RADIO
Nationals Promote First Base Prospect Abimelec Ortiz, a Top Target for Power?
The Washington Nationals recalled first baseman/designated hitter Abimelec Ortz from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday and designated left-hander Matt Krook for assignment in a corresponding move, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Ortiz, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as Washington's No. 25 prospect, was acquired in the trade that sent left-hander MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers. He will be making his major-league debut the next time he gets on the field. Nusbaum adds that the Nationals are "obviously high" on Ortiz. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and sent to the Dominican Summer League in an unconventional move. The 24-year-old Puerto Rican left-hander has done nothing but hit, and he gets his first big-league call-up after slashing .235/.332/.481 with an .813 OPS, 16 home runs, 59 RBI, and 48 runs scored in 71 games for Rochester this year. Ortiz hit safely in his last 10 games with the Red Wings, batting .381/.438/.952 with seven home runs and 23 RBI in that span. He should see pretty regular playing time in D.C., making him a waiver target in deeper fantasy leagues for his power from the left side of the plate.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Trent Thornton Still a Reliable Saves Source in Deep Leagues?
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Trent Thornton entered with two outs and runners at the corners in the ninth inning of Saturday's 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds. After Elly De La Cruz stole second, Thornton got Sal Stewart to ground out for his third save. It was a one-batter appearance, but the 32-year-old has done his job whenever called upon, carrying a 2.48 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through 29 innings. The problem is that Chicago still has no dependable ninth-inning pecking order. Jacob Webb remains the preferred option, while Caleb Thielbar and Ryan Rolison are also getting late work with Daniel Palencia (elbow) sidelined. Thornton has converted all three save chances, but his 13 strikeouts in 29 innings leave little fallback value when someone else gets the call. Rostered in 0% of Yahoo leagues, he is a speculative add in 15-team formats and deeper, not a reliable source of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mason Montgomery Emerging as a Top Waiver-Wire Target?
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery worked around a walk to finish Saturday's 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of a doubleheader, striking out two in a hitless ninth for his first save of the season. Gregory Soto had closed Game 1, so Pittsburgh is still splitting late work. Montgomery has put himself squarely in the picture, though. He has allowed no runs with five strikeouts and one walk over his last three appearances, and his season total is up to 55 strikeouts in 37 innings. The 4.14 ERA is not pretty, but a 34.8% strikeout rate and 3.21 xERA make the profile more interesting than the surface number. RotoBaller now lists Montgomery alongside Soto atop a volatile committee and recommends him in 12-team leagues. With only a 2% Yahoo roster rate, he is one of the better speculative saves adds available, even if calling him Pittsburgh's closer would be premature.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Jacob Webb Still the Preferred Option for Saves in Chicago?
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Jacob Webb worked a scoreless eighth inning in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds, allowing one walk and striking out one. Ryan Rolison opened the ninth by putting runners on the corners, but Trent Thornton got the final out for his third save. Webb still leads Chicago with four saves and carries a 3.10 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts against 16 walks through 40 2/3 innings. The eighth-inning call does not mean Webb lost the job. There really is no clean job to lose while Daniel Palencia (elbow) is sidelined. Webb and Caleb Thielbar remain at the front of the committee, with Rolison and Thornton also capable of getting a chance. Webb had converted two conventional ninth-inning saves in the previous week, so he still has a slight edge, just not a firm grip. At 8% rostered on Yahoo, he is worth adding in 15-team leagues and deeper for short-term save upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Max Clark be the First High-End Prospect to Earn the Call in the Second Half?
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has been among the hottest hitters at the Triple-A level over the past month and has quickly put himself near the top of most stash rankings. Since June 12 (his last 23 games at Toledo), the former third-overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft has posted an elite .316/.404/.495 line with a .898 OPS, five doubles, four home runs, and eight stolen bases. This surge is worth noting, as Clark held a much lower .248/.335/.374 line with a modest .709 OPS over his first 57 games of the season. During this cold start, the outfielder only hit four home runs. Seeing him turn the corner at an impressive rate at Triple-A has pushed him into elite stash territory. With the Tigers relying on James Outman and Matt Vierling to cover center field, they may turn to their top-ranked prospect very shortly after the All-Star break, making him a worthy pickup in all 12-team leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jaxon Wiggins a Top Stash Following Return to Triple-A Action?
