2 days agoAtlanta Braves starting pitching prospect
Ian Mejia tossed a seven-inning no-hitter on Friday with just two free passes. He struck out a season-high of 11 batters. This outstanding performance brings him to a clean 4-0 record with a 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 54:17 K:BB through 42 2/3 innings. After allowing four earned runs in his first start of the season, Mejia has only allowed four total runs in his past 41 innings pitched. The former 11th-round selection has logged 121 innings at High-A to the tune of a 4.68 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, which has halted his progression through the Atlanta pipeline, but he is now showing strong development and looks to be back on track. Dynasty managers should expect the Braves to remain cautious with Mejia, but he is worth monitoring, as he could debut in Triple-A later this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
2 days agoDetroit Tigers infield prospect
Jace Jung launched his seventh home run of the season to power Triple-A Toledo to a victory on Friday. Across his first 38 games at Triple-A, the 23-year-old has posted an impressive .272/.383/.515 slash line. The former 12th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft has progressed through the Detroit system very quickly as he finished the 2022 season with High-A and was able to open this season with Triple-A. Jung is ranked as the 48th overall prospect and third-best prospect in the Tigers' system on MLB Pipeline. With how well Jung is performing against Triple-A pitching, he should push for a major league debut later this summer. He is worth stashing in AL-only formats for now and should already be rostered in all keeper and dynasty leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
2 days agoBaltimore Orioles outfield prospect
Dylan Beavers went 2-for-4 on Friday evening with his fourth home run of the season. Through 31 games with Double-A Bowie, the 22-year-old has posted an excellent .302/.406/.481 slash line with eight stolen bases. However, through a combined 65 games at Double-A, Beavers has a .313/.412/.479 slash line, suggesting that he is well adjusted to this level and could see time in Triple-A later this summer. Beavers is ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the Baltimore system and is expected to reach the major leagues sometime next season. The outfielder seems to be on track and should finish the season with Triple-A, which could open the door for an early-season major-league debut next year. Dynasty managers should consider stashing him if he carries this momentum into Triple-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
2 days agoSan Francisco Giants first base prospect
Bryce Eldridge extended his hit streak to nine games with a two-hit performance, including a home run. Through his first extended look at Single-A ball, the former 16th overall pick has settled in quite nicely with a .253/.317/.452 slash line with four long balls. Since he began his incredible nine-game hit streak. The 19-year-old is riding a .368/.405/.605 line with two home runs. In this stretch, Eldridge has tallied multiple hits in four games and an extra-base hit in five of them. Eldridge is ranked as the number three prospect in the San Francisco system on MLB Pipeline and is projected to reach the major leagues in 2026. Dynasty managers should watch Eldridge closely as he could reach High-A fairly soon, which can open the door for a late-season stint at Double-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
2 days agoArizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect
Druw Jones posted his first four-hit night of the season and launched his second home run of the campaign on Friday. This great performance brings the 20-year-old to a strong .275/.372/.412 slash line with two swiped bags through 29 games at Single-A. The number three prospect in the Arizona system has been on a nice run since the start of May, hitting an outstanding .326/.400/.465 line. Jones got a small taste of Single-A ball last season but posted a pedestrian .252/.366/.351 line, which shows that Jones has been taking significant strides forward this season. MLB Pipeline projects the former number two overall selection in the 2022 MLB Draft to not reach the majors until 2026, but he could see time in High-A later this summer. He is worth monitoring closely in all dynasty and keeper leagues as he could develop into one of baseball's top prospects.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
2 days agoToronto Blue Jays outfielder
Davis Schneider went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Schneider provided most of the offense for the Blue Jays with a two-run shot off left-hander
Tyler Alexander in the eighth inning. Schneider is hitting .260 with five homers, 17 runs, 17 RBI, and two steals across 100 at-bats this season. He has two homers and five RBI over his last seven games as he looks to stay hot for the Jays moving forward.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoTampa Bay Rays left-hander
Tyler Alexander picked up a quality start in a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Alexander allowed three runs on three hits over 7 1/3 innings while striking out four on the way to earning the win. The veteran southpaw kept the Toronto lineup off balance for most of the game, with most of the damage coming via a two-run homer by
