RADIO
Zac Veen a Worthy Stash Consideration Amid Power Surge
Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen has been red-hot again at Triple-A Albuquerque, going 15-for-38 (.395) over his last eight games, with 11 of those 15 hits going for extra bases (five doubles, one triple, five home runs). The Rockies' top prospect, who also authored a 25-game hit streak earlier this year, is now slashing .315/.389/.603 with 21 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 96 games for the Isotopes. Unfortunately for Veen, Colorado seemingly has a glut of outfield depth at the moment, with a productive big league unit that includes recently-graduated prospect Cole Carrigg, along with fellow prospect Charlie Condon also waiting in the wings for a call-up. Still, Veen may have the edge over Condon the next time the team needs to fill a void in the outfield, as the left-handed hitter has already made his major league debut and is already on the 40-man roster. With the potential to contribute across multiple categories, the former ninth-overall draft pick is a worthy stash consideration who could be in position to help managers in the run-up to and in the fantasy playoffs in deeper 12+ team leagues if he were to get the call.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jake Bauers Remains Out of Brewers Lineup on Thursday
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers (abdomen) is out of his team's lineup for their Thursday matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-handed starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft. This will be three consecutive games where Bauers has not been in the starting lineup as he battles an abdominal issue. The 30-year-old has had a breakout year in 2026, hitting .270/.375/.503 with 20 home runs, 64 RBI, 68 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 403 plate appearances. Bauers has posted an elite 13.6% walk rate while also logging a 13.6% barrel rate and a 52.9% hard-hit rate. It's not yet clear whether Bauers will require a trip to the injured list. If he does miss extended time, first baseman Andrew Vaughn and outfielder Luis Lara are both candidates to see an increase in playing time.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Merrill Kelly Has Re-Established Himself as a Viable Starting Pitcher Streamer
Across 114 1/3 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly has recorded an 8-9 record with a 5.04 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts. While the veteran right-hander's overall line is not pretty, he's been significantly better of late. Across 32 2/3 innings since the start of July, Kelly has pitched to a 3.03 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and three wins. The 37-year-old has recorded a measly 15.9% strikeout rate on the year, which limits his fantasy upside. Still, Kelly has a long track record as a proven innings-eater, and he appears to be pulling himself out of his rough first half of the 2026 season. In the right matchups, Kelly carries streamer appeal in deeper league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Remains Out of Blue Jays Lineup on Thursday
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hamstring) remains out of his team's lineup for the second straight game on Thursday. Guerrero Jr. has been in and out of the Toronto lineup since exiting early from a game on July 28 due to hamstring tightness. While the Blue Jays have not indicated that their star first baseman will require a trip to the injured list, it's obviously a concern for fantasy managers that Guerrero Jr. will get a second straight day off on Thursday. It's been a frustrating year overall for the 27-year-old, who is hitting .259/.338/.349 with six home runs, 44 RBI, 55 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across 456 plate appearances. With Guerrero Jr. out of the lineup, the Blue Jays have shifted third baseman Kazuma Okamoto across the diamond to first base and used infielders Ernie Clement and Josh Smith to cover the hot corner.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cole Carrigg has Emerged as a Must-Add Outfielder
Since making his MLB debut on June 9, Colorado Rockies outfielder Cole Carrigg has emerged as a potential piece of his team's core going forward. Across 182 plate appearances, the 24-year-old is hitting .301/.387/.510 with five home runs, 28 RBI, 33 runs scored, and five stolen bases. Carrigg's underlying batted-ball metrics are uninspiring, as he's logged a 4.9% barrel rate and a 32.8% hard-hit rate. However, he's demonstrated impressive plate skills for a young player. Carrigg also has the benefit of playing his home games at the hitter-friendly Coors Field, which, when combined with his plus speed, should allow him to run a high batting average on balls in play and rack up extra-base hits. In any league where he's not already rostered, Carrigg should be viewed as a priority waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Triston Casas Undergoes Successful Wrist Surgery
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (wrist) underwent successful surgery on his left wrist on Thursday, according to Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. This most recent wrist issue is the latest in a string of injury setbacks for Casas. He ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee in May 2025, resulting in season-ending surgery. Casas also suffered an intercostal strain while working his way back from the knee injury earlier this year and is now set to be sidelined for a significant stretch while he recovers from wrist surgery. All in all, the 26-year-old has logged just 355 MLB plate appearances since the start of the 2024 season. He was productive in a 63-game sample size in 2024, hitting .241 with 13 home runs and a 13.3% barrel rate. Still, his extensive injury history makes his future fantasy value difficult to project.
