Jul 3, 2026, 11:18 AM ET

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson looked like the next superstar in 2024 when he hit 37 home runs, drove in 92 runs, and stole 21 bases in 159 regular-season games on his way to his first All-Star appearance. However, he could not run it back last year, finishing with just 17 home runs, 68 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 154 games played. The 25-year-old left-handed slugger is already up to 16 long balls in 87 games in 2026 in his fifth year in the league, but his numbers everywhere else have come up well short again. Through 399 plate appearances, he's slashing .227/.298/.416 with a career-low .714 OPS, 39 RBI, six steals, and 49 runs scored in a league-high 361 at-bats. Under the hood, his xBA of .235 and xwOBA of .307 don't scream buy low in fantasy leagues. Henderson also ranks in the 63rd percentile in hard-hit rate, the 41st percentile in strikeout rate, the 45th percentile in barrel rate, and the 34th percentile in chase rate. The power has obviously been nice, but fantasy managers shouldn't be buying with the expectation that he'll return to his 2024 form in the second half of 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jul 3, 2026, 10:57 AM ET

The Athletic's Evan Drellich reports that Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli is appealing the seven-game suspension that Major League Baseball handed down on Thursday for his role in a benches-clearing incident last Sunday versus the Boston Red Sox, according to a source. It means that Cavalli could be allowed to make his next scheduled start on Monday against the Houston Astros if the league hasn't made a decision on his appeal by then. The 27-year-old is having a fine first full season in the big leagues in 2026 with the Nats and should become more popular off the waiver wire after his last strong outing on Sunday against the BoSox, when he allowed an unearned run on just one hit while walking none and striking out a season-high 13 batters to pick up his fifth win of the year. Cavalli has allowed more than three earned runs in 13 of his last 14 starts and is now sporting a 5-4 record with a 3.69 ERA (3.22 FIP) and 1.33 WHIP with 102 strikeouts and 29 walks in 90 1/3 innings across 18 starts. He's rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues currently.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Evan Drellich

Jul 3, 2026, 10:51 AM ET

The Athletic's Evan Drellich reports that Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras is appealing the seven-game suspension that Major League Baseball handed down on Thursday, according to a source. Until the league hears Contreras' appeal, he will be allowed to play, so fantasy managers should expect him to be in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Reid Detmers. The league gave Contreras a suspension for his role in a benches-clearing incident last Sunday against the Washington Nationals in the series finale. The 34-year-old veteran Venezuelan has been great for fantasy managers this year in his first season with Boston, as he will take a .283/.377/.529 slash line with 18 homers, 53 RBI, 42 runs scored, and two stolen bases into Friday's game against the Angels. Contreras has been hot of late, too, going 10-for-34 (.294) with two homers, three doubles, nine RBI, six runs, and a stolen base in his last 10 games. Keep him in your starting lineups to start the holiday weekend.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Evan Drellich

Jul 3, 2026, 10:49 AM ET

Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Charlie Condon has put together a dominant stretch at the plate and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. Since May 30 (his last 27 games of action), the former Georgia standout has launched 14 long balls while posting a stellar .376/.488/.941 line with a 1.428 OPS. Prior to this impressive stretch at the dish, the slugger posted a much lower .250/.380/.426 line over his first 46 games of action at the Triple-A level. Currently, the Rockies do not have a clear path for at-bats for Condon, with Mickey Moniak recently returning from the injured list and prospect Cole Carrigg earning the call. However, given Condon's current performance at the dish, a Rockies team that is in the midst of a rebuild could look to give their top hitting prospect a long look in the majors. Entering the All-Star break, Condon possesses elite stash upside among hitting prospects.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 3, 2026, 10:47 AM ET

Washington Nationals top catching prospect Harry Ford is entering stash territory amid solid performances at the Triple-A level. Ford joined the Nationals in a trade in the offseason (from the Seattle Mariners), but has spent the entire first half in the minor leagues. Over his first 30 games of the Rochester campaign, Ford held a .191/.318/.255 line with four doubles, one home run, and a 36:19 K:BB. However, over his last 22 contests, the young backstop has begun to make significant strides. During this noted stretch, the No. 7-ranked prospect in the system has held a .263/.417/.421 line with a .838 OPS. Even though the team's current No. 1 backstop, Keibert Ruiz, has held a .285 AVG with a .791 OPS, Ford's progress could push him back to the major leagues in the coming weeks. For now, managers in deeper two-catcher leagues should continue to closely monitor Ford's progression at Triple-A.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 3, 2026, 10:42 AM ET

