RADIO
Kevin McGonigle Could Be on the Verge of Fantasy Superstardom
Across 443 plate appearances this season, Detroit Tigers shortstop/third baseman Kevin McGonigle is hitting .281/.388/.422 with nine home runs, 35 RBI, 61 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The 21-year-old does not profile as a significant value-add in the power categories for fantasy managers, as he owns just a 7.6% barrel rate and a 38% hard-hit rate. However, McGonigle offers an elite plate approach, especially for a rookie. He's logged a 14.2% walk rate while striking out in just 13.8% of his plate appearances. McGonigle's ability to get on base has allowed him to cement himself as the near-everyday leadoff hitter in Detroit, which should keep him near the top of the runs-scored leaderboard for the rest of 2026. He also offers managers quality production in the batting average and speed categories. If McGonigle can hit for even slightly more power in the final few months of the season, he could emerge as a true five-category contributor.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braxton Ashcraft Remains Worth Buying Despite Current Rough Patch
Across 116 1/3 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft has recorded a 9-4 record with a 3.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 130 strikeouts. While Ashcraft's overall line is strong, he's run into a rough patch of late. Across his last two starts, the 26-year-old has allowed four home runs and 12 earned runs in just eight innings pitched. Ashcraft's previous career-high for innings pitched in a professional season was 73 in 2024, so he may be running into a wall under the strain of his current workload. However, the young right-hander's underlying metrics still point to high-end upside. Ashcraft is averaging 97.2 miles per hour on his fastball, and he's logged a 27.0% strikeout rate with just a 5.8% walk rate. In leagues where managers are panicking after back-to-back rough outings, Ashcraft could be worth buying low on.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Take a Chance and Add Charlie Condon Now
Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon is hitting .306 in July and is looking day by day like a potential call-up to make his major-league debut. Condon, the former No. 3 overall pick in the MLB Draft, is tearing up Triple-A Albuquerque this season, hitting .289 with 20 homers, 62 RBI, 77 runs scored with six steals, and a .975 OPS. The No. 3 overall prospect for the Rockies, Condon is looking like a must-add in all formats as he continues to light up the Pacific Coast League. The 23-year-old right-handed hitter is looking like a player who can pay back fantasy managers who take a chance and stash him on their roster. Condon can play first base or outfield, so he offers some roster flexibility to the Rockies should they want to call him up to make his major league debut. He is looking like one of the top adds on the waiver wire even though he is still in Triple-A. He looks like a difference-maker in the second half.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Parker Messick a Must-Start Pitcher Amidst Breakout Campaign
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season so far. Across 117 2/3 innings (20 starts), the 25-year-old has recorded an 8-5 record with a 2.68 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts. Messick has been particularly effective so far in July, allowing one earned run or fewer in all three of his starts this month. With an average fastball velocity of 93.9 miles per hour and a 24.8% strikeout rate, Messick may not have true fantasy SP1 upside. However, he does an excellent job of limiting hard contact. Opposing batters have posted just a 5.4% barrel rate against Messick, and he's allowed 0.84 HR/9. The young left-hander may be in for some slight regression in the second half of the season, but he profiles as a clear must-start pitcher for fantasy managers going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Walker Jenkins Working His Way Back From Injury
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has returned to the lineup for Triple-A St. Paul and has now been back for about a month. Activated on June 23, Jenkins has a month full of production under his name with modest results. The Twins top overall prospect has two homers and six RBI to his name during the end of June and most of July. Jenkins, a left-handed hitting former first round pick is uber-talented but is finding his swing after suffering a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in hi left shoulder. As he works his way back, now might be a good time to add Jenkins in dynasty leagues especially but also in shallow redraft leagues. In 168 at bats for St. Paul this year, Jenkins has recorded four homers and 15 RBI while hitting .274. He still has the tools to be successful in a call up to Minnesota and the Twins still could act on the 21-year-old sometime during the second half. Right now getting back to full health is the main priority for Jenkins.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Orioles Prospect Ike Irish Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Friday that first base/outfield prospect Ike Irish (knee) is being placed on the High-A Frederick seven-day injured list due to a torn left meniscus that he suffered while sliding into second base on Wednesday, according to Steve Malewski. Irish, the Orioles' No. 2-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, is likely to miss the rest of the season. The 22-year-old former 19th overall pick out of Auburn University in 2025 will have his first full pro season cut short after hitting .286/.388/.528 with a .915 OPS, 16 home runs, 59 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 62 runs scored in 76 games across 343 plate appearances at Frederick. It ends a fantastic season for Irish in the lower levels of the minors. He should be ready to play for the start of the 2027 campaign, where he'll likely begin at Double-A Chesapeake. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound left-handed hitter has a mature approach at the dish and hits the ball hard to all parts of the field. There's a lot to like about Irish, who can hit for average and provide plenty of speed. The jury is still out on his overall power ceiling, but there is at least 20-homer potential.