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette - Tommy Cassell
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette - Tommy Cassell
Devin Williams "Good to Go" on Thursday After Dealing with Arm Fatigue
New York Mets closer Devin Williams (arm) is "good to go" on Thursday, per Laura Albanese of Newsday. Albanese previously reported that Williams is battling arm fatigue, but it appears it is not a serious enough issue to force him to miss time. Across 37 2/3 innings (41 games) in 2026, Williams has recorded a 4.30 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 51 strikeouts, and 16 saves. The 31-year-old remains a reliable source of swing-and-miss, as he's posted a 29.6% strikeout rate. However, Williams' 11.6% walk rate remains an issue, and his average fastball velocity is down to a career-worst 93.9 miles per hour. If his current arm fatigue lingers and causes Williams' velocity to drop even further, his production level could continue to fade.
Source: Newsday - Laura Albanese
Source: Newsday - Laura Albanese
Ty France a Sneaky Waiver-Wire Addition Amid Hot Stretch
San Diego Padres first baseman Ty France has quietly been one of the team's most consistent offensive producers this summer. He hit .326 (29-for-89) with a .966 OPS, six home runs, six doubles, 20 RBI, and 13 runs scored in 23 games and 100 plate appearances in July, and he's off to a good start so far in five games in August, going 6-for-20 (.300) with five runs scored for the Friars. The 32-year-old veteran's recent hot streak at the plate has boosted his season slash line to an impressive .288/.342/.520 with an .862 OPS, 16 home runs, 49 RBI, 39 runs scored, and a stolen base in 89 games played across 311 plate appearances in his eighth year in the big leagues. France is suddenly five home runs shy of setting a new career high in that category in his return to San Diego in 2026. While his .255 expected batting average and .331 xwOBA (current wOBA of .368) say that we've probably seen the best from France this year, he's still a decent corner-infield option for some pop in deep-mixed fantasy leagues while he's hot. After his red-hot stretch in July, he's now rostered in 40% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Garrett Mitchell's Speed Still on Display Despite Recent Slump
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell still managed to make an impact in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates despite going 0-for-2 at the plate, as he had two walks and two stolen bases. The 27-year-old has yet to record a hit in five games in August, going 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts, but he does have two runs scored and three stolen bases in 20 plate appearances. Mitchell, a former first-rounder in 2020 from UCLA, is hitting .257/.354/.419 on the year with a .773 OPS, eight home runs, 49 RBI, 49 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across his 327 at-bats in a career-high 103 games in his fifth year in the majors with Milwaukee. Despite his recent slump, Mitchell can be useful as an outfield depth option for his speed on the strong side of a platoon with the Brew Crew. Mitchell was money for fantasy managers in July, batting .315 (28-for-89) with an .896 OPS, two homers, nine doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored, and two steals in 25 games played. Perhaps the biggest takeaway for Mitchell in 2026 is that he has finally managed to stay healthy.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yoendrys Gomez May be Challenged for Saves After Trade Deadline
Minnesota Twins right-handed reliever Yoendrys Gomez quickly became the team's favorite for saves after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays early in the season, but he could have competition for the ninth-inning role the rest of the 2026 season after the Twins added veteran righty Jeff Hoffman at Monday's trade deadline. The 26-year-old Venezuelan hurler has been much better since joining the Twins, posting a 1.93 ERA (3.03 FIP), 1.16 WHIP, 13 saves, and a 33:15 K:BB in 32 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. In 11 appearances for the Twins in July, Gomez was solid, allowing just two earned runs with seven walks, 10 strikeouts, two wins, and five saves in 10 1/3 innings pitched. It's not like he has pitched poorly with the Twins, but the addition of Hoffman will give manager Derek Shelton another option in high-leverage, late-game situations as the Twins try to sneak into the postseason. Gomez is still worth rostering in deeper leagues (he's rostered in 31% of Yahoo leagues), but don't be surprised if Hoffman joins the saves mix in Minnesota.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Kemp Alderman Showing Off Power in Limited Appearances at Triple-A