Miami Marlins right-handed pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt has quickly begun to climb the stash rankings and has seen his fantasy value soar over the past month. Despite beginning the 2026 campaign at the Double-A level, Milbrandt is now not only one stop away from the big leagues but also has a clear path to contribute in the Marlins' starting rotation for the majority of the second half. With Double-A, Milbrandt posted a sharp 1.34 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with a 70:17 K:BB across 47 innings of work, which prompted an early promotion to Triple-A. With Jacksonville, Milbrandt has continued to perform well, posting a 2.33 ERA over his first four starts. With both Thomas White and Robby Snelling shut down for the season, Milbrandt is the next man up in the pitching system and could easily find a role in the back half of the starting rotation later in the second half. He is solidifying himself as a top stash target in 12+ team leagues ahead of Week 15.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 3, 2026, 10:41 AM ET

Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen turned in a stellar showing over the past month at Triple-A Albuquerque and is now firmly on the stash radar ahead of Week 15 of the fantasy baseball season. Over 24 games in June, the former ninth overall selection from the 2020 MLB Draft posted a stellar .366/.385/.782 line with 13 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, and three stolen bases. Over this 24-game stretch, Veen only went hitless in one of them. Overall, the young outfielder has produced at a high level with the top club of the minor leagues, carrying a sharp .317/.397/.577 line with .974 OPS, 22 doubles, 14 home runs, and 14 stolen bases. Even though Veen stumbled in his first taste of the majors, the 24-year-old could carry five-category potential once he returns to Colorado for his second stint, making him a prime stash target in five-outfielder leagues.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 3, 2026, 10:39 AM ET

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect Owen Murphy is coming off another strong showing at Triple-A Gwinnett and is putting himself in position to earn a call-up to the majors in the second half of the season. On July 1, Murphy tossed six shutout innings (with just two hits) and struck out seven. Overall, since joining Triple-A this season, Murphy has logged 60 1/3 innings (11 starts) to the tune of a 3.88 ERA and a1.08 WHIP. During this stint, the right-hander has struck out 65 hitters and walked just 20 hitters. He opened the campaign with Double-A but needed just 20 2/3 innings to prove he was ready to join the top level. With the Braves dealing with many injuries to their pitching staff, including Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, Murphy could provide them with a much-needed spark in the back of the rotation down the stretch. He is quickly emerging as a top prospect to stash among pitchers.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 3, 2026, 10:35 AM ET

Miami Marlins shortstop prospect Aiva Arquette, ranked as the team's No. 3 prospect at MLB Pipeline, will miss around six weeks due to a left-thumb injury, sources told Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Arquette, the No. 42 overall prospect in baseball, was placed on the seven-day minor-league injured list on Tuesday at Double-A Pensacola. So far early in his professional career, the 22-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2025 out of Oregon State University has been injury-prone, as he didn't make his debut this season until April 28 due to offseason core-muscle surgery, and then he dealt with soreness in his right wrist a few days later with High-A Beloit. In 41 games between Beloit and Pensacola, Arquette has slashed .240/.297/.462 with nine home runs, seven doubles, two triples, 36 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. His slash numbers have dipped since joining Pensacola, but he has seven home runs, so his power hasn't disappeared. The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder has impressive bat speed and natural raw power because of his size, but his estimated time of arrival in the big leagues is 2028.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola

Jul 3, 2026, 10:34 AM ET

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez continued to showcase his high-end power at Triple-A with another multi-home run effort on Thursday. Facing Charlotte, the team's top outfield prospect went deep twice and tallied three total hits with an additional stolen base. Since June 9 (his last 19 games of action), the No. 65-ranked prospect in the sport per MLB.com has gone deep an impressive 11 times while carrying a .240/.286/.707 slash line. On the season, Baez has posted a .267/.333/.617 line with 28 home runs and 14 stolen bases. While the outfielder does have some high swing-and-miss tendencies in his profile, his power and speed combination make him a must-stash prospect. Given his current power binge, Baez should be in strong contention to join the Cardinals shortly after the All-Star break.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 3, 2026, 10:26 AM ET

