains a priority name to monitor in fantasy circles even as his batting average has taken a bit of a dive in July, along with his power output. Nonetheless, Baez still has 28 homers and 69 RBI for Triple-A Memphis this season, despite a July in which he hit just .147 over 34 at-bats with two homers, both of which came in the same game. The slow July has come as a bit of a surprise to Baez, who has consistently hit with power at Memphis all season. Baez has posted an OPS of .894, the best of his minor league career, and remains a name worth paying attention to over the second half of the season. The Cardinals outfield of Jordan Walker, Nathan Church, and Lars Nootbaar is pretty steady, but Baez, the Cardinals' No. 3 overall prospect, could add some depth and punch to the lineup. If and when Baez gets the call to the big leagues, the power and speed should translate for fantasy managers, making him a priority stash in all standard leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Jarrett Stidham Being Pushed for Backup QB Job?
The Denver Post's Parker Gabriel writes that the battle for the No. 2 quarterback job for the Denver Broncos between Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger this summer is one to watch. Head coach Sean Payton could keep three QBs on the regular-season roster after doing so in 2024 and 2025. Stidham has been Denver's backup signal-caller since Payton arrived in Denver, but Ehlinger has "looked capable of mounting a challenge." The decision won't come down to money, but how Stidham and Ehlinger perform in training camp and the preseason. Stidham has $2 million guaranteed, and Ehlinger has $1 million guaranteed in 2026, although Stidham carries an $8 million salary cap number. The Broncos would save $4.5 million on their cap if he's released and $6.5 million if he's traded. Denver doesn't need the cap flexibility with $29.5 million in cap space. After not starting a regular-season game since 2023, Stidham predictably struggled in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots with Nix out with a fractured ankle in a snowstorm, throwing for 133 yards, one touchdown, and two crucial interceptions in a loss.
Source: The Denver Post - Parker Gabriel
Source: The Denver Post - Parker Gabriel
Ben Griffin Aiming to be in the Mix at Open Championship
Ben Griffin took a little time off after the John Deere Classic. The American golfer has several Top 10 results in 2026 highlighted by solid finishes in the first three Majors. The T-14 at the PGA Championship and T-17 at the US Open indicate even more upside. Griffin heads to Royal Birkdale where significant chances have occurred since 2021. Several holes including the 5th, 7th, and 14th have seen quite a renovation. Griffin's ability to putt is big here where he has gained 0.432 strokes (19th). A good start is key at England and Griffin averages a tour best 27.37 putts per opening round. Griffin could easily have good numbers to lead Round 1 and/or be a DFS standout.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Matt Fitzpatrick is a Must-Play DFS Asset at Open Championship
Even with three wins already this season, Matt Fitzpatrick has been knocking on the door for a while. With three top 5s in his last four starts and firmly taking hold of the lead in average strokes gained on approach for the season (0.846), it's only a matter of time before he lifts another trophy. His time at the Open Championship hasn't been as fruitful as at other majors, mainly due to spotty short-game play. That was also the reason for his shortcomings at the Renaissance Club. The 31-year-old continues to grow as a player, and his age and maturity have made him a gritty, resilient competitor. Play him with confidence this week.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Wyndham Clark Primed to Contend at Open Championship
It was a flat Sunday for an otherwise strong showing at the Scottish Open for Wyndham Clark, who finished T13. The ball striking both on approach and off the tee seems to be working in unison, as he's gained strokes in both areas in two of his last three appearances. His usual steady short game was the main undoing of his week at the Renaissance Club. He lost an average of -0.11 strokes around the green over four days, but it's better to have this hiccup the week before a major championship than the week of. Nonetheless, with his incredible putting output this season, he should be one of the most reliable scorers ahead of this week's Open Championship.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Keon Coleman has had an "Outstanding Offseason"
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman has been a disappointment since the Bills took him 33rd overall in the second round in 2024 out of Florida State, catching 67 of his 116 targets for 960 yards and eight touchdowns in 26 games (18 starts). In addition to inconsistent production on the field, tardiness to team meetings and a wrist injury limited the 23-year-old to only 13 games (six starts) in 2025 in his sophomore season. Coleman was involved in trade rumors this offseason, but the Bills' brass remains committed to him going forward, and despite the addition of receiver DJ Moore, he could have an elevated role in the passing attack in 2026. Per head coach Joe Brady, Coleman put together an "outstanding offseason" as he heads into a "make-or-break" season. Brady also said the young wideout has been "handling everything like a pro." Coleman has plenty of work to do to get himself back in the good graces of the Bills and fantasy managers, but if he can put himself on the straight and narrow, he has a clear path to being Buffalo's WR3 in Year 3 behind Moore and Khalil Shakir. Consider him a late-round sleeper dart thrown in redraft leagues and a buy-low target in dynasty.
