RADIO
Merrill Kelly Re-Emerging as a Deep-League Starting Pitcher Streamer
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly has struggled overall in 2026, recording a 7-8 record with a 5.20 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts across 98 2/3 innings (17 starts). The 37-year-old's strikeout rate has plummeted to 14.4%, by far the worst mark of his eight-season MLB career. However, Kelly has shown signs of a turnaround in recent outings. Across his last three starts, the right-hander has allowed just four earned runs while logging 15 strikeouts and two wins across 17 innings pitched. Home runs have been a major issue so far this season for Kelly, as he's allowed 1.92 HR/9. If that mark can regress closer to his career rate of 1.23 HR/9 in the second half of the season, Kelly could be a viable streamer option in the right matchups. His profile carries risk, but Kelly could be re-emerging as a waiver wire target for deeper-league fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kerry Carpenter Battling Heel Injury, Still Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire?
Across 246 plate appearances in 2026, Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (heel) is hitting .206/.279/.427 with 13 home runs, 36 RBI, and 26 runs scored. It's been a disappointing season overall for Carpenter, who has seen his strikeout rate spike to a career-worst 29.7% and his batting average fall well below his career mark of .258. The 28-year-old was also removed from the Tigers' loss to the Chicago Cubs on Monday due to heel discomfort, which he had reportedly been trying to play through for the last several games. Still, if Carpenter can avoid a trip to the injured list, he remains an intriguing power bat for fantasy managers to monitor. The lefty swinger has never logged a barrel rate below 10.0% in any of his five big-league seasons, and he hit 26 home runs in just 464 plate appearances in 2025. Pending further updates on his current heel issue, Carpenter could be worth a low-cost waiver-wire addition for his power upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelen Culpepper's Injury Concerns Make 2026 Debut Unlikely
Minnesota Twins prospect Kaelen Culpepper is currently on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A St. Paul with a glute strain but has put together a nice season so far. The injury is unfortunate because Culpepper had racked up 14 homers, 43 RBI, 54 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases all while hitting .272. He had amassed all those stats in just 250 at bats this year. The right-handed hitting infielder is the Twins' No. 2 overall prospect. Culpepper, in his age 23 season, is producing at a high rate, but will likely need time to overcome his injury concerns. Because of that, 2027 looks like the more likely timeline for his big league debut. A high upside target in dynasty leagues, fantasy managers this season should wait to see if he can return to full health in the second half of the season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Henry Bolte Emerging as a Speed Threat with Upside on the Waiver Wire
Across 213 plate appearances since being promoted to the big leagues in mid-May, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte is hitting .258/.336/.344 with three home runs, 17 RBI, 18 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The 22-year-old's power upside is limited by his tendency to hit the ball on the ground, as his average launch angle is 1.5 degrees and he's posted a 64.6% ground ball rate. However, Bolte's ability to make solid contact (45.5% hard-hit rate) and his speed have allowed him to log a .354 batting average on balls in play, which has helped him overcome his elevated 27.2% strikeout rate. If Bolte can continue to get on base at a steady clip, he should be a major speed asset for fantasy managers. Across 114 minor league games in 2025, Bolte swiped 44 bags. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Bolte profiles as an emerging speed source with upside for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Orioles Listening to Offers for Adley Rutschman
The Baltimore Orioles are "certainly listening" to offers for catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist), according to Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan of ESPN. Rutschman was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday due to left wrist inflammation, which could impact his trade market. However, the 28-year-old should return this season and is also under team control through 2027, so an acquiring team would likely view him as more than just a rental. Across 284 plate appearances this season, Rutschman is hitting .251/.331/.433 with eight home runs, 47 RBI, and 30 runs scored. He's logged the highest hard-hit rate (42.0%) of his career and also owns a stellar plate approach, posting a 10.6% walk rate and a 14,1% strikeout rate. Health is an issue for the switch-hitting catcher, as this most recent trip to the IL will be his third separate stint in 2026. Still, he profiles as a starting fantasy catcher when he's on the field.
