RADIO
River Ryan Bounces Back, is He a Must-Stash Now?
Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect River Ryan bounced back nicely in his latest outing at Triple-A Oklahoma City after giving up four earned runs in his previous start. The Dodgers' sixth-ranked prospect allowed just one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out seven in his last start, improving his ERA for the year to 2.81 with a 1.13 WHIP. The right-hander owns a strong 24.6 percent K-BB% and is averaging more than a strikeout per inning, exactly what fantasy managers want to see from a potential fantasy asset. The 27-year-old debuted in 2025 and saw some success, with a 1.33 ERA (3.36 FIP), 1.18 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings pitched, so with his current momentum, there's good reason to think that he'll have success the next time he gets the call. The Dodgers are currently using a six-man rotation and technically have no openings, but things change fast in the major leagues, either due to injury or underperformance, so Ryan should be considered one of the top pitchers to stash for fantasy with his ability to have a positive impact on multiple categories.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Garrett Crochet Could Resume Throwing Program Soon
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder, lat) started throwing a plyometric ball on Tuesday and will continue to do so for the rest of the week before potentially progressing to throwing a real baseball, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Crochet initially landed on the 15-day injured list with left-shoulder inflammation before suffering a setback with a lat strain. He recently clarified that his shoulder is the bigger issue as he continues to tweak his mechanics, and now that he's on the 60-day injured list, the talented southpaw won't be back with the Red Sox's starting rotation until after the mid-July All-Star break. The 26-year-old former 11th overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in 2020 out of the University of Tennessee has been one of the biggest busts so far in fantasy in 2026 after finishing second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year in Boston. Crochet has a 6.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 37 K's in 30 innings in his six starts this year, but despite the tough first half, he deserves to be held in all fantasy formats as he looks to bounce back in the second half with better health.
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Yainer Diaz Activated From Injured List and Back in Tuesday's Lineup
The Houston Astros activated catcher Yainer Diaz (oblique) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Diaz is back behind the plate to catch right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder), who is also returning from the IL on Tuesday, and will bat sixth for the Astros against the visiting Detroit Tigers and left-hander Framber Valdez. Diaz will return as Houston's primary catcher for the first time since straining his left oblique back in early May. His return will push veteran backstop Christian Vazquez to a backup role. The 27-year-old Dominican was hitting .238 (24-for-101) with two home runs, 14 RBI, and seven runs scored in 26 games before landing on the IL. With 20-plus home runs in two of his first three full seasons in the big leagues, Diaz definitely has fantasy value in single-catcher leagues now that he's back on the field for the Astros. Check your league's waiver wire if you need an upgrade at the position. Diaz is rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Twins Place Prospect Kaelen Culpepper on Triple-A Injured List
The Minnesota Twins placed shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (hip) on the seven-day Triple-A injured list with a strained left hip, according to The Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. There was talk about Culpepper potentially being in line for a big-league promotion soon after tearing it up at the top minor-league level, but those talks will now be put on hold for the time being. The Twins' No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has hit .273/.377/.498 with an .875 OPS, 14 home runs, 43 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 53 runs scored in 61 games across 289 plate appearances for the St. Paul Saints in 2026 before injuring his hip. The 23-year-old former 21st overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft out of Kansas State University uses the entire field and makes plenty of contact from the right side of the plate. He tends to chase offspeed pitches off the plate, but with his power/speed upside, he should be rostered in most dynasty/keeper leagues despite his injury. MLB Pipeline has Culpepper ranked 36th overall this year among all prospects.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Elly De La Cruz on Track to Start a Rehab Assignment on Friday
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is scheduled to run on Tuesday and Wednesday and would start a minor-league rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Louisville if he gets through his running program this week, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. De La Cruz would play five innings on Friday, serve as the designated hitter on Saturday, and then return to shortstop on Sunday. Manager Terry Francona said next Tuesday would be the earliest that De La Cruz would be activated from the 10-day injured list. The 24-year-old switch-hitting Dominican superstar is nearing his return to the major-league roster as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks this weekend when he returns to game action. Once De La Cruz is back with the Reds, Matt McLain will slide back over to second base, which could push infield prospect Edwin Arroyo back to the minors. De La Cruz is a must-start in all traditional leagues when he's active. He'll be returning to a .280/.346/.509 with a career-best .855 OPS, 12 homers, 37 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across 58 games played.