Source: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
Source: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
Tua Tagovailoa the Favorite to Win Falcons Starting QB Job?
New Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will compete with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) for the starting QB job in 2026 in his first year in Atlanta, but Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul thinks his former signal-caller will win the job this summer, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com. "Him going into Atlanta now, he's got a new situation, a new environment, and I know he's going to go in there," Paul said on "The Set" podcast with Terron Armstead. "He's definitely going to win that spot." Tagovailoa, even though he's learning a new offense in a new location, should have a leg up on Penix after Penix suffered a season-ending knee injury that required surgery last year. Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards in 2023 and was a Pro Bowler, but he threw for a career-worst 15 interceptions and was benched down the stretch last year before being cut by Miami in the offseason. Head injuries make Tagovailoa a huge risk in both superflex redraft leagues and dynasty formats, but with a potential head start in Atlanta's QB competition and with plenty of weapons on offense in his new situation, Tagovailoa makes for a buy-low target in dynasty leagues going into the 2026 season.
Source: NFL.com - Grant Gordon
Source: NFL.com - Grant Gordon
Stefon Diggs Touting Himself as Best WR2 in the NFL
With just two weeks until training camps begin in the NFL, veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs remains a free agent despite leading the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl last year with 85 catches, 1,013 yards, and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2025. He added 14 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in four postseason games. "My opinion, I can compete with anybody," Diggs said. "But take those [top wide receivers] as your 1s, right? You can't name a No. 2 better than me." The 32-year-old was released by New England in March in a cost-saving move before the Pats acquired Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Brown on June 1 from the Philadelphia Eagles. Diggs has seven 1,000-yard campaigns in his career, although he's clearly no longer in the prime of his career. With an off-the-field matter no longer hanging over his head for a potential suspension from the NFL, Diggs should eventually land with a team for the 2026 season, but his fantasy value could vary depending on his landing spot.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Ryan Blaney Dominates at Atlanta for his Second Win of 2026
Team Penske's Ryan Blaney was the dominant driver of the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. Blaney started in the pole position in first and went on to lead every lap and dominate the first stage. During the stage break, Blaney lost the lead after coming out third after pit stops, but he was back fighting for the lead after a few laps. Although he faced challenges from Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, Carson Hocevar, and Bubba Wallace, Blaney went on to dominate most of the second stage and eventually win it as well. Blaney lost his track position with a slow stop during the stage break before the final stage. He restarted the third stage from 16th, and it was not until midway through the stage, around lap 202, that Blaney returned to the front. From there, Blaney continued to trade the lead with several drivers until the final overtime restart. Although he fell behind Hocevar by the white flag, Blaney regained the lead and received a push from Christopher Bell to pass Hocevar and Wallace to seal his second victory of the 2026 season. Blaney remains third in the regular season standings after 20 races, but he gained points against Denny Hamlin for the regular season title, as he is only 65 points behind Hamlin.
Source: NASCAR.com
Source: NASCAR.com
Christopher Bell Gets his Fifth Runner-Up Finish of the 2026 Season at Atlanta
Joe Gibbs Racing's Christopher Bell finished in second place in the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. The No. 20 Toyota driver started the race from 32nd and spent the first two stages slowly gaining positions through the pack. By the end of the first stage, he was 15th, while at the end of the second stage, he made it up to seventh and scored four stage points. In the final stage, Bell made it up to the top five and ran there throughout the entire stage while being a factor for the win. While he kept fighting Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace, and Ty Gibbs for the lead, Bell led a total of five laps. Bell ended up being the deciding factor for Ryan Blaney's victory on the final restart, as when Bell could not make a move for the win on the final lap, he pushed Blaney ahead of Wallace and Carson Hocevar and put himself into second. This would be Bell's fifth time finishing in second this year, and he now moves to ninth in the regular season standings after 20 races.
