RADIO
Sam Antonacci Is Too Useful to Leave on the Waiver Wire
Chicago White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci is still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues despite batting .285 with seven home runs, 50 runs, 29 RBI, and 13 steals across 270 at-bats. He homered on Friday, July 17, then went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Saturday. That is not a reason to jump off. Antonacci owns a .376 on-base percentage and has struck out in just 15.3% of his 313 plate appearances. That contact, plus a regular turn atop Chicago's lineup, keeps the runs and steals coming. The power is not big, but it is no longer empty, either. Seven homers work just fine alongside 13 steals and 50 runs. Antonacci also qualifies at second base, third base, and the outfield. At 47% rostered on Yahoo, he should not be sitting on the wire in competitive 10-team leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Landen Roupp's Breakout Case Is Getting Harder to Ignore
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp followed eight innings of one-run ball against Toronto with seven scoreless at Seattle on Friday, July 17. He has allowed one earned run across 15 innings, though the two strikeouts against the Mariners keep the run from looking spotless. Still, the case is not built on two box scores. Roupp owns a 3.38 xERA beneath his 3.98 ERA, and hitters have managed just a 28.8% hard-hit rate and 3.9% barrel rate against him. His curveball remains nasty, with a 34.6% whiff rate, .174 xBA, and .219 xSLG. The control can unravel. Arizona chased him after 2 2/3 innings on June 30, when he walked six and allowed six runs. That outing is the risk. The contact profile is the reason to buy into the rise, and Roupp looks like a useful second-half arm rather than a two-start mirage.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
MacKenzie Gore's Strikeouts Keep the Buy-Low Case Alive
Texas Rangers starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore has taken a beating in July, with five more runs allowed over 5 2/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. His ERA for the month is up to 8.24 after four starts, and six balls have already left the yard in 19 2/3 innings. Ugly, no way around it. The strikeouts have not disappeared, though. Gore has 25 of them against four walks during the skid, bringing him to 122 punchouts over 110 2/3 frames this season. His ERA climbed to 4.80, while his xERA sat at 3.88 entering Saturday. That gap does not erase the home-run trouble, and Gore has always carried some volatility. It does leave room for better days. With the swing-and-miss still intact and the walks under control, he belongs in the buy-low conversation rather than on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zac Veen Not Slowing Down in Minor Leagues as MLB Promotion is in Reach
Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen has continued to showcase high-end production at the Triple-A club and is making a strong case to earn his second stint in the major leagues. Through his last 40 contests at the Triple-A club in the Colorado system, the former ninth overall pick from the 2020 MLB Draft has carried an elite .355/.375/.734 line with a 1.109 OPS. During this noted surge, Veen has gone deep 12 times, tacked on 20 doubles, swiped four bags, and even hit four triples. On the season, Veen has done more than prove he's ready for the majors, posting a .967 OPS with 16 home runs and 16 stolen bases. With the Rockies likely to move many key bats at the deadline, including outfielder Mickey Moniak, Veen should face minimal competition for second-half at-bats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Cam Cannarella Opening the Door for Late-Season Promotion
Miami Marlins outfield prospect Cam Cannarella has been a fast riser within the team's system and is now just one stop away from joining Miami for a late-season playoff push. Cannarella has appeared in two Triple-A contests since joining them this week. After going 0-for-4 in his debut, Cannarella bounced back on Saturday, going 2-for-4 with a run and a stolen base. The former 42nd pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Clemson opened the campaign at the High-A level but has progressed quickly through the minor leagues. Across 52 games shared between High-A and Double-A, Cannarella posted an elite .365/.443/.599 line with a 1.042 OPS, seven doubles, 12 home runs, and nine stolen bases. While the Miami outfield is crowded, if Cannarella continues this pace, he will be in a great position to debut during the stretch run.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Recent Power Binge Puts Hector Rodriguez on the Doorstep of Major Leagues
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez has enjoyed a power binge at the Triple-A level and is making a strong case to earn the call to the big leagues. Over his last 12 games at Triple-A Louisville, the 22-year-old has gone deep five times and added a double. During this stretch, Rodriguez has carried a .286/.375/.667 with a 1.042 OPS. Rodriguez has spent the entire 2026 campaign at the Triple-A level and has continued to flash elite power potential, going deep 23 times while posting a strong .280/.360/.538 line with a .898 OPS. Given his current pace, it appears Rodriguez seems well-positioned to join the Reds down the stretch. With recent reports suggesting the Reds are looking to sell expiring contracts at the trade deadline, Rodriguez's call to the big leagues should happen sooner rather than later.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Kaelen Culpepper Seeing Stash Value Drop While on Injured List
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper (finger) continues to see his stash value fall and his potential for a late-season call-up decline due to his stint on the injured list. Culpepper has been on the shelf since the end of June due to a finger injury. This is the second injury he has suffered this season, as he also missed time due to a hip injury. However, when on the diamond for St. Paul, Culpepper has been quite productive, which kept him high on stash rankings during the first half. Across 63 games with the top club in Minnesota, Culpepper has held a .272/.376/.492 slash line with 14 home runs and 15 stolen bases. While his MLB debut could be delayed, his five-category potential keeps him on the watch list, as he could still provide fantasy value later in the second half.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Zyhir Hope Lights Up the Scoresheet with Another Multi-Home Run Game
