RADIO
Seaver King Sidelined By Oblique Injury, Big League Debut Unlikely This Year
Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Seaver King is currently sidelined with a left oblique strain making a late-season big league debut improbable. King is the No. 4 overall prospect in the Washington system and has a 50-grade hit tool with a 70-grade run tool. So he has the potential to be a big-time contributor in stolen bases at the major leagues. In his age 23 season, King has recorded nine stolen bases combined between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester. King's current injury is problematic because at age 23 he is primed to make his major league debut, but he will first have to demonstrate full health in the minors. At the big league level, Washington has CJ Abrams at shortstop and Nasim Nunez up the middle at second base. So it's looking like next year might be the year for King to make his MLB debut. Fantasy managers will want to be patient until then.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Luke Weaver Remains a High-End Waiver-Wire Stash Option
New York Mets right-hander Luke Weaver has been one of the better relief pitchers in baseball so far this season, recording a 1.88 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 44 strikeouts, 15 holds, and one save across 43 innings (41 games). The Mets have deployed Weaver in a setup role in front of veteran closer Devin Williams for the majority of 2026. However, Williams has struggled to a 4.29 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 35 2/3 innings on the year. Additionally, with the Mets out of contention, both Weaver and Williams could be candidates to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. Rival teams could view Weaver as a viable closer, as he logged 12 saves across two seasons with the New York Yankees in 2024 and 2025. Whether he stays with the Mets or gets traded, Weaver could have a path to saves in the final few months of the season and profiles as a worthy waiver wire stash candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Clay Holmes a Priority Waiver-Wire Stash Ahead of Impending Injury Return
New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) has not pitched since mid-May due to a fractured fibula. However, the 33-year-old has now made two minor league rehab starts and appears to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues. Holmes got off to an excellent start to the 2026 season before the injury, recording a 4-4 record with a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts across 52 2/3 innings (nine starts). The 33-year-old does not profile as a high-end source of strikeouts for fantasy managers, as he's posted just a 20.9% strikeout rate this year. Still, he's logged an elite 56% ground ball rate, which has helped him limit damage from the long ball (0.51 HR/9). Holmes could also get moved to a contender at the upcoming trade deadline, which may help him rack up wins. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Holmes should be viewed as a priority stash candidate off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Heliot Ramos a Candidate to Be Moved at the Trade Deadline
The San Francisco Giants "could offload" outfielder Heliot Ramos at the trade deadline, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. Passan reports that "some teams" view Ramos as a "solid flier." Ramos missed time earlier this year with a quad strain, but he's hit .267/.304/.436 with nine home runs, 34 RBI, 35 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 289 plate appearances when healthy. The 26-year-old carries intriguing underlying power metrics, as he's posted a 14.1% barrel rate and a 49.5% hard-hit rate. He's also had his best month of the year in July, hitting .276 with four home runs and 13 RBI across 102 plate appearances. Ramos' fantasy value would likely be improved by a move out of San Francisco's pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Brewers Targeting Mason Miller at the Trade Deadline?
The Milwaukee Brewers "love the idea" of adding San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller to their already potent bullpen, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Miller has been the best closer in baseball so far this season, recording a 0.79 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 28 saves across 45 2/3 innings (44 games). The 27-year-old is averaging 101.3 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out a ridiculous 49.4% of the batters he's faced in 2026. Milwaukee has gotten solid work in the ninth inning from right-hander Trevor Megill, who has recorded a 2.97 ERA and 17 saves across 39 1/3 innings. However, adding Miller would clearly heighten what is already one of the team's strengths. Fantasy managers should be aware that if Miller is moved to Milwaukee or elsewhere, he could push an incumbent closer like Megill out of the ninth inning.
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Freddy Peralta a Logical Trade-Deadline Fit With the Cubs?
ESPN's Jeff Passan speculates that the Chicago Cubs "line up very nicely" as trade partners with the New York Mets, and that Chicago could target Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. Peralta, who will be a free agent following 2026, has had a rough season in New York. Across 113 2/3 innings (22 starts), the 30-year-old has recorded a 5-9 record with a 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts. Peralta's strikeout rate has dipped to a career-worst 22.1%, and he's allowed 1.35 HR/9 despite making his home starts in the spacious Citi Field. However, the veteran right-hander has a long track record of big-league success. Across 33 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2025, Peralta recorded 17 wins, 204 strikeouts, and a 2.76 ERA. Peralta appears to be a near-lock to be moved at the deadline, which could be the fresh start he needs to finish the year strong.
