RADIO
Salvador Perez Returns From Elbow Injury on Sunday
Kansas City Royals catcher/first baseman Salvador Perez (elbow) is serving as the team's designated hitter and is batting sixth versus the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Aaron Nola in the series finale at Kauffman Stadium, according to MLB.com. A sore elbow has kept Perez out for each of the last two games, but he'll return for the series finale in KC. The 36-year-old Venezuelan backstop is running out of steam offensively in his 15th year in the majors (all with the Royals), as he enters Sunday's contest with a .201/.241/.327 slash line with a career-worst .568 OPS, 10 home runs, 30 RBI, and 29 runs scored across his 81 games (340 plate appearances). Fantasy managers may want to keep Perez on the bench until he shows some signs of life at the plate. In eight career at-bats against Nola, Perez is hitting .250 with an .875 OPS, a home run, and three RBI. Perez has five hits in his last 35 plate appearances with two doubles, two RBI, a run scored, no walks, and 12 strikeouts across nine games played.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
James Tibbs III No Longer on the Stash Radar Amid Triple-A Skid?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has had a brief stint at Triple-A Oklahoma City and has seen his fantasy value as a stash candidate drop. Over his last 14 contests with the Comets, the outfielder has posted a much lower .208/.365/.375 line with just two long balls. However, over his previous 21 games, the No .10-ranked prospect in the Dodger system carried a much higher .269/.400/.603 line with a stellar 1.003 OPS, two doubles, and an eye-catching eight long balls. Overall, the 23-year-old Florida State product has held his own at Triple-A this season, carrying a .285/.407/.563 slash line with a .970 OPS and 21 long balls. However, with Teoscar Hernandez back in action, Tibbs no longer has an immediate path to join the MLB roster. For now, given his slump and lack of a clear path to at-bats, Tibbs enters Week 14 as a mid-range stash candidate for those in deeper 12+ team leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Hector Rodriguez Not Slowing Down at Triple-A, on the Verge of a Call-Up?
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez has continued his dominant play at Triple-A Louisville and is solidifying himself as a top-stash candidate among outfield prospects ahead of Week 15 of the fantasy season. Over his last 22 contests with the Bats, Rodriguez has posted a sharp .329/.396/.732 slash line with four doubles, nine home runs, two stolen bases, and a 23:7 K:BB. Prior to this impressive stretch at the dish, the 22-year-old was still very productive at the plate but was nowhere near as effective, holding a .274/.353/.465 line over his first 60 games in the regular season. Currently, the Reds do not have a clear path for Rodriguez as both JJ Bleday and Noelvi Marte occupy the corner outfield spots. However, Bleday is currently in the midst of a 7-for-53 skid, which could open the door for the team's No. 5-ranked prospect. For now, Rodríguez is a top stash target for those in 12+ team, five-outfielder leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Chase DeLauter a Must-Add After Strong Return From Injured List?
Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (rib cage) has picked up where he left off since coming off the 10-day injured list on June 28. He has started all seven games since returning and gone 10-for-31 (.323) with three runs, five RBI, and one steal. The 24-year-old is now batting .269/.336/.410 with seven home runs, 39 RBI, 27 runs, and three steals through 271 at-bats. The plate skills are more convincing than the power so far. DeLauter has a 13.3% strikeout rate and 10.4% walk rate, while his 40.5% hard-hit rate and 5.9% barrel rate are solid rather than dominant. He is rostered in 51% of Yahoo leagues, and RotoBaller recommends him in 12-team formats. That is the right range. DeLauter should be rostered in leagues of that size, but seven homers and three steals do not support a five-category label.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark Emerging as No. 1 Outfield Prospect to Stash
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has continued to swing a hot bat over the past month and is settling in as a top prospect to stash ahead of Week 15. Over his last 19 games (since June 10), the top-ranked prospect in the Detroit system has posted a strong .293/.363/.415 line with four doubles, two home runs, and five stolen bases. Prior to this recent surge at the dish, the former No. 3 overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft posted a lower .253/.345/.385 line with a modest .727 OPS. Seeing Clark not only hit for a higher batting average but also begin to gradually tap into his raw power against the top pitching is an excellent sign for his fantasy outlook. If he maintains this pace, the budding star should compete for a debut shortly after the All-Star break. Heading into Week 15, Clark profiles as a top stash option in all standard leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Hagen Smith Still a Worthwhile Stash While on the Injured List?
