RADIO
Is Seaver King Worth Stashing Despite Recent Injury?
Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Seaver King is currently on the 7-day IL at Triple-A Rochester, but he still holds a solid stash upside in deeper leagues. His combined numbers this season at Double-A Harrisburg and Rochester are a .306 batting average, 10 homers, and 51 RBI, along with 50 runs and nine stolen bases. He has demonstrated five-tool ability during his time healthy this season in the minors, but faces a logjam in the MLB infield. He is blocked by CJ Abrams at shortstop in the big leagues and by Nasim Nunez at second base. King seems to have the tools to be a big-league contributor, but 2027 might be the year he becomes a fantasy contributor as he continues to get healthy and develop. The 23-year-old could be a name to watch in fantasy leagues, but it might be a surprise if his Washington Nationals future comes as early as the 2026 season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Karson Milbrandt Still a Top Stash Option Amid Triple-A Struggles?
Miami Marlins starting pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt is making a strong case for a promotion to the big league club despite two rough starts at Triple-A Jacksonville in his latest outings. Milbrandt has pitched well at two levels this year, going 4-1 at Double-A Pensacola with a 1.34 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 47 innings. Then he has gone 0-2 with a 5.48 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 23.0 innings pitched for Jacksonville. The Jacksonville numbers are slightly concerning for the 22-year-old right-hander, especially the nine earned runs he has given up in his last two starts. The numbers at Double-A and his prospect pedigree as the Marlins No. 4 overall prospect make him a desirable waiver-wire option as he waits for his shot to prove himself in Miami. With Eury Perez and Janson Junk healthy again, the Marlins rotation is at capacity right now, but a good stretch in the second half at Jacksonville could give Milbrandt a chance to show off his skills in Miami.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Taj Bradley a Must-Add Following His July Strikeout Surge?
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Taj Bradley finished the first half by holding the Angels to two runs over seven innings Sunday. He is 3-0 in July with a 1.89 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts in 19 innings, pushing his season line to 9-3 with a 3.59 ERA and 118 strikeouts across 102 2/3 frames. Bradley's cutter and splitter have done the heavy lifting, generating 39.0% and 38.7% whiff rates. The fastball is still getting hit hard, and 15 home runs plus 40 walks leave some blowup risk. That matters less after three straight wins with at least six strikeouts in each. Bradley is now 77% rostered on Yahoo, so he may already be gone in most leagues. Where he remains available, he should be treated as a must-add rather than a streamer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Wells Still the Best Bet for Saves in Baltimore?
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Tyler Wells picked up saves on July 3 and 4 after Ryan Helsley (right elbow discomfort) returned to the injured list. He carried a 3.02 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 46:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 44 2/3 innings into the break, giving him the best overall profile in Baltimore's current committee. Andrew Kittredge has complicated things. He converted back-to-back saves on July 9 and 10, while Wells earned a win on July 9 and finished a 6-1 victory two nights later. There is no clean handcuff here, but Wells still offers strong ratios, strikeouts, and multi-inning flexibility at only 17% rostered on Yahoo. RotoBaller ranks him 41st for Week 16 and recommends him in 12-team leagues, compared with a 15-team recommendation for Kittredge. Wells remains the better speculative add, though managers should expect Baltimore to mix and match.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Charlie Condon Poised to Make MLB Debut Early in the Second Half?
Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon appears primed to make a difference in the second half of the season at the big-league level. Up to this point this season, Condon has proven to be a quality bat at Triple-A Albuquerque, mixing elite hitting skills with a knack for power. At Albuquerque, Condon is hitting .289 with 20 homers and 60 RBI to go with 75 runs scored. In July, Condon is hitting .310 after hitting .337 in June. The No. 2 overall prospect in the Rockies' system is starting to rake for Albuquerque, and it might not be long before the former No. 3 overall pick out of the University of Georgia makes his big league debut. It would be hard for the Rockies to keep a bat like Condon's in the minors, and now is the time to add Condon to fantasy teams. His high-upside bat should pay off big time in the second half, making him a must-stash candidate.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Jung Hoo Lee Still Worth Grabbing Off Waivers?
