RADIO
James Wood on His Way to a Career Year
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood continues to impress and is establishing himself as one of the top power hitters in the MLB. He has hit 28 homers in 97 games and seems certain to pass his previous career-high of 31 homers from last year. His batting average is up from .256 to .279 while his wOBA has climbed from .353 to .416. He's already matched his career high with 15 stolen bases as well. He has the highest barrel rate and the highest hard-hit rate in the majors this season, along with the second-highest average exit velocity behind only Oneil Cruz. With such strong underlying metrics and elite production, Wood looks poised to be a fantasy centerpiece for years to come. He's still only 23 years old and continues to be one of the most exciting hitters in the game heading into the second half.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Jeff Hoffman a Sneaky Stash Based on Underlying Metrics?
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman had a brutal start to the year and lost his job as the team's closer, with the emergence of Louis Varland as an elite bullpen option. He has put together a few strong weeks, though, and could return to fantasy relevance at some point after the All-Star break. He is 5-6 with a 4.57 ERA in his 44 games, but his 2.64 FIP and 3.07 xERA indicate he has pitched much better than his ERA indicates. He has a sky-high .402 BABIP against him (league average is .289 this season), so there could be some positive regression for him in the second half if ht gets some better batted-ball luck. Hoffman did give up two earned runs in his last outing before the break, snapping a 13-game span without an earned run against him. Varland will likely keep the closer job as long as he's healthy, but Hoffman could be a very valuable setup option or end up in a closer spot as bullpens get shuffled at the Trade Deadline. In deep leagues, he makes sense to stash and see, while in standard-sized leagues, he's definitely a reliever to keep a close eye on.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ben Joyce a Top Stash Option for Late-Season Saves?
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Ben Joyce (shoulder) has yet to pitch in the big leagues this season as he works his way back from the shoulder surgery that has kept him out since May 2025. However, the 25-year-old began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League before the All-Star break, so he could be on track to return to the Angels bullpen before the end of July. Joyce struggled in a limited sample size of innings in 2025 before suffering the shoulder injury. Still, he was an effective reliever for the Angels in 2024, recording a 2.08 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP with 33 strikeouts and four saves across 34 2/3 innings. Joyce is known for his electric fastball, which he threw at an average velocity of 102.4 miles per hour in 2024. Los Angeles has had difficulty filling its closer role so far this season, with right-handers Ryan Zeferjahn, Kirby Yates, and Sam Bachman currently sharing ninth-inning duties. If Joyce can prove he is fully healthy, he could be the favorite for saves with the Angels upon his return to the big leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Agustin Ramirez Still a High-Priority Stash Candidate?
After hitting .230 with two home runs through his first 129 plate appearances of 2026, Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville in early May. The 24-year-old's defense behind the plate may have been the biggest reason for his demotion, and could remain a barrier to his return to the big leagues. However, Ramirez carries five-category potential that is unique at the catcher position and makes him an intriguing option for fantasy managers. Across 195 plate appearances at Triple-A this season, Ramirez is hitting .250/.328/.436 with seven home runs, 27 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. The young backstop proved he could perform at the plate in the big leagues in 2025, hitting 21 home runs and swiping 16 bags across 585 trips to the plate. Particularly in deeper league formats, Ramirez may still be worth stashing off the waiver wire for his theoretical upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Petersen Emerging as a Potential Saves Source in Miami?
Across 39 innings (41 games) so far this season, Miami Marlins right-hander Michael Petersen (hamstring) has pitched to a 3.07 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and one save. Petersen exited early from Miami's final game before the All-Star break on Sunday with a hamstring injury, so fantasy managers should monitor for his health status coming out of the break. Assuming he can avoid a stint on the injured list, Petersen could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a potential source of saves. The 32-year-old has arguably been the best arm in the Miami bullpen in 2026, as he's averaged 97.8 miles per hour on his fastball and has recorded a 29.4% strikeout rate. Miami has largely deployed Petersen in a setup role ahead of closer Pete Fairbanks. However, Fairbanks owns a 6.83 ERA and is allowing 2.17 HR/9 on the year. If the Marlins eventually decide to make a change in the ninth inning, Petersen could be next in line.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brendan Donovan Begins Rehab Assignment on Wednesday Night
Seattle Mariners infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (groin) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Wednesday, per Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710. Donovan has been sidelined since mid-May by a groin injury, so he could need several games' worth of minor league plate appearances before he's ready to return to the big leagues. Still, Donovan will likely be back with the Mariners sooner rather than later. The 29-year-old got off to a solid start to his first season in Seattle before the injury, hitting .274/.386/.452 with three home runs, eight RBI, nine runs scored, and one stolen base across 101 plate appearances. Donovan appeared exclusively at third base and was mostly deployed in the leadoff spot to open the year. Seattle has since promoted top prospect Colt Emerson to play shortstop and moved veteran infielder J.P. Crawford to third base. However, Donovan's ability to play multiple spots on the diamond should keep him in the Mariners lineup regularly upon his return.
