July 18, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Khal Stephen enjoyed an impressive first half of the campaign with High-A Vancouver. Through 48 1/3 innings of work, the No. 9-ranked prospect in the Toronto system has posted a stellar 1.49 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP. Through this stretch, the right-hander has struck out 49 hitters while showing elite control, allowing only 10 free passes. Since the start of June, Stephen has been near-perfect, holding a 0.89 ERA with a 0.74 WHIP. Earlier this season, he made his professional debut with Low-A but needed only seven starts to prove he was ready to make the jump to High-A. The Blue Jays drafted the 22-year-old in the second round of last year's draft out of Mississippi State. Given his impressive development, he could make his Double-A debut in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 18, 2025
The Los Angeles Angels have signed right-handed pitcher Tyler Bremner to a $7,689,525 contract. The Angels selected Bremner with the second overall pick in last week's MLB Draft out of UC Santa Barbara. According to Carlos Collazo of Baseball America, this contract is just over two million dollars under the slot value of the second overall pick. Bremner spent his entire collegiate career with Santa Barbara. After bouncing between the rotation and bullpen through his first two seasons, the right-hander found a starting role in the rotation this past spring. Across 14 starts (77 1/3 innings), the 21-year-old posted a 3.49 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP. During this stretch, he struck out 11 batters (12.9 K/9) while showing solid control, serving up just 19 free passes. He is credited with having an elite changeup and a fastball that can touch the upper 90s. Given his college experience, he could debut in the upper minor leagues next season.
--Andy SmithSource: Carlos Collazo
July 18, 2025
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Mets are not expected to trade top pitching prospects
Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong, as well as infield prospect
Jett Williams, ahead of the trade deadline. While the Mets are expected to be active as they look to strengthen their roster in preparation for another deep playoff run, their top prospects are currently viewed as a key part of the team's future. McLean was moved up to Triple-A this season and has shown high strikeout upside, tallying 65 through 60 innings. Tong has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the minor leagues this season, posting a 1.94 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP through 78 2/3 innings with Double-A. Williams is viewed as their top hitting prospect and could even be in the mix to move up to Triple-A in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
July
18,
2025
The
St.
Louis
Cardinals
will
activate
outfielder
Jordan
Walker
(appendix)
from
the
10-day
injured
list
Friday,
Katie
Woo
of
The
Athletic
reports.
The
team
cleared
room
for
him
by
optioning
infielder
Thomas
Saggeseread more...
July 18, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals closer
Ryan Helsley is a potential trade candidate as the July 31 deadline approaches, but he's "more likely" to remain with the team through the season, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. Helsley will be a free agent over the winter, but even if the Cardinals don't re-sign the flamethrowing right-hander, they could get draft compensation back by issuing him a qualifying offer. In the meantime, Helsley could help the Cardinals chase down a playoff spot. They'll enter the second half of the season just 1 1/2 games out of wild-card position. While Helsley has helped the Cardinals' cause to this point, he hasn't been nearly as effective as he was from 2022-24. Over that three-season, 167 2/3-inning span, Helsley put up a lights-out 1.83 ERA with 12.08 K/9, 3.22 BB/9, and 82 saves in 95 chances. The 31-year-old has gone 19-for-24 on saves this season and pitched to a 3.27 ERA with 36:14 K:BB across 33 innings.
--Connor ByrneSource: Katie Woo - The Athletic
July 18, 2025
The Atlanta Braves have designated right-hander
Jesse Chavez for assignment. His roster spot is going to righty
Dane Dunning, whom the Braves acquired from the Texas Rangers on Thursday. This is the third time this season the Braves have designated Chavez, who re-signed on minor-league deals in the previous two instances. It stands to reason that the 41-year-old will do the same in this case. He has thrown just eight innings and allowed eight earned runs with the Braves this year. On the other hand, Chavez has fared much better with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he has registered a 2.05 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 12 walks in 30 2/3 frames.
--Connor ByrneSource: Atlanta Braves
July 18, 2025
New York Mets right-hander
Paul Blackburn (shoulder) began a rehab assignment Thursday in the rookie-level Florida Coast League. The 31-year-old was strong over 3 2/3 innings, as he allowed one earned run on three hits while piling up eight strikeouts against two walks. Blackburn has been on the 15-day injured list since July 3 with a shoulder impingement. He previously missed the first two months of the season with knee inflammation, and things haven't gone well when Blackburn has been healthy enough to pitch. In six appearances (four starts) in June, Blackburn went 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA, a 1.98 WHIP, and 15:7 K:BB over 18 2/3 innings. The Mets estimate that Blackburn will return later this month. However, he'll face an uphill battle in getting his rotation spot back, especially if the team upgrades around the July 31 trade deadline.
--Connor ByrneSource: MiLB.com
July 18, 2025
Los Angeles Angels infielder/outfielder
Chris Taylor (hand) began a rehab assignment in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Thursday. Taylor had a big night, going 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored. The 34-year-old hasn't appeared in the majors since suffering a fractured left hand on a hit by pitch on June 9. That continued a brutal start to the season for Taylor, who has combined to hit .200/.246/.323 with one home run in 69 plate appearances between the Dodgers and Angels. He wasn't much better over a larger sample size of 246 plate appearances last year, when he batted .202/.298/.300 in 246 trips to the plate.
