RADIO
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 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
Jacob Webb an Attractive Flier in Cubs Closer Committee
The Chicago Cubs are using a closer-by-committee situation right now with regular closer Daniel Palencia (elbow) still on the injured list, which is a frustrating situation for fantasy managers. After Trent Thornton's blown save on Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals, right-hander Jacob Webb might be the most enticing deep-league source for saves right now. The 32-year-old veteran has gone 3-2 in his first year with Chicago, with a 2.72 ERA (3.52 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, a career-high five saves, and a 55:17 K:BB in his 46 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He hasn't had a save since July 12 against the Cincinnati Reds, but Webb also has not allowed a run in his 10 innings of work in 10 July appearances while walking three, striking out 10, saving three games, and picking up two holds for the Cubbies. Caleb Thielbar is the other real threat for save opportunities in Chicago's bullpen, but with the way Webb has pitched of late, he should get more chances soon enough. Webb is rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Rainiel Rodriguez Defying Youth With Production at Double-A
St. Louis Cardinals catching prospect Rainiel Rodriguez had another multi-hit game on Wednesday night and is hitting .303 in Double-A Springfield during July. In 76 July at-bats, Rodriguez has five homers and 13 RBI with 10 runs scored while hitting north of .300. At 19 years old, the right-handed-hitting catcher is the top prospect in the Cardinals' system, making him enticing as a stash candidate even for this year. However, St. Louis is loaded at catcher at the big league level with Ivan Herrera, Jimmy Crooks, and Pedro Pages. Being that Rodriguez is just 19 years old, the Cardinals could choose to wait on a big-league debut for him, especially with the vast experience they already have in St. Louis at the position. Rodriguez looks like a dynamite dynasty league option, but in a redraft league it might be wise to regroup at the position next season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Bryan Abreu Continues to See Fantasy Value Increase Amid Impressive Stretch
Houston Astros right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu got off to a rough start to the 2026 campaign when Josh Hader was still on the injured list, but he has been locked in of late and could be a waiver-wire consideration in deeper fantasy leagues. In the team's 7-4 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Abreu pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings with no hits allowed, no walks, and a strikeout to pick up his seventh save of the year. The 29-year-old Dominican hurler is 2-3 on the year with a still elevated 4.74 ERA (5.43 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 28 walks in 38 innings out of the bullpen. This was Abreu's second save since the All-Star break, but he was only in there because Hader had pitched in four of the previous five days. Still, Abreu has been much better in July, allowing just two earned runs with three walks and 14 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched, and he will definitely be an asset in holds leagues if he continues to pitch like this. Abreu is rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Eric Hartman Off to Stellar Age-20 Season at High-A
Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Eric Hartman continued a stellar season at High-A Rome with a two-homer game on Wednesday night, complete with four RBI. Hartman continues to mash at Rome, with the left-handed hitter tallying 24 homers, 63 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 37 stolen bases while hitting .278. It's been a remarkable year for Hartman at High-A, but fantasy managers will still want to take a wait-and-see approach to see if he can master Double-A and Triple-A in the same fashion. Hartman is just 20 years old and has the prospect pedigree as the Braves' No. 2 overall prospect. So he's definitely a name to monitor in dynasty leagues, especially with the stolen base potential, but he will likely need more time to advance through the minors before even thinking about a big league debut. The start at High-A is extremely enticing, but he'll have to prove himself a little more.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Sebastian Walcott Producing at High Clip Since Injury
Texas Rangers shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott has homered in two straight games and is recovering nicely since returning from right elbow internal brace surgery. He played two games with the ACL Rangers on a rehab assignment before being assigned to Double-A Frisco on July 17. In 47 at-bats between Frisco and the ACL Rangers, Walcott has four home runs with 10 RBI, 15 runs scored, three stolen bases, all while hitting .383 with a 1.208 OPS. The right-handed hitting 20-year-old is producing at a high rate since returning from his injury. The top prospect in the Rangers' system, Walcott will likely need some time at Triple-A before making a major league debut. But if he can prove his health, he looks like a big-time prospect and thus a big-time waiver addition to beat the rush to his services. But at only 20 years old and coming off a serious injury, 2027 might be the most realistic year for his MLB debut.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Blake Snell Fans Nine in Latest Rehab Start
