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Pirates Adding Catching Prospect Rafael Flores Jr. to Taxi Squad
The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed catcher/first base prospect Rafael Flores Jr. on their taxi squad on Tuesday, according to Pirates reporter Alex Stumpf. Flores, 25, made his major-league debut in 2025 with the Bucs, but he only appeared in seven games and went 3-for-15 with two doubles, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He could be on the verge of a return to the big leagues despite hitting just .207 (39-for-188) with four home runs, 27 RBI, 21 runs scored, 29 walks, and 62 strikeouts in 53 games and 219 plate appearances for Triple-A Indianapolis this year. Per MLB Pipeline, the 6-foot-3, 232-pounder is the Pirates' eighth-ranked prospect. Flores has some intriguing power potential, especially with eligibility as a catcher, but he also swings and misses quite often, and he really struggled back in spring training at the plate. He's a work in progress behind the dish, but he has the potential to stick at the position long term, despite his size. If he rejoins the Pirates in the near future, he's likely to operate in a bench role.
Source: Alex Stumpf
Source: Alex Stumpf
Has Recent Slowdown Hurt Franklin Arias' Chances for an MLB Debut in 2026?
Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Franklin Arias has cooled recently after a strong start to his 2025 campaign at Double-A Portland, going 3-for-24 (.125) over his last seven games. Despite the slowdown, Boston's top-ranked prospect recorded a 4:4 BB:K during that stretch, which was good for a better-than-average 13.8 percent walk and strikeout rate, so expect the young Venezuelan to get rolling again soon. All in all, the right-handed hitter is slashing .311/.389/.588 with a .416 wOBA and 147 wRC+ through 47 games, and should be headed to Triple-A soon. At just 20 years old, the Red Sox may opt to keep him in the minors for the entire year, but should he get hot at Triple-A, Arias may force the issue, and fantasy managers would be wise to keep an eye on his development.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Mets Reinstate Francisco Alvarez From the Injured List
The New York Mets announced on Tuesday that they reinstated catcher Francisco Alvarez (knee) from the 10-day injured list and optioned catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. The Mets initially said that Alvarez would be out for six to eight weeks due to surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee, but he is returning after just four weeks. He is catching right-hander Freddy Peralta on Tuesday and will bat ninth against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Dustin May. In four minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Syracuse, Alvarez went 3-for-13 at the plate with two doubles. The 24-year-old Venezuelan backstop might be eased back in by the Mets, but he's the unquestioned primary catcher in Queens when he's healthy. Alvarez will return to a .241/.317/.393 slash line with four home runs, 10 RBI, and 12 runs scored in his 112 at-bats in 2026. Injuries have been an issue for the catcher in the big leagues, but he did hit 25 homers in 2023 in his first full season with the Mets.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Kaelen Culpepper a Must-Stash with Momentum at Triple-A
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper could be ticketed for a major league debut in the very near future after his recent run of success at Triple-A. The Twins' second-ranked prospect's 12-game hit streak came to an end this past Saturday after an 0-for-4 at the plate (though he managed to get on base once after getting hit and he also drove in a run), but during the hit streak, the former first-rounder went 17-for-49 (.347) with five home runs, three steals, and a 9:9 BB:K. It raised his season-long slash line to .265/.371/.491 with 14 home runs, 13 steals, and a strong 12.7 percent walk rate (18.4 percent strikeout rate). The right-handed hitter's success should earn him a promotion to the majors in the coming weeks, and with a solid all-around skillset, the 23-year-old makes for one of the top bats to stash in most fantasy leagues for his potential to be a multi-category contributor.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ralphy Velazquez Emerging as Stash Candidate for Power Upside
Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez belted a home run at Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, his first since being promoted to the Clippers back on May 18. Though he's hitting just .241 in 14 games at that level, the left-handed slugger has turned it around as of late, going 5-for-15 (.333) with four of those five hits going for extra bases (two doubles, one triple, one home run). The former first-rounder is coming off a 22-home run season in 2025 and was slashing .317/.414/.566 with seven home runs through 36 games this season at Double-A Akron before his promotion. If he can build on the recent momentum, the Guardians' second-ranked prospect should receive a second-half call-up to the big leagues. Until then, the 21-year-old remains a stash consideration in deep leagues for his power potential.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Does Jacob Melton's Speed Make him a Stash Candidate?