San Francisco Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee hit the break batting .302 with 46 runs, 33 RBI, six steals, and five home runs. He has cooled off badly in July, going 8-for-40 with no homers and only two RBI, which helps explain why his Yahoo roster rate has slipped to 36%. The power is probably not coming. Lee has a 28.3% hard-hit rate and just a 2.3% barrel rate, so fantasy managers should view him for what he is: a batting-average helper who can score runs and chip in the occasional steal. His 9.7% strikeout rate keeps the floor fairly steady, and he is still playing every day. RotoBaller has him in the 12-team-league range. He is not a must-add, but managers chasing average should not let the rough July stretch scare them away.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Strikeout Upside Makes Quinn Mathews a Promising Stash Target
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has been striking out batters at a high rate all season in Triple-A Memphis, making him a high-upside option on the waiver wire. Mathews has punched out 97 batters over 79 innings pitched at Memphis this season, compiling a 3.53 ERA and 1.20 WHIP as he continues to make a case to join the St. Louis rotation. The left-hander is the No. 6 overall prospect for the Cardinals, so he has the pedigree; he is just waiting for an opening at the major league level. But now might be the time to act for fantasy managers, as his high strikeout upside makes him a desirable pitcher on the free-agent market. In June, Mathews posted a 2.05 ERA over five starts, and so far in July, he has posted a 1.38 ERA over two starts. He has been picking things up lately at Triple-A and proving he could be ready for a shot with the Cardinals. At 25 years old, his time might be now for fantasy, and he has solidified himself as a top stash target among pitching prospects.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Marcus Semien Starts Rehab Assignment on Sunday
New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (hip) started his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton and went 2-for-3 at the plate with a three-run home run and a strikeout. Semien wasn't expected to begin a rehab assignment until after the All-Star break this week, but apparently the Mets had a change of plans. He played five innings at second base before being pulled. The 35-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star could have a chance to make it back before August after being placed on the 10-day injured list on June 25 with a Grade 3 left-hip flexor strain. If Semien doesn't encounter any setbacks with his hip when he moves to Triple-A Syracuse this weekend, he could come off the IL to rejoin the Mets at some point next week. Fantasy managers won't be in a rush to pick Semien up off the waiver wire, though, after he hit just .214/.271/.341 with a .613 OPS, nine home runs, 29 RBI, 30 runs scored, and six stolen bases across his 290 at-bats in the first half. Semien is rostered in only 36% of Yahoo leagues as a fading fantasy asset in his 14th year in the big leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Alex Lange Worth the Ratio Risk for Saves?
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Alex Lange entered the break with eight saves, but the 5.92 ERA and 1.53 WHIP make him a tough reliever to trust. He had converted seven straight save chances before July, then allowed five earned runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Mets on July 8. That outing was not a blown save, though, and Lange remains the leading option for the ninth. The walks are still a problem. Lange has issued 22 in 38 innings, leaving little room when balls start falling in. Carlos Estevez (right rotator cuff strain) is not expected back until August, while Lucas Erceg and the rest of Kansas City's bullpen remain alternatives if Lange slips again. At 19% rostered on Yahoo, he is a saves gamble rather than a set-and-forget closer. RotoBaller ranks him 44th for Week 16 and recommends him in 12-team leagues. Managers chasing saves can make the add, but the ratios may hurt.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Yoendrys Gomez a Long-Term Saves Source Off Waivers?
