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Will Karson Milbrandt be the Next Marlins Pitching Prospect to Debut?
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt has pitched extremely well so far this season, and with a recent promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville, the right-hander has put himself in the stash conversation for fantasy. The former third-rounder has pitched to a 1.34 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through nine starts at Double-A, while striking out 38.3 percent of opponents. His 70 strikeouts are second-most for any pitcher in all the minors, and it will be interesting to see how he fares at the minors' highest level. The Marlins' ninth-ranked prospect will get his first opportunity to face stiffer competition on Saturday when he takes the mound for the first time for the Jumbo Shrimp, and if he continues to perform, a major league debut should be in the cards later in the season. The Marlins' rotation depth has taken multiple hits with Janson Junk (shin) and Eury Perez (thigh) recently hitting the injured list, and with prospect Robby Snelling (elbow) also out for the year after making just one MLB start. Top prospect Thomas White (shoulder) remains on the 7-day IL, so Milbrandt's chance may come out of sheer necessity, though he's not currently on the 40-man roster. Either way, his strikeout upside puts him on the fantasy radar, and if he shows well on Saturday, he could quickly become a top pitching stash in redraft leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jose Ramirez Remains an Elite Third Baseman Despite Underwhelming Production
Across 276 plate appearances entering play on Thursday, Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez had hit .245/.351/.433 with nine home runs, 32 RBI, 36 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases. While the 33-year-old's .784 OPS this season still represents above-average production, it's well below the .868 OPS he posted across back-to-back top-five finishes in the American League MVP vote in 2024 and 2025. Still, Ramirez's 7% barrel rate is right in line with his career norms, and his 44.8% hard-hit rate is actually the best mark of his career. Ramirez's plate skills also remain elite, as he's drawn 39 walks on the season and struck out just 35 times. Ramirez is already an elite source of speed, and there's plenty of reason to believe that the rest of his fantasy profile will return to elite status over the remainder of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Thomas White Still Worth Stashing Amid Injured List Stint?
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Thomas White (shoulder) was coming off a stellar 2025 campaign where he posted a 2.31 ERA (2.27 FIP), 1.18 WHIP, and a .172 opponent batting average while striking out 145 batters across 89 2/3 innings of work, which was good for a massive 38.6 percent strikeout rate. Walks have always been a concern, even in 2025 when they reached 13.6 percent, but a 17.0 percent swinging-strike rate while allowing two home runs all season helped limit the potential damage. That is why it was a bit of an eye-opener to see him struggle to a 4.34 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and an opponent batting average of .257, which includes four home runs allowed to begin the Triple-A campaign in 2026. The Marlins' top-ranked prospect has been on the 7-day injured list since May 19, but has no clear timetable to return after Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said last week that White is recovering from "a bit of a shoulder thing." If he can return soon and log a couple of good starts at Triple-A, the southpaw could soon get the call to the majors with the big league rotation desperately in need of reinforcements. Fantasy managers should monitor for any updates, as once the 21-year-old starts pitching again, he'll likely be one of the top pitchers to stash in fantasy leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Should Ralphy Velazquez Be Viewed as an Elite Stash Target?
Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez is off to an excellent start to the 2026 season in the minor leagues, hitting .298/.389/.521 with seven home runs, 31 RBI, 28 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 21-year-old's production has slowed down a bit since being promoted from Double-A Akron to Triple-A Columbus on May 20. Still, Velazquez has progressed rapidly through the Guardians' farm system since opening the 2025 season at High-A and could be on the fast track to the big leagues. Cleveland has gotten decent production from the first base/designated hitter combination of Kyle Manzardo and Rhys Hoskins, but neither represents a major impediment for Velazquez if he continues to produce. In deeper leagues, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Velazquez off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Manny Machado Showing Signs of Age-Related Decline?