Davis Schneider in the eighth inning. Alexander now has a 2-2 record, 5.17 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts over 47 innings of work this season. Alexander isn't a must-start in fantasy but he's worth a look as a streaming option in deeper leagues.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoSan Diego Padres right-hander
Matt Waldron turned in a dominant performance in a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Waldron allowed just one run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings while striking out 10 and walking two. The veteran did well in limiting a dangerous Atlanta offense to just one run while racking up double-digit strikeouts for the first time in his MLB career. Overall, Waldron has a 2-5 record, 5.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts over 45 innings of work. Waldron is worth a look in deeper leagues moving forward as he gears up for his next start.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoTampa Bay Rays infielder
Richie Palacios went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Palacios launched a two-run shot off of Toronto starter
Chris Bassitt in the sixth inning as part of a three-run frame for the Rays. The veteran infielder has been productive for the Rays this season, hitting .259 with four homers, 19 runs, 11 RBI, and six steals across 112 at-bats. Palacios has been scuffling a bit at the plate of late, hitting just .185 over his past seven games, so hopefully his homer on Friday night will get him going.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoNew York Yankees left-hander
Nestor Cortes turned in an excellent outing in a 4-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday. Cortes allowed just one unearned run on five hits over seven innings while striking out six and walking one in the start. The veteran southpaw looked excellent on the mound while bouncing back from an uneven performance in his last outing. Overall, Cortes has a 2-4 record, 3.56 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts over 60 2/3 innings of work in 2024. He will look to keep it going in his next start, which is scheduled to come against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoChicago White Sox outfielder
Tommy Pham went 3-for-5 with a double, a run, and a stolen base in a 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees on Friday. Pham was one of the few bright spots on offense as the White Sox were held to just two runs in the loss. The veteran outfielder has been swinging a hot bat since having his contract selected from Triple-A back on April 26. On the year, Pham is hitting .338 with two homers, 11 runs, 10 RBI, and two steals across 74 at-bats. Pham brings a productive blend of power and speed to the table in fantasy, making him a quality option as a reserve outfielder in most leagues. Hitting .385 over his last seven games, Pham should be locked into fantasy lineups while he's on a hot streak.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoMiami Marlins left-hander
Jesus Luzardo turned in a dominant performance in an 8-0 win over the New York Mets on Friday. Luzardo struck out seven over six innings of shutout ball while allowing just five hits. The 26-year-old lefty has been excellent in his two starts since returning from the injured list, having allowed just two earned runs while striking out 15 across 11 2/3 innings of work. Overall, Luzardo has a 1-3 record, 5.02 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts over 37 2/3 innings of work in 2024. He has plenty of potential in his arm and should be a solid starting option for his next start, which is scheduled to come against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoMiami Marlins catcher
Nick Fortes went 3-for-3 with a homer, a walk, three runs, and three RBI in an 8-0 win over the New York Mets on Friday. Fortes turned in his best offensive performance of the season in the lopsided win over New York. The veteran catcher launched a three-run homer off of Mets starter
Christian Scott in the second inning as part of a four-run frame for Miami. Overall, Fortes is hitting just .159 with two homers, seven runs, and eight RBI across 82 at-bats. He will look to stay hot moving forward, although he only had six homers in 294 at-bats in 2023, so don't expect frequent power displays from the 27-year-old.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoDetroit Tigers left-hander
Tarik Skubal tossed six innings of shutout ball while striking out six and allowing just one hit in a 13-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. Skubal was efficient in the outing, needing just 74 pitches to cruise through his six innings of work. He didn't allow a baserunner until the fifth inning when he gave up a double to Randal Grichuck. Skubal has been dominant in 2024, posting a 6-0 record, 1.80 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and 66 strikeouts over 55 innings of work. Skubal has to be considered a must-start in fantasy moving forward. His next start is scheduled to come against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoFlorida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling finished off the Boston Bruins with a late third-period goal in Game 6 of their second-round series. Forsling's tie-breaking goal put a dagger into the Bruins playoff hopes as it came with just 93 seconds left. The 27-year-old blueliner has shown up big this postseason, picking up seven points (two goals, five assists) in 11 games while providing stellar defensive play for the Panthers. Knowing what Forsling has accomplished in his time in Florida, it's crazy to think that the Panthers originally acquired him by claiming him off waivers in 2021.