RADIO
Griffin Jax Is Back on Track as a Mixed-League Rotation Add
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Griffin Jax bounced back from a rough outing with six strong innings against Toronto on Wednesday, July 22. He allowed one run on three hits and one walk, struck out five, and earned his sixth win. Jax had been tagged for seven earned runs by Boston in his previous start, but the response brought his season line to a 3.89 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts over 81 innings. The move from the bullpen has stuck, with Jax now up to 16 starts in 27 appearances. He also carries SP/RP eligibility, making those innings easier to fit into fantasy lineups. Jax appears on 53% of Yahoo rosters, while RotoBaller ranks him as a 10-team addition. One blowup should not erase the larger body of work. Jax should not remain available in competitive mixed leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Curtis Mead Undervalued Despite 17-Homer Breakout
Washington Nationals third baseman Curtis Mead is batting .258 with 17 home runs, 48 RBI, 48 runs, and six steals across 279 at-bats. He went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored Monday at Colorado before going hitless Tuesday and sitting Wednesday. Even with the quiet finish to the series, Mead is 22-for-55 (.400) with three homers in July. Mead's Yahoo roster rate has climbed to 52%, but that still leaves him available in nearly half of leagues. He also qualifies at first and second base, giving managers several ways to fit his bat into the lineup. RotoBaller ranks Mead 15th among its latest waiver options, first at third base, and recommends him in 10-team formats. The breakout is no longer speculative. Mead should be rostered wherever he remains available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Arroyo Heating Up in Quest to Make Big-League Debut
Seattle Mariners second base/outfield prospect Michael Arroyo was recently promoted from Double-A Arkansas to Triple-A Tacoma and is producing with two homers and 13 RBI in just 12 games with Tacoma. Altogether in the month of July, between the two levels, Arroyo is hitting .395 with four homers, 19 RBI, and 19 runs scored. Arroyo, the No. 5 prospect in the Mariners' system, can play second base or outfield, so he offers some positional flexibility for a potential call-up to Seattle. The Mariners are well stocked at the big league level with Cole Young manning second base and boast a loaded outfield. But Arroyo, the talented right-handed hitter out of Colombia, is producing in his age-21 season, and fantasy managers would be wise to add the talented youngster whose 55-power and 55-hit tool could be on display before the end of the season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
TJ Rumfield a High-Floor Batting-Average Asset to Target on the Waiver Wire
Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season, hitting .297/.381/.476 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI, and 45 runs scored across 409 plate appearances. The 26-year-old's underlying batted-ball metrics are underwhelming, as he's logged just a 5.3% barrel rate and a 28.2% hard-hit rate. However, Rumfield has struck out in just 14.2% of his plate appearances on the year. Between his propensity to put the ball in play and his hitter-friendly home environment in Colorado, Rumfield profiles as one of the safer sources of batting average and run production available to fantasy managers on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Yohandy Morales Racking Up Power Numbers at Triple-A Rochester
Washington Nationals corner-infield prospect Yohandy Morales continues to hit for power at Triple-A Rochester and is making a case for a potential promotion. The No. 26 overall prospect for the Nationals, Morales has been consistently producing all season at Triple-A with 21 homers, 62 RBI, and 66 runs scored with a .294 batting average. The numbers beg the question if Morales deserves a shot with the Nationals, a team with a lineup loaded with young talent. Morales was a second-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, and his 55-grade power makes him an option as he can play either corner infield position. Morales could be worth a look in deep leagues as a sleeper stash, as his power bat would be a welcome addition to a deep Washington lineup at the big-league level.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
A.J. Ewing Remains a High-Upside Speed Threat on the Waiver Wire
Since being called up for his MLB debut in mid-May, New York Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing is hitting .274/.345/.426 with seven home runs, 25 RBI, 27 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 251 plate appearances. The 21-year-old has struck out in 27.1% of his plate appearances, which is a bit of a concern for fantasy managers. However, Ewing owns elite speed, which allowed him to consistently run a high batting average on balls in play throughout his time in the minor leagues. Across 124 minor league games in 2025, Ewing hit .392 on balls in play and stole 70 bases. Ewing has also drawn walks in 9.6% of his big league plate appearances, which should continue to help him make an impact on the bases. In leagues where he's not already rostered, fantasy managers should target Ewing as a speed threat with upside on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Angel Genao Continues to Impress During Red-Hot July Stretch
Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Angel Genao is tearing up the International League at Triple-A Columbus during the month of July with a .426 batting average, two homers, nine RBI, and 12 runs scored. The No. 2 prospect in the Guardians' system, Genao has split time this year between Double-A Akron and Columbus with a combined .296 batting average and 11 homers with 44 RBI and 60 runs scored. With Travis Bazzana manning second base at the major league level and with Brayan Rocchio at shortstop, Genao is blocked a bit by talent at the major league level, but he continues to produce at Triple-A. He is looking like a nice addition even in shallow leagues as he is likely to make his big league debut at some point this season. When he does, his 60-grade hit tool should make him a mainstay in fantasy lineups down the stretch.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Isaac Paredes Heating Up in July, Emerging as a Priority Waiver Wire Target
Across 410 plate appearances in 2026, Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes is hitting .263/.354/.438 with 14 home runs, 54 RBI, and 42 runs scored. The 27-year-old's overall line is solid, but he's really started to heat up in July. Across 71 plate appearances so far this month, Paredes is hitting .323 with three homers and nine RBI. Paredes has never had elite batted-ball metrics, and he's posted subpar barrel (6.1%) and hard-hit (30.4%) rates once again this season. However, the righty slugger maximizes his power by pulling the ball in the air at a high rate, which is a perfect approach for Houston's short left field. Paredes is also tough to strike out (15.1% strikeout rate), which helps keep his batting average floor high. For fantasy managers in need of power and run production, Paredes is a logical waiver-wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Lombard Jr. Heating Up After Returning From Injured List