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (elbow) looks ready to rejoin the team's big-league starting rotation after throwing four shutout innings with one hit allowed, no walks, and nine strikeouts in four innings of work with Low-A Ontario. It was against inexperienced hitters, but Snell looked good and threw 45 of his 60 pitches for strikes during the outing. The 33-year-old began the year nursing a shoulder injury before then landing on the injured list following a procedure on his left elbow to remove loose bodies from his arm. Although Snell looked good on Wednesday, the Dodgers could continue to slow-play the 33-year-old's rehab, like they are doing with most of their other injured stars. The former first-rounder and two-time Cy Young winner has made only one start for the Dodgers in 2026, but he deserves to be stashed in most fantasy baseball leagues for his strikeout upside when he's healthy. Snell is currently rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues, and his return to L.A. could be on the horizon.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Corey Seager to Come Off Injured List on Friday
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) will be activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday before the team's game against the division-rival Houston Astros if he is OK physically after his two minor-league rehab games, according to president of baseball operations Chris Young. Seager will be returning to the majors for the first time since early July due to inflammation in his lower back. It has been an injury-plagued year for the 32-year-old five-time All-Star, as he's had multiple stays on the IL and has played in only 51 games (219 plate appearances). When he has been on the field, he hasn't been himself, slashing .182/.292/.374 with a career-low .667 OPS, 10 home runs, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored, and a stolen base for the Rangers. Expect Texas to ease Seager back into the fold so that he will be healthy for the stretch run as they attempt to get into the postseason. If Seager can stay healthy the rest of the way and rebound to his pre-injury form, he'll be an asset at a premium position in all fantasy leagues.
Source: DLLS Sports - Jeff Wilson
Source: DLLS Sports - Jeff Wilson
Daniel Susac Hits First Two Homers in Blowout Win Over Milwaukee
San Francisco Giants rookie catcher Daniel Susac had a day to remember in Wednesday's 16-3 drubbing of the visiting Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park. Susac went 2-for-4 at the plate with the first two home runs of his career, four RBI, three runs scored, and a walk to raise his season batting average to .256 and his OPS to .678. The 25-year-old former 19th overall pick in 2022 from the University of Arizona is now hitting .256/.306/.372 with a .678 OPS, 19 RBI, nine runs scored, and two stolen bases in his first 45 MLB games and 136 plate appearances. Susac had been losing out on playing time behind the dish to Drew Cavanaugh because of a recent slump offensively, so perhaps this will get him going again as we head into August this weekend. He has played in only eight games in July, going 4-for-18 with his two homers, five RBI, four runs, a steal, one walk, and three strikeouts, and he also hit .222 (10-for-45) in 16 games in June.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Tarik Skubal Expected to be Traded by Monday's Deadline
ESPN's Jeff Passan thinks that Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal will be traded by Monday's deadline. The Tigers knew that they needed to go on a really big run in July for Skubal to stick around, and they didn't do it. They are currently 51-58 (six games back in the American League Central), and they sit 4.5 games behind the last wild-card spot in the AL, with four teams in front of them. Passan mentions the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are the favorites at this point, as the teams in the best position to pull off a blockbuster trade for Skubal, who has won the AL Cy Young in each of the last two seasons. The 29-year-old southpaw missed some time in the first half of the season due to surgery on his left elbow to remove loose bodies, but otherwise he's pitched well in 2026, going 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA (2.61 FIP) and 0.91 WHIP with 116 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 96 2/3 frames across his 16 starts. Moving to a contender like the Brewers or Dodgers will definitely boost Skubal's fantasy appeal to close out the season. Stay tuned.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