Source: Steve Melewski
Source: Steve Melewski
Ketel Marte to Return From Back Injury on Friday
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on MLB Network Radio that second baseman Ketel Marte (back) will be back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Washington Nationals and left-hander Carson Palmquist after he was scratched from Thursday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals with back stiffness, according to Dani Wexelman. Even with a left-hander on the mound to start for Washington, the 32-year-old switch-hitting Marte should be started in fantasy. In 115 plate appearances against southpaws as a right-handed hitter in 2026, Marte has hit .305 with eight of his 18 homers on the year. Marte has hit just .229 (16-for-70) with a homer, three doubles, a triple, six RBI, nine runs scored, three steals, five walks, and 15 strikeouts in 17 games and 76 plate appearances during July, but he's a must-start in most traditional fantasy formats at the keystone when he's active for his power from both sides of the plate.
Source: Sirius XM Radio - Dani Wexelman
Source: Sirius XM Radio - Dani Wexelman
Casey Mize Set to Start on Saturday
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin, wrist) will start on Saturday against the division-rival Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park, according to MLB.com. Mize was hit by a comebacker on his left wrist and aggravated a groin injury in his last start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, but the two injuries weren't enough to keep him from going this weekend in Motown in a plus matchup. He was able to throw his normal between-starts bullpen session this week and is ready to roll, so fantasy managers should get ready to throw him back into their starting lineups. The 29-year-old former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn has had a career year in 2026, going 4-6 with a 2.79 ERA (2.62 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 82 strikeouts and 19 walks in 80 2/3 frames across his 15 starts. Mize has dealt with some injuries and spent time on the injured list, but when available, he's been great, and he also has a career-best 25.6% strikeout rate. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his last four starts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Eury Perez Looking to Finish 2026 in Dominant Fashion
Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez's overall numbers in 2026 in his third year in the majors don't jump off the page, as he's gone 5-7 with a 3.53 ERA (4.12 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 104 strikeouts and 37 walks in 91 2/3 innings pitched across his 17 starts for the Fish. But the 23-year-old Dominican has been pretty dominant in his last seven outings since he allowed a season-high five earned runs with four walks in five innings in a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on May 17. In his seven starts since then (39 1/3 innings), Perez has given up just five earned runs on 19 hits (three homers) while walking nine and striking out 46 for a 1.14 ERA (2.67 FIP). His most recent outing on July 19 against the Milwaukee Brewers might have been the most impressive, as he generated 17 swings and misses while throwing six scoreless innings with three walks and nine punchouts. Although Perez's expected ERA sits at 4.05, fantasy managers should continue to ride him into his next scheduled start in an excellent matchup against the punchless San Diego Padres' lineup.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Randy Arozarena Could be a Sell Candidate to Close Out the Year
Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena has hit a strong .281 (97-for-345) in his second year with the team on his way to his third All-Star appearance, but his power has been down in 2026, and his underlying metrics don't exactly project a strong finish. The 31-year-old Cuban finished the first half on a good note and went into the All-Star break with a .286/.380/.458 slash line and an .838 OPS in 89 games and 379 plate appearances. He hit only two home runs in June, though, and he's currently batting .273 (15-for-55) with an .883 OPS, three homers, a double, eight RBI, and 12 runs scored in 16 games in the month of July. Under the hood, Arozarena has a .264 expected batting average and .352 xwOBA (.365 current wOBA), suggesting regression to close out his eighth year in the big leagues. He also has a hard-hit rate in the 54th percentile and ranks in the 47th percentile in barrel rate, the 40th percentile in chase rate, and the 58th percentile in expected slugging. Arozarena can get hot in an instant, but he can also be streaky, and although he's making more contact this year, his quality of contact is down.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jacob Wilson a Batting-Average Asset During Current Hitting Streak