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Zyhir Hope turned in another stellar effort at the Double-A level on Saturday evening. Facing Frisco, the No. 19 overall prospect in the sport went 3-for-4 with two home runs and two RBI. Hope has spent the entire 2026 campaign with Double-A and has performed at a high level. Through 84 total contests with Tulsa, the budding superstar has carried a .292/.373/.538 slash line with a .910 OPS. He has launched 16 doubles, added 21 round-trippers, and even swiped 15 bags. However, over his last 12 contests, Hope has seen his production soar even further, especially when looking at his power. During this noted stretch, Hope has launched eight long balls with a 1.021 SLG. Given his current pace, a call-up to Triple-A seems very likely down the stretch.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Anthony Eyanson Extends Near-Perfect Start to Professional Career
Boston Red Sox right-handed pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson has yet to slow down over his first professional campaign and is establishing himself as one of the top pitching prospects in the game. On Saturday, Eyanson turned in another stellar showing, striking out eight hitters over five one-hit innings. He did not allow a run. Since moving up to Double-A, Eyanson has logged 40 1/3 innings of work to the tune of a 1.56 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a sharp 45:18 K:BB. He began his professional career (and season) at the High-A level, where he needed only 20 1/3 innings with a stellar 0.44 ERA and a 0.49 WHIP. Given his current production, Eyanson has a path to earning a cup of coffee at Triple-A late in the second half. He is a fast-rising prospect in dynasty/keeper formats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Otto Lopez Suffers Finger Injury on Saturday
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that a groundball "got the nail pretty good" on middle infielder Otto Lopez's right ring finger in Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The skipper didn't have much information on Lopez's finger after the game about whether testing would be needed. The 27-year-old took a groundball to his finger in the second inning, but he remained in for the duration of the contest and finished 1-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a strikeout in the 8-6 loss on the road in Milwaukee. It sounds like Lopez will undergo testing, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect the first-time All-Star in 2026 to be available for Sunday's series finale at American Family Field. In his fifth year in the majors (third with Miami), Lopez entered Saturday's tilt leading the league in hits (129), doubles (27), and batting average (.336) in 96 games and 414 plate appearances. If his finger injury is serious, both Leo Jimenez and Javier Sanoja would both be candidates to take over playing time at the 6 in Miami for the Fish.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Zack Gelof to Begin Doing Baseball Activities Next Week
Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (knee) is expected to begin doing baseball activities once his stitches are removed on Tuesday. Gelof has been out since right before the All-Star break due to a right knee laceration. It sounds like he's extremely close to getting back on the field. There's a decent chance that Gelof doesn't require a minor league rehab assignment, but that'll depend on how he feels once he gets the stitches. out. Gelof has done enough damage with the bat this season to warrant rostering in at least deep leagues. He has blasted 11 home runs while slashing .273/.327/.476 this season.
Source: Martin Gallegos
Source: Martin Gallegos
Nick Kurtz is Not Cleared for Baseball Activities Yet
Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (thumb) appears to be slowly making progress from his injury. Kurtz is participating in range of motion and strengthening exercises right now. He has not been cleared to do baseball activities yet. Kurtz landed on the Injured List just before the All-Star break. He's currently working his way back from a right thumb capsule sprain. It's unclear if Kurtz is going to require a minor league rehab assignment yet. Fantasy managers should have a clearer timetable for his return once he's able to do baseball activities. In the meantime, Jonah Heim and Tommy White should split up the reps at first base.
Source: Martin Gallegos
Source: Martin Gallegos
Framber Valdez Returns From Bereavement List
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez has been activated off the bereavement list on Saturday. Valdez missed a little under a week while dealing with personal issues. Luckily, it was right before the All-Star break, so his absence didn't mess up the Tigers' rotation. Valdez is expected to make his next start during the upcoming series versus the Chicago Cubs. The exact date of his start is unknown, so fantasy managers will need to stay tuned for more information. In a corresponding move, right-hander Beau Brieske was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday.
Source: Tigers PR
Source: Tigers PR
Jeremy Pena Leaves with Hamstring Cramp
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Pena appears to have tweaked his hamstring while taking a swing in the third inning. He stayed in and finished the at-bat, but was replaced in the fourth inning. Pena finished the game 1-for-2 at the plate with a single. The Astros are calling it a right hamstring cramp, but he'll likely undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if Nick Allen gets the starting nod at shortstop on Sunday. There should be another update on Pena ahead of Sunday's game.
Source: Houston Astros
Source: Houston Astros
Christian Walker Removed Due to Hip Soreness
Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (hip) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Walker appeared to have tweaked his right hip after taking a swing in the fourth inning. He was taken out of the game before finishing the at-bat. He finished the game hitless in one plate appearance. The assumption is that Walker will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if Walker is out of the lineup on Sunday. Until there is more information, fantasy managers should consider Walker as day-to-day.
Source: Houston Astros
Source: Houston Astros