Source: NASCAR.com
Source: NASCAR.com
Carson Hocevar Falls Short of Winning at Atlanta
Carson Hocevar was one of the main contenders to compete for the win throughout the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. In the first stage of the race, Hocevar went from his starting position of 14th to competing for a top-5 finish. However, he did fade back slightly and ended the first stage in sixth, earning five stage points. In the second stage, Hocevar ran inside the top five through most of the stage and even took the lead from Ryan Blaney at a few points. At the end of the second stage, Hocevar got a flat tire in his car and fell all the way back to 30th, leaving him with no further stage points. In the final stage, Hocevar slowly recovered and returned to the front of the pack to trade the lead with Blaney and Bubba Wallace throughout the stage. Although Hocevar led during the white flag, Blaney got past him in turn one. Despite mounting a charge to regain the lead, Christopher Bell pushed himself and Blaney ahead of Hocevar, leaving Hocevar in third as his finishing result. With 20 races now completed in the 2026 season, Hocevar is eighth in the regular season standings with six races to go before The Chase begins.
Source: NASCAR.com
Source: NASCAR.com
Ty Gibbs Scores his First Top-Five Finish in his Cup Career at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs finished fourth in the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. Gibbs started the race from 23rd and steadily advanced to the front as the race progressed. In the first stage, he went from 23rd to 12th at the end of the stage, falling short of stage points. The second stage saw Gibbs advancing into the top 10 and running there the whole time. He finished the second stage in sixth and earned five stage points as he hit Bubba Wallace and spun him out before the stage ended. Gibbs stayed out of pit road during the stage break between the second and third stages and inherited the lead as a result. The No. 54 Toyota driver went on to lead 32 laps until a lap 194 caution, where A.J. Allmendinger spun after contact from Michael McDowell. Gibbs lost the lead through the next set of pit stops during this caution and then spent the rest of the race rallying back to what would be his first career top-5 finish at EchoPark in the Cup Series. With his fourth-place run at the Atlanta track, Gibbs sits fourth in the regular season standings after 20 races.
Source: NASCAR.com
Source: NASCAR.com
Last-Lap Penalty Negates Bubba Wallace's Strong Finish at Atlanta
Bubba Wallace was one of the top contenders for the win in the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. Wallace began the race from the 22nd position and quickly climbed through the field early in the first stage and challenged for a top-5 running position, but faded back to 10th by the end of the first stage for one stage point earned. In the second stage, Wallace continued to run well and even traded the lead back and forth with Ryan Blaney several times. However, on the last lap of the second stage, he spun off turn four thanks to contact with Ty Gibbs and missed out on further stage points. Wallace did not receive any damage and spent the final stage recovering from his spin to get back into the top 10. Thanks to a faster car than most and some pit strategies, Wallace returned to the top 10 and became one of the main contenders for the win. When the race went into overtime, Wallace pushed Blaney to the lead and looked to contend for the win on the final lap, but he moved too far down the track past the yellow line and had a penalty after the race finished. As a result, Wallace placed 29th instead of second. After 20 races completed this season, Wallace is now 13th in the regular season standings with six races to go before The Chase begins.
Source: NASCAR.com
Source: NASCAR.com
Astros Promoting Shortstop Prospect Xavier Neyens to High-A
The Houston Astros are promoting top shortstop prospect Xavier Neyens to High-A Asheville at the All-Star break, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Neyens, the 21st overall pick in last year's draft out of Mount Vernon High School in Washington, gets the promotion at the halfway point after hitting .240/.449/.462 with a .911 OPS, 14 home runs, 38 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 52 runs scored in 68 games and 305 plate appearances with Single-A Fayetteville at just 19 years old. Per MLB Pipeline, he's the Astros' second-ranked prospect. Neyens has displayed plenty of pop at the lower level of the minors, but also plenty of swing and miss, as he's sporting a 30.2% strikeout rate early on. The left-handed hitter has a big frame at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, which gives him plenty of leverage for plus-plus raw power at a premium position. Neyens is expected to eventually be moved to third base because of his fringy speed and quickness. There's a lot of upside here, but more development is needed, and he won't be a realistic option for a big-league call-up for another couple of years.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Jake Burger a Viable Power Target in Fantasy Baseball?
