RADIO
Liam Doyle Emerging as Potential Late-Season Call-Up?
St. Louis Cardinals top pitching prospect Liam Doyle appeared in a relief role during the Futures Game. Doyle tossed an inning where he struck out two hitters and served up two free passes. He did not allow a run. Doyle was selected by the Cardinals with the No. 5 overall pick in last year's MLB Draft and has spent the 2026 season at Double-A. While he has struggled at times, the former Tennessee Volunteer has begun to find his footing and is putting himself in position for a late-season call-up. Over his last two Double-A starts, Doyle has logged 8 2/3 innings with two earned runs and an 11:6 K:BB. His command has been an issue this season, but he has managed to strike out 75 hitters in just 56 frames. If he can carry this success into the early part of the second half, a late-season cup of coffee with the MLB roster will not be out of the question.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Seth Hernandez Dominates in Brief Appearance in Futures Game
Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Seth Hernandez continued his impressive debut season by tossing a perfect frame in the Futures Game on Sunday afternoon. Entering the game in the second inning, the former No. 6 overall pick tossed a shutout inning with no hits, no walks, and two punchouts. The 20-year-old made his pro debut at Low-A this season but has already been bumped up to High-A and is putting himself in a strong position to reach Double-A later in the second half of the season. At Low-A, Hernandez logged 28 innings with a 0.96 ERA and 0.71 WHIP, prompting the early promotion. While the right-hander has hit some roadblocks at High-A, he has continued to flash elite strikeout potential, totaling 61 strikeouts in just 41 innings. If Hernandez can continue this trajectory, he should reach Double-A later this season and establish himself as the clear No. 1 pitching prospect in the game, alongside Seattle's Kade Anderson.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nathan Flewelling Claims MVP Honors in Futures Game
Tampa Bay Rays catching prospect Nathan Flewelling was named Futures Game MVP after his impressive showing on Sunday afternoon. In this contest, the No. 75-ranked prospect in baseball went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run. Flewelling joined the Rays system in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft and has spent his entire 2026 campaign at the High-A level. Through 73 games with Bowling Green, the young backstop has carried a .261/.394/.496 line with 12 doubles, 16 home runs, and six stolen bases. However, over his last 19 contests, Flewelling has taken his production to a much higher level, posting a .324/.484/.662 line with three doubles and six home runs. Given his current trajectory, dynasty managers should expect the No. 2 prospect in the system to receive a taste of Double-A ball in the coming weeks.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is Hector Rodriguez the Priority Stash Target for Home Run Potential?
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez has continued to showcase high-end power at the top club in the minor leagues and is a high-end stash heading into the All-Star break. Despite carrying a modest .260 AVG over his last 14 games at Triple-A Louisville, Rodriguez has launched five home runs over this stretch with a .931 OPS. Overall on the season, the team's No. 5-ranked prospect (according to MLB.com) has hit 14 doubles, 23 home runs, and swiped six bags, while carrying a .284/.364/.564 line with a .910 OPS. The corner outfielder is worth a close look in the second half, as he may not need to wait long to earn the call, with both Noelvi Marte and JJ Bleday beginning to show some inconsistencies in the majors. For now, Rodriguez is a viable stash candidate in 12+ team leagues for managers needing late-season home run potential.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Walker Jenkins a Must-Stash With MLB Debut Approaching?
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has been very productive in his return to Triple-A. The team's top-ranked prospect missed time this season due to a shoulder injury but has quickly put himself back on the stash radar since being cleared to return. Over his last 13 contests with St. Paul, the former fifth overall pick has posted an elite .314/.364/.529 line with a .893 OPS. During this stretch, the 21-year-old has hit four doubles, gone deep once and chipped in two stolen bases. This surge is worth emphasizing as Jenkins carried a much lower .256/.296/.389 line with just two round-trippers over the first 25 games of the Triple-A regular season. With the Twins sitting outside the current playoff picture, they could look to sell at the upcoming deadline, which would allow Jenkins to face minimal competition for second-half at-bats at the big-league level.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Should Managers Still Stash Dodgers Top Pitching Prospect River Ryan?
Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect River Ryan put himself at the top of the stash rankings during the first half of the season, as he was not only flashing elite potential at the Triple-A level but also had a clear path to MLB innings. With both Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow on the shelf, Ryan appeared to be on the doorstep of returning to Los Angeles. However, on June 17, Ryan took a massive step back, serving up a season-worst eight earned runs and 10 hits before ultimately being placed on the 7-day injured list with a hamstring strain. Since moving to the IL, Ryan has not progressed in his recovery and is without a clear timetable. While managers should continue to monitor his status, it appears Ryan may face an uphill battle to return to the majors in 2026. With Blake Snell set to embark on his rehab stint, managers in all 12-team formats should no longer view Ryan as a viable stash target, as his path to MLB innings will be far more challenging down the stretch.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Heliot Ramos Worth a Roster Spot Moving Forward?