Chicago Cubs right-handed pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins returned from the Triple-A injured list on July 10 after a lengthy stint for an elbow injury. However, with Wiggins now back in action at Triple-A, the top prospect in the Chicago system has quickly put himself high on the stash radar. In his return to Triple-A (first game since April 4), Wiggins allowed three runs over 2 2/3 innings against St. Paul. However, during his rehab outing across the lower levels, the right-hander was quite sharp, posting a 2.89 ERA with a 9:3 K:BB over 9 1/3 innings. While the former 68th overall pick will likely need several weeks of development at Triple-A Iowa, managers should closely monitor his stats, as he has a clear path to join a weak Cubs rotation hit by injuries to Edward Cabrera, Justin Steele and Cade Horton. If Wiggins can rebound, the right-hander can quickly establish himself as a high-end prospect to stash in all leagues after the All-Star break.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
JT Brubaker Worth an Add in Deeper Leagues?
San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever JT Brubaker handled the final two innings of Saturday's 4-2 win over the Colorado Rockies, picking up his first career save. Kyle Karros homered off him in the eighth, but that was the only baserunner Brubaker allowed. He struck out two and did not walk anyone. His 2.87 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 47 innings look useful, but the 33:20 K:BB shows why fantasy managers should be careful. Brubaker got the call after Caleb Kilian blew Friday's save and had worked on back-to-back days. Kilian still sits atop the Giants' depth chart, with Erik Miller and Dylan Smith ahead of Brubaker, and RotoBaller called Saturday's save a likely one-off. Brubaker is rostered in roughly 0% of leagues, but that does not make him an automatic deep-league add. He is worth monitoring in NL-only formats, not rostering in standard mixed leagues, unless another late chance comes his way.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Zac Veen the Priority Rockies Prospect to Stash?
Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen made his MLB debut in 2025 but was given only a brief stint in the majors before ultimately being sent back to the minor leagues. In this short look, Veen posted a rough .118/.189/.235 line with one home run (over 12 games). However, this season, Veen has been among the hitters at the Triple-A level and has put himself in elite stash territory. Over the last 35 games, the 24-year-old has posted a .347/.357/.760 line with 18 doubles, 12 home runs, and three stolen bases. During this noted surge, Veen has carried a dominant 1.117 OPS. On the season, Veen has posted a sharp .312/.386/.579 line over 80 games at Triple-A Albuquerque. While his teammate Charlie Condon continues to make headlines in the power department, Veen may be slightly ahead of him on the pecking order given his previous MLB experience.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Kaelen Culpepper Still a Must-Stash Candidate While Injured?
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper (hand) was recently placed back on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A St. Paul due to a hand injury. Culpepper has battled a few injuries over the past month, which has delayed his MLB debut. However, before dealing with a string of injuries, the top infielder in the Minnesota system appeared to be on the doorstep of the big leagues. From May 23 through June 12, Culpepper carried a sharp .348/.451/.623 line with a stellar 1.074 OPS, five home runs and five stolen bases. Overall on the season, Culpepper holds a .272/.376/.492 line over his first 63 contests at St Paul. Fantasy managers in deeper redraft leagues should continue to closely monitor his status, as he would re-emerge as a must-stash candidate upon his return from the injured list, given that Minnesota lacks a proven option at shortstop.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Grant Taylor Earns Fourth Save, has he Taken Over the White Sox Closer Job?
Chicago White Sox right-handed reliever Grant Taylor recorded the final five outs of Saturday's 1-0 win over the Athletics for his fourth save. He entered with one out and the tying run at third in the eighth, struck out Shea Langeliers, and got Jonah Heim to ground out before returning for the ninth. Taylor walked one but did not allow a hit, finishing with two strikeouts over 1 2/3 innings. Taylor has now handled two of Chicago's three saves in July, with Sean Newcomb getting the other. That puts him at the front of the committee, though his multi-inning usage means this may not become a clean one-inning closer role. Taylor owns a 2.79 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 67:17 K:BB through 48 1/3 innings, so he can help even when the save chances are split. At 20% rostered on Yahoo, he is worth adding in 12-team leagues while the ninth inning is leaning his way.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hagen Smith No Longer a Worthy Stash Target Amid Lengthy Stay on IL?
