RADIO
Daniel Lynch IV a High-End Closer to Stash in Royals Bullpen?
Right-handed reliever Alex Lange is the current closer for the Kansas City Royals, but left-hander Daniel Lynch IV could be worth stashing for fantasy managers in deeper leagues who are speculating on saves in the second half. Lynch, a former first-rounder in 2018 out of the University of Virginia, began his MLB career as a starter before transitioning to a full-time relief role in recent seasons. At the All-Star break, the 29-year-old southpaw sits with a 2-2 record, 2.35 ERA (3.15 FIP), 0.94 WHIP, one save, 33 strikeouts, and only 12 walks in 38 1/3 innings pitched across 39 appearances out of the bullpen. Since taking the loss to the Chicago White Sox on June 27, Lynch has thrown 4 1/3 shutout innings with a walk, three strikeouts, and a hold for the Royals in four games in July. Lynch has 10 saves on the season and could be next in line for saves in KC if Lange struggles. Veteran Carlos Estevez (shoulder) has been on the injured list all year after getting hurt in his first outing of the season, and there's no clear timetable for his return. Lynch is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Can Joshua Kuroda-Grauer Keep his Pace Going into Second Half?
Athletics rookie infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer has looked great early on in his first taste of the major leagues, going 19-for-45 (.422) with five doubles, an RBI, and four runs scored in his first 12 games since being called up from Triple-A Las Vegas. The 23-year-old former third-rounder in 2024 out of Rutgers is considered the club's No. 8 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he got the call to the big leagues after slashing .323/.367/.478 with an .845 OPS, seven home runs, 44 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 76 runs scored in 75 games between Las Vegas and Double-A Midland. Kuroda-Grauer has been a useful infield replacement after injuries struck shortstop Jacob Wilson, third baseman Zack Gelof, and first baseman Nick Kurtz towards the end of the first half of the season. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder has excellent bat-to-ball skills, helping him hit for high averages, but it remains to be seen if he'll ever be able to develop plus power. Once Gelof can return from the injured list in the second half, Kuroda-Grauer could be headed back to Vegas for more minor-league seasoning.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Joe Mack a Power Addition in Two-Catcher Leagues?
Miami Marlins catcher Joe Mack hit the break at .245/.308/.419 with seven home runs, 24 runs, and 23 RBI in 155 at-bats. May was a slog, then he found something: a .294 average with five homers in June, followed by two more long balls in 23 July at-bats. Mack is sitting on nearly every Yahoo waiver wire, with a roster rate of just 3%. Mack has kept the primary catching job even with Liam Hicks back, who has mostly worked at first base or designated hitter. The power looks believable enough, backed by an 8.5% barrel rate and .410 expected slugging percentage. There is no speed here, and a 23.3% strikeout rate may keep the average from becoming much of a help. RotoBaller left Mack outside its July 15 top 100 and catcher rankings. Standard one-catcher leagues can wait. In two-catcher formats, though, seven homers and steady playing time make him a useful add.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hogan Harris a Saves Target Despite the WHIP Risk?
Athletics relief pitcher Hogan Harris reached the break with six saves, a 3.43 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts in 42 innings. The save total catches the eye. The timing does not. Harris has not converted one since June 12, and 27 walks have made nearly every inning feel heavier than it should. He is rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues. The Athletics still have not handed the ninth to one reliever. Harris remains part of the late-inning picture with Elvis Alvarado, and the lefty-righty split could keep both involved. Harris at least limits loud contact, allowing an 86.6 mph average exit velocity with a 31.1% hard-hit rate. That helps, but it does not erase the traffic. RotoBaller ranks him 100th in its July 15 waiver update and 36th among closers for Week 16. He is a speculative add in 15-team leagues for managers chasing saves. In shallower formats, the WHIP and uncertain role are enough reason to wait.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Victor Bericoto a Deep-League Injury Stash for Power?
San Francisco Giants right fielder Victor Bericoto landed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain on July 10, cutting short a useful first look. He hit .293/.305/.552 with four home runs, nine RBI, seven runs, and one steal in 59 plate appearances. Bericoto is rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues. The power gives deep-league managers a reason to wait. Bericoto posted a 14.0% barrel rate and 46.5% hard-hit rate, with four homers closely matching his 3.9 expected total. The approach is far less settled: one walk, 15 strikeouts, and a .217 expected average. San Francisco recalled Grant McCray in the corresponding move, and there is no firm return date yet. RotoBaller ranks Bericoto 98th for Week 16 and recommends him in 15-team leagues. He is worth stashing with an open IL spot, but shallower formats can leave him alone.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Anthony Seigler a Deep-League Must-Add While the At-Bats Last?
