Jul 18, 2026, 9:50 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and after a number of scant seasons, a team that once had a reputation for never missing at the position again looks to have one of its strongest receiver rooms in years. With the offense running primarily through the running backs and tight ends in Arthur Smith's final season as offensive coordinator, DK Metcalf's 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns all led the position group by a wide margin. With new head coach Mike McCarthy assuming play-calling duties in his reunion with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, there is an expectation for more three-receiver sets and a higher passing volume. And while a 42-year-old Rodgers may no longer have the arm talent that allowed him to reach one of the highest peaks in the history of the league, Bernard's combination of size and speed, along with his dependability and inside-to-outside versatility, make him a perfect fit in an offense looking to push the ball downfield as much as Rodgers' right shoulder will allow. While a bit of an overlapping skill set with Michael Pittman Jr. could limit his ceiling, particularly early in the year, Bernard is practically free in drafts, and at RotoBaller's WR68, he's a player worth taking a late-round swing on in hopes that the Steelers offense could surprise in 2026.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 9:48 AM ET

Minnesota Twins outfielder prospect Walker Jenkins extended his Triple-A surge Friday and has put himself in a great position to earn the call to Minnesota in the coming weeks. On Friday evening, the team's top-ranked prospect went 1-for-4 with a solo blast. Over his last 10 contests at Triple-A St. Paul, the outfielder has carried a sharp .325/.475/.600 line with three doubles, one triple, two home runs and two stolen bases. However, even though Jenkins has battled numerous injuries throughout his MiLB career (including the 2026 campaign), when on the field, he is among the top hitters across the minor leagues. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to the Twins, as an injury or opting to sell veteran pieces at the deadline could open a clear path for second-half at-bats for one of Triple-A's top hitters. He enters Week 17 as one of the top hitting prospects to stash.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 9:41 AM ET

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Theo Gillen snapped his lengthy power skid at Double-A. On Friday evening, the team's No. 1-ranked prospect (according to MLB.com) went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run. This snapped a lengthy 14-game power drought for Gillen since moving up to the Double-A level. The outfielder spent the first half of the season at the High-A level, where he posted a .342/.449/.589 line with 23 doubles, 12 home runs and 28 sotlen baes. However, it took him some time to find his footing at Double-A, as he posted a low .190/.277/.241 line thorughh is first 14 games at the level. Dynasty managers should continue to keep a close eye on his progression at Montgomery as the No. 9-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline could put himself in a great position to begin the 2027 season at Triple-A Durham.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 9:39 AM ET

Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love has been the unquestioned fantasy darling of the 2026 draft class for months, and with the Arizona Cardinals making him the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, he finds himself in excellent company when projecting his fantasy impact. Love is the ninth running back since 2015 to earn top-12 draft capital, and all have proven capable of overcoming the situations that tend to surround teams picking that early. The average rookie season among those eight players has amounted to 1,474 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns, with none of them failing to top 1,000 yards and Ashton Jeanty's RB13 finish last season making him the first of the group to finish outside of RB1 territory, albeit barely. An athletic marvel able to win with both speed and power, Love should earn a major role almost immediately, with his workload only increasing throughout the year, and with history on his side, he has a strong possibility of outperforming his current ADP of RB12.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 9:35 AM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Edward Florentino has continued to swing a scorching hot bat at the High-A level and is making a strong case to receive a taste of Double-A late in the 2026 season. Over his last 14 contests at High-A Greensboro, the 19-year-old outfielder has posted a sharp .283/.338/.683 line with a 1.022 OPS. During this stretch, Florentino has launched six long balls and added four doubles with an 18:5 K:BB. His recent surge is worth noting, as Florentino carried a much lower .212/.366/.412 line with a modest .778 OPS over his first 48 games of the season (shared between both Low-A and High-A). While the No. 30-ranked prospect in the sport remains far from his MLB debut, he is continuing to rise up dynasty rankings and is establishing himself as one of the sport's top outfield prospects.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 9:26 AM ET