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Yoendrys Gomez picked up his 11th save Saturday, working around a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth against the Angels. He has yet to blow a save and owns a 1.71 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP over 26 1/3 innings since coming over from Tampa Bay. Despite all that, Gomez is rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues. Minnesota has stopped short of naming one permanent closer, but Gomez is getting most of the chances. Andrew Morris earned a two-inning save Sunday after Gomez threw 18 pitches the previous night, so this is not a completely exclusive arrangement. The larger concern is a modest 38:20 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 43 2/3 innings overall. Saves carry the profile. RotoBaller recommends Gomez in 12-team leagues, and managers short in that category should treat him as more than a short-term stream.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jack Wenninger is a Sneaky Stash as Second Half Rolls Around
New York Mets starting pitching prospect Jack Wenninger has turned in two strong starts in July and has made a case for a promotion to the big leagues. In July, Wenninger is 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA over two starts, with nine strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Overall at Triple-A Syracuse, Wenninger is 4-5 with a 3.50 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 79.2 innings. The 6-foot-4 right-hander has made 14 starts and 17 total appearances this season for Syracuse and could be second in line for a promotion into the rotation behind Jonah Tong, who has already seen time in New York. At 24 years old, Wenninger is the No. 4 prospect in the Mets' system and could be a sneaky stash in deeper formats, as he appears to be in line for an MLB debut in the second half. An early move on the waiver wire could pay off for fantasy managers seeking pitching depth down the stretch.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
AJ Smith-Shawver to Make Another Rehab Start
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Ken Sugiura reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) will need at least one more minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett before becoming a candidate to join the team's starting rotation in the second half of the season. Smith-Shawver has posted a 2.89 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 11:3 K:BB in his three rehab starts to this point across 9 1/3 innings with Gwinnett and Single-A Augusta as he finishes up his rehab from Tommy John surgery. The former seventh-round pick in 2021 has only appeared in 16 games (15 starts) for Atlanta since debuting in 2023, but he's been solid with a 4-2 record, 3.77 ERA (4.79 FIP), and 1.29 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 34 walks in 74 innings pitched at the major-league level. In his first start with Gwinnett on Saturday, Smith-Shawver allowed two runs while walking three in 2 1/3 innings, but he topped out at 98.7 mph on the radar gun. Barring a setback with his elbow, he should be an option for the Braves' rotation in early August. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider stashing Smith-Shawver now. He's currently rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Kein Sugiura
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Kein Sugiura
Kerry Carpenter a Power Threat Worth Adding?
Detroit Tigers right fielder Kerry Carpenter reached the break at .222/.297/.458 with 13 home runs and 36 RBI in 203 at-bats. July did him no favors. He went 3-for-24 without an extra-base hit and struck out 11 times, which helps explain why he is still only 38% rostered on Yahoo. There is enough thump here to live with the rough average, at least when Detroit is facing a right-hander. Carpenter has hit all 13 of his homers in those matchups, backed by a 90.6 mph average exit velocity, 48.5% hard-hit rate, and 11.4% barrel rate. Lefties are another story. He has seen only 24 plate appearances against them and may not start. RotoBaller puts Carpenter 39th for Week 16, in the 12-team range. Managers who can move him in and out of the lineup should get more than enough home-run help to justify the spot.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joshua Baez Still Worth a Stash Despite Decreased Power Output?
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez remains a priority name to monitor in fantasy circles even as his batting average has taken a bit of a dive in July, along with his power output. Nonetheless, Baez still has 28 homers and 69 RBI for Triple-A Memphis this season, despite a July in which he hit just .147 over 34 at-bats with two homers, both of which came in the same game. The slow July has come as a bit of a surprise to Baez, who has consistently hit with power at Memphis all season. Baez has posted an OPS of .894, the best of his minor league career, and remains a name worth paying attention to over the second half of the season. The Cardinals outfield of Jordan Walker, Nathan Church, and Lars Nootbaar is pretty steady, but Baez, the Cardinals' No. 3 overall prospect, could add some depth and punch to the lineup. If and when Baez gets the call to the big leagues, the power and speed should translate for fantasy managers, making him a priority stash in all standard leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Astros Promoting Shortstop Prospect Xavier Neyens to High-A
The Houston Astros are promoting top shortstop prospect Xavier Neyens to High-A Asheville at the All-Star break, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Neyens, the 21st overall pick in last year's draft out of Mount Vernon High School in Washington, gets the promotion at the halfway point after hitting .240/.449/.462 with a .911 OPS, 14 home runs, 38 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 52 runs scored in 68 games and 305 plate appearances with Single-A Fayetteville at just 19 years old. Per MLB Pipeline, he's the Astros' second-ranked prospect. Neyens has displayed plenty of pop at the lower level of the minors, but also plenty of swing and miss, as he's sporting a 30.2% strikeout rate early on. The left-handed hitter has a big frame at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, which gives him plenty of leverage for plus-plus raw power at a premium position. Neyens is expected to eventually be moved to third base because of his fringy speed and quickness. There's a lot of upside here, but more development is needed, and he won't be a realistic option for a big-league call-up for another couple of years.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