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Ryan Helsley Reinstated From the Injured List
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Tuesday that they reinstated right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Anthony Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. Helsey is back in the big-league bullpen after striking out five of the seven batters he faced in two minor-league rehab appearances at Triple-A Norfolk. He ended up missing seven weeks with inflammation in his right elbow. Baltimore could very well ease Helsley back into a late-inning, high-leverage role now that he's back from his injury, but the full expectation is that he'll be manager Craig Albernaz's primary closing option again, pushing Rico Garcia back to a late-inning setup role. Before getting hurt early in the 2026 season, the two-time All-Star was looking good in his first 12 appearances with the O's, allowing three earned runs in 10 2/3 innings with seven saves, 15 strikeouts, and seven walks. Helsley has 112 career saves in his seven-plus big-league seasons. He's rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues. If he's available on your waiver wire, scoop him up immediately.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Kade Anderson Not Part of Mariners' Immediate Rotation Plans
Seattle Mariners pitching prospects Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan are not part of the team's immediate plans, a source told Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, as the team reassesses its six-man rotation. The expectation remains for both Anderson and Sloan to figure into the mix at the big-league level by late summer, though. Per MLB Pipeline, Anderson is the club's No. 3 prospect, with Sloan sitting right behind him at No. 3. Anderson, the third overall pick last year out of Louisiana State University, has been absolutely dominant in his first full season of pro ball at Double-A Arkansas, going 6-0 with a 1.13 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and 82:7 K:BB in 55 2/3 innings pitched across 11 starts. The 6-foot-2, 179-pounder is one of the best pitching prospects to stash in 2026, even in redraft formats. Right now, he's rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues with his first MLB promotion coming sooner rather than later. Anderson lacks high-end velocity, but he makes up for it with excellent run up in the zone, and he also features two plus breaking pitches in a high-spin slider and curveball.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Is James Tibbs III Nearing an MLB Debut?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III reached base six times between Saturday and Sunday, thanks to two hits (double, home run) and four walks (zero strikeouts). The Dodgers' 10th-ranked prospect hasn't had a multi-hit performance through 12 games in June, but has still recorded a robust .400 OBP thanks to a 21.8 percent walk rate this month. For the season, the left-handed slugger is slashing .307/.422/.614 and is among the Triple-A leaders in home runs (19, first), runs (62, first), RBI (59, third), and walks (49, second). He's also among the leaders in strikeouts (79, seventh), but given his ability to still hit for average, hit for power, and get on base, the high strikeout rate is something that can be tolerated. Unfortunately, he is not on the 40-man roster, and there are no current openings on the major league squad with recently-promoted Ryan Ward doing enough at the plate to hold off Tibbs for now. Nevertheless, Tibbs should debut in the coming weeks, and with his offensive prowess, the 23-year-old is worthy of stashing in most leagues as he'll be able to show off his skills while hitting in a potent Dodger lineup whenever he gets the call.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
White Sox Prospect Hagen Smith Dealing With Shoulder Impingement
The Chicago White Sox say that left-handed pitching prospect Hagen Smith (shoulder) has a left-shoulder impingement, according to James Fegan of The Athletic. The initial plan is for two weeks of no throwing for Smith, followed by two more weeks of ramping up and throwing before he returns to game action in the minors. The team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will be out for a total of four weeks, pushing back his potential big-league debut to later in the second half of the 2026 season. The 22-year-old former fifth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Arkansas has gone 0-5 at Triple-A Charlotte this year with a 4.67 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 77:36 K:BB in 52 innings and 14 starts. Despite the lackluster surface stats, Smith was beginning to gain more momentum for his first big-league call-up in Chicago before his shoulder injury. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder should still be stashed in all dynasty/keeper leagues, but those in deeper single-year formats might want to temper expectations now for what Smith might be able to provide down the stretch in the big leagues. Smith is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - James Fegan
Source: The Athletic - James Fegan
Joshua Baez a Must-Stash for Multi-Category Potential
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez remains one of the top bats to stash in fantasy for his multi-category potential whenever he makes it to the major leagues. The Cardinals' third-ranked prospect is hitting .370 (17-for-46) in June, with five doubles, three home runs, and a stolen base through 11 games this month. For the season, the former second-round draft pick is slashing .271/.337/.579, and his 19 home runs are tied for the Triple-A lead, while he's added 12 steals as well. The 6-foot-3 slugger is coming off a 2025 season in which he blasted 20 home runs and stole 54 bases in 117 games between High-A and Double-A. One area that needs improvement is his strikeout rate, which currently stands at 31.5 percent, and one would figure that would not improve at the major league level. Still, while the strikeouts may limit his batting average whenever he gets the call, the 22-year-old could still be a four-category contributor, and given the likelihood of a call-up within the next month or so, he is one of the few "must-stash" bats in most fantasy leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Max Clark Hitting Well at Triple-A, Remains a High-End Offensive Stash
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark's bat woke up over the weekend, going 6-for-13 (.462) in three games from Friday to Sunday, including a home run, a stolen base, and two walks compared to zero strikeouts. It was his fourth straight contest in which the Tigers' top-ranked prospect did not strike out at all, and he recorded two multi-hit efforts after going 13 consecutive games without one. The surge boosted his season average to .259 with a .345 on-base percentage, while the home run was his third in June after collecting just two over the first two months of the season. Although the team is not rushing him to the majors, with his bat coming alive, it could build some momentum for a midseason call-up for a team that is in need of some offensive help, ranking in the bottom third in terms of runs scored per game and near the bottom in stolen bases per game. With the ability to potentially impact five fantasy categories, the 21-year-old remains one of the top bats to stash despite his debut likely at least a few weeks out.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Zack Gelof Flashing Five-Category Upside, Entering Must-Add Territory?
Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof is forcing his way back onto fantasy rosters with a strong multi-category surge. The 26-year-old is batting .275 with nine home runs, 26 RBI, 32 runs, seven stolen bases, and a .798 OPS over 189 at-bats. Gelof has been even better during his current hot stretch, hitting .322 with three homers, eight RBI, 11 runs, one steal, and a .559 SLG over his last 15 games. Gelof also pushed his hitting streak to 19 games on Monday, giving fantasy managers another reason to pay closer attention to this surge. Strikeouts are still part of the profile (25.5% K%), but his power, speed, and multi-position eligibility in some formats make him useful in standard category leagues. His 43% Yahoo roster rate leaves enough waiver-wire availability for managers to act where flexibility and category balance are priorities.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sam Antonacci Offering Useful Speed and Runs Off the Waiver Wire
Chicago White Sox infielder/outfielder Sam Antonacci is becoming a useful waiver-wire option for fantasy managers looking for speed and run production. On the season, the 23-year-old is hitting .278 with two home runs, 17 RBI, 32 runs, nine stolen bases, and a .760 OPS over 208 plate appearances. Antonacci has also taken a step forward over his last 15 games, batting .293 with 12 runs, one homer, seven RBI, and two steals. The power ceiling is limited, so Antonacci is not the optimal target for managers chasing home runs. However, his batting average, on-base skills, speed, and multi-position eligibility in some formats give him practical value in category leagues. His 23% Yahoo roster rate still leaves him available in plenty of formats, making him worth a look for fantasy managers who need runs, steals, a boost in batting average, and flexible positional eligibility.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kade Anderson Dominates Again, but Any Closer to MLB Debut?
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson impressed yet again in his latest start at Double-A Arkansas, tossing 6 2/3 innings of scoreless ball on Saturday, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out six batters. That is now four straight starts in which the southpaw has not allowed a run, and his third straight in which he did not walk a batter. The effort reduced his ERA for the season to 1.13 with a 0.66 WHIP and a 37.7 percent K-BB%, all of which lead the entire minor leagues for pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched. There is seemingly nothing left to prove at Double-A, so it's just a matter of time before the lefty earns a promotion to Triple-A Tacoma, at which point he'll be knocking on the door to the majors. The Seattle rotation isn't in need of reinforcements at the moment, but should Anderson continue to perform at a high level, a major league debut this season is very likely, and could possibly even happen by the end of July at this rate. That being the case, the former third-overall draft pick is one of the top arms to stash in redraft leagues for his multi-ratio-boosting upside.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Does Minor Injury Diminish Kaelen Culpepper's Stash Worthiness?
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper (glute) was removed from his latest game at Triple-A on Saturday due to glute tightness, and according to Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll, the team believes the injury will not warrant a trip to the injured list. Culpepper should simply be considered day-to-day. Having not played on Sunday and with no game on Monday, it will be interesting to see if the Twins' second-ranked prospect is out there on Tuesday against Omaha or if he'll need more time. The injury slows some momentum that had been building for the former first-round draft pick as he had hit safely in 16 of his last 17 games before Saturday (0-for-3), going 24-for-69 (.348) with two doubles, a triple, five home runs, and five stolen bases over that time, along with an impressive 12:11 BB:K. The recent hot stretch lifted the 23-year-old's season-long slash line to .273/.377/.498 with 14 home runs, 15 steals, a strong 12.8 percent walk rate, and a 17.3 percent strikeout rate. The right-handed hitter should still be on track to debut in the majors in the coming weeks and should be viewed as a high-end stash for fantasy in all leagues with five-category potential.
Source: Dan Hayes - The Athletic
Source: Dan Hayes - The Athletic