Chicago White Sox left-handed pitching prospect Hagen Smith has been on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A for nearly a month due to a left shoulder impingement. While this lengthy IL stint has significantly hindered his stash value, the hard-throwing left-handed pitcher was flashing elite upside at the top club prior to the injury. Before allowing a season-worst seven runs on June 13 (his last start before hitting the shelf), Smith posted a solid 3.42 ERA over his last 26 1/3 innings. During this stretch, the former fifth overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft struck out an impressive 44 hitters but walked a high 5.5 hitters per nine innings, which inflated his WHIP. While his command has been an issue, his strikeout upside is among the highest at the Triple-A level. His path to innings in a weak back-half Chicago rotation could quickly put him back on the stash radar once he returns from injury later in the second half.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Will George Lombard Jr. Debut in the Second Half?
New York Yankees top infield prospect George Lombard Jr. put himself near the top of the stash rankings before hitting the Triple-A injured list in mid-June. Over his last 23 games before hitting the injured list (May 22 through June 16), the top-ranked prospect in the system posted an elite .277/.398/.542 line with 10 doubles, four home runs, and four stolen bases. However, over his first 19 games at the Triple-A level this season, Lombard stumbled to a .178/.362/.205 line. While he began the season at Double-A, Lombard quickly showed that he was more than ready to join the top club. Managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status as he works his way back from a finger injury, as he recently resumed baseball activities. If he can return to the diamond shortly after the All-Star Game, he should quickly compete for at-bats at the MLB level given Anthony Volpe's inconsistencies.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Trey Ebel Goes to the Brewers at the End of the First Round
The Milwaukee Brewers selected Corona High School (California) shortstop Trey Ebel with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 MLB draft on Saturday, according to MLB.com. Ebel was a surprise first-round selection (even at the end of the round) after coming into this year's draft as the No. 107-ranked overall prospect by MLB.com. He's only 17 years old and stands at 6-foot, 180 pounds. He'll join his brother in the Brewers' system after Milwaukee drafted Brady Ebel with the 32nd overall selection last year. He's the son of Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel. The right-handed-hitting infielder can handle fastballs and breaking pitches alike and has the ability athletically to stick at shortstop long term. Ebel has excellent plate discipline for his age and generates plenty of bat speed despite his lack of size. Like most prepsters, Ebel is a hit-over-power prospect, but there is room for growth power-wise as he matures in the minor leagues. He's considered a better pure shortstop prospect than his older brother Brady. Some scouts believe that if he doesn't stick at the 6, he'll be a natural candidate to move to the hot corner, especially if he begins to tap into more raw power at the plate.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Mariners Draft Third Baseman Ace Reese at No. 24 Overall in the First Round
The Seattle Mariners selected Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese with the 24th overall pick in the 2026 MLB draft on Saturday, according to MLB.com. Reese was listed as the No. 18 overall prospect coming into this year's draft, so he slipped a little bit to the bottom of the first round, most likely because of his defensive deficiencies at the hot corner. The 21-year-old from Texas impressed with the bat in 2026 at Mississippi State, though, slashing .336/.432/.721 with a 1.152 OPS, 24 home runs, 74 RBI, 73 runs scored, and a stolen base in 62 games and 292 plate appearances in his junior season. Reese hits from the left side, and power is his calling card at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. After he transferred from the University of Houston following his freshman season, Reese really showed his pop, clubbing 45 long balls in 119 games in the last two years. He has power to all fields and clearly has 30-homer upside at the next level, but his aggressiveness at the plate could become an issue as he climbs the ladder in the Mariners' system. And if Reese struggles to hit, he'll have less room for error without much to fall back on defensively. He profiles as a first baseman/designated hitter type as a pro.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cubs Select Cade Townsend With 23rd Overall Pick on Saturday
The Chicago Cubs selected Ole Miss right-hander Cade Townsend with the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 MLB draft on Saturday, according to MLB.com. Townsend came into this year's draft ranked as the No. 35 overall prospect by MLB.com. The 21-year-old native of Newport Beach, California, went 5-3 in his sophomore season at Ole Miss with a 3.94 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 88:22 K:BB in 64 innings pitched over 14 starts. It was a big improvement for the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder after he had a 6.35 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 43:20 K:BB in 34 innings across 15 appearances (eight starts) as a freshman. Townsend is a high-upside arm because of his ability to generate high spin rates, and he's a plus athlete to boot. He features a fastball that can hit the upper-90s and plus secondary offerings in a curveball, cutter, and slider. Townsend took a huge leap in his sophomore season at Ole Miss with improved command. If he can improve his changeup as a pro, Townsend will have a deep arsenal with which to attack hitters and could be a quick mover in Chicago's minor-league system.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