In an era where rushing quarterbacks rule the day, Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow is one of the few true pocket passers still capable of delivering a QB1 finish. While he is not totally incapable of scrambling to move the chains, his 257 rushing yards in 2022 remain a career high, while his five rushing scores from that same season also look to be a bit of an outlier. Meanwhile, in his three healthy seasons, he's averaged 4,668 yards and 37 touchdowns through the air, twice finishing as a top-four fantasy quarterback. Obviously, those three healthy years only account for half of his career, with durability being his biggest knock since tearing his ACL as a rookie and missing at least seven games in two subsequent seasons. However, when things are going right in Cincinnati, as they appear to be heading into 2026, Burrow remains one of the elite fantasy difference-makers, and he enters his age-30 season as RotoBaller's QB5.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 9:24 AM ET

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez turned in another show-stopping performance at Triple-A Memphis as his MLB debut approaches. On Friday evening, the young outfielder went 1-for-4 with a 473-foot grand slam against Iowa. While Baez has been very impressive at Triple-A this season, he has hit a somewhat cold slump at the plate. Over his last 15 contests (including Friday's game), Baez has posted a low .121/.200/.310 line with just three long balls and a stolen base. However, prior to this skid, the 23-year-old held a much-higher .275/.345/.634 line with 14 doubles, 26 home runs and 13 stolen bases. Even though there is not a clear spot for him in the St. Louis outfield, his high-end five-category potential makes him a priority stash across all formats ahead of Week 17.--Andy Smith
Source: MLB Pipeline

Jul 18, 2026, 9:19 AM ET

Sacramento Kings forward Alex Karaban finished Friday's 92-90 Summer League win over Charlotte with 14 points, three assists and two rebounds across 35 minutes. The No. 29 pick, acquired from Cleveland in a draft-night deal, followed Wednesday's 21-point, five-three outing with another heavy-minute role, though he cooled off from deep at 2-for-8. Karaban missed the California Classic with a sprained right ankle and opened Vegas slowly, so the last two games are more encouraging than the uneven shooting line suggests. His fantasy path still leans on three-point volume, low-mistake passing, and whether Sacramento can carve out wing minutes behind its established forwards.--Brian Dailisan
Source: NBA

Jul 18, 2026, 9:16 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Josue De Paula extended his hitting streak to 10 games on Friday evening. Facing Double-A Frisco, the team's top-ranked outfield prospect (per MLB.com) went 2-for-5 with a home run. During this impressive 10-game hitting streak, the 21-year-old has held a .388/.444/.673 slash line with two doubles, three home runs, and five stolen bases. On the season, MLB.com's No. 4 overall prospect has been nothing short of dominant, carrying an elite .323/.416/.554 line with a .970 OPS, 27 doubles, 16 home runs, and 25 stolen bases. While his MLB debut is still tentatively lined up for 2027, those in dynasty leagues should feel quite comfortable rostering him as he appears to be the next budding outfield prospect in the game.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 9:13 AM ET

By fantasy finish alone, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has shown steady improvement in each of his three seasons, rising from QB23 as a rookie to QB20 in year two and a QB19 finish last season. Obviously, his actual path has not been as linear, with a performance-based benching in 2024, and he now enters into a critical fourth season. Young demonstrated some of the highest highs of his career in 2025, throwing for 448 yards and three scores in a Week 11 overtime win over the Falcons, but he also failed to reach 200 passing yards in 12 of 17 outings. With few notable additions on the offensive side of the ball and the Panthers slated to face a first-place schedule in 2026, much will be asked of Young as he looks to earn a long-term extension. And even if he proves capable of taking another small step forward, in a year with so many fantasy-viable options at the position, Young is not a player who should factor into draft plans in single-quarterback leagues. He enters the year as RotoBaller's QB26.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 9:12 AM ET

Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Tre' Morgan went 2-for-4 with two home runs in his return to Triple-A Durham on Friday evening. Morgan was sidelined with an injury for nearly a month but returned in impressive fashion. On the season, Morgan has spent only 15 games with the Durham Bulls and posted a low .182/.250/.436 line with a .686 OPS. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on his production as Morgan could compete for a late-season promotion to the majors if he were to find his footing. During the 2025 campaign, the former third-round pick out of LSU posted a .274/.398/.412 line with eight home runs and eight doubles over 92 games at Triple-A. For now, Morgan should not be viewed as a viable stash option as he remains at least a month away from a potential debut.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 9:06 AM ET

Los Angeles Clippers guard Keaton Wagler put up 26 points on 9-for-19 shooting in Friday's 128-120 overtime win over the Timberwolves, adding four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block over 28 minutes. The No. 5 pick ended his Vegas run on a high after a rocky debut of seven points on 1-for-7 shooting against Sacramento. The Illinois product bounced back with 23 points against Utah, and this game showed the on-ball creator the Clippers envisioned. His shooting stayed streaky, going 2-for-7 from deep here, but Wagler has a clearer path to early minutes than most rookies, with a chance to play alongside Darius Garland.--Brian Dailisan
Source: NBA

Jul 18, 2026, 9:00 AM ET

Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen wrapped up his Summer League with nine points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks over 24 minutes in Friday's 83-79 loss to the Jazz. His shot did not fall in the sloppy finale (3-for-8 from the field), but the seven-footer stayed busy on the glass and protected the rim. The line fit a summer in which he did more as a rebounder, passer, and shot-blocker than as a scorer. That peripheral production is the heart of his fantasy case: a big who fills the box score with boards, blocks, and assists holds value even when his scoring goes quiet.--Brian Dailisan
Source: NBA

Jul 18, 2026, 8:59 AM ET

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jake Bennett picked up his fifth win of the season in his first start after the All-Star break on Friday, allowing just one hit across six scoreless innings in his team's 10-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Since making his MLB debut on May 1, Bennett has recorded a 5-3 record with a 2.35 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts across 53 2/3 innings (nine starts). The 25-year-old left-hander does not have overwhelming strikeout stuff, as he's averaging 93.0 miles per hour on his fastball and has logged just an 18.7% strikeout rate. However, his command has been elite. Bennett posted a 5.7% walk rate across 39 1/3 innings at Triple-A before his promotion, and he's allowed a 4.4% walk rate in the big leagues so far. Bennett has also been hard to square up, surrendering a 5.8% barrel rate and just three total home runs. Fantasy managers should not expect a ton of strikeout upside, but Bennett remains an emerging young pitcher to target on the waiver wire.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 8:51 AM ET

Miami Heat guard Tre Donaldson flirted with a triple-double in Friday's 101-87 Summer League win over the Pistons, finishing with 20 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds on 8-for-12 shooting over 37 minutes. He saved his best for last, scoring 13 in a 35-point fourth quarter that erased a 72-66 deficit. The undrafted Miami product capped a strong summer, one that included a 22-point game against Cleveland, on the pace and playmaking that earned him a two-way deal. NBA minutes may be scarce on a Heat team filling out its backcourt, but Miami has developed guards through its G League affiliate before, and a pass-first lead guard fits that pipeline.--Brian Dailisan
Source: NBA

Jul 18, 2026, 8:47 AM ET

Across 114 2/3 innings (20 starts) so far this season, Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers has recorded a 3-6 record with a 4.16 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 130 strikeouts. The 27-year-old owns excellent underlying metrics, as he's logged a 27.4% strikeout rate with just a 7.4% walk rate. Detmers' xERA (3.38) and FIP (3.21) both suggest that he's been a bit unlucky in his results in 2026. The main issue for the left-hander has been his 66% strand rate, which is below the MLB average of 72%. If Detmers can do a little better job of navigating traffic on the bases in the second half of the season, his ERA may match up with his already stellar WHIP and strikeout rates. With just a few minor tweaks to his profile, Detmers could be in line for a second-half breakout.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 8:45 AM ET

