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Jacob Wilson a Batting-Average Asset During Current Hitting Streak
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson has dealt with injuries in his second full season in the big leagues and still has very little power (seven homers) at a premium position, but he still makes a lot of contact at the plate and is hitting .291 (73-for-251) on the season in his 62 games across 265 plate appearances. The 24-year-old former sixth overall pick from Grand Canyon University is gaining steam in July for fantasy managers who are looking for a boost in the average department. Wilson will carry a 10-game hitting streak into the weekend. During his streak, he's gone 17-for-42 (.405) with three home runs, a triple, six RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in 43 plate appearances to boost his overall slash line in 2026 to .291/.322/.422 with a .744 OPS. We're tempering expectations for the rest of the second half because of his .293 xwOBA (wOBA of .325) and his .273 expected batting average, but while he's hot in July, fantasy managers are jumping on board.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Carson Benge Still Begging for More Waiver Attention
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge has quietly been one of the more productive rookie bats in 2026 for the last-place Mets. Going into the weekend, he is slashing .263/.324/.397 with a .720 OPS, 11 home runs, 13 doubles, 40 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 52 runs scored as a lineup regular through 99 games and 408 plate appearances in his first year in the big leagues. The return of Luis Robert Jr. from the injured list recently has made New York's outfield a bit more crowded, but the 23-year-old former 19th overall pick from Oklahoma State University in 2024 has earned consistent playing time the rest of the way in what has become a lost season for the Mets. Benge can contribute across the board for fantasy managers and has stayed hot in 16 games in July, going 18-for-61 (.295) with an .805 OPS, two home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, five stolen bases, and eight runs scored across his 69 plate appearances. Fantasy managers are slowly catching on, but Benge is still rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues, so he remains widely available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Michael Petersen a Top Closer to Stash in Miami
Miami Marlins right-handed reliever Michael Petersen has become a top stash candidate off the waiver wire for fantasy managers who are speculating on saves in the second half amid current closer Pete Fairbanks' struggles. Fairbanks leads the Fish with 13 saves on the season, but he also has an ERA over 7.00, a 1.52 WHIP, and a 10.1% walk rate. He blew his latest save chance on July 19 against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing three earned runs with a walk and a strikeout in just one-third of an inning, and he has now given up 11 runs (10 earned) on 14 hits (four homers) with three walks and 10 K's for two saves and a blown save in his last 8 1/3 innings pitched since June 23. With the Marlins flailing of late, they could make a change in the ninth inning, and if they do, Petersen appears to be next in line. The 32-year-old English native has a 2.91 ERA (3.27 FIP), 0.99 WHIP, his first career save, 51 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 43 1/3 innings in 2026 in his first full year in Miami. At the very least, Petersen is valuable in holds leagues with 17 on the year. So far in seven innings in July, he's allowed just one earned run with four walks, seven K's, and four holds. Petersen is rostered in just under 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Eduardo Tait Extends Power Surge on Thursday Evening
Minnesota Twins catching prospect Eduardo Tait extended his power barrage on Thursday evening. Facing Dayton, the No. 39-ranked prospect in the sport (per MLB.com), went 1-for-3 with a long ball. This marked Tait's third home run over his last five games with High-A Cedar Rapids. Tait has spent the 2026 campaign with High-A and has endured some groin pains. On the season, he has held a .221 AVG but has shown high power upside, launching 18 long balls with a .727 OPS. During the 2025 campaign, the young backstop spent most of his time with Low-A before earning a short taste of High-A ball later in the second half. If Tait can extend this power surge into August, the young catcher could receive a short look at Double-A late in the season.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Luis Pena Snaps Lengthy Power Skid at High-A
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Luis Pena snapped his long power skid at High-A on Thursday evening. Pena has missed time with several injuries this season, but when on the infield, the young infielder has been quite productive. Over his last 14 contests with High-A since returning from injury, the 19-year-old has held a .275/.345/.431 line with seven stolen bases and a 15:3 K:BB. Overall on the season, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the system (and No.18 overall in the sport), has carried a .294/.392/.412 line through 34 contests with High-A. Pena has held a .804 OPS and added six doubles, two home runs, and 19 stolen bases. While the missed time has likely prevented him from reaching Triple-A this season, a strong conclusion should put him in a great position to debut in Nashville to open 2027.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jacob Melton On Impressive Tear as MLB Promotion Approaches
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton has quietly been one of the top hitters at the Triple-A level over the last several weeks and is emerging as a top prospect to stash. Over his last 13 contests at Triple-A (since returning from injury), Melton has carried an elite .327/.421/.592 slash line with four doubles, three home runs, three stolen bases and a sharp 11:7 K:BB. On the season, Melton has posted a .272/.377/.500 line through 33 Triple-A contests. During this noted stretch, the outfielder has swiped 20 bags and added 12 doubles with four round-trippers. Given his impressive play, Melton has put himself one step closer to joining the Rays for the final stretch. While the recent surge of Victor Mesa Jr. has delayed a call-up, Melton has positioned himself as the clear top name if a starter were to miss time with an injury.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Josiah Hartshorn Continues Impressive Debut Season with 16th Long Ball
Chicago Cubs first base/outfield prospect Josiah Hartshorn turned in another stellar effort at High-A on Thursday evening. Facing Wisconsin, Hartshorn went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run. This marked the young slugger's 16th long ball of his first professional campaign. Hartshorn was selected by the Cubs in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft and is quickly rising up dynasty boards. He opened the season with Low-A, where he needed just 39 games to earn the call to High-A. With Low-A, Hartshorn held a .273/.424/.460 line with nine doubles and five home runs. Since moving up to South Bend, the 19-year-old has launched 11 long balls with a .913 OPS. Dynasty managers should take note of the Orange Lutheran HS product, as he could find himself near the top of the system's rankings by the start of the 2027 season.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Giants Top Prospect Josuar Gonzalez Moving Up to Low-A
