RADIO
Bobby Witt Jr. Not Starting on Tuesday Against Giants
After back tightness forced Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (back) from Monday's series opener against the San Francisco Giants, he is out of the starting lineup for Game 2 of the series on Tuesday, per MLB.com. Tyler Tolbert will make the start at the 6 and will bat ninth against Giants right-hander Tyler Mahle. The Royals also held Witt out of Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres due to lower-back tightness, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that he's sitting on Tuesday after a setback on Monday. We will consider the three-time All-Star as day-to-day for now, but this could develop into an injured list stint if he doesn't recover quickly. Witt is typically a must-start in all fantasy leagues as one of the top shortstops in the league, but he hasn't been himself in July, hitting .196 (11-for-56) with a .536 OPS, a homer, two doubles, three RBI, seven runs scored, two steals, four walks, and 13 strikeouts in 14 games played. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Wednesday to see if Witt can return to action for Wednesday's series finale against the Gigantes.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jaxon Wiggins Takes a Step Back, Fading From Stash Radar
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins took a step back in his latest start at Triple-A Iowa, allowing five earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings pitched. The damage was mostly self-inflicted, though, as the right-hander conceded five walks in the short outing compared to only two hits, although one of those was a home run. The Cubs' top pitching prospect owns a 7:8 K:BB in his two starts since coming off the injured list, spending much of the season there with elbow inflammation. The Cubs' beleaguered rotation could use some reinforcements, but this performance will likely delay any chance that Wiggins was going to satisfy that need. Also, the 6-foot-6 hurler has yet to surpass 70 pitches in either of his two starts since returning from the IL, so the pitch count still needs to be built up before a potential debut. If the 24-year-old can right the ship in a hurry, he could become a solid stash option ahead of a possible call-up, but for now, he's best left to the wire in most leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jasson Dominguez Is Worth the Gamble While the At-Bats Are There
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez singled and scored in Monday's 8-5 win over Pittsburgh, his fourth straight start since the All-Star break. He has played right field three times and served as the designated hitter once during that stretch. Dominguez is batting .230 with five home runs, 15 runs, 11 RBI, and six steals across 148 at-bats. The overall line is still uneven. The opportunity is not. Aaron Judge (rib) has not been cleared for baseball activities, and Giancarlo Stanton (calf) still has no timeline for a rehab assignment. Dominguez should keep getting chances while both remain out. Five homers and six steals in limited work are enough to keep the power-speed appeal alive, even with a .265 on-base percentage. RotoBaller has him in the 12-team range. The playing time gives fantasy managers a reason to take the shot now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ralphy Velazquez a Stash Consideration After Strong Run at Triple-A
Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez continues to perform well at Triple-A Columbus, biding his time until a call-up to the major leagues. The Guardians' top-ranked prospect earned a promotion to Columbus in May and is slashing .273/.357/.422 in 42 games for the Clippers, but has kicked it into high gear since mid June. From June 18 through his latest game this past Sunday (July 19), a period of 22 games, the former first-round draft pick is hitting .329 with three of his four Triple-A homers coming during that time, and he's walked (12) nearly as much as he's struck out (14) over that span. With Kyle Manzardo and Rhys Hoskins on the roster, there isn't a current path to playing time at first base, but the left-handed slugger has also spent time in the outfield this year and in previous years, which could open another route to the big leagues. It could become clearer after the trade deadline passes or when rosters expand in September, but in the meantime, the 21-year-old is a speculative stash with upside in deeper 12+ team leagues where an NA spot is available.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Chase Meidroth Offers Runs and Three-Position Flexibility
Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Monday's 10-3 win over Texas. He is batting .272 with seven home runs, 57 runs, 32 RBI, and two steals across 356 at-bats. The speed has nearly vanished after 14 steals last season, and seven homers do not turn him into a power pickup. Still, he keeps playing and getting on base. Meidroth started at second base and hit fifth Monday. Eligibility at second, third, and shortstop makes the profile easier to use when injuries or off days leave a hole. Only 27% of Yahoo leagues have him rostered. There is not a loud category here, but the .272 average and regular plate appearances have value. RotoBaller keeps Meidroth in its 12-team range, where he works as a steady middle-infield option rather than a priority claim.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luke Adams an Intriguing Power Bat to Monitor at Triple-A