Source: ESPN - Kiley McDaniel, Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN - Kiley McDaniel, Jeff Passan
Casey Mize Expected to Make his Next Start
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin, wrist) left his start early on July 19 after taking a comebacker off his left hand/wrist area while also suffering a mild aggravation of his groin injury. Mize felt fine throwing on Monday, though, and will do his normal pre-start routine with the expectation that he will make his next scheduled start, according to MLB.com. Barring a setback, the 29-year-old is lined up to face the Kansas City Royals this Sunday. The former first overall pick from Auburn University in 2018 is having the best year of his career in 2026 with a 2.79 ERA (2.62 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 82 strikeouts and 19 walks in 80 2/3 innings across 15 starts. Mize has dealt with injuries, but when he's been available, he's been consistent for fantasy managers and the Tigers. He has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last four starts with two wins, five walks, and 24 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings in that span. If Mize is officially cleared to start on Sunday, he'll be a strong streaming option against the division-rival Royals.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hector Rodriguez Finding Power Stroke at Triple-A
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez has been a consistent power source at Triple-A Louisville this season with 24 homers and 61 RBI, 67 runs scored, and a .280 batting average. The 22-year-old left-handed hitter has been steady all season and could force his power bat to a big league promotion. Rodriguez is the Reds' No. 4 overall prospect and has had at least five homers in each calendar month this season. He doesn't profile as a big, intimidating presence in the batter's box at just 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, but he excels with his bat speed and has translated that to power numbers in the minors this season. Rodriguez makes for a nice speculative add in deep leagues this season as he continues to mash at Triple-A. This could be the year for his big league debut, and he could reward fantasy managers for taking a shot on him.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Dillon Dingler Continues Breakout Season With Two Homers Against Cubs
Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler helped lead the Tigers to an 8-6 victory on Monday night at Wrigley Field over the Chicago Cubs by going 4-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and three runs scored to boost his season average to .268 and his OPS to .856. Both of the 27-year-old backstop's home runs on the night were of the solo variety. The former second-round pick in 2020 out of The Ohio State University has been a true breakout in 2026, slashing .268/.332/.524 with 21 home runs, 63 RBI, and 52 runs scored in 91 games across 379 plate appearances to earn All-Star honors for the first time in his second full season in the majors. Dingler's homers on Monday were his first since clearing the fences back on June 25. In 12 games and 50 plate appearances in July, Dingler is batting .289 (13-for-45) with an .849 OPS, two home runs, three doubles, four RBI, and seven runs scored for the Tigers. He has become a must-start in single-catcher leagues and is rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues in the midst of his breakout campaign.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Zac Veen is a Promising Pickup For Later This Season
Colorado Rockies prospect Zac Veen has shown a steady hand at Triple-A Albuquerque this season, producing solid stats and making a case for a second-half call up. Veen has racked up 16 homers and 61 RBI while scoring 60 runs and stealing 15 bases all while hitting .314. It's very solid all-around production from the talented left-handed hitter and could result in a big league shot in Colorado. Veen is the No. 13 overall prospect in the Rockies' system but his overall stats paint a much brighter picture. The 24-year-old is a five-tool prospect who could contribute to fantasy rosters as early as this season. Position prospects in Colorado always make for good fantasy pickups because of the hitting environment at Coors Field and Veen should be no exception. His rock solid profile makes him an excellent stash candidate in the second half for mid-to-deeper leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Mookie Betts Breaks Homer Drought in Big Way Out of the Five-Hole
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts responded in a big way on Monday night in a loss on the road to the Philadelphia Phillies after he was dropped to the fifth spot in the batting order. In the 10-7 loss at Citizens Bank Park, Betts went 4-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and three runs scored to raise his season batting average to .237 and his OPS to .731. The 33-year-old had last homered on June 27 against the San Diego Padres. The two-homer performance was his second of the year and 33rd of his career, but he still sits with career lows in average (.237) and on-base percentage (.300) in 2026. The former MVP and eight-time All-Star has added 13 home runs, 34 RBI, 39 runs scored, and a stolen base for the Dodgers in 64 games across 277 plate appearances. So far in July, Betts has gone 10-for-48 (.208) with a .671 OPS, two homers, two doubles, six RBI, eight runs, six walks, and four strikeouts in 13 games played. He's striking out only 11.6% of the time, but his 7.9% walk rate is his lowest since his third year in the league in 2016 with Boston. However, with an expected batting average of .276, Betts could be a buy-low candidate in fantasy for the remainder of the second half.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Karson Milbrandt Needs to Improve Control Before Making Big-League Mark