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoDallas Stars forward Jamie Benn scored a clutch game-tying goal in the third period of Game 6 against the Colorado Avalanche, giving the team the opportunity they needed to win it in overtime. Benn scored early in the third on a beautiful passing play, tucking the puck neatly into an open cage. The 34-year-old veteran now has three goals and five assists for eight points in 13 playoff games, including five points in six second-round games. Benn has been a big part of Dallas' outstanding depth all season and has continued to shine in that role in the playoffs.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoDallas Stars forward Matt Duchene scored off a net-front scramble in double overtime of Game 6 to secure Dallas' spot in the Western Conference Final. Duchene's goal gave the Stars a 2-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, sending the former packing. In a "puck don't lie" moment, Duchene scored the game-winner after being involved in a controversial goaltender interference call earlier in overtime that many thought should have ended the game in the Stars' favor. It ended up not mattering, though, as Duchene scored his second goal of the postseason at the most opportune time. He's added four assists to total six points in 13 playoff games in a depth role for the Stars.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoDallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger was spectacular in a series-clinching 2-1 double-overtime win over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 of their second-round series. Oettinger stopped 29 of 30 shots with many being of high quality. He notably robbed Artturi Lehkonen twice in overtime to keep the game alive. Oettinger has been outstanding all postseason for Dallas, posting a .918 SV% and a 2.27 GAA through two rounds. They'll need him to keep up his high level of play, as either the Vancouver Canucks or Edmonton Oilers are up next, and both teams can score at will.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoFlorida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky slammed the door on the Boston Bruins in a series-clinching Game 6 win, allowing just one goal on 23 shots. Bobrovsky was solid in the second-round series, posting a .907 SV%. Although he hasn't been the same Bob that got Florida into the Stanley Cup Finals last year, he has been good enough to see them through to the Conference Finals for the second season in a row. With how good the Panthers look right now, average goaltending could be all they need.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoFlorida Panthers center Anton Lundell notched a goal and an assist in Game 6 of their second-round series against the Boston Bruins, helping to close out the series in a 2-1 win. Lundell scored midway through the second to tie the game and then assisted on Gustav Forsling's game-winning goal with just 93 seconds left in the game. The 22-year-old has done well in a third-line role for the Panthers, notching nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 11 playoff games. He could end up playing a larger role next year with Florida and would then be a sleeper in fantasy.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoCleveland Guardians third baseman
Jose Ramirez cracked his 10th home run of the season in Friday's win over the division-rival Minnesota Twins, delivering a go-ahead blast in the eighth inning. Ramirez took Twins closer
Jhoan Duran yard for some two-out thunder and a 3-2 Guardians advantage, opening the door for stopper
Emmanuel Clase to slam the door for the save in the ninth inning. Over his last 12 outings, the 31-year-old fantasy superstar is batting a strong .311 with five homers, 13 RBI, and three stolen bases as Cleveland's everyday No. 3 hitter. Ramirez deals with the Twins two more times this weekend. In 16 games against Minnesota since 2023, he's hitting just .175 with the lone long ball and five RBI.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoMinnesota Twins closer
Jhoan Duran was saddled with his first loss of the campaign in Friday's defeat to the division-rival Cleveland Guardians, surrendering his first run of the season. Summoned in the eighth inning to try and keep the game tied, Duran served up a go-ahead home run to
Jose Ramirez before striking out
Josh Naylor. Although the 26-year-old fire-balling right-hander has converted each of his three save opportunities while striking out nine and walking just one across his first eight innings of the year, his usage has been questionable from a fantasy perspective also with three holds for the Twins. Duran should still be viewed as the favorite for saves in Minnesota's bullpen, but manager Rocco Baldelli has shown a tendency to use him in the highest-leverage situations at times so far this year.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoCleveland Guardians closer
Emmanuel Clase shut the door on the division-rival Minnesota Twins in Friday's win, picking up his 13th save of the year with a clean ninth inning and one strikeout.