Milwaukee Brewers corner infield prospect Luke Adams has gotten off to a slow start to the second half at Triple-A Nashville, going 1-for-11 (.091) in his first three games after the break. However, the lone hit was a home run, giving him 12 on the season in just 44 games for the Sounds. The Brewers' 11th-ranked prospect missed a month and a half earlier this year due to an injury, but has looked nearly ready for a shot in the big leagues during the time he's been on the field. The right-handed hitter is batting just .250 after the recent slowdown, but still maintains a strong .951 OPS thanks to some loud contact and an 11.8 percent walk rate. He puts the bat on the ball a lot, as evidenced by just a 16.7 percent strikeout rate (79th percentile), and more extra-base hits should be on the way with a barrel rate of 11.2 percent (84th percentile) and a max exit velocity of 113.3 mph (94th percentile). There isn't a clear path to playing time in Milwaukee at the moment, and with the versatility of their roster, Adams could end up in a platoon role, so there isn't much reason to stash him outside of maybe NL-only leagues, but if he were to find his way to regular at-bats in the majors, the power potential could make him a viable waiver wire add.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ryan Jeffers Is the Catcher Upgrade to Make After Returning Healthy
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers has wasted little time making himself useful again after returning from a fractured left hamate bone. He is 4-for-17 with two doubles, one home run, five RBI, and three walks in five games since his July 10 activation. The homer was a three-run shot against the Cubs on Friday. Jeffers is batting .288 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 27 runs, and a .941 OPS across 139 at-bats this season. Minnesota has started Jeffers in five of its six games since his return, including one at designated hitter. The playing time is not being eased back. Yahoo's 34% rostered mark still leaves him available in nearly two-thirds of leagues, while RotoBaller ranks him fourth among its current waiver-wire catchers and recommends him in 12-team formats. Managers still cycling through the position should make the change.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Harrison To Begin Rehab Assignment July 31
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Harrison (forearm) is scheduled for live batting practice Saturday before beginning a rehab assignment July 31, according to Hunter Baumgardt. Harrison landed on the 15-day injured list July 11, retroactive to July 9, with left forearm tightness. He said an MRI during the All-Star break came back "all good," then completed a bullpen session July 18. The Brewers still plan to build him back carefully rather than activate him as soon as he is eligible. Harrison was 8-2 with a 3.01 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 101 strikeouts in 83 2/3 innings over 17 starts before the injury. He remains worth holding in fantasy leagues with an IL spot available.
Source: Hunter Baumgardt
Source: Hunter Baumgardt
Seaver King Still Sidelined With Hopes of 2026 Debut Fading
Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King (oblique) has been on the sidelines since the beginning of July after suffering an oblique injury. It's a tough break for the Nats' sixth-ranked prospect, who was tracking for a potential late-season debut in the majors. The former first-rounder began the season at Double-A Harrisburg and recorded a robust .336/.427/.562 slash line with five home runs and five steals in 35 games for the Senators. Triple-A had proven a bit more challenging, but the Wake Forest product was holding his own there, slashing .275/.338/.443 with five home runs and four steals through 33 games at Rochester. There has been no update on the status of the injury, and at this point, it looks like a return sometime in August is the most optimistic scenario, putting a 2026 debut in jeopardy. As such, there is no need to stash the right-handed hitter in redraft leagues, but his long-term outlook is still very positive, so his value in dynasty leagues should remain high.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jacob Misiorowski Won't Start Again This Week
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski will not make another start this week, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The Brewers plan to pitch Brandon Sproat on four days' rest against the Colorado Rockies this weekend, giving Misiorowski at least a week between outings. Misiorowski returned Monday, July 20, after 13 days off and was held to four innings and 65 pitches against the New York Mets. He gave up one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six. The 24-year-old was scratched before the All-Star break because of right-arm fatigue, and Milwaukee is not rushing him now. Fantasy managers in weekly formats will get only one start from Misiorowski during the current scoring period.
