RADIO
Alec Burleson Is a Top Second-Half Power Buy
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson reached the break at .273/.337/.468 with 15 home runs and 67 RBI, and the damage could have been worse. Statcast has him at a .294 expected average and .540 expected slugging percentage. He also finished with 19.7 expected homers, nearly five more than the real total. That is a loud gap for a hitter already producing. Burleson has not sold out to get there. His strikeout rate sits at 15.1%, while the hard-hit rate jumped to 48.7% and the barrel rate to 11.6%, both career highs. Left-handers are still the problem, holding him to a .195 average, but St. Louis kept him in the lineup and used him at first base in 91 of 94 games. The profile says hold, or buy before the power catches up. A bigger second half is very much in play.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ian Happ Opens a Sell Window With 17 First-Half Homers
Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ reached the break with 17 home runs and 59 runs, numbers that still carry weight in a trade. The batting average is another story. Happ hit .220 across 397 plate appearances, struck out 31.5% of the time, and slipped to seventh in the order twice during the final four games before the break. There is real power here. His 12.4% barrel rate is better than last season, and a .414 expected slugging percentage is close to the .431 result. The average has no such safety net. Statcast puts him at .205, and he hit .202 in June before going homerless in 39 July plate appearances. OBP leagues can live with the walks. Standard formats feel the damage more. Those 17 homers still give managers something to sell. Use the window.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryan Baker Is Now a High-End Fantasy Closer
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Bryan Baker hit the break with 25 saves, a 1.73 ERA, and a 0.83 WHIP, then recorded the final out of the American League shutout in the July 14 All-Star Game. The spring committee talk feels ancient now. Baker is tied for second in the majors in saves, opponents are batting .150 against him, and Tampa Bay has no reason to touch the ninth inning. This is not just a hot run. His fastball is averaging 97.1 mph, his strikeout rate sits at 29.3%, and the changeup he now throws nearly as often as the heater has limited batters to a .137 average. The only reason to shop Baker is that his value may never be higher. Even that feels forced. He has the job, the stuff, and a first-place club creating chances. Treat him as a high-end closer for the second half.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cody Bellinger Named All-Star Game MVP
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger became the fourth Yankees player to be named All-Star Game MVP on Tuesday night in the American League's 4-0 shutout win over the National League, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Bellinger took part in the All-Star Game twice in his first three big-league seasons, but this year was his first Midsummer Classic since 2019. The 31-year-old veteran left-handed slugger had a two-run single in the first inning off Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, and the AL never looked back in the 96th MLB All-Star Game. Bellinger was the first Yankee to win the award since Giancarlo Stanton in 2022. Closer Mariano Rivera (2013) and shortstop Derek Jeter (2000) also won the All-Star Game MVP for the Yankees. He ended the first half of his second season with the Bombers with a .254/.345/.421 slash line, .766 OPS, 11 home runs, 51 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 49 runs scored across 94 games and 403 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Edwin Diaz Throws Clean Inning in Rehab Start on Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) had two strikeouts and no hits allowed in a clean inning of work in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Tuesday in his second minor-league rehab outing. Diaz gave up a hit in a scoreless inning for Single-A Ontario to start his rehab assignment on Sunday in his first game action since having surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow back in late April. The hard-throwing right-hander has struck out four batters in two innings so far as he works his way back, an encouraging sign that he could be ready to roll at the back end of L.A.'s bullpen later this month. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican veteran and three-time All-Star allowed seven earned runs on nine hits while walking five and striking out 10 to record four saves in his first six innings pitched in a Dodgers uniform earlier this year before going on the IL, but when he returns from the 60-day IL, he'll once again be manager Dave Roberts' preferred option to close out games, making him a must-stash in all fantasy leagues while he rehabs.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Munetaka Murakami Would Like to Stay With White Sox Long-Term
Chicago White Sox All-Star first baseman Munetaka Murakami said he's not thinking or talking specifics about contract extensions right now, but he affirmed that he would like to stay with the White Sox long-term, according to James Fegan of Baseball America. Murakami signed a two-year, $34 million deal to come to the States and play for the White Sox, and he was named a first-time All-Star in 2026 despite spending time on the injured list with a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger took the league by storm early on and finished the first half of the season by hitting .232/.371/.540 with a .911 OPS, 20 home runs, 42 RBI, 45 runs scored, and a stolen base across his first 211 at-bats in Chicago. If Murakami continues to slug in the second half, the Pale Hale might want to start extension talks with the Japanese native sooner rather than later. Murakami most likely won't be a batting average asset with an elevated 33.6% strikeout rate, but the power is real, and he's also walking at a 17.8% clip, making himself serviceable in on-base-percentage leagues.