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger has a .240/.304/.423 slash line with a .727 OPS, 16 home runs, 58 RBI, 41 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 92 games across 372 plate appearances in 2026 at the halfway point. If he stays healthy the rest of the way, Burger could reach the 30-homer mark for the second time in his career, yet he's only rostered in 24% of Yahoo leagues. He hit .270 (24-for-89) with four home runs, three doubles, 15 RBI, nine runs scored, and a steal in 26 games in June, but in nine games in July before the All-Star break, Burger hit .118 (4-for-34) with two homers, six RBI, three runs, two walks, and 12 strikeouts. The former 11th overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in 2017 out of Missouri State University has a 26.3% strikeout rate, which is his highest mark since 2023 with Chicago and the Miami Marlins. Burger's swing-and-miss tendencies aren't going to help fantasy managers' average or on-base percentage, but the power is still real. He sits in the 77th percentile in hard-hit rate, 65th percentile in barrel rate, and 48th percentile in xSLG.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Josh Bell Still a Cheap Source of Power Off the Waiver Wire
Minnesota Twins first baseman Josh Bell, 33, doesn't have the high-end upside that most fantasy managers are looking for when targeting players off the waiver wire, but he can still help those in need of power as we head into the second half of the 2026 season later this week. The veteran switch-hitter is batting .248/.307/.429 with a .735 OPS, 13 home runs, 60 RBI, 48 runs scored, and a stolen base in 343 at-bats this year in his first season with the Twins. The former second-rounder by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 out of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas was hot going into the break, too, going 13-for-47 (.277) with four home runs, five doubles, nine RBI, and seven runs scored in his last 12 games. Bell has been better average-wise (.264) as a righty against lefties, but most of his power comes from the left side (10 of his 13 homers). Most of his power production this year has also come away from Target Field, with nine of his long balls coming on the road. Bell isn't an elite power bat, but for those in deeper leagues scrounging for power, Bell is widely available (25% rostered in Yahoo leagues).
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Rookie Travis Bazzana Still Worth a Roster Spot for Speed?
Cleveland Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana, the first overall pick from Oregon State University in 2024, was hitting .294/.389/.450 with an .838 OPS, three homers, eight doubles, 11 RBI, eight stolen bases, and 13 runs scored in his first 30 games after debuting with Cleveland on April 28. Since June 2, though, he has hit just .193 (26-for-135) with four homers, six doubles, a triple, 17 RBI, 17 runs scored, five steals, 17 walks, and 37 strikeouts in 35 games to drop his overall line to .238/.330/.389 in his first 282 MLB plate appearances. Bazzana goes into this week's All-Star break hitting .200 (8-for-40) with three doubles, three RBI, four runs, a stolen base, five walks, and 13 K's in 10 games in July. The 23-year-old left-handed-hitting Aussie is known for his advanced plate discipline, and he has backed that up with a walk rate in the 75th percentile and a chase rate in the 71st percentile. However, his xOBP is in just the 40th percentile thanks to a hard-hit rate in the 27th percentile and a barrel rate in the 18th percentile. Bazzana has the plate skills, but he's not squaring the ball up enough consistently yet at the big-league level. Still, he's useful for his speed (13 steals) in deeper fantasy formats going into the second half.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Kody Clemens Still a Waiver Target for Power Going into Second Half
Minnesota Twins infielder/outfielder Kody Clemens heads into this week's All-Star break only four home runs shy of a new career high in that category. The 30-year-old veteran has a .243/.303/.482 slash line with a .785 OPS, 16 home runs, 46 RBI, 45 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 301 at-bats at the halfway mark in what has turned out to be a career year in his first full season in Minnesota (fifth in the majors). The former third-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 2018 MLB draft out of the University of Texas at Austin homered in three straight games to begin the month of July and had a span of five home runs and 12 RBI in eight games from June 26 through July 4. Clemens went hitless in 17 plate appearances with an RBI, a run scored, a walk, and seven strikeouts across four games going into the All-Star break, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that he's a sneaky waiver-wire addition for power-hungry fantasy managers going into the second half of the season. Clemens is rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available. Making him more attractive is the fact that he's eligible at first base, second base, and the outfield in those same formats.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Rookie Outfielder Cole Carrigg Still Worth Rostering During Cold Spell?