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas stayed hot with 24 points on 10-for-20 shooting in Friday's 100-91 Summer League win over the Bulls, adding two assists, two rebounds, and one steal over 25 minutes. The Arkansas product has been the story of Cleveland's Vegas trip, leading the Summer League in scoring after a 35-point showing against Miami. He slid to No. 34 on draft night despite first-round buzz, and the summer has played like vindication. The catch for fantasy managers is the depth chart: Thomas sits behind James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, so the production reads as a long-term investment more than a source of rookie-year minutes.--Brian Dailisan
Source: NBA

Jul 18, 2026, 8:38 AM ET

Charlotte Hornets forward/center Hannes Steinbach logged his third Summer League double-double in Friday's 92-90 loss to the Kings, going for 22 points and 11 rebounds on 7-for-10 shooting with one steal over 29 minutes. The No. 14 pick now has three double-doubles in five Vegas games, backing a college season at Washington that produced 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds a night. His work on the glass is the sort of skill that carries over immediately, and on a rebuilding Charlotte team without much settled frontcourt production, that alone should earn a lottery pick early looks. The scoring polish can develop from there.--Brian Dailisan
Source: NBA

Jul 18, 2026, 8:36 AM ET

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown had the first half of his 2026 season disrupted by a shoulder injury, which landed him on the injured list in early April and held him out until mid-June. Across 35 1/3 innings (seven starts) for the year, Brown has recorded a 1-0 record with a 3.57 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts. The 27-year-old is still averaging 96.0 miles per hour on his fastball and owns a solid 25.5% strikeout rate. However, his walk rate has spiked from 7.8% in 2025 to 14.4% in 2026. Still, Brown was one of the best pitchers in baseball a season ago, recording a 2.43 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 206 strikeouts and 12 wins across 185 1/3 innings. As he gets further removed from the shoulder injury, Brown's command could begin to return. Fantasy managers in need of starting pitching upside should target Brown as a buy-low candidate.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Sacramento Kings guard Emanuel Sharp led six players in double figures with 16 points in Friday's 92-90 Summer League win over the Hornets, connecting on 4-for-9 from three while adding three steals, three assists, two rebounds, and one block over 30 minutes. The Houston product has been Sacramento's steadiest summer performer, pairing his shooting with disruptive perimeter defense that produced three or more steals in several outings. The No. 45 pick fits a specific need as a 3-and-D guard who can play off-ball next to lottery pick Darius Acuff Jr. His scoring efficiency has wavered in Vegas, so the defense and the outside stroke will be what earn a second-round rookie a foothold in the rotation.--Brian Dailisan
Source: NBA

Jul 18, 2026, 8:29 AM ET

Washington Nationals catcher Harry Ford had a memorable 2026 season debut in his team's 23-4 win over the Athletics on Friday night. The 23-year-old batted sixth and went two-for-five with a home run, a walk, three RBI, and three runs scored. A former top prospect in the Seattle Mariners system, Ford made his MLB debut with Seattle in 2025 but logged just eight plate appearances. He's struggled a bit this season with Triple-A Rochester, hitting .223/.370/.335 with four home runs, 22 RBI, and 35 runs scored across 257 plate appearances. Still, he was promoted by Washington for the second half of the season and could be in line to steal playing time from Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz. Ford's ability to get on base at a high rate may be what keeps his bat in the Washington lineup regularly, as he logged a 16.2% walk rate at Triple-A in 2025 and a 17.5% walk rate in the minors this season before being called up. Fantasy managers in need of catching help should consider targeting Ford on the waiver wire.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 8:19 AM ET