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN - Jeff Passan
Red Sox Pursuing Infield Help at Trade Deadline Following Curtis Mead Injury
The Boston Red Sox are pursuing additional infielders at the upcoming trade deadline following infielder Curtis Mead's wrist injury that could potentially cause him to miss the remainder of the season, per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Boston made a big swing to acquire Mead last week, but the 25-year-old broke his left wrist after being hit by a pitch in just his second at-bat with the Red Sox. In addition to Mead, Boston infielders Trevor Story (hernia), Marcelo Mayer (forearm), and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm) are also on the injured list. The Red Sox appear to be most in the market for middle infield help, as the team has been deploying utility man Andruw Monasterio at shortstop and rotating the unproven trio of Anthony Seigler, Romy Gonzalez, and Nick Sogard at second base. McCaffrey highlights San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez, Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto, and Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez among the players who could be targets for the Red Sox at the deadline.
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Hunter Greene Drawing "Significant Interest" From Rival Teams
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene is drawing "significant interest" from rival teams, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal reports that Cincinnati isn't "particularly motivated" to move Greene, but that trading him might be the team's "best chance to make an impact" at the upcoming trade deadline. 2026 has been a bit of a lost year for Greene so far, as he did not make his season debut until early July after undergoing elbow surgery in March. The 26-year-old has struggled across 21 2/3 innings (four starts) since his return, recording a 2-2 record with a 7.06 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 29 strikeouts. Still, Greene carries high-end fantasy SP1 upside when healthy, as he posted a 2.76 ERA and a 25.2% K-BB rate across 107 2/3 innings (19 starts) in 2025. A trade to a contender may ultimately help Greene's fantasy value, as it would get him out of Cincinnati's hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
Rockies Setting High Asking Price on Hunter Goodman
The Colorado Rockies are setting a high asking price for catcher Hunter Goodman, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal reports that Colorado is asking for "multi-player packages led by teams' No. 1 prospects" in exchange for Goodman. Goodman is under team control through 2029, so the Rockies are under no immediate pressure to move him. The 26-year-old has been arguably the best offensive catcher in baseball so far this season, hitting .254/.326/.545 with 31 home runs, 60 RBI, 64 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 417 plate appearances. His elevated 33.3% strikeout rate is a concern, but he's posted an elite 16.9% barrel rate. From a fantasy perspective, Goodman's batting average may suffer if he is traded and no longer gets a chance to play his home games at Coors Field. Still, the righty slugger has actually been a better hitter away from Colorado so far this season, hitting .273 with 18 home runs on the road compared to just .233 with 13 home runs at home. Regardless of where he ends up post-deadline, Goodman profiles as a top-tier fantasy catcher.