San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos finished the first half of the 2026 season with a .275/.311/.468 slash line with eight home runs, 28 RBI, 31 runs scored, and no stolen bases. Over the past seven days leading up to the break, he hit .333 with a .933 OPS. Ramos has been hitting leadoff for the Giants, and his underlying data and quality of contact remain elite. He owns an impressive .350 xwOBA (76th percentile), .283 xBA (89th percentile), .505 xSLG (89th percentile), 92.5 mph average exit velocity (91st percentile), and a 16.4 percent barrel rate (96th percentile) and a 51.2 percent hard-hit rate (91st percentile). While he is clearly impacting the ball well, he is not maximizing that power, which is evidenced by his 10.5 percent pull air rate, and when you combine that with hitting in one of the most difficult ballparks in the Majors in Oracle Park, it is the reason why his run production and power on the surface still remain below average. Nonetheless, Ramos is doing what he needs to do to hit the ball hard, and playing time should not be an issue for him either. He is a must-roster player in five outfield formats, and his underlying data suggests he should be stronger in the second half of the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Joey Cantillo has 20 Whiffs on Sunday, Must-Roster Player Moving Forward?
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo wrapped up a solid first half of the season on Sunday, going up against one of the hottest lineups in the Majors, the Miami Marlins, and holding them to one run. He went five innings, allowing six hits, one earned run, two walks, and racked up nine punchouts with a very impressive 20 whiffs and 44 percent CSW (Called Strike plus Whiff rate). After Sunday's outing, Cantillo wrapped up his first half with an 8-4 record, 3.56 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 105:49 K:BB ratio through 20 starts (101 innings pitched). Cantillo has found tremendous success utilizing his secondary pitches, the changeup and curveball, both of which have 41.5 percent and 38.1 percent whiff rates, respectively. His fastball has left some room for improvement, but he pitches in a rotation that consistently gets the most out of its pitchers in Cleveland, and Cantillo will remain a solid option moving forward and should be rostered in all 12-plus-team formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Gage Jump Worth a Roster Spot for the Second Half?
Athletics left-hander Gage Jump finished the first half of the 2026 season 3-4 with a 3.51 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings pitched (nine starts). This is Jump's first taste of MLB, and overall he has been fairly solid, especially given that he pitches half his games at Sutter Health Park, one of MLB's friendliest ballparks. That being said, Jump has pitched to a 6.20 ERA at home and a 0.75 ERA on the road, so it's been night and day for him, so something fantasy managers will want to continue to monitor moving forward as they make weekly start/sit decisions. When we peek under the hood, most of Jump's ERA estimators support his strong start to his career, with a 3.96 xERA and 3.31 FIP. When you combine that with his solid control and strikeout upside (48:15 K:BB ratio), Jump has proven to be useful in all formats. Some may argue there is even more to be had, as his strikeout rate in the Minors was 33.1 percent in Triple-A this year, and 28.4 percent in Double-A in 2025. Jump should continue to be rostered in all formats for the second half, but should be considered a strong start when he's on the road, and a consideration to sit when at home.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Erik Miller Worth Stashing for Second-Half Saves?
San Francisco Giants left-hander Erik Miller worked 1 1/3 innings on Sunday, struck out two, allowed one hit, walked none, and allowed no runs against the Rockies, picking up his second win of the season. Miller also has an impressive 10 holds for the year, along with two saves in three opportunities and a 3.29 ERA, with 38 punchouts in 27 1/3 innings (32 appearances). His WHIP remains incredibly high for a reliever (1.50), and his control at times falters tremendously (16.5 percent walk rate), but his stuff and velocity are good enough to keep his high WHIP afloat. He generates a ton of strikeouts and whiffs (31.4 percent and 34.4 percent, respectively), and allows a .190 xBA. Caleb Kilian appears to be the preferred choice to close out games for the Giants, as he has eight saves in 11 opportunities; however, he has blown two saves in the past six outings and has a 4.74 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. It's a long shot that Miller becomes the preferred closer, as he is also utilized as a left-handed specialist; however, if Kilian continues to falter, it could keep the door open for Miller. If you are in saves-and-holds leagues, Miller will continue to provide solid value in deeper formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jacob Webb Earns Another Save for Cubs, Entering Must-Roster Status?