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton (ankle) should be nearing a rehab assignment and could be back at Triple-A Durham around mid-June or shortly thereafter. The Rays' fourth-ranked prospect has been out since suffering a Grade 2 left ankle sprain on April 22. After a rough 3-for-24 (.125) start to the year, the former second-round draft pick began to turn things around, going 12-for-41 (.293) with seven doubles, a triple, and an eye-opening 14 steals in 13 games. The left-handed slugger hit well enough at Triple-A in the Houston organization last year to earn himself a 32-game, 78-plate appearance major league debut, and although he went just 11-for-70 (.157), the speed was on full display, having tallied seven steals in his limited action. The 25-year-old's strikeout rate stood at a sky-high 40.2 percent earlier this season at Durham, so it is something he'll need to get under control before making it back to the majors, but the likelihood of a return to action soon and his ability to steal bases should put him back on fantasy managers' radar, though he hasn't reached stash-worthy status yet.
Source: Adam Berry - MLB.com
Source: Adam Berry - MLB.com
White Sox Pitching Prospect Joe Rock Offers Speculative Waiver Appeal After Promotion
Chicago White Sox pitcher Joe Rock is joining the major-league roster as David Sandlin heads back to Triple-A Charlotte. Rock was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays last month and has been stretching out as a starter in the minors since joining the organization. He has limited MLB experience, with three career relief appearances, so fantasy managers should view this as a speculative move until his role becomes clearer. Rock's fantasy appeal comes from the chance that Chicago could use him for length, especially with the White Sox continuing to shuffle arms. He posted a 5.40 ERA over 13 games with Triple-A Durham before the trade, and only slightly improved with Charlotte, posting a 4.00 ERA over nine frames, so there is a clear risk in the profile. Given his unclear role, Rock is only worth monitoring in deeper formats for the time being.
Source: Sam Phelan
Source: Sam Phelan
Cam Smith Carrying Value in Deeper Leagues with Emerging Power
Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith is starting to show signs of life at the plate, giving fantasy managers a reason to keep him on the waiver-wire radar. Smith went 2-for-5 with two doubles and one RBI in Monday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Los Angeles Angels. He is 6-for-21 over his last five games with two doubles, one triple, four RBI, and an 8:1 K:BB. The season-long production remains modest, but Smith's recent success gives him some appeal. Through 67 games, he has hit six home runs, brought in 25 runs, scored 26, and added 10 doubles. With 75% of Yahoo leagues still leaving him available, Smith is a reasonable pickup for fantasy managers in deeper leagues looking to get ahead on a young bat with developing power (13.2% barrel rate), as he should continue to see a prominent role in this lineup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Has Jett Williams Fallen Off the Stash Radar?
Milwaukee Brewers infield/outfield prospect Jett Williams continues to scuffle at Triple-A Nashville, going just 7-for-56 (.125) over his last 14 games for the Sounds, which includes just one extra-base hit (a triple) and one steal. It has dampened his prospects for a big league debut in the near future, but if he can turn it around, a call-up around the All-Star break could be well within reach. The Brewers' third-ranked prospect can do a little of everything, coming off a 17-homer campaign a season ago in which he also stole 34 bags while hitting .261 with a strong 13.3 percent walk rate. The former first-rounder is still showcasing many of those skills in 2026, with five home runs, 12 steals, and a 13.4 percent walk rate through 60 games. Combined with the ability to play multiple positions on the infield and center field, his versatility on both offense and defense could be an asset in the majors. The 22-year-old is eligible at 2B, SS, and OF in Yahoo! leagues, so there is plenty of appeal here as a potential stash candidate in deeper leagues, he just needs to pick it up at the plate.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
After Latest Dominant Outing, is Now a Good Time to Stash Kade Anderson?