Source: Baseball America - James Fegan
Source: Baseball America - James Fegan
Willson Contreras Won't Waive his No-Trade Clause
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras said he told the team that he would not be willing to waive his no-trade clause, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Contreras wants to finish his career in Boston and joked that he got out ahead of potential rumors by making his stance clear. The 34-year-old veteran Venezuelan made it to the semifinals of the Home Run Derby on Monday night and is having the best year of his career in 2026 in his first season in Beantown, hitting .285/.379/.542 with a .921 OPS, 20 home runs, 61 RBI, 46 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 312 at-bats through the first half of the season. With the Red Sox now having a shot at a wild-card spot in the American League after a strong finish to the first half, and with Contreras saying he won't waive his no-trade clause, he might stick around in Boston beyond the 2026 season. In fantasy leagues, Contreras is a hold at the halfway point with the ninth-best xwOBA (.390) and expected batting average of .274 thanks to a hard-hit rate in the 79th percentile, a barrel rate in the 88th percentile, and an xSLG in the 97th percentile.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Is George Kirby Poised for a Second-Half Breakout?
Across 110 innings (18 starts) in 2026, Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby has recorded a 7-8 record with a 3.76 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts. The 28-year-old's trademark command remains strong, as he owns a 5.3% walk rate on the year. However, Kirby's strikeout rate has dipped to 21.5% after he posted a career-best 26.1% strikeout rate in 2025. Still, Kirby's elevated WHIP and middling ERA are mostly symptoms of poor batted-ball luck. Opposing batters own a .343 batting average on balls in play against Kirby this season, well above his career mark of .310. Kirby's current strikeout rate limits his fantasy ceiling, but he's shown the ability to miss more bats in the past. If Kirby continues to limit home runs (0.90 HR/9) and sees some BABIP regression, he could emerge as a second-half riser.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Javier Sanoja Emerging as a Deep-League Batting Average Asset?
Across 244 plate appearances in 2026, Miami Marlins utility man Javier Sanoja is hitting .272/.313/.404 with three home runs, 34 RBI, 21 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 23-year-old's ability to play both the infield and the outfield makes him a logical candidate for a bench role, but he's emerged as the near-everyday third baseman in Miami in recent weeks. Sanoja's power upside is extremely limited, as he's logged just a 1.4% barrel rate and 31.6% hard-hit rate on the season. However, his batting average ceiling is high due to his excellent 8.6% strikeout rate. In deeper fantasy leagues, Sanoja could be an underrated source of batting average and speed for managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Walbert Urena Remains a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Where Available
After opening 2026 in a relief role, Los Angeles Angels right-hander Walbert Urena was moved into the starting rotation in late April and has emerged as a breakout success story. Across 81 1/3 innings on the year, Urena has recorded a 5-7 record with a 2.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts. The 22-year-old's WHIP is elevated by his poor command, as he's allowed a 13% walk rate. However, Urena's ability to generate ground balls has helped him work around traffic on the bases. Urena owns a 54.8% ground ball rate and a 0.55 HR/9. While the young right-hander may see some regression in the second half of the season, his production to this point is hard to ignore. In any league where he remains available, Urena profiles as a worthy waiver wire pickup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Raisel Iglesias Remains a High-End Closer Despite Recent Struggles
Across 32 1/3 innings (31 games) in 2026, Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias has pitched to a 2.23 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 36 strikeouts and 19 saves. Iglesias owns a stellar 22.8% K-BB rate, and he's blown just one save chance on the year. The 36-year-old ran into some trouble in July before the All-Star break, allowing four earned runs across five innings this month. Still, Iglesias does an excellent job of limiting both walks (5.5% walk rate) and home runs (0.56 HR/9). As a result, the veteran right-hander rarely succumbs to a blow-up outing: Iglesias has allowed more than one earned run in just two out of his 31 outings this season. As long as he remains healthy, Iglesias remains a solid bet to turn in high-end RP1 production for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Geraldo Perdomo a Second-Half Breakout Candidate?