Boston Red Sox second baseman Anthony Seigler hit the break at .257/.333/.419 with two home runs, 13 runs, six RBI, and two steals in 74 at-bats. He settled into regular duty after his June 20 recall, even handling leadoff assignments while Boston patched together an injured infield. Only 3% of Yahoo leagues have him rostered. This is not a power chase. Seigler walked at a 16.4% clip in Triple-A and hit .290/.409/.435 there, with three homers and four steals in 131 at-bats. Trevor Story, Marcelo Mayer, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are all still working back from injuries, though each could return after the break. That makes the window useful, not permanent. RotoBaller ranks Seigler 84th for Week 16 and recommends him in 15-team leagues. In that format, the runs, on-base ability, and multi-position eligibility are enough to make the add.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Heriberto Hernandez a Must-Add Power Bat in 12-Team Leagues?
Miami Marlins left fielder Heriberto Hernandez reached the break at .236/.316/.483 with 13 home runs, 36 RBI, 25 runs, and five steals in 203 at-bats. He did most of his recent damage in a hurry, going 12-for-46 with five homers over his final 15 games. 6% on Yahoo is awfully low for that kind of power. The underlying contact gives the surge some weight. Hernandez carries a 91.9 mph average exit velocity, 49.7% hard-hit rate, and 11.9% barrel rate. Miami has used him primarily in left field, and nothing in the playing-time picture suggests he is about to disappear. The average may bounce around, and strikeouts will bring quiet stretches, but the power is already helping now. RotoBaller moved him to 39th overall in its July 15 rankings and recommends him in 12-team leagues. He should be one of the first home-run bats claimed this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Romano Worth a Deep-League Saves Gamble?
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jordan Romano grabbed two saves in his first four appearances with the club, then nearly gave one away on July 10. He walked three, allowed a run, and left the bases loaded before Juan Mejia recorded the final out. Romano still came out of the first half as Colorado's listed closer, though the role is anything but settled. The saves are the attraction. Everything around them is difficult to stomach. Romano owns a 7.71 ERA and 2.14 WHIP with 10 walks in 11 2/3 innings overall, and Coors Field adds another layer of risk. RotoBaller lists him at 5% rostered and gives him as good a chance as anyone in the committee to receive the next opportunity. Romano is a deep-league gamble for managers desperate for saves, not a reliever to add for ratio help.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Junior Caminero Says he Will Play on Friday
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (hand) was forced from Tuesday's All-Star Game after being hit in the left hand by a pitch from St. Louis Cardinals right-handed closer Riley O'Brien, but X-rays came back negative, and Caminero says he will be back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Fantasy managers can now breathe a sigh of relief after the scary scene early in Tuesday's All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The 23-year-old didn't look his best just before this week's break, but he's a clear must-start in all fantasy formats when he's active as one of the best all-around hitters in baseball. The Dominican third baseman came into the break slashing a cool .279/.372/.555 with a .927 OPS, 28 home runs, 59 RBI, 61 runs scored, and two stolen bases across his 355 at-bats. The two-time All-Star is tied for fourth in baseball in home runs, is tied for 20th in RBI, and is tied for 13th in runs scored.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Nationals to Promote Catching Prospect Harry Ford, a Must-Add in All Leagues?
The Washington Nationals are recalling top catching prospect Harry Ford to the majors after this week's All-Star break, a source told Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. The 23-year-old backstop has a .705 OPS at Triple-A Rochester this year, but he's posted a .9111 OPS since June 1. Ford is ranked fifth in Keith Law's preseason top-20 Nationals prospects and was the headliner in the offseason trade that sent closer Jose A. Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners. The former 12th overall pick by the M's in 2021 will take the place of catcher Drew Millas, who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left index finger fracture. In 58 games (257 plate appearances) at Rochester this year, Ford has hit .223/.370/.335 with a .705 OPS, four home runs, 22 RBI, and 34 runs scored. However, a shoulder injury that he has played through has hampered his production, and he has taken a step forward offensively in recent weeks, leading to his second-half promotion. For now, Ford figures to serve as Keibert Ruiz's backup, so he probably won't have much fantasy appeal in redraft leagues for the time being.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Tristan Peters Worth Waiver Attention After Hitting for the Cycle?
Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters became the third player in baseball in the first half of the 2026 season to hit for the cycle last Friday against the Athletics. The 26-year-old Canadian finished went into this week's All-Star break with an impressive .301/.354/.478 slash line with an .832 OPS, six home runs, 36 RBI, 37 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 91 games across 275 plate appearances as an All-Star in his first full year in the majors with the White Sox. Peters debuted in the big leagues last year but played in only four games with the Tampa Bay Rays. The former seventh-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021 out of Southern Illinois University Carbondale got off to a scorching start in July, going 13-for-32 (.406) with two homers, three doubles, a triple, six RBI, and six runs scored in 11 games to begin the month. Fantasy managers who have Peters rostered in deeper leagues will be hoping he can stay hot after the All-Star break, but his .260 expected batting average and .308 xwOBA predict serious regression coming for the Canadian outfielder. Despite his strong first half and beginning of July, Peters is rostered in less than 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Harry Ford Turning the Corner at Triple-A, Is he the Top Catching Prospect to Stash?
Washington Nationals catching prospect Harry Ford has turned the corner over the last month of action at Triple-A and has put himself firmly on the stash radar. Over his last 18 games at Triple-A Rochester, the former 12th overall selection has posted a sharp .291/.474/.545 line with a stellar 1.019 OPS, five doubles, three home runs, and a 16:17 K:BB. This surge is worth emphasizing, as Ford carried a much lower .203/.332/.268 line with a 49:28 K:BB over his first 41 Triple-A regular-season contests. The 23-year-old received a brief taste of the majors last season in Seattle but posted a low .417 OPS over just eight PAs. Even though Keibert Ruiz has held his own at the MLB level, Ford has been making a strong push for a promotion and could earn the call to D.C shortly after the All-Star break. His current trajectory makes him a worthy stash in deeper two-catcher leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Zach Ehrhard a Worthy Name to Stash in Dodgers Pipeline?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Zach Ehrhard has flown under the radar in the Dodgers system, but could be nearing his MLB debut. Given that he plays in a system that features some of the game's top outfield prospects like Mike Sirota, Josue De Paula, and Zyhir Hope, and even shares the Triple-A field with James Tibbs III, Ehrhard has not put himself high on the stash radar. However, the 23-year-old out of Oklahoma State has turned in a strong showing this season and has even begun to make a case for a promotion to the majors over the past two weeks. In his last 11 games, Ehrhard has posted a .375/.479/.650 line with two doubles, three home runs and two stolen bases. While an immediate call-up is unlikely, he is a name to watch in deeper leagues as he could be an injury replacement down the stretch.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Kemp Alderman a Top Stash Amid Looming Promotion?
Miami Marlins outfield prospect Kemp Alderman has looked quite comfortable since returning from the Triple-A injured list earlier in June. Alderman was on the shelf for just over a month due to a wrist injury. However, this injury has not slowed down the former 47th overall pick out of Ole Miss, as he has carried a strong .284/.368/.478 line with one double and four home runs over his last 18 contests. During this stretch, Alderman has struck out a hefty 23 times, but has continued to flash upside with his bat. On the season, the team's No. 8-ranked prospect has posted a sharp .297/.374/.511 line with six doubles, 13 home runs, and six stolen bases. Even with Owen Caissie on the injured list, the recent emergence of Heriberto Hernandez has potentially delayed Alderman's MLB debut. However, if he maintains this pace, the Marlins could turn to him to add a spark to their lineup as they look to remain in the NL playoff picture.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Can Jonathon Long Debut in the Second Half?
Chicago Cubs first-base prospect Jonathon Long has seen his production soar over the last month at the Triple-A level and is emerging as a legitimate second-half call-up. Currently, Long is viewed as the No. 7 prospect in the Cubs system. Even though there may not be a clear opening on the MLB roster, if he continues this current trajectory, the team will have a hard time keeping him in the minor leagues down the stretch. Over his last 16 games at Iowa, Long has carried an elite .313/.400/.625 line with eight doubles, four home runs, and a 14:9 K:BB. During this stretch, Long posted a perfect 5-for-5 game on July 9, launching his 10th long ball of the season. While he had a slow start, Long has quickly found his footing at the top club. Managers in deeper 12+ team leagues should continue to closely monitor him, as a second-half call-up is now in play.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