The San Francisco Giants are promoting infield prospect Josuar Gonzalez to Low-A. Gonzalez is viewed as the No. 1 prospect in their system (on MLB.com) and the overall No. 15 prospect in the sport. Gonzalez is just 18 years old and joined the Giants system during the 2025 season. Last summer, Gonzalez appeared in 52 games in the DSL, where he held a .288/.404/.455 line with a .829 OPS. He swiped 33 bags and launched four home runs. Through the early going of the 2026 campaign (30 games in the Arizona Complex League), Gonzalez has held a stellar .343/.451/.515 line with seven doubles, two home runs and eight stolen bases. While dynasty managers will need to wait several seasons before he reaches the majors, he is quickly establishing himself as a top prospect to stash in dynasty leagues. If he carries this production into Low-A, he could establish himself as a bona fide top-15 prospect heading into the 2027 season.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
July Skid Puts MLB Debut in Question for Joshua Baez
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has endured a tough skid in July, which has delayed his eventual MLB debut. Since the start of the month, the young slugger in the St. Louis system has carried a modest .138/.239/.328 line. During this 15-game stretch, he has not shown his typical high-end power potential, hitting only three home runs, including a grand slam on July 17 and a two-home run effort on July 2. On the season, Baez has hit 29 home runs and even swiped 15 bags while holding a .241/.313/.551 line with a .864 OPS. While this stretch at the plate likely delayed an immediate promotion, his high-end five-category promotion keeps him at the top of most stash boards ahead of Week 18. He would immediately emerge as a must-start option for fantasy as soon as he earns the call.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ozzie Albies Could be Buy-Low Target
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies was one of the best hitters in the game to begin the season. Since May 1, Albies is slashing .234/.289/.381, which has certainly been a bummer for fantasy managers. Overall, Albies hasn't posted bad stats with 15 home runs and 55 RBI while slashing .262/.314/.430 in 101 games. He earned himself his fourth trip to the All-Star Game despite not having a ton of success at the plate over the last few months. His cold spell at the plate might make him easier for fantasy managers to buy-low on him right now. Albies is a consistent enough bat, but his struggles over the last few weeks might be enough to pry him away from fantasy managers.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jordan Lawlar is Primed for Second-Half Breakout
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) was recently cleared to begin doing baseball activities. He has been sidelined since June 20 due to a strained right hamstring, but is expected to return in early August. The hope is that Lawlar can be a key contributor for the D-Backs down the stretch of the season. This season, Lawlar is slashing .316/.409/.447 with one home run and four RBI in 12 games. It's a small sample size, but Lawlar has looked good at the plate when he's healthy. The 24-year-old carries high expectations after being taken in the first-round during the 2021 draft. Fantasy managers in deep leagues should consider stashing Lawlar, who appears on the verge of returning and is primed to break out at the plate.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Bryan Reynolds is Bouncing Back in 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds put together one of the worst seasons of his career last year. It wasn't an awful year, but Reynolds is expected to play at an All-Star level, which is something he didn't do last season. Now, Reynolds is back and has rebounded nicely at the plate. Through 103 games, Reynolds is slashing .275/.391/.463 with 14 home runs, 59 RBI, and seven stolen bases this season. It appears Reynolds is finally back to the normal version of himself that fantasy managers expect to see. Fantasy managers might want to take advantage of the resurgence now and cash in by trading him.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Michael Harris II is Intriguing Sell-High Option
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II is enjoying a bounce-back season at the plate. Through 95 games, Harris is slashing .296/.325/.499 with 18 home runs, 60 RBI, and six steals. There is a good chance that Harris sets a new career high in homers this season. The 2026 season is the best Harris has looked at the plate since his sophomore campaign in 2023. The hope is that the 23-year-old continues to hit like this, but fantasy managers should cash in now. Harris has sky-high value at the moment, so fantasy managers should take advantage and sell high on him.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Xavier Edwards Could be Interesting Sell-High Candidate
Miami Marlins shortstop Xavier Edwards continues to be one of the most consistent contact hitters in baseball. This season, Edwards has been able to add some power to his game. He's already blasted a career-high six home runs through 103 games this season. Overall, Edwards is slashing .290/.372/.404 with six homers, 37 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. He has set career highs in homers and walks, and we're not even into August yet. He has been in a bit of a slump at the plate recently, but fantasy managers should still consider selling high on Edwards. His value has likely peaked this season, and managers should attempt to get the most out of him right now.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Franklin Arias Being Called Up to Triple-A
The Boston Red Sox are promoting shortstop prospect Franklin Arias to Triple-A Worcester, according to Tommy Cassell. The 20-year-old Venezuelan infielder is getting the call to the top level of the farm system after hitting an impressive .319/.407/.581 with a .987 OPS, 18 home runs, 51 RBI, 49 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 74 games across 327 plate appearances at Double-A Portland this year. Per MLB Pipeline, Arias is Boston's top prospect, and he's also considered the No. 7 overall prospect in all of baseball in 2026. At the shortstop position, Arias is the No. 4 overall prospect. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder makes contact to all fields and has advanced hand-eye coordination for his age. Arias has a bright future, but fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues already holding him would like to see him add weight/strength and put the ball in the air more often. He also has below-average speed, so he probably won't be a high-end power/speed option at the 6 at the next level. Arias has had a fine season in the minors and is now one stop away from the Show, but that might not come until 2027.
Source: Tommy Cassell
Source: Tommy Cassell