In his last five games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, New York Yankees shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. has nine hits and a home run, and he homered twice in his rehab assignment with the FCL Yankees in the two games prior. To say the Yankees' top overall prospect has been red-hot would be an understatement. His hot streak makes the shouts louder and louder from Yankees fans for a promotion, but nothing is official as of this moment. Fantasy managers, however, would be wise to add the 21-year-old now. Lombard Jr. is a five-tool prospect and has put up good numbers between three minor league teams this season. He has 11 homers and 29 RBI in 253 at-bats with 12 stolen bases, all while hitting .281. He has 55-grade power and 55-grade speed, so he could be looked to for elite numbers in the power categories, all while contributing to the stolen base category as well. Now is the time to add the youngster.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Kevin McGonigle Could Be on the Verge of Fantasy Superstardom
Across 443 plate appearances this season, Detroit Tigers shortstop/third baseman Kevin McGonigle is hitting .281/.388/.422 with nine home runs, 35 RBI, 61 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The 21-year-old does not profile as a significant value-add in the power categories for fantasy managers, as he owns just a 7.6% barrel rate and a 38% hard-hit rate. However, McGonigle offers an elite plate approach, especially for a rookie. He's logged a 14.2% walk rate while striking out in just 13.8% of his plate appearances. McGonigle's ability to get on base has allowed him to cement himself as the near-everyday leadoff hitter in Detroit, which should keep him near the top of the runs-scored leaderboard for the rest of 2026. He also offers managers quality production in the batting average and speed categories. If McGonigle can hit for even slightly more power in the final few months of the season, he could emerge as a true five-category contributor.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braxton Ashcraft Remains Worth Buying Despite Current Rough Patch
Across 116 1/3 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft has recorded a 9-4 record with a 3.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 130 strikeouts. While Ashcraft's overall line is strong, he's run into a rough patch of late. Across his last two starts, the 26-year-old has allowed four home runs and 12 earned runs in just eight innings pitched. Ashcraft's previous career-high for innings pitched in a professional season was 73 in 2024, so he may be running into a wall under the strain of his current workload. However, the young right-hander's underlying metrics still point to high-end upside. Ashcraft is averaging 97.2 miles per hour on his fastball, and he's logged a 27.0% strikeout rate with just a 5.8% walk rate. In leagues where managers are panicking after back-to-back rough outings, Ashcraft could be worth buying low on.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Take a Chance and Add Charlie Condon Now
Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon is hitting .306 in July and is looking day by day like a potential call-up to make his major-league debut. Condon, the former No. 3 overall pick in the MLB Draft, is tearing up Triple-A Albuquerque this season, hitting .289 with 20 homers, 62 RBI, 77 runs scored with six steals, and a .975 OPS. The No. 3 overall prospect for the Rockies, Condon is looking like a must-add in all formats as he continues to light up the Pacific Coast League. The 23-year-old right-handed hitter is looking like a player who can pay back fantasy managers who take a chance and stash him on their roster. Condon can play first base or outfield, so he offers some roster flexibility to the Rockies should they want to call him up to make his major league debut. He is looking like one of the top adds on the waiver wire even though he is still in Triple-A. He looks like a difference-maker in the second half.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Parker Messick a Must-Start Pitcher Amidst Breakout Campaign
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season so far. Across 117 2/3 innings (20 starts), the 25-year-old has recorded an 8-5 record with a 2.68 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts. Messick has been particularly effective so far in July, allowing one earned run or fewer in all three of his starts this month. With an average fastball velocity of 93.9 miles per hour and a 24.8% strikeout rate, Messick may not have true fantasy SP1 upside. However, he does an excellent job of limiting hard contact. Opposing batters have posted just a 5.4% barrel rate against Messick, and he's allowed 0.84 HR/9. The young left-hander may be in for some slight regression in the second half of the season, but he profiles as a clear must-start pitcher for fantasy managers going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Walker Jenkins Working His Way Back From Injury
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has returned to the lineup for Triple-A St. Paul and has now been back for about a month. Activated on June 23, Jenkins has a month full of production under his name with modest results. The Twins top overall prospect has two homers and six RBI to his name during the end of June and most of July. Jenkins, a left-handed hitting former first round pick is uber-talented but is finding his swing after suffering a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in hi left shoulder. As he works his way back, now might be a good time to add Jenkins in dynasty leagues especially but also in shallow redraft leagues. In 168 at bats for St. Paul this year, Jenkins has recorded four homers and 15 RBI while hitting .274. He still has the tools to be successful in a call up to Minnesota and the Twins still could act on the 21-year-old sometime during the second half. Right now getting back to full health is the main priority for Jenkins.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Orioles Prospect Ike Irish Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Friday that first base/outfield prospect Ike Irish (knee) is being placed on the High-A Frederick seven-day injured list due to a torn left meniscus that he suffered while sliding into second base on Wednesday, according to Steve Malewski. Irish, the Orioles' No. 2-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, is likely to miss the rest of the season. The 22-year-old former 19th overall pick out of Auburn University in 2025 will have his first full pro season cut short after hitting .286/.388/.528 with a .915 OPS, 16 home runs, 59 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 62 runs scored in 76 games across 343 plate appearances at Frederick. It ends a fantastic season for Irish in the lower levels of the minors. He should be ready to play for the start of the 2027 campaign, where he'll likely begin at Double-A Chesapeake. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound left-handed hitter has a mature approach at the dish and hits the ball hard to all parts of the field. There's a lot to like about Irish, who can hit for average and provide plenty of speed. The jury is still out on his overall power ceiling, but there is at least 20-homer potential.
Source: Steve Melewski
Source: Steve Melewski