Source: Seattle Sports 710 - Shannon Drayer
Source: Seattle Sports 710 - Shannon Drayer
Cristopher Sanchez Not Listed Among Phillies Probables This Weekend
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez is not listed among his team's probable starters for their first series of the second half against the New York Mets this weekend, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Sanchez last pitched for the Phillies last Saturday, but he started the All-Star Game on Tuesday for the National League and threw 34 pitches in his one inning of work. The 29-year-old has been one of the better pitchers in baseball so far this season, recording an 11-4 record with a 2.62 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts across 127 1/3 innings (20 starts). While the Phillies could have chosen to push him back out onto the mound as quickly as possible, it looks as though the team will instead prioritize getting him a few extra days of rest before the true push for the playoffs begins. As a result, Sanchez's next start will likely come at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on either Monday or Tuesday.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Zack Wheeler Not Scheduled to Pitch This Weekend
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler is not listed among his team's probable starters for their first series after the All-Star break against the New York Mets, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. The 36-year-old has been dominant so far this season, recording a 10-1 record with a 2.13 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts across 93 innings (15 starts). Wheeler's last start came last Sunday, so Philadelphia could have chosen to give him the ball this upcoming weekend. Instead, it appears that the team will allow the 36-year-old a few extra days of rest coming out of the break. As a result, Wheeler's next start will likely come at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on either Monday or Tuesday.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Pitching Prospect Yunior Tur Getting the Call to the Big Leagues
The Athletics selected the contract of right-handed pitching prospect Yunior Tur from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, according to Jason Burke of Inside the A's. Tur will make his major-league debut to begin the second half of the 2026 season after posting a 4.41 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 64:26 K:BB in 51 innings pitched across 27 appearances (five starts) at Las Vegas this year. Per MLB Pipeline, he's considered the A's No. 27 prospect. The 26-year-old Cuban right-hander stands at an imposing 6-foot-6 and 208 pounds on the mound and stands out with his power fastball that gets up to the high-90s. The A's could use some arms for their starting rotation after just designating right-hander Aaron Civale, but Tur is not stretched out at all and will most likely serve in a low-leverage bullpen role in Sacramento for as long as he sticks around on the major-league roster. Don't be surprised if Tur's stay with the A's is short, which makes him a pitching prospect to pass on in terms of a waiver-wire investment in pretty much all fantasy leagues.
Source: Inside the A's - Jason Burke
Source: Inside the A's - Jason Burke
Athletics to Promote Prospect Tommy White, a Must-Add in All Leagues?
The Athletics are calling up corner-infield prospect Tommy White from Triple-A Las Vegas, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The former star at LSU and second-round pick in the 2024 draft hit a combined .303/.353/.465 with an .818 OPS, 10 home runs, 64 RBI, 53 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 76 games with Las Vegas and Double-A Midland this year before his promotion. The 23-year-old is expected to make his major-league debut in Friday's series opener against the Washington Nationals to kick off the second half for the A's. The A's are a little light on impact corner infielders right now with both Nick Kurtz (thumb) and Zack Gelof (knee) on the injured list during the All-Star break, so White will get his first shot in the bigs to start the second half. Whether the 6-foot, 220-pounder sticks around for an extended period of time into the second half will depend on how he fares offensively. So far as a pro, White has been focused more on making contact than tapping into his raw power from the right side, with low strikeout and walk rates in the minors. White has below-average speed and won't be an asset in steals. For now, only fantasy managers in dynasty and AL-only leagues should be interested in White in what could end up being a short-term stint in the big leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Will Michael Busch Pick Things Up in the Second Half?
Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch has looked good so far in July, going 11-for-38 (.289) with a home run, three doubles, three RBI, and six runs scored in 10 games played and 44 plate appearances. But after a breakout 2025 campaign in which he hit .261/.343/.523 with an .866 OPS, 34 home runs, and 90 RBI in 155 regular-season games, he has underwhelmed for fantasy managers in the first half of 2026. Busch went into this week's All-Star break with a .239/.368/.395 slash line, a .763 OPS, 11 home runs, 49 RBI, 40 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 95 games across 424 plate appearances. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter's expected batting average of .231 and xwOBA of .345 (wOBA of .342) don't give his fantasy managers much hope for a rebound in the second half. The good news is that Busch's strikeout rate sits at a career-low 22.2%, and he's walking at a career-high rate of 14.9%. However, his quality of contact is lacking, ranking in the 48th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 63rd percentile in barrel rate while sitting in just the 53rd percentile in expected slugging. Busch is still an asset in OBP leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn't suddenly expect a power outburst in the second half.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Emmet Sheehan Could be a Second-Half Breakout Candidate
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan finished the first half of the 2026 season with a 4-6 record, 4.81 ERA (4.34 FIP), and 1.24 WHIP with 93 strikeouts and 26 walks in 82 1/3 innings pitched across 17 starts. The home run ball has been a real issue for Sheehan, as he's allowed 15 round-trippers in his 17 starts. However, the 26-year-old former sixth-rounder in 2021 out of Boston College kept the ball in the yard in back-to-back starts against the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks going into the All-Star break this week, giving up only four runs (three earned) on six hits while walking four and striking out 12 in 9 2/3 frames in those two games. Sheehan's strikeout rate of 26.6% is down slightly from his 30.6% mark last year, but he's also sporting a career-low 7.4% walk rate. His expected ERA of 3.88 is almost a run lower than his actual ERA, and he ranks in the 84th percentile in whiff rate and the 91st percentile in chase rate. Sheehan's surface stats don't impress anyone, but fantasy managers may want to consider buying low on him for a second-half push.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Trey Yesavage a Sell Candidate Going into the Second Half?
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage made it to the big leagues quickly after Toronto took him with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft out of East Carolina University. The 22-year-old made it up to the majors for three regular-season starts before he became a dominant arm during the Blue Jays' run to the World Series last fall. Toronto is being cautious with the young right-hander's workload -- he made just 14 starts and threw 75 innings in the first half -- and he went 4-4 with a 3.72 ERA (4.11 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 69 strikeouts and 39 walks. Yesavage limped into this week's All-Star break, posting a 5.21 ERA (5.73 FIP) with seven home runs allowed, 30 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 38 innings over seven starts. In his final start before the break, he gave up four earned runs with seven walks and just one strikeout in 1 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the San Diego Padres. Yesavage has plenty of long-term upside, but his lack of control (12.5% walk rate) coupled with a lowered strikeout rate (22.2%) should have fantasy managers concerned. It wouldn't hurt to gauge your league's interest in Yesavage at the trade deadline.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Rookie Kahlil Watson Could be a Second-Half Speed Asset
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Kahlil Watson made his major-league debut with the Guards on June 18 and has hit just .221 (17-for-77) with only three walks and 28 strikeouts in his first 23 big-league games. The 23-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2021 by the Miami Marlins has made the most of his .250 on-base percentage, though, thanks to his wheels on the basepaths, stealing eight bases in nine tries. Cleveland's No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, got his first MLB call-up after hitting .255/.370/.491 with an .861 OPS, 12 home runs, 35 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 44 runs scored in 56 games and 254 plate appearances at Triple-A Columbus. Watson packs a small punch at 5-foot-9 and 178 pounds, but the North Carolina native is an elite athlete who has raw power from the left side of the plate. Plate discipline and swing-and-miss will probably continue to be an issue at the major-league level, though, so fantasy managers in dynasty and AL-only leagues should probably only count on stolen bases the rest of the way if he sticks around in the majors. Watson has also struggled against lefties, so don't count on him playing every day. Right now, Watson is only rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Daniel Lynch IV a High-End Closer to Stash in Royals Bullpen?
Right-handed reliever Alex Lange is the current closer for the Kansas City Royals, but left-hander Daniel Lynch IV could be worth stashing for fantasy managers in deeper leagues who are speculating on saves in the second half. Lynch, a former first-rounder in 2018 out of the University of Virginia, began his MLB career as a starter before transitioning to a full-time relief role in recent seasons. At the All-Star break, the 29-year-old southpaw sits with a 2-2 record, 2.35 ERA (3.15 FIP), 0.94 WHIP, one save, 33 strikeouts, and only 12 walks in 38 1/3 innings pitched across 39 appearances out of the bullpen. Since taking the loss to the Chicago White Sox on June 27, Lynch has thrown 4 1/3 shutout innings with a walk, three strikeouts, and a hold for the Royals in four games in July. Lynch has 10 saves on the season and could be next in line for saves in KC if Lange struggles. Veteran Carlos Estevez (shoulder) has been on the injured list all year after getting hurt in his first outing of the season, and there's no clear timetable for his return. Lynch is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