--Connor ByrneSource: AngelsMiLB
July 18, 2025
Seattle Mariners right-hander
Luis Castillo has been given the nod to start the first game after the All-Star break against their division opponent, the Houston Astros. This is a big series for the Mariners, as they find themselves five games behind the Astros in the AL West race. Castillo has been solid for the Mariners with a 3.41 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 93/42 K/BB in 19 starts. Castillo will continue to be a strong option for fantasy managers to deploy in the second half, and although his 7.73 K/9 is something that leaves a lot to be desired, he provides a lot of quality innings. Following Castillo,
Logan Evans will get the ball on Saturday, while Sunday's starter is to be determined.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Adam Jude
July 18, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander
Brandon Pfaadt is scheduled to start on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals for the start of the second half. It is odd that Pfaadt is the first to start after the All-Star break, considering he owns a 5.16 ERA in 99 1/3 innings pitched thus far in 2025. Nonetheless, Pfaadt will attempt to build off his strong outing on July 9 against the San Diego Padres, where he threw eight innings, allowed two earned runs, struck out four, and didn't walk a batter. Outside of his 5.16 ERA, he holds a 1.31 WHIP and an 84/23 K/BB ratio over 19 starts. Pfaadt will be hard to trust until he starts pitching to his potential. Following Pfaadt,
Ryne Nelson will toe the rubber on Saturday while
Merrill Kelly is set to pitch the final game of the series.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Alex Weiner
July 18, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to toe the rubber versus the Milwaukee Brewers in their first series post-All-Star break. Glasnow faced the Brewers in his last turn through the rotation on July 9, which was also his first start back from his shoulder injury that had kept him out since late April. With the Dodgers sending
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and
Clayton Kershaw to the All-Star game, it makes sense that they come out of the break starting Glasnow. Thus far this season, Glasnow has a 3.52 ERA in 23 innings pitched. His last time around against the Brewers, he tossed five innings, allowed two hits, three walks, no runs, and struck out five. Following Glasnow,
Emmet Sheehan will get the ball on Saturday while Clayton Kershaw is set to start on Sunday.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: David Vassegh
July 18, 2025
MLB.com's Francys Romero reported on Thursday that Kansas City Royals reliever
Carlos Estevez might be one of the bullpen pitchers drawing the most interest. Teams like the Yankees have been keeping an eye on him in recent months, per sources. The Royals have underachieved thus far this season, and it appears that the Detroit Tigers could be running away with the division, meaning the Royals may be inclined to trade their 32-year-old closer, who is having an excellent season with a 2.36 ERA and 25 saves. At this point, it's unclear what other teams are considering him, but depending on where Estevez lands, it's possible it could alter his role. That being said, he is second in MLB in saves. Making it hard to imagine that whatever team potentially acquires him would not deploy him as their closer; however, fantasy managers will want to keep their eyes on what happens with Estevez as the trade deadline approaches at the end of July.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Francys Romero
July
18,
2025
Milwaukee
Brewers
left-hander
Nestor
Cortes
(elbow)
is
expected
to
return
to
the
Milwaukee
Brewers
in
about
10-14
days
after
suffering
a
left-elbow
flexor
strain
back
on
April
6,
Francys
Romero
reports.
Thus
far
this
season,
he
has
read more...
July 18, 2025
Minnesota Twins right-handed pitching prospect
C.J. Culpepper has been quite impressive since returning from the 60-day IL at Double-A Wichita. Culpepper was sidelined for the majority of the first half due to an undisclosed injury. He had a short rehab assignment with Low-A and High-A and was officially returned to Double-A on June 14. Through his first five starts since returning (13 2/3 innings), the right-hander has posted a near-perfect 0.66 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. During this stretch, Culpepper has struck out 15 hitters and allowed only five walks. Although he has only logged four innings in one outing, he has shown high upside and appears to have recovered from his injury. Last season, the No. 10-ranked prospect in the system logged 21 innings with Double-A to the tune of a 4.71 ERA. Given the time he missed, he will likely spend the entire second half with Double-A.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 18, 2025
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect
Tai Peete has had a modest showing during his first extended look at the High-A level. Through 81 games in the first half, Peete has posted a .224/.284/.403 slash line with 13 doubles, 13 home runs, and 15 stolen bases. He has generated a .687 OPS and held a poor 111:27 K:BB. While he has flashed power upside at times and is on track to finish the season in the 20/20 club, his strikeout rate has limited his upside. Over his last nine games, he has struck out 14 times and carried a .723 OPS. Last season, the 19-year-old spent his entire season with Low-A Modesto, posting a .269/.343/.408 slash line with 26 doubles, nine home runs, and an impressive 45 stolen bases. If Peete can lower his strikeout rate, he could be in the mix to earn a brief taste of Double-A in the final weeks of the season.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
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