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Kirby Yates racked up his third blown save and fifth loss of the season on Friday, allowing two earned runs in the ninth inning of his team's 2-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Across 21 2/3 innings in 2026, Yates has recorded a 0-5 record with a 3.74 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 28 strikeouts, and three saves. The veteran's underlying metrics are strong, as he's logged an impressive 30.8% strikeout rate with just an 8.8% walk rate. However, Yates' average fastball velocity is down to a career-worst 91.0 miles per hour. He's also run into some struggles in recent outings, allowing three earned runs over his last two innings pitched (three appearances). Yates remains the current closer to roster from the Angels. Still, fantasy managers may want to explore adding Angels right-handers Ryan Zeferjahn and/or Ben Joyce (shoulder) as potential replacement options.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 8:11 AM ET

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells picked up his third save of the season on Friday, allowing one hit and one walk while collecting a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning of his team's 3-2 win over the Houston Astros. The 31-year-old appears to be grabbing hold of the full-time closer role in Baltimore, as he's earned three saves while allowing just one earned run across eight innings (seven games) in July. Wells' overall numbers for the year are strong as well, as he's pitched to a 2.96 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 47 strikeouts across 45 2/3 innings. He's struck out 25.8% of the batters he's faced while logging a stellar 6.0% walk rate. Fantasy managers in need of saves should consider Wells a priority waiver wire target.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 7:27 AM ET

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale will remain with the franchise on a four-year, $26 million contract. As a restricted free agent, the 24-year-old had a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Monday. After struggling to stay healthy early in his NHL career, Drysdale has performed solidly for the Flyers. He matched his career high with 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 78 games last term, adding 94 blocks. Flyers general manager Daniel Briere expressed confidence that Drysdale's best performances are still to come, so it wouldn't be surprising if he nears the 40-point mark in the next few seasons.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Jul 18, 2026, 7:16 AM ET

Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach will play out the 2026-27 campaign on a one-year, $3.6 million contract. He received only a slight raise from his previous four-year, $13.45 million deal. Dach, who was a restricted free agent, struggled badly with injuries during his last contract. The 25-year-old was limited to 37 appearances in 2025-26, totaling 15 points (seven goals, eight assists). He's yet to play more than 58 games in a season for Montreal, so Dach's main goal next season should be an injury-free campaign. If he stays healthy, Dach could become a 40-point scorer while averaging about two hits per game.--Taavi Pailk
Source: Montreal Canadiens PR

Jul 18, 2026, 7:07 AM ET

St. Louis Blues forward Connor McMichael has been handed a six-year, $40.5 million contract by the team. He was a restricted free agent after earning $2.1 million in each of the last two seasons. The Blues brought in McMichael from the Washington Capitals in the deal that sent Jordan Kyrou to D.C. last month. He's scored over 100 points over the last two years, though McMichael had a mediocre 46-point campaign in 2025-26. With a larger role in St. Louis, the 25-year-old could make a greater impact. A middle-six role awaits him, along with regular power-play time.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jul 18, 2026, 12:02 AM ET

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Logan Henderson (forearm) said that he was dealing with a forearm cramp in the fifth inning of his start on Friday night's win over the Miami Marlins, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Henderson was visited by a trainer, but he stayed in the game and finished with one earned run allowed on three hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out four in five innings for a no-decision at American Family Field. The 24-year-old didn't have an amazing first outing out of the All-Star break, but it was another solid showing, and he lowered his season ERA to under 3.00 in the process. Henderson said he was already feeling better after the game on Friday night, so as of now, it looks like he has a good shot at taking the mound for his next scheduled outing next week in a great matchup against the last-place New York Mets. RotoBaller has been encouraging fantasy managers to snag Henderson off the waiver wire for weeks now, and there's no better time to do so as he heads into a matchup against the Mets.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Todd Rosiak

Jul 17, 2026, 11:35 PM ET

Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer got his second half started on the right foot in the team's 7-2 win over the Colorado Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field on Friday night. Steer took advantage of the thin air in Denver to go 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a strikeout. The 28-year-old right-handed slugger is now batting .250/.330/.441 on the year with 16 home runs and 40 RBI in 362 plate appearances in his fifth year in Cincy. Steer is in just the 41st percentile in hard-hit rate in 2026, but he also sits in the 81st percentile in barrel rate, the 76