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado has struggled mightily so far in 2026, hitting .172/.263/.344 with 10 home runs, 30 RBI, 28 runs scored, and one stolen base across 241 plate appearances. It's a startling decline for the veteran, who entered 2026 riding a streak of five consecutive seasons with at least a .258 batting average, 27 home runs, and 91 RBI. Machado's issues at the plate have been at least partially fueled by bad luck, as his .177 batting average on balls in play is significantly below his career mark of .296. However, there are some worrying signs in his underlying metrics. Machado's 8.2% barrel rate is his worst since 2019, and his 44.3% hard-hit rate is his lowest since 2020. The 33-year-old's strikeout rate has also slipped to a career-worst 23.2%. Machado's production feels likely to regress to the mean over a larger sample, but he may finally be exhibiting signs of age-related decline.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brent Rooker Remains an Intriguing Buy-Low Candidate Despite Rough Start to 2026
Athletics outfielder/designated hitter Brent Rooker has had a rough go of it so far in 2026, hitting .196/.277/.362 with eight home runs, 26 RBI, 16 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 184 plate appearances. The 31-year-old's season got off to a rocky start due to injury, as he missed nearly three weeks in April with an oblique strain. After striking out in 22.2% of his plate appearances in 2025, Rooker's strikeout rate has skyrocketed to 31% in 2026. Even with the increase in swing-and-miss, Rooker's poor batting average may be a symptom of bad luck. His current batting average on balls in play of .240 is well below his career mark of .312. Rooker's power does not appear to have degraded either, as his 14.7% barrel rate is right in line with the marks he posted across three consecutive 30-homer campaigns from 2023 to 2025. If Rooker can cut down on his whiffs even slightly, he could be in line for a major bounce-back over the remainder of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cooper Pratt's On-Base Streak Reaches 22 Games, Nearing MLB Debut?
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt went hitless on Wednesday for Triple-A Nashville, but drew a walk in the contest that extended his on-base streak to 22 games, during which time he's gone 24-for-85 (.282) with eight extra-base hits (four home runs), five steals, and a 14:18 BB:K while also getting hit by a pitch three times in that span. The Brewers' fourth-ranked prospect is slashing .242/.360/.382 through 49 games for the Sounds, with five home runs, 14 steals, and nearly as many walks (32) as strikeouts (34). The former sixth-round draft pick signed an eight-year deal in the offseason for $50.75 million before playing a single game higher than Double-A, and with current shortstop David Hamilton batting .167 (5-for-30) over his last 10 games and .230 on the season, Pratt's opportunity for a big league debut appears to be drawing closer and closer. Look for the 21-year-old to receive a promotion by midseason, and with an advanced approach that could generate a decent average with a little pop, along with the ability to steal bases, the 6-foot-4 slugger should be considered a speculative stash with upside in deeper leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Should Fantasy Managers Be Concerned About Sal Stewart?
Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart got off to a hot start to the 2026 season, hitting .283/.373/.570 with nine home runs, 29 RBI, 20 runs, and seven stolen bases through the end of April. However, the 22-year-old cooled off considerably in May, hitting .240/.336/.375 with three home runs, eight RBI, 14 runs, and three stolen bases across 119 plate appearances. Given Stewart's age, it's not a surprise to see him struggle after the league has some time to gather information on him. Still, Stewart will now need to counter with an adjustment of his own. Even with his relatively rough May baked in, Stewart's 12.5% walk rate and 14.7% barrel rate suggest an elite combination of plate skills and power. The young slugger is also locked into everyday playing time in Cincinnati and should have an extended runway to work his way out of his current slump. Managers may want to slightly downgrade expectations for Stewart, but he remains a high-upside fantasy hitter.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Red Sox Move Trevor Story to 60-Day Injured List
The Boston Red Sox transferred shortstop Trevor Story (hernia) to the 60-day injured list on Thursday, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Story is going to miss extended time after having surgery two weeks ago to fix a sports hernia. With the move to the 60-day IL, he won't be able to rejoin the big-league roster until after the All-Star break in mid-July. In the meantime, infielder Marcelo Mayer will serve as the primary shortstop in Beantown. The 23-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2021 has not taken advantage of regular playing time in his first full season in the majors in 2026, as he's currently slashing a weak .222/.283/.296 with a .580 OPS, only two home runs, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 55 games and 181 plate appearances. Story, who has a lengthy injury history in his 11 years in the majors, rebounded to hit 25 homers, drive in 96, and steal 31 bases in 2025, but it's looking like another injury-plagued campaign in 2026. He is now rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Antonio Senzatela "as Good as Gone" as Trade Candidate This Year
ESPN's Jeff Passan writes that Colorado Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela is a "no-brainer" trade candidate this year and is "as good as gone" since he'll be a free agent after the 2026 season. Passan adds that the Rockies are still years away from contending, and "nobody on their roster is untouchable." In addition to Senzatela, outfielder Mickey Moniak (ankle) and catcher Hunter Goodman could also be moved by early August, at the right price. Other players that could attract interest at this year's trade deadline include infielders TJ Rumfield, Troy Johnston, and Willi Castro, starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, and relievers Brennan Bernardino and Jaden Hill. Senzatela, in particular, has gone from a terrible starting pitcher to one of the best relievers in the game this season. The 31-year-old Venezuelan hurler and 10-year veteran is currently sporting a 5-0 record, 1.30 ERA (3.30 FIP), 0.89 WHIP, three saves, and a 26:10 K:BB in 34 2/3 innings out of the 'pen. Senzatela has an xwOBA of .283 and an expected ERA of 3.17, so regression is expected the rest of the way.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Landen Roupp on Track to Start on Saturday Against Cubs
San Francisco Giants right-hander Landen Roupp (back) threw a bullpen session of around 30 pitches on Thursday morning and said he felt good after he dealt with back discomfort in his last outing on Monday in Milwaukee against the Brewers, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. Roupp said he is on track to make his next start, which would be on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. He was not himself earlier this week in Milwaukee, surrendering a season-high eight earned runs on eight hits while walking five and striking out four in four innings of work. In May, Roupp had at least seven strikeouts in three of his five starts during the month, and he's now 5-6 on the year with a 4.22 ERA (2.82 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 27 walks in 64 innings over his 12 starts in his third year in San Fran. The 27-year-old has pitched better than his surface stats suggest, but he'll be pretty risky in starting fantasy lineups this weekend against a Cubs team that ranks eighth in baseball in OPS (.720).