Chicago White Sox top pitching prospect Hagen Smith is currently on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Charlotte due to a left shoulder impingement. However, before suffering this injury, the young southpaw appeared to be on the verge of earning the call to the big leagues and was viewed as a high-end pitching prospect to stash. Before allowing a season-worst seven runs on June 13, the left-hander logged 19 innings (four starts) with a 2.37 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 32:7 K:BB. This impressive stretch put him high on the stash radar as the southpaw posted a 4.45 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP over the first 33 2/3 innings of the Triple-A regular season. While his injury has delayed his MLB debut, managers should continue to monitor his status, as he could push for a promotion to the South Side in late July if he returns to the mound in the near future.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Leo De Vries Nearing Triple-A Promotion?
Athletics infield prospect Leo De Vries has continued to enjoy a hot streak at Double-A and turned in another strong showing on Saturday. Facing Double-A Frisco, De Vries went 2-for-5 with his 10th long ball of the season. Over his last 17 games with Midland, the No. 2-ranked prospect in baseball (per MLB.com) has posted a sharp .268/.373/.549 line with five of these home runs. However, prior to this noted stretch, the 19-year-old has posted a .278/.365/.378 line with just six doubles and five long balls over his first 54 games of the season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor De Vries' production as he should be in the mix to join Triple-A shortly after the All-Star break. If he can carry this production into the top level, a late-season MLB debut could remain in play.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Ryan Waldschmidt Nearing a Return to Arizona?
Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt was optioned to Triple-A Reno following his first stint in the majors back in mid-June. However, since returning to Reno, the top-ranked prospect in the system has not only produced at a high level, but has begun to showcase his raw power. Through his first 13 games at Triple-A since returning, the Kentucky product has held a .288/.413/.588 line with a .970 OPS, five doubles, three home runs, and a 13:10 K:BB. During his first taste of the major leagues, Waldschmidt posted a .259/.314/.357 line with nine doubles, no home runs, and five stolen bases (across 33 games). If the 23-year-old can continue to take a step forward, he could emerge as a top stash candidate following the All-Star break due to his raw five-category potential.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Mason Montgomery the Next Closer to Roster in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery is pushing into the ninth-inning conversation as the club mixes its late-inning assignments. Montgomery struck out the side in a non-save ninth against Philadelphia on July 2, one inning after Gregory Soto handled the top of the order. The 26-year-old has a 4.50 ERA and 1.35 WHIP through 34 innings, but his 50 strikeouts are the main reason to speculate on him. No one has taken control of the job. Montgomery still has zero saves, Soto owns 11, and Dennis Santana has two, so fantasy managers are betting on the next opportunity rather than a settled role. FanGraphs lists all three in the closer committee, while RotoBaller recommends Montgomery in 12-team leagues. He is rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues and is worth adding for saves speculation, though managers should expect uneven ratios and a committee for now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braden Montgomery Worth a Waiver Claim for Power Upside?
Chicago White Sox right fielder Braden Montgomery has not delivered the home-run burst fantasy managers hoped for after his June 9 promotion, but there is enough here to justify a waiver claim. The 23-year-old is batting .244/.315/.415 with two homers, 12 runs, and eight RBI through 82 at-bats. He has also remained in the lineup, appearing 23 times in right field and once in center. Before the call-up, Montgomery hit .314/.422/.548 with 10 homers and 41 RBI over 210 minor-league at-bats. MLB Pipeline gives his power a 60 grade, and his first MLB sample includes a 90.0 mph average exit velocity and 43.5% hard-hit rate. The catch is a 62.9% ground-ball rate, which has kept too many hard-hit balls on the ground. Montgomery is rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues and is worth adding in 12-team formats, matching RotoBaller's latest recommendation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jung Hoo Lee a Must-Add for Batting Average and Speed?