Chicago Cubs right-hander Jacob Webb notched his fifth save of the season on Sunday, working two-thirds of an inning and recording both outs without any traffic. Webb has not allowed a run since June 20, his last blown save, and since then has recorded two wins, three saves, and two holds. On the season as a whole, he now has a solid 3.05 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 48:16 K:BB ratio with five saves (nine opportunities), seven holds, and three wins in 42 appearances. He has clearly taken over as the preferred option in the Cubs bullpen for saves, and provides tremendous short-term value while Daniel Palencia (elbow) is on the injured list and is expected back in late July. The Cubs are also a top option to shop for a reliever on the market as the trade deadline approaches, so Webb's value may be short-lived; however, based on the 2026 closer market, he has entered must-roster status in deeper formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Zack Wheeler Continues to Pitch With a Chip on his Shoulder, Fans 10 on Sunday
After admitting that he turned down an invitation to the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia next week, Philadelphia Phillies veteran right-hander Zack Wheeler had another dominant outing on Sunday in the team's 5-0 shutout win in Motown over the Detroit Tigers. Wheeler outdueled ace Tarik Skubal, tossing six shutout innings, allowing only two hits, walking two, and striking out 10 batters to lower his season ERA to 2.13 and pick up his 10th win of the 2026 season. After initially being a National League All-Star snub, the 36-year-old declined an invite and said that he wouldn't stand for being disrespected. Wheeler had been pitching well all year, but this seems to have really lit a fire under him, and he's now recorded double-digit strikeouts in his last three starts while fanning 34 hitters in 17 1/3 innings over that span. In addition to his sharp 2.13 ERA, Wheeler has a 0.89 WHIP with 108 strikeouts and only 22 innings over 15 starts and 93 innings in his 12th year in the league. The three-time All-Star has exceeded expectations after coming into the 2026 campaign as more of a question mark following thoracic outlet syndrome that shut him down early in 2025.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Carlos Rodon Could Get Back on a Mound Next Week
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) has had a few good days of throwing, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. Rodon wasn't scheduled to throw on Sunday, but he will throw just about every day during the All-Star break, and it could include a bullpen session. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star isn't going to be ready to rejoin New York's starting rotation just out of the break next weekend and will most likely need several bullpen sessions before embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment later this month. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Rodon to be a realistic candidate for a return to New York's starting rotation until August, especially when considering he got a late start to the 2026 season after having surgery on the same elbow last October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur. Despite durability concerns, Rodon can still help fantasy managers in all leagues in the second half after going 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA (3.44 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 26 walks in 46 1/3 innings across his nine starts for the Yanks.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Max Fried Could Make a Rehab Start on Friday
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that left-hander Max Fried's (elbow) live bullpen session on Saturday went well, and his next step is "likely" a minor-league rehab game, which could come as soon as Friday, July 17, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. In his live session with Double-A Somerset this weekend, Fried went three innings and threw 44 pitches. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star will look to build up his pitch count late next week in his first rehab start since going on the 15-day injured list back on May 16 due to a bone bruise in his left elbow. Because of how long he's been away from the Yankees' rotation, fantasy managers should expect Fried to make at least two rehab starts and potentially return before the end of July. The former seventh overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2012 must remain stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues. Before getting hurt, Fried was 4-3 in his 10 starts (61 2/3 innings) with a 3.21 ERA (2.71 FIP), 1.00 WHIP, and 50:19 K:BB in his second season in the Bronx. If he can stay healthy in the second half, Fried could help carry fantasy pitching staffs.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Jurrangelo Cijntje Heading to Triple-A After All-Star Break
The St. Louis Cardinals are promoting switch pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje from Double-A Springfield to Triple-A Memphis when minor-league play begins after the All-Star break, according to Rob Rains of the St. Louis Sports Page. Cijntje, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will make the jump to the highest level on the farm after going 3-4 with a 5.04 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 100 strikeouts and 40 walks in 80 1/3 innings pitched across 17 starts. The 23-year-old former 15th overall pick by the Seattle Mariners out of Mississippi State University was acquired by the Cardinals in the Brendan Donovan trade in the offseason. Cijntje obviously has unique talents on the mound for his ability to pitch from both sides, but the native of the Netherlands hasn't really stood out with either arm yet in the minors in 2026. If Cijntje does debut in the big leagues this year with the Red Birds, it likely won't be until later in the season, and it'll likely come in a bullpen role that won't give him a ton of fantasy baseball value. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder is a natural southpaw, but he has shown better stuff from the right side so far as a pro.
Source: St. Louis Sports Page - Rob Rains
Source: St. Louis Sports Page - Rob Rains