In three July starts, Miami Marlins pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt has struggled a bit at Triple-A Jacksonville. His latest outing on July 18 saw him go four innings and give up three earned runs with five strikeouts and two walks. It was an improvement on his previous two July outings in which he combined for nine earned runs in just 3 2/3 total innings. All in all, a 14.09 ERA in July is not what you want to see, but he is still rated as the No. 4 overall prospect for the Marlins. The right-hander has four plus pitches with a 55 grade but struggles with overall control and is graded out at 40 for control. Milbrandt has flashed his potential with 95 total strikeouts in 74 innings between Double-A Pensacola and Jacksonville. The high strikeout rate is desirable for fantasy purposes but it might not be until next year that managers get to see Milbrandt make a difference at the big league level. He has plenty of potential but needs to work on his command in the minors.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Trea Turner Blasts Career Homer No. 200 in Two-Homer Performance
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner had quite the night on Monday in a 10-7 victory at Citizens Bank Park against his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Turner went 3-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, a double, a season-high five RBI, and two strikeouts. The 33-year-old veteran reached career home run No. 200 in the process and had his first multi-homer game of the season (20th of his career). During his current five-game hitting streak, Turner has gone 9-for-20 (.450) with four home runs, two doubles, seven RBI, six runs scored, and a stolen base to boost his season line to .246/.296/.396 with a .691 OPS in 433 plate appearances. He has tacked on 14 home runs, 40 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 98 total games played. Turner has shown some signs of aging in 2026 with a 22.4% strikeout rate, which is his highest mark since his rookie season in 2015. He also ranks in the 48th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 37th percentile in barrel rate, the 20th percentile in chase rate, and the 32nd percentile in expected slugging. A full rebound may not be coming to close out the 2026 season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
George Lombard Jr. Making Presence Felt at Triple-A in Return From Injury
New York Yankees infield prospect George Lombard Jr. returned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lineup on July 17 and wasted little time making his presence felt with a home run in his return game. Lombard Jr. missed nearly a month with sprained fingers on his glove hand, but came back with a bang. In 11 July at bats, Lombard Jr. already has three homers and three RBI between the FCL Yankees and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 21-year-old is regarded as the top prospect in the Yankees' system and is making a case for a big league shot sooner rather than later. But at age 21, the Yankees could be patient with their prized prospect and wait on his big league debut until next season. The right-handed hitter has had an injury plagued season up to this point and it might be more beneficial for the Yankees to see him get back to full health at Triple-A during the second half of this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Cal Raleigh Breaks Cold Streak With Grand Slam, Five RBI
Fantasy managers are hoping that Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh's cold streak will come to an end after his big performance in Monday night's 8-0 shutout win over the visiting Cincinnati Reds at T-Mobile Park. Raleigh went 1-for-5 at the plate with a grand slam, five RBI, and two strikeouts to break out of an 0-for-10 start to the second half of the season over the weekend in three games against the San Francisco Giants. The 29-year-old is still hitting just .163/.266/.307 with a .573 OPS, 10 home runs, 34 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 69 games across 297 plate appearances. A strained oblique muscle put a damper on his first half, and he hasn't been able to recover after leading the league with 60 long balls and 125 RBI in 159 regular-season games in 2025 as a first-time All-Star. In 14 games (58 plate appearances) so far in July, Raleigh has gone just 8-for-50 (.160) with a .579 OPS, two home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI, three runs, six walks, and 20 strikeouts. At this point, fantasy managers should not be betting on a return to his 2025 form
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jung Hoo Lee Can Contribute Contact Numbers in Deep Leagues
San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is hitting .303 this season with a .331 wOBA and 110 wRC+. He slumped a little bit going into the All-Star break, hitting .158 over his last 16 games before the break, but he seems to have benefited from the time off and has started the second half with five hits in his first four games, going 5-for-16 (.313) with three runs scored. As a regular in the Giants' lineup, he can chip in solid counting stats and usually hits for a good enough average to be a deep league option in the outfield. He only has five home runs and six stolen bases through his 92 games, but he has been consistent enough in counting stats and contact ability to help counter-balance your roster if you have big sluggers with low averages in other spots.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