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Chris Bassitt Heads to Baltimore to Have his Back Examined
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Chris Bassitt (back) flew to Baltimore to have his lower-back tightness checked out by team doctors, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. The Orioles will know more about Bassitt's condition later after he was pulled from his start early on Wednesday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox after three innings. As things currently stand, Bassitt's next scheduled start against the Seattle Mariners on Monday is very much up in the air, and depending on what the team doctors see, he could be a candidate to go on the 15-day injured list. Now 37 years old in his 12th year in the big leagues, Bassitt has struggled to a 4-4 record with a 5.27 ERA (4.77 FIP) and 1.63 WHIP with only 37 strikeouts and 22 walks in 56 1/3 innings across his 12 appearances (10 starts) in his first year in Baltimore. Even if Bassitt checks out fine and is cleared to make his next start on Monday against Seattle, fantasy managers should be looking to avoid him as a streamer. He's currently rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Yainer Diaz Close to Starting a Rehab Assignment
Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (oblique) is hitting, throwing, and catching bullpen sessions and is close to starting a minor-league rehab assignment, according to MLB.com. Diaz has been on the 10-day injured list since May 5 with a strained left-oblique, but he's apparently nearing a return to the major-league roster and could be back for fantasy managers in mid-June. Until he is reinstated from the IL, the Astros will move forward with Christian Vazquez as their starting catcher, with Cesar Salazar backing him up. Diaz, 27, was hitting just .238 (24-for-101) with two home runs, 14 RBI, and seven runs scored in 26 games for the Astros at the time of his injury in early May, but he will have value in single-catcher fantasy leagues when he returns. The Dominican native has reached the 20-homer mark in two of the last three seasons since becoming the Astros' primary backstop, and he has also driven in at least 60 runs over that span. Consider stashing him now if you need help at the position. Diaz is rostered in only 42% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Royals Hope Maikel Garcia Will Return This Weekend
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that third baseman Maikel Garcia (hamstring) will be available off the bench in Thursday's series opener versus the division-rival Minnesota Twins, and he hopes that Garcia will be able to return in Minnesota this weekend, according to Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg. The 26-year-old will miss a fifth straight game on Thursday due to a right-hamstring injury, but it looks like he will avoid a trip to the injured list. Nick Loftin has been making starts at the hot corner in place of Garcia, and he should do so again in the series opener at Target Field on Thursday night against Twins right-hander Andrew Morris. Garcia has only gone deep three times so far in 2026 and has not homered since April 30. The Venezuelan third baseman was a first-time All-Star in 2025, but he has so far disappointed fantasy managers in his fifth year in the majors, slashing .268/.325/.384 with a .709 OPS, 21 RBI, 28 runs scored, and only four stolen bases across 56 games played.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
Royals to Mix and Match in Ninth With Lucas Erceg Struggling
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that he will match up the ninth inning based on availability and situations moving forward in the short term, but he still views right-handed reliever Lucas Erceg as a ninth-inning option in the long term, according to Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg. Erceg has been the team's primary option for saves since veteran Carlos Estevez (shoulder) went down due to injury after his first appearance of the year in late March, but the 31-year-old blew his sixth save of the season on Tuesday and has a rough 6.45 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, and 20:15 K:BB along with his 11 saves in 22 1/3 innings pitched so far in 2026. The Royals called upon Alex Lange to close out the win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, and he, Daniel Lynch, and Matt Strahm could start seeing more chances in the ninth inning with Erceg struggling for consistency. Once Estevez returns from the injured list, whenever that may be, he could be the favorite for saves in KC the rest of the way, making him a stash candidate now for fantasy managers in need of saves options.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
