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A.J. Ewing Breaking Out as Dynamic Waiver-Wire Pickup
Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing has caught fire in his rookie campaign, hitting .409 with a .727 slugging percentage over his last seven games. The Mets No. 1 prospect has flashed multiple tools early, pairing strong offensive production with 98th percentile sprint speed that immediately changes games on the bases. He is slashing .275/.360/.412 with a .772 OPS while adding 8 stolen bases across 46 games this season. Ewing's speed and improving contact profile have helped him carve out a consistent role as he continues to adjust to major league pitching. Fantasy managers should view him as an elite dynasty pickup and a waiver wire option in all formats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jake Burger Reclaiming Power Form, Maintaining Waiver-Wire Value
Rangers first baseman Jake Burger has maintained the strong production he found in May, slashing .270/.359/.438 in June while adding four home runs. His season numbers now sit at .253/.316/.438 with a .754 OPS, a significant improvement from his 2025 campaign in his first year with the Rangers. After a dip in power last season, Burger's 14 home runs suggest a return to his expected production, with his pull fly ball rate rising from 13.5 percent in 2025 to 24.1 percent in 2026. The 30-year-old has also improved his plate discipline with an 8.1 BB%. The underlying numbers support continued success, making Burger a strong power target for fantasy managers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
George Klassen Getting Back on Track, Will He Return to the Majors Soon?
Los Angeles Angels pitching prospect George Klassen has begun to right the ship at Triple-A, pitching to a 2.67 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over his last six starts. The walk rate remained elevated over that time at 14.5 percent, but the right-hander was able to strand runners at an 85.7 percent rate thanks to an opponent batting average of just .205. The season-long numbers don't look as good, with a 4.94 ERA (5.71 FIP), 1.70 WHIP, opponent batting average of .265, and a lowly 5.9 percent K-BB%, but things look like they are headed in the right direction. The Angels' fourth-ranked prospect debuted with the team back in April of this year, but was roughed up for six earned runs in 4 2/3 innings pitched (11.57 ERA) and he walked more batters (10) than he struck out (six), so the team may want to see some additional development in his command before another promotion. Nevertheless, the 24-year-old should be in the mix for another shot in the second half, and managers in deep 12+ team leagues could begin to consider stashing him ahead of that time.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Josh Hader Dominating Again, Re-Establishing Himself as Elite Relief Arm
Houston Astros left-hander Josh Hader continues to dominate opposing hitters and lock down games from the Astros bullpen, delivering another scoreless inning on Tuesday while striking out two batters. Over his last six appearances, Hader has allowed no runs while striking out 10 batters. After missing the beginning of the season due to injury, the 32-year-old has quickly returned to the elite form that has made him one of baseball's premier relievers for years. Hader owns a 0.69 ERA and a 0.54 WHIP with 21 strikeouts across 13 innings. His elite 14.54 K/9 showcases his dominant pitch mix, with just one run allowed all season. Expectations are always high for Hader, but he has surpassed them and remains one of the top fantasy relief arms in baseball.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Franklin Arias Surging at Double-A, 2026 Debut Back in Play?
Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Franklin Arias' bat has come back to life in a big way after a short slump. From June 11 through June 19, Boston's top-ranked prospect went just 2-for-20 (.100) over a six-game span, but in the nine games since, he's 18-for-38 (.474) with five doubles, three home runs, and a 4:5 BB:K. The surge has raised his season-long slash line at Double-A to .328/.407/.594 with 16 home runs, five steals, and a fairly even split between walks (29) and strikeouts (36). A promotion to Triple-A could be on the way in the near future, and with his abilities, a late-season debut in the majors could be in the cards. The 20-year-old just rose all the way to No. 8 on MLB.com's most recent refresh of the Top 100 prospects list, and fantasy managers will want to put him on their radar as the young Venezuelan could become a worthy stash candidate in deeper leagues in the coming months.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Riley O'Brien Ties NL Lead With 21st Save
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Riley O'Brien picked up his 21st save of the season on Tuesday, marking his third save in as many appearances. O'Brien worked a clean inning while allowing one hit to seal the win over the Atlanta Braves. The save tied him for the National League lead as he continues to emerge as one of the premier ninth-inning options in MLB. The 31-year-old now owns a 3.82 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP with 34 strikeouts across 35 ⅓ innings. After a difficult stretch in early June, O'Brien has put together a strong run of appearances and appears to be regaining his early-season form. He remains a high-end closer option in all fantasy formats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Fernando Tatis Jr. Nearly Doubles Home Run Total in Loss to Cubs
San Diego Padres second baseman/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.'s lack of power has been one of the bigger storylines in 2026. The 27-year-old Dominican entered Tuesday's clash against the hosting Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field with only three home runs in 319 at-bats. He flipped the narrative for at least one night, though, going 2-for-5 at the plate with two solo home runs and a strikeout as the Padres' leadoff hitter. Tatis is now hitting a strong .284 on the season with a .728 OPS and five home runs. He went deep off starter Matthew Boyd in the first inning on Tuesday, followed by another solo shot off reliever Javier Assad later in the game. Tatis' underlying metrics have always been hinting at a power surge eventually in 2026, and his buy-low window might already be shut. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner ranks in the 96th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 80th percentile in xwOBA, the 67th percentile in barrel rate, and the 66th percentile in xSLG. After coming into June with just one homer, Tatis homered four times in June, and many more could be coming in the second half.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bobby Witt Jr. Pops Two Homers in Losing Effort Against Rays
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. put forth his best effort on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, but it was not enough in the team's 10-4 loss. Witt went 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs and three RBI to boost his season average to .294 and his OPS to .846. The 26-year-old former second overall pick in 2019 finished June with only three long balls, but he came into Tuesday's contest hitting .293 (22-for-75) during the month with a homer, five doubles, seven RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 14 runs scored in 20 games and 90 plate appearances. He also entered Tuesday's clash against Tampa with a strong .288/.363/.456 slash line with an .819 OPS, 10 homers, 33 RBI, 28 steals, and 42 runs scored in 309 at-bats in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues. The two-time All-Star is one of the best and most consistent five-category producers in fantasy at the premier position of shortstop. Witt is a must-start in fantasy lineups every day he's in the starting lineup.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brenton Doyle Now Dealing With a Groin Injury
Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (groin, oblique) was scheduled to play a full minor-league rehab game in center field for Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, but he was scratched from the lineup before first pitch due to groin tightness, according to MLB.com. Doyle has been on the 10-day injured list since May 21 with a left-oblique contusion. The 28-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2019 out of Shepherd University was nearing a return to the big-league roster in early July, but it's now unclear if he'll have a shot to rejoin the Rockies before the mid-July All-Star break. In four rehab games before being scratched on Tuesday, Doyle was 4-for-16 at the plate. It's unclear when Doyle will be ready to return to game action, but it's yet another setback for a declining player that won't be guaranteed regular playing time in Colorado when he's reinstated from the IL. Before his oblique injury, Doyle was slashing just .207/.279/.270 with a homer, four RBI, 21 runs, nine stolen bases, and a 32.8% strikeout rate in 43 games played. He's now only rostered in 31% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Max Scherzer Expected to Need a Rehab Assignment
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that the injection that veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back, side) received "did what it should" to free up the left side of his back more, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. "He's encouraged with how he feels physically," Schneider said. The three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer will most likely need a couple of minor-league rehab starts at Triple-A Buffalo to build back up before he returns to the major-league roster, per Schneider. The news means that the 41-year-old will not return to the Jays before the All-Star break in mid-July, although he could be ready to roll for the start of the second half, barring a setback on his rehab assignment. The eight-time All-Star just hasn't been able to stay healthy in the last couple of seasons as he nears the end of a fantastic career, and fantasy managers should have plenty of better upside starting pitching options to choose from. In his six starts in 2026 with Toronto, Scherzer has limped to a 1-4 record, 10.23 ERA (8.78 FIP), 1.73 WHIP, and 14:11 K:BB in 22 innings.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Matt Chapman Injures his Leg Against Arizona, Pulled Early
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (leg) appeared to tweak something in his right leg while making a play in the sixth inning against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. Chapman remained in the game to hit but was eventually pulled from the contest after he popped out and wasn't running well down the base line. Luis Arraez moved from second base to third base, while Jonah Cox entered the game to play the keystone for the Gigantes. Before leaving, Chapman went 0-for-3 at the plate with a strikeout to drop his season average to .235 and his OPS to .692. The 33-year-old veteran will almost certainly undergo testing to reveal the severity of his leg injury, and fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. Don't expect Chapman to be in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Arizona. Chapman continues to provide counting stats for fantasy managers as an everyday player, but overall, he's been a disappointment, coming into Tuesday's game hitting .237 (72-for-304) with seven homers, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored in his 83 games and 349 plate appearances. UPDATE: The San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports that Chapman has been diagnosed with an abdominal strain.