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson has dealt with injuries in his second full season in the big leagues and still has very little power (seven homers) at a premium position, but he still makes a lot of contact at the plate and is hitting .291 (73-for-251) on the season in his 62 games across 265 plate appearances. The 24-year-old former sixth overall pick from Grand Canyon University is gaining steam in July for fantasy managers who are looking for a boost in the average department. Wilson will carry a 10-game hitting streak into the weekend. During his streak, he's gone 17-for-42 (.405) with three home runs, a triple, six RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in 43 plate appearances to boost his overall slash line in 2026 to .291/.322/.422 with a .744 OPS. We're tempering expectations for the rest of the second half because of his .293 xwOBA (wOBA of .325) and his .273 expected batting average, but while he's hot in July, fantasy managers are jumping on board.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Carson Benge Still Begging for More Waiver Attention
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge has quietly been one of the more productive rookie bats in 2026 for the last-place Mets. Going into the weekend, he is slashing .263/.324/.397 with a .720 OPS, 11 home runs, 13 doubles, 40 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 52 runs scored as a lineup regular through 99 games and 408 plate appearances in his first year in the big leagues. The return of Luis Robert Jr. from the injured list recently has made New York's outfield a bit more crowded, but the 23-year-old former 19th overall pick from Oklahoma State University in 2024 has earned consistent playing time the rest of the way in what has become a lost season for the Mets. Benge can contribute across the board for fantasy managers and has stayed hot in 16 games in July, going 18-for-61 (.295) with an .805 OPS, two home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, five stolen bases, and eight runs scored across his 69 plate appearances. Fantasy managers are slowly catching on, but Benge is still rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues, so he remains widely available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Michael Petersen a Top Closer to Stash in Miami
Miami Marlins right-handed reliever Michael Petersen has become a top stash candidate off the waiver wire for fantasy managers who are speculating on saves in the second half amid current closer Pete Fairbanks' struggles. Fairbanks leads the Fish with 13 saves on the season, but he also has an ERA over 7.00, a 1.52 WHIP, and a 10.1% walk rate. He blew his latest save chance on July 19 against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing three earned runs with a walk and a strikeout in just one-third of an inning, and he has now given up 11 runs (10 earned) on 14 hits (four homers) with three walks and 10 K's for two saves and a blown save in his last 8 1/3 innings pitched since June 23. With the Marlins flailing of late, they could make a change in the ninth inning, and if they do, Petersen appears to be next in line. The 32-year-old English native has a 2.91 ERA (3.27 FIP), 0.99 WHIP, his first career save, 51 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 43 1/3 innings in 2026 in his first full year in Miami. At the very least, Petersen is valuable in holds leagues with 17 on the year. So far in seven innings in July, he's allowed just one earned run with four walks, seven K's, and four holds. Petersen is rostered in just under 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Eduardo Tait Extends Power Surge on Thursday Evening
Minnesota Twins catching prospect Eduardo Tait extended his power barrage on Thursday evening. Facing Dayton, the No. 39-ranked prospect in the sport (per MLB.com), went 1-for-3 with a long ball. This marked Tait's third home run over his last five games with High-A Cedar Rapids. Tait has spent the 2026 campaign with High-A and has endured some groin pains. On the season, he has held a .221 AVG but has shown high power upside, launching 18 long balls with a .727 OPS. During the 2025 campaign, the young backstop spent most of his time with Low-A before earning a short taste of High-A ball later in the second half. If Tait can extend this power surge into August, the young catcher could receive a short look at Double-A late in the season.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Luis Pena Snaps Lengthy Power Skid at High-A
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Luis Pena snapped his long power skid at High-A on Thursday evening. Pena has missed time with several injuries this season, but when on the infield, the young infielder has been quite productive. Over his last 14 contests with High-A since returning from injury, the 19-year-old has held a .275/.345/.431 line with seven stolen bases and a 15:3 K:BB. Overall on the season, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the system (and No.18 overall in the sport), has carried a .294/.392/.412 line through 34 contests with High-A. Pena has held a .804 OPS and added six doubles, two home runs, and 19 stolen bases. While the missed time has likely prevented him from reaching Triple-A this season, a strong conclusion should put him in a great position to debut in Nashville to open 2027.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