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
Cooper Pratt on Breakout Watch
Milwaukee Brewers rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt, who is considered the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is already on breakout watch in fantasy baseball circles despite debuting in the big leagues on June 16. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter has batted .284/.367/.394 with a .762 OPS, two home runs, 14 RBI, 17 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in his first 35 major-league contests across 128 plate appearances. The former sixth-rounder in 2023 hasn't had much of an issue adjusting to major-league pitching so far in 2026 after slashing .241/.349/.386 with a .735 OPS, six home runs, 32 RBI, 17 steals, and 34 runs scored in 58 games on the farm with Triple-A Nashville. Pratt has really locked in at the plate in 22 July games, going 23-for-71 (.324) with two homers, three doubles, a triple, 12 RBI, 13 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 84 plate appearances. He has beaten Jesus Made to the majors, and Pratt might have a better shot to stick at the 6 long-term in Milwaukee. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder's contact skills are excellent, and he loves to run, making him an immediate waiver-wire consideration in mixed fantasy leagues. Pratt is currently rostered in just 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Theo Gillen Extends Hit Streak With Two-Homer Game
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Theo Gillen extended his 13-game hit streak with a two-homer performance on Wednesday night for Double-A Montgomery and continued his red-hot month of July. In 68 at-bats for Montgomery in July, Gillen has six homers, 22 RBI, 14 runs scored, and seven stolen bases, all while hitting .338. At age 20, Gillen is the top prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays. He's split time between High-A Bowling Green and Montgomery this season and is on a tear at Double-A. Earlier this season at Bowling Green, Gillen was equally impressive with 12 homers and 44 RBI to go with 53 runs scored and 28 stolen bases while hitting .342. Blessed with a 60-grade hit tool and a 60-grade run tool, Gillen is a rare prospect to monitor. But it still might be a bit before he reaches Tampa Bay, as he is just 20 years old.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Tyler Wells the Closer to Roster in Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells appears to be the closer to roster in fantasy baseball leagues with Ryan Helsley (elbow) still on the injured list, and Wells is only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues. The 31-year-old veteran and former starting pitcher is 2-2 on the year with a 2.72 ERA (3.43 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, three saves, 53 strikeouts, and only 13 walks in 53 relief innings for the O's. Veteran right-hander Andrew Kittredge has Baltimore's most recent save (on Wednesday), but he also has two losses within the last week and has not been as sharp as Wells. Wells' last save came on July 17 against the Houston Astros, but all three of his saves this year have come in July, a month in which he has allowed just two earned runs with four walks, 13 strikeouts, and a win in 13 appearances out of the bullpen. He's never been a dominant pitcher in terms of strikeouts, but his control is solid, and he does have a 25.5% strikeout rate in 2026, which is his highest mark since his rookie campaign in 2021. Fantasy managers searching for saves should consider Wells.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Justin Gonzales Homers in Three Straight Games at High-A
Boston Red Sox outfield prospect Justin Gonzales stayed hot with a homer in his third straight contest on Wednesday night at High-A Greenville. Gonzales brought his season total with Greenville to 15 homers and 43 RBI with 56 runs and eight stolen bases while hitting .263. The 19-year-old right-handed hitting outfielder has left a nice mark at High-A Greenville, producing at a high rate. He is the No. 3 overall prospect in the Red Sox' system and boasts a 55-grade hit tool with 55-grade power. From the Dominican Republic, Gonzales has adjusted nicely to minor league baseball so far. He will need to continue that progression through the upper level of the minors before he debuts for Boston. At age 19, he will likely need a few more years of development before making a debut at Fenway Park.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Braden Montgomery Can Help Fantasy Managers Down the Stretch
Chicago White Sox rookie outfielder Braden Montgomery had a memorable major-league debut on June 9 against the Atlanta Braves, when he walked it off with a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Since then, though, the former 12th overall pick by the Boston Red Sox out of Texas A&M University has hit a mediocre .250/.329/.405 with a .735 OPS, three home runs, 20 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a steal in his first 148 major-league at-bats with the Pale Hose. The 23-year-old switch-hitting outfielder has plenty of long-term upside, though, and he can be a fantasy baseball asset to close out the 2026 campaign. Since July 12, Montgomery has gone 15-for-48 (.313) with a .900 OPS, a homer, two doubles, two triples, 12 RBI, a stolen base, and eight runs scored in 13 games and 55 plate appearances. As long as Montgomery can avoid lower-body injuries, which have been an issue for him in the past, he should play regularly in Chicago, and his overall athleticism makes him an intriguing bench stash in deep-mixed leagues. Montgomery is only rostered in 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
JoJo Parker Stays Hot At Single-A Dunedin in Age-19 Season
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop prospect JoJo Parker is coming off a multi-homer game at Single-A Dunedin on Wednesday night, adding to his very respectable numbers this season as a 19-year-old. In 301 at-bats at Dunedin, Parker has 11 homers, 56 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases, while hitting .243. Despite his youth, Parker is the top prospect in the Blue Jays' system. The 21 steals show that he has five-category potential in fantasy, making him a very promising prospect. He will need to improve upon the batting average a little bit, but he still has time to make adjustments. The first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, Parker is a left-handed hitter who was given a 60-grade hit tool, a 55-grade power, and a 50-grade run tool. Parker will need to show off more of his skills at Double-A and Triple-A before he likely makes his big-league debut. However, at age 19, Parker is off to a great start.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