Colorado Rockies rookie outfielder Cole Carrigg, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the team's No. 6 prospect, has been one of the more intriguing power/speed prospects to stash in fantasy baseball this year, but he's in a bit of a slump going into the All-Star break. Carrigg went 27-for-85 (.318) with four homers, six doubles, three triples, 21 RBI, 23 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his first 26 major-league games after debuting with Colorado on June 9. He's fallen into a funk offensively going into this week's All-Star break, though, going hitless in his last 18 plate appearances with an RBI, two walks, and seven strikeouts in his last five games to drop his season slash line to .273/.356/.515 with an .871 OPS in 119 plate appearances. The midway point of the season is coming at a good time for the 24-year-old switch-hitter, who was a second-round pick in 2023 out of San Diego State University. Going into the second half, Carrigg is still a fine upside outfielder to roster in mixed fantasy leagues, although he has struggled away from hitter-friendly Coors Field, batting .208 with two of his homers, eight walks, and 15 strikeouts.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Garrett Crochet Still hasn't Been Cleared to Throw
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) still has not been cleared to throw, interim manager Chad Tracy told MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo. Instead, Crochet is still playing catch with weighted plyometric balls as he tries to recover from inflammation in his left shoulder. The talented southpaw was put on the injured list way back on April 29 with shoulder inflammation before he had a setback with a low-grade lat strain while facing hitters at the end of May. The 27-year-old two-time All-Star has essentially recovered from his lat strain but now needs to get over the hump with his shoulder injury. The fact that Crochet hasn't resumed throwing essentially rules out a return before the end of July, and with a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment now probably necessary, fantasy managers may not see him again until mid-to-late August. It's been a frustrating development in 2026 for those who have Crochet rostered after he finished second in the American League Cy Young voting last year. In his six starts with Boston this year before going down, he struggled to a 6.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 37:11 K:BB in 30 innings. Crochet's high-end upside makes him stash-worthy in all fantasy leagues, though.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Roman Anthony to Continue to Rehab in Florida
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that outfielder Roman Anthony's (finger) follow-up appointment with Dr. Gary Lourie in Georgia revealed no new information about the finger/hand injury that has kept Anthony on the injured list since May 5, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Anthony will continue to build up strength at the team's spring training complex in Fort Myers, Florida. "Everything's healing, going the way it should, so he'll go down to Florida and continue to do his thing so we can get ramped up quicker," Tracy said. The 22-year-old former top prospect has been out since May 7 due to a partially torn tendon in his right ring finger. Anthony is quickly developing an injury-prone label after he was shut down late last season due to injury. Although there is no clear timetable for Anthony's return, this might be the perfect time to buy low on him in dynasty/keeper leagues. When healthy, Anthony still has one of the best power/speed profiles of any young outfielder in the game, and he'll be a lineup regular for the BoSox whenever he returns to action in the second half. Anthony was hitting .229 (25-for-109) with a homer, five RBI, 12 runs, and two stolen bases before going down earlier this year.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Ronald Acuna Jr. Starting Rehab Assignment on Monday
The Atlanta Braves announced that outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is starting his minor-league rehab assignment on Monday with the rookie-level Florida Complex League Braves. It means that if Acuna can avoid a setback with his hamstring, he could be ready to roll for the Braves coming out of the All-Star break this Friday in the series opener against the Texas Rangers. The former MVP has been on the 10-day injured list for over a month due to a strained left hamstring that put him on the IL for the second time this year. The 28-year-old Venezuelan outfielder has high-end power/speed upside on one of the better teams in baseball, but injuries continue to make him a big risk/reward asset. Now is probably the last time that interested fantasy managers might be able to buy low on him before he returns for the second half. Before his second left-hamstring injury, Acuna was batting .251 (49-for-195) with seven long balls, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored across his 53 games and 236 plate appearances. The five-time All-Star could be a difference-maker in the second half for Atlanta if he can just stay on the field.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