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson's phenomenal professional debut continued in his latest start on Friday, when he didn't allow an earned run for the third straight game after giving up just one hit in five innings of work. It was also the second consecutive game in which he did not walk a batter and struck out nine. The performance brought the left-hander's ERA down to a miserly 1.29 with a 0.69 WHIP in 49 total innings pitched, and his 39.2 percent K-BB% is the highest in all the minor leagues among pitchers who have worked at least 30 innings. After dominating Double-A competition through 10 starts, a test at Triple-A should be close at hand, and if the former third-overall draft pick has success, then a major league debut could happen later this year. Although a big league promotion is not imminent, the 21-year-old is a worthy stash consideration in deeper leagues for his high strikeout upside, especially in leagues where an NA spot is available to tuck him away in until he earns a call-up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Padres Place Xander Bogaerts on Paternity List
The San Diego Padres announced on Tuesday that they placed infielder Xander Bogaerts on the paternity list and recalled infielder Will Wagner from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. Bogaerts will likely miss the final two games of the series at Petco Park this week against the Cincinnati Reds, but he could be back with the club for Friday's series opener in Baltimore versus the Orioles. With the veteran shortstop out for a few days, expect Sung-Mun Song to shift over to the 6 for the Friars. In his 14th year in the big leagues and fourth with San Diego, Bogaerts is slashing .231/.303/.356 with a career-low .658 OPS, eight home runs, 27 RBI, nine stolen bases, and 27 runs scored in 63 games across 251 plate appearances. Although he does have hits in each of his last two games, he's been ice-cold so far in June, going 3-for-23 (.130) with a double, an RBI, two runs scored, two walks, and eight strikeouts in seven games played. Bogey is rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: San Diego Padres
Source: San Diego Padres
A.J. Ewing Worth a Look in Deep Leagues for his Speed?
New York Mets rookie second baseman/outfielder A.J. Ewing already has seven stolen bases in 10 attempts in his first 25 major-league games. The team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has hit .259 (22-for-85) with a homer, a double, a triple, seven RBI, and 11 runs scored in his first 99 plate appearances for the injury-riddled and last-place Mets. The 21-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2023 out of a high school in Ohio is currently riding a five-game hitting streak, in which he's gone 7-for-18 (.389) with a double, RBI, three stolen bases, and three runs scored. The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder is definitely worth an add off the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues if you're searching for speed, but Ewing's current 31.3% strikeout rate is certainly a drawback. But as long as he can continue to get on base, Ewing will continue to run with the Mets basically letting their young prospects get plenty of playing time in 2026 in what has quickly turned into a lost season.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Connor Prielipp Still Worth Rostering Despite Inconsistent Results?
Minnesota Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp has been inconsistent in his first nine major-league starts for the Twins this year, going 2-4 with a 5.15 ERA (3.43 FIP) and 1.33 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 18 walks in 43 2/3 innings pitched. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2022 out of the University of Alabama didn't allow more than two earned runs in any of his first five MLB starts, but he has hit a rough patch of late, giving up 18 runs (17 earned) on 25 hits while walking nine and striking out 20 in 18 2/3 innings over his last four starts. The silver lining is that Prielipp only gave up two earned runs in his fourth loss on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Royals in 4 1/3 innings, and he does have seven strikeouts in each of his last two starts. Because of his swing-and-miss stuff alone -- he has a 25.7% strikeout rate and a walk rate under 10% -- Prielipp is worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in just 8% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
White Sox Officially Calling Up Outfield Prospect Braden Montgomery
The Chicago White Sox are officially calling up their No. 2 prospect, outfielder Braden Montgomery, for his MLB debut on Tuesday, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Montgomery is ranked as the No. 21 overall MLB prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and will get his first call to the big leagues after slashing an impressive .314/.422/.548 with a .970 OPS, 10 home runs, 13 doubles, three triples, 41 RBI, 52 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 56 games across 258 plate appearances with Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte this year. The 23-year-old switch-hitter was the 12th overall pick in 2024 by the Boston Red Sox out of Texas A&M University. Montgomery has played both center and right field on the farm, and he should play regularly in Chicago, making him waiver-wire worthy in most fantasy formats for his plus-plus power upside. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder could become a superstar if he tightens up his plate discipline and makes more contact.
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Yainer Diaz Starting his Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (oblique) is starting his minor-league rehab assignment with the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Tuesday, according to Astros reporter Michael Schwab. Diaz has been sidelined since May 5 due to a strained left oblique, but he's nearing a return and could potentially rejoin the Astros this weekend if he can avoid a setback with Sugar Land. The 27-year-old will be Houston's starting catcher once he's reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Veteran Christian Vazquez has been serving as the starting catcher in Diaz's absence, with Cesar Salazar working as his backup. Diaz doesn't have great plate discipline and is more of a free swinger, but he has a .276 career batting average in four-plus MLB seasons and has reached the 20-homer mark in two of his three full seasons in the big leagues. While providing above-average pop at the weakest position in fantasy baseball, Diaz is certainly deserving of a waiver-wire pickup now if you need help at catcher. He's currently rostered in only 42% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Michael Schwab
Source: Michael Schwab