San Francisco Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee has cooled since his big June, but there is still plenty here for fantasy managers to use. He is batting .317/.348/.452 with five home runs, 45 runs, 33 RBI, and six steals through 303 at-bats. Lee hit .340 with two homers, 17 runs, 12 RBI, and five steals in June, striking out only seven times in 102 plate appearances. The power is unlikely to take off. Lee owns a 29.3% hard-hit rate and 2.5% barrel rate, so fantasy managers should view the home runs as a bonus rather than the reason to add him. His contact ability, run production, and recent willingness to steal bases carry the value. Lee is rostered in 49% of Yahoo leagues, and RotoBaller's latest rankings recommend him in 12-team formats. He belongs on a roster in leagues of that size.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
JR Ritchie Earns Save in Long Relief, Worth Monitoring in Deep Leagues?
Atlanta Braves pitcher JR Ritchie made an immediate impact after his recall Saturday, tossing the final three innings of a 14-3 win over the Mets. The 23-year-old allowed three hits and one walk while striking out four, earning his first career save. Ritchie now carries a 4.53 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts over 43 2/3 innings. The save stemmed from the lopsided score and his three-inning workload rather than a shift into high-leverage relief. Atlanta recalled Ritchie primarily as rotation depth and long-relief help, and his 26 walks continue to be a concern. Still, as the Braves' No. 2 prospect, he offers upside through strikeouts and innings if he secures another rotation opportunity. Ritchie is worth monitoring in deeper leagues, especially if another spot opens, though his current role and control issues limit his appeal in standard mixed formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Grant Taylor Earns Third Save for White Sox, Back on the Fantasy Radar?
Chicago White Sox reliever Grant Taylor rebounded Saturday by closing out a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians. He issued one walk and struck out one in a hitless ninth inning, earning his third save in six opportunities. The assignment was encouraging after Brayan Rocchio hit a walk-off two-run homer against Taylor on Thursday. Manager Will Venable went right back to the 24-year-old with another ninth-inning lead, and Taylor lowered his ERA to 2.96 with a 1.12 WHIP and 65 strikeouts through 45 2/3 innings. Chicago has not handed the job to one pitcher. Seranthony Dominguez still leads the club with 12 saves, while Bryan Hudson and Taylor have three apiece. Taylor's ability to work earlier or cover multiple innings may also limit his chances. Still, RotoBaller recommends him in 12-team leagues, and the strikeouts help when he is not closing. At 17% rostered on Yahoo, Taylor is worth another look for managers chasing saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Stephen Kolek Placed on Family Medical Emergency List
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Stephen Kolek (personal) was placed on the family medical emergency list on Saturday. Kolek will step away from the team for a period of time due to family matters. He was scheduled to take the ball against the New York Mets next week, but it's unclear if that's still going to happen. This season, Kolek owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 34:12 K:BB ratio across 10 starts with the Royals. He has been tagged for 12 earned runs over his last two starts, so hopefully he'll get back on track after the All-Star break. In a corresponding move, right-hander Jose Cuas has been recalled to take the spot on the active roster.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Logan Henderson to be Activated Off the Injured List Next Week
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Logan Henderson (back) will be activated off the Injured List at some point this upcoming week. Henderson is ready to rejoin the Brewers rotation after making two rehab starts. He has been sidelined since May 22 due to a back strain. The assumption is that Henderson will be ready to pitch at some point during their upcoming series against the St. Louis Cardinals. This season, Henderson owns a 2.74 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 30:6 K/BB ratio across five starts with the Brewers. He's a decent mixed league option given his success before the injury.
Source: Curt Hogg
Source: Curt Hogg