San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen said that right-hander Randy Vasquez (ankle) was on his way to get an X-ray for his injured ankle after his outing in Thursday's series opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers when he fainted, according to AJ Cassavell. Vasquez was stable and conscious but was taken to the emergency room as a precaution and is having tests done. The 27-year-old made it through just three innings at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night and allowed four earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out none in a no-decision. A line drive off the bat of shortstop Mookie Betts did the damage to his ankle in the first inning, and he lasted just two more frames before being pulled. It's unclear what Vasquez's X-ray results showed, but at the very least, he seems likely to miss his final appearance before the All-Star break, and he could very well land on the injured list. After his abbreviated outing on Thursday, Vasquez is now 6-6 on the year with a 4.71 ERA (4.92 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with 60 strikeouts and 27 walks in 84 innings across his 17 appearances (16 starts) in his third year with the Friars.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell

Jul 3, 2026, 10:10 AM ET

New York Mets former 2024 first-round pick Carson Benge is putting together an excellent rookie campaign for the Mets, slashing .259/.318/.402 with 10 home runs, 34 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases through 343 plate appearances. On Wednesday against the Blue Jays, he launched his 10th home run of the season and is showcasing excellent power after hitting 15 home runs in the Minors in 2025 (519 plate appearances). His underlying data support his surface-level breakouts and suggest a potential positive regression, as evidenced by his .286 xBA, .346 xwOBA, and .451 xSLG. All of his surface stats are showing worse than that, which should only bode well for Benge in the second half. Fantasy managers should view Benge as a must-start player in five outfielder leagues, as he has been a solid contributor to stolen bases, power, run production, and batting average.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Baseball Savant

Jul 3, 2026, 10:01 AM ET

Kansas City Royals left-handed hitting catcher Carter Jensen has been excellent at the plate of late for the Royals, hitting .310 with two home runs, five RBI, and two runs scored over the past seven days. On the season, he has improved his slash line up to .251/.314/.452 with 13 home runs, 47 RBI, 41 runs scored, 17 doubles, and one stolen base. Carter struggled out of the gates to start the season, but is now nearing 15 home runs leading up to the All-Star break, and has the chance at a 30-home-run pace and 100 RBI if he continues to swing well. The Royals lineup continues to struggle with injuries, but Jensen has been seeing consistent playing time and has become a must-roster and must-start player in two-catcher formats. In one-catcher formats, he is still struggling in some key areas, such as his strikeout rate being way up this year compared to 2025 (26.9 percent compared to 17.4 percent) and his walk rate being down (13 percent to 8.7 percent). All that said, he is still impacting the ball fairly well and has the upside to get hot, as we saw in June, when he hit .290 with five home runs, 20 RBI, and 18 runs scored. If available, fantasy managers should roster him.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Baseball Savant

Jul 3, 2026, 9:53 AM ET

Chicago White Sox right-hander Grant Taylor took the loss on Thursday and blew the save against the Cleveland Guardians after he allowed one hit, two earned runs, two walks, and two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings pitched. Taylor isn't making his case for earning the ninth-inning work for the White Sox, even after Seranthony Domínguez has been struggling himself, blowing back-to-back saves and has a 4.30 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. The White Sox are clearly trying to give Taylor the job, but he continues to stumble in his opportunities, as he now has two saves in five opportunities. On the surface, Taylor has been much more efficient than Dominguez, evidenced by his 3.02 ERA and 1.12 WHIP and 34.8 percent strikeout rate, but the White Sox did sign Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract to be their closer, but at the end of the day, the White Sox are leading the AL Central (45-41) as of Friday, and don't have time to prioritize who they paid, rather who is performing. For the time being, this situation will likely remain a committee approach, but if Taylor can capitalize on a handful of his upcoming opportunities, he could easily run away with the job. Taylor is the one to roster out of these two closer options, so fantasy managers struggling to find a second or third closer may want to hold on for a little longer.--Nicho Roessler
Source: MLB.com

Jul 3, 2026, 9:44 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki stumbled for the second straight start on Thursday and the third of his last four starts. Against the Padres on Thursday, he went three innings, allowed seven hits, six earned runs, two walks, and three strikeouts in a no-decision. He allowed three home runs and multiple extra-base hits. He was pulled after throwing 88 pitches and only generated 7 whiffs and a 17 percent called strikes and whiffs (CSW). Over his past three starts, he has allowed 19 earned runs, and he has seen his season ERA bloom to 5.40 with a 1.40 WHIP and a 22.8 percent strikeout rate. While his fastball velocity remains elite (97.5 mph), his control and command continue to weigh him down, and every time he takes his turn in the rotation, it's a high-risk, high-reward option. In most formats, Sasaki can be dropped. The only leagues that fantasy managers should hold on to are deep 15-league formats or points leagues.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Baseball Savant