Jose Ramirez's go-ahead home run in the eighth inning gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead and created a save situation for Clase, who is now tied for MLB's lead with his 13 saves following Friday's performance. The 26-year-old former American League Reliever of the Year has been as dominant as ever in 2024, giving up a lone run and just two walks with 23 strikeouts over 22 1/3 innings as Cleveland's closer. Continue treating Clase as one of fantasy's elite closers, and he's very much in the running to lead baseball in saves for a third consecutive year at this pace.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge kept rolling in Friday's win over the visiting Chicago White Sox, walloping his 12th home run of the season. Judge took White Sox right-hander
Mike Clevinger deep for a 433-foot shot in the first inning to put the Yankees on the board, also drawing three walks on Friday. The 32-year-old former American League MVP's sluggish start to the year appears to be a distant memory at this point, now batting a stratospheric .475 with six round-trippers, nine doubles, and 12 RBI across his last 12 games as New York's everyday No. 3 hitter. Look for Judge to continue terrorizing ChiSox pitching this weekend, as he's hitting .429 with five taters in 11 games against Chicago since 2022.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoBaltimore Orioles shortstop
Gunnar Henderson enjoyed a big day at the plate in Friday's win over the visiting Seattle Mariners, homering and tripling during the victory. Henderson homered on a fly ball to center field to knot the game up at one run apiece in the first inning, later tripling on a sharp line drive to left field to score
Jorge Mateo and make it a four-run ballgame in the eighth. The 22-year-old reigning American League Rookie of the Year was quieting down in May following a roaring start to the season, going just 8-for-45 (.178) with two long balls in 52 plate appearances this month before Friday's outing, but he returned to form in this one. Henderson will face Seattle two more times this series, but he's batting only .217 (5-for-23) with the aforementioned big fly and three RBI in seven career games against the Mariners.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Zack Wheeler registered his seventh quality start of the season in Friday's victory over the division-rival Washington Nationals, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 7 1/3 innings for his fifth win of the campaign. After being tagged for six runs in his last start against the last-place Miami Marlins, Wheeler bounced back and looked to be at his best on Friday. Through 10 starts, the 33-year-old All-Star right-hander is up to an excellent 2.52 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 71 punchouts and 19 walks over 60 2/3 innings of work this year. Wheeler has a tough assignment on deck in the form of the defending-champion Texas Rangers during his next start at home that's scheduled for Thursday, but he's a matchup-proof fantasy bet when it comes to lineup decisions.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals catcher
Willson Contreras (forearm) arrived in the clubhouse ahead of Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox without a cast. Contreras is doing conditioning work, and he is hopeful that doctors will soon let him swing a bat with his right hand. It's a pretty remarkable turnaround for Contreras, who fractured his left forearm on May 7, and he noted that he's hopeful of returning to the Cardinals before the All-Star break in mid-July. In 31 games before going down, the 32-year-old star backstop was slashing .280/.398/.551 with six home runs, 11 doubles, 12 RBI, and two stolen bases across 128 plate appearances as St. Louis' primary backstop, and he should be stashed in the majority of fantasy leagues. Backup
Ivan Herrera is worth a look in two-catcher settings for now, batting .448 (13-for-29) with five RBI during his current eight-game hitting streak.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: John Denton - MLB.com
2 days agoCleveland Guardians outfielder
Steven Kwan (hamstring) took batting practice ahead of Friday's game against the division-rival Minnesota Twins. It's Kwan's first baseball activity since suffering a strained left hamstring, which is a positive step forward in his road to recovery. Manager
Stephen Vogt said that Kwan has also been running relatively pain-free, but the team doesn't have a specific timetable for his return just yet. As it stands, fantasy managers can anticipate the 26-year-old contact-hitting left fielder rejoining the Guardians' outfield sometime in early June. Before heading to the injured list, Kwan was batting a sizzling .353 (47-for-133) with three home runs, 11 RBI, 23 runs scored, and three stolen bases over 32 games as Cleveland's everyday leadoff hitter, and he needs to be stashed in all leagues.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Tom Withers - Associated Press
2 days agoTexas Rangers third baseman
Josh Jung (wrist) still has not resumed swinging a bat and is at least six weeks from returning to the Rangers' starting lineup. Given the complex nature of his wrist fracture, Jung's recovery has been delayed, but he needs to remain stashed in all fantasy formats for his power upside in a strong Rangers lineup when he's back in the fold. The 26-year-old former eighth overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Tech has developed a bit of a reputation for being injury-prone early in his career, missing time with an injury in 2023 while also injuring his calf in spring training this year. Jung had surgery for his fractured right wrist on April 2 but resumed playing catch this week. Fantasy managers must remain patient. As a first-time All-Star in 2023, Jung hit .266 with 23 homers and 70 RBI in 122 games, and he already had two homers in his first four games this year before fracturing his wrist.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
2 days agoAtlanta Braves catcher
Travis d'Arnaud was removed from Friday night's 3-1 loss to the visiting San Diego Padres early due to dizziness. The 35-year-old veteran took a foul ball off his facemask in the fifth inning and was removed before the sixth frame. It's worth noting that d'Arnaud has already had several documented concussions in his career, so this matter will not be taken lightly. The Braves will assuredly put him through the league's concussion protocols, which could result in a trip to the seven-day concussion list. At the very least, d'Arnaud is unlikely to play in the second game of the series on Saturday.
Sean Murphy (oblique) has been out since straining his oblique on Opening Day. He's getting closer to a return, but if d'Arnaud is forced to miss time, third-string catcher
Chadwick Tromp could be forced into starting duties behind the dish until Murphy is reinstated from the injured list.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
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