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo was one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season, hitting .290 with 20 home runs and 27 stolen bases. The 26-year-old has been unable to repeat his success so far in 2026, hitting .241/.354/.356 with six home runs, 34 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases across 391 plate appearances. Perdomo's elite plate approach remains his best feature as a hitter, as he's logged more walks (55) than strikeouts (47). However, Perdomo's barrel rate has dropped to 3.2%, and his hard-hit rate is down to 29.8%. Between his plus defense at shortstop and his ability to get on base, Perdomo remains an everyday staple at the top of the Diamondbacks lineup. As such, his reliable production floor is useful for fantasy managers. Still, managers expecting Perdomo to get back to his 2025 output in the second half of 2026 may be disappointed.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Junior Caminero Exits All-Star Game Early After Being Hit by Pitch
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (hand) exited early from the All-Star Game on Tuesday night after being hit on the hand by a pitch from St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Riley O'Brien. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that X-rays on the injury came back negative, so Caminero may have avoided a serious injury. The 23-year-old has been one of the better power hitters in baseball so far this season, hitting .279/.372/.555 with 28 home runs, 59 RBI, 61 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 411 plate appearances. Caminero will likely be dealing with some lingering soreness from the injury, but without any structural damage, he will likely be able to avoid a trip to the injured list.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Rookie Braden Montgomery Worth Rostering Going into Second Half?
Chicago White Sox rookie outfielder Braden Montgomery got his MLB career started with a bang, clubbing a walk-off home run to beat the Atlanta Braves on June 9. The 23-year-old switch-hitting outfielder finished the first half strong, too, going 2-for-4 with a home run and a career-best four RBI in Sunday's win over the Athletics, but in between, he left a lot to be desired, and the former first-rounder out of Texas A&M has hit just .231/.302/.394 with a .696 OPS, three home runs, eight doubles, 12 RBI, 15 runs scored, 10 walks, and 24 strikeouts in 29 games and 116 plate appearances. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder has a bright future because of his ability to generate elite bat speed that gives him plus-plus raw power at the plate. Montgomery should absolutely be rostered in all dynasty/keeper leagues, but until he improves his plate discipline and quality of contact at the big-league level, he'll be a fringe asset in mixed leagues. He's currently rostered in only 10% of Yahoo leagues and was hitting .216 (8-for-37) with a homer, two doubles, four RBI, four runs, two walks, and six strikeouts in his first 10 games in July.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Does Injury Diminish Kaelen Culpepper's Stash Worthiness?
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper (glute) hasn't played in a game since June 30 after dealing with hand and glute injuries, but played well enough in the first half to earn a nomination to the All-Star Futures Game anyway. The Twins' second-ranked prospect slashed .272/.376/.492 with 14 home runs and 15 steals through 63 games at St. Paul, and appeared to be on the verge of a debut in the majors before going down with injuries. The former first-rounder is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he hit .289 with 20 home runs and 25 steals in 113 games across two levels, so there is a history of multi-category production with Culpepper. As such, the 23-year-old makes for an appealing stash candidate in most 12-team leagues and deeper, assuming the glute injury doesn't linger into the second half.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