Miami Marlins outfield prospect Kemp Alderman is compiling a nice season with Triple-A Jacksonville with 14 homers and 45 RBI to go with 49 runs scored and seven stolen bases while hitting .281 in 270 at-bats. Alderman missed some time with an injury in May and June but has still produced a consistent season at age 23 at Triple-A. Alderman is the No. 7 prospect in the Marlins' system and boasts 60-grade power as shown by his 14 home runs in 72 games played. Miami has a lot of names in the outfield mix at the big league level, but Alderman's power could play at the MLB level. He is a name worth keeping an eye on the rest of the season in case he is called up to Miami. Fantasy managers will want to react quickly if he does get a chance to make his MLB debut because his power-speed combo could be a help for fantasy teams.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Steven Cruz Claiming a Bigger Portion of Saves in KC
Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Steven Cruz has jumped into the saves picture for the Royals after Alex Lange has allowed 16 runs in his last 10 appearances. Cruz was entrusted in a save situation on Wednesday against the division-rival Minnesota Twins, and he delivered to close out the 2-1 win. He threw a clean inning with one strikeout to earn his third save of the season for the Royals. The 27-year-old Dominican pitcher is 2-3 in 2026 with a 4.29 ERA (5.50 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 total innings pitched in his fourth year in the majors with the Royals. Cruz's surface stats aren't all that impressive, but he's been much better since the start of July, allowing only four earned runs on 11 hits while walking three and striking out 13 in 15 2/3 innings during that stretch. He's also picked up all three of his saves and has added two holds. It's unclear if veteran reliever Carlos Estevez (shoulder) will even be able to make it back at all this year, so Cruz could have plenty of runway to close out the year as the Royals' primary closer over Lange. Cruz is rostered in just 3% of Yahoo leagues and is widely available.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Parks Harber Making Most of Promotion To Triple-A Sacramento
San Francisco Giants third base/outfield prospect Parks Harber has performed since a promotion to Triple-A Sacramento on July 17. With Sacramento, Harber is hitting .329 in 73 at-bats with four homers and 17 RBI to go with 12 runs scored. Harber is the No. 12 prospect in the Giants' system and boasts 55-grade power. The 24-year-old can play third base or the outfield and could give some versatility to the Giants down the stretch this season. Harber could be called upon this season to give San Francisco some big-league depth in the outfield or at third base, but is a bit of a risky stash, just because even his value as a big leaguer is a bit uncertain. A right-handed hitter, Harber has some power in his bat but is looking like a long shot to make a big impact this year as a big leaguer after just recently being promoted to Triple-A.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Andrew Kittredge Deserving of Waiver Attention After Earning Fifth Save
Baltimore Orioles veteran right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge is becoming more attractive in deeper fantasy baseball leagues for managers desperate for saves. Kittredge locked down his fifth save of the season by throwing a clean inning with no hits allowed, no walks, and no strikeouts on Wednesday to close out a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Camden Yards. The 36-year-old has allowed three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings pitched so far in August, but he has two saves in his last four appearances and is now second on the team this year in saves. In 12 relief outings in July, Kittredge didn't give up a single run and had three walks, seven strikeouts, three saves, one blown save, and three holds in 11 innings pitched. He's 1-3 on the season with a 4.05 ERA (4.20 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and 10 walks in 33 1/3 total innings. Kittredge definitely is not a sexy reliever by any means, but with Ryan Helsley (elbow) still on the injured list, he could continue to get save opportunities alongside Yennier Cano and Rico Garcia, and he's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jacob Melton Currently Injured but Could Still Debut With Rays
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton (hamstring) was placed on the seven-day injured list with a right-hamstring strain and is expected to miss about a week at Triple-A Durham. Melton has had a nice season with Durham, batting .285 in 123 at-bats at Triple-A with five homers and 23 RBI to go with 24 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. The 25-year-old has shown off his five-category ability this season with Durham and is currently the No. 6 prospect in Tampa's system. He has 60-grade power and 60-grade speed, which shows off his ability to hit at a high level while also establishing himself as a stolen base threat. Melton debuted with the Houston Astros at the major league level in 2025 before being traded to Tampa Bay in December of 2025. Melton has MLB experience and could play for the Rays before the end of this year. He is worth stashing as he returns from his injury.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