Source: MLB.com - Justice delos Santos
Source: MLB.com - Justice delos Santos
Connelly Early Pulled Early on Tuesday With "Left-Elbow Discomfort"
Boston Red Sox left-hander Connelly Early (elbow) was removed from his start early on Tuesday night against the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning with "left-elbow discomfort," according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Before leaving, Early looked good at Fenway Park, throwing four scoreless innings with three hits allowed, two walks and five strikeouts in a no-decision in the eventual 8-1 loss. It's unclear how serious the 24-year-old southpaw's elbow injury is, but with the All-Star break quickly approaching in mid-July, this might be the last we see of Early until late July. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Wednesday for an update on his condition. In his second year in the majors with Boston in 2026, Early entered his outing on Tuesday with a 7-5 record, 3.59 ERA (4.72 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 88 strikeouts and 32 walks in 87 2/3 innings across his 16 starts. His strikeout rate has come down from 36.7% in four starts as a rookie in 2025 to 23.5% this year, but he remains one of the more intriguing young left-handed arms in the game, and he's rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues. Don't be surprised if Early requires a trip to the IL.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Clayton Beeter a Priority Saves Target on the Waiver Wire?
Across 25 1/3 innings (25 games) in 2026, Washington Nationals right-hander Clayton Beeter has recorded a 3-1 record with a 3.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 28 strikeouts, and six saves. The 27-year-old's control of the strike zone remains a major concern, as he's posted a 16.5% walk rate this season and owns a 16.2% walk rate for his big-league career. Still, Beeter is averaging 95.6 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 25.7% of the batters he's faced this season. Washington has opted for a committee approach to the ninth inning so far this season, so fantasy managers should not expect Beeter to see every save opportunity for the Nationals. Still, Beeter missed nearly a month of action earlier this season with a forearm injury and is still first in saves among relievers currently on Washington's active roster. Fantasy managers in need of saves should target Beeter on the waiver wire in leagues where he remains available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cooper Pratt a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target Following MLB Debut?
Since being called up for his MLB debut on June 16, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt is hitting .211/.295/.237 with zero home runs, two RBI, four runs scored, and five stolen bases across 44 plate appearances. The 21-year-old does not profile as much of a power threat, as he's logged a 3.4% barrel rate in the majors after posting a 3.7% barrel rate across 261 plate appearances at Triple-A before his promotion. However, Pratt is known as an elite defensive prospect at shortstop, which should help extend his runway as the Brewers' everyday shortstop. Pratt has demonstrated an ability to get on base, logging a 13% walk rate at Triple-A and an 11.4% walk rate in his small sample of big league plate appearances so far. As long as that holds, Pratt should be able to continue to provide value on the basepaths. Fantasy managers should temper their overall expectations for Pratt, but he could be a viable source of speed to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sean Manaea Carries Streamer Appeal Following Return to Mets Rotation
After opening 2026 in a bullpen role, New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea was moved back to the team's rotation in mid-June. Across 20 innings (four starts) since the switch, Manaea has recorded a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 19 strikeouts. At 34 years old, Manaea should no longer be expected to provide the same production he once did at his peak. The veteran's average fastball velocity is down to 90.6 miles per hour this season, and he posted a 5.64 ERA across 60 2/3 innings (15 games, 12 starts) in 2025. Still, Manaea posted a 24% K-BB rate even amidst his struggles last season, and he's still just two years removed from logging a 3.47 ERA and 12 wins across 181 2/3 innings in 2024. Now that he's back in the Mets rotation, Manaea could be a viable starting pitcher streamer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