Source: Adam McCalvy
Source: Adam McCalvy
Pirates-Yankees Postponed, Doubleheader Set For Wednesday
Tuesday night's game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees was postponed due to the forecast of sustained inclement weather. The teams will play a split doubleheader Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. ET.
Source: Jon Heyman
Source: Jon Heyman
Lazaro Montes Showing Off Power at Triple-A Despite Slow Start
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes is hitting just .179 (7-for-39) in his first nine games at Triple-A, but he could be getting more comfortable at the plate, now with an extra-base hit in three consecutive games (three doubles, one home run). In fact, six of his seven hits at that level have gone for extra bases, so the 6-foot-5 Cuban's trademark power is still very evident. Unfortunately, the jump to the new level has seen the left-handed slugger's strikeout rate spike even higher than it was at Double-A (30.4 percent), currently at 38.6 percent, while whiff rate, swinging-strike rate, and zone-contact rate are all some of the worst readings at Triple-A. Granted, it is a small sample, but he'll need to show some improvements if a 2026 debut is going to happen. There's no need to stash the 21-year-old yet, but that could change if he gets hot, and the home run potential alone would make him stashworthy in deeper leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Masyn Winn's Everyday Role Keeps Him in the 12-Team Mix
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn has not supplied much power, but the everyday role keeps him in the 12-team conversation. He is batting .241 with four home runs, 42 RBI, 39 runs, and eight steals across 328 at-bats. Winn has started all four games since the All-Star break, each at shortstop and in the No. 6 spot. Monday was quiet, an 0-for-3 night with one strikeout in a 3-2 loss to the Angels. That is not really the point here. Winn plays, puts the ball in play often enough, and can steal a base. Not exciting. Still useful. His Yahoo roster rate remains at 34%, while RotoBaller lists him as an add in 12-team and deeper leagues. Winn is a low-ceiling middle infielder, but he can cover a roster hole without being a zero across the board.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tommy White Is a 12-Team Upside Pickup
Athletics third baseman Tommy White did not show much in his first two big-league games. Monday changed that. White went 4-for-5 against Arizona and is now 5-for-11 with a walk and no strikeouts since his promotion. He arrived after batting .303 with 10 homers, 64 RBI, and an .818 OPS over 314 minor-league at-bats. Yahoo has him rostered in just 5% of leagues. That is low enough to take a shot in 12-team formats, especially while Nick Kurtz (thumb) remains out. White has started all three games at first base, though that opening may not last once Kurtz returns. He will not help much in steals, either. The appeal is the bat. White is now the Athletics' No. 7 prospect, and RotoBaller has him in the 12-team range. There is enough here to make the move now rather than wait for another big game.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quinn Mathews Closing in on MLB Debut After Latest Outing
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews continued to impress in his latest start at Triple-A over the weekend, allowing just one earned run on three hits and one walk while striking out four over six innings pitched. It was the eighth time in his last nine starts that the southpaw yielded two earned runs or fewer, pitching to a 1.82 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and a 20.7 K-BB% over that stretch. For the season, the Cards' sixth-ranked prospect owns a 3.39 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 15.0 percent K-BB% in 18 starts, but this recent nine-game stretch could give the team plenty of confidence in giving the 6-foot-5 hurler his long-awaited shot in the majors. The 25-year-old has plenty of strikeout potential, so if he can just limit the walks as he has in this recent run of success, then there is enough fantasy appeal here to make the Stanford product worth stashing in deeper 12-team leagues ahead of his eventual call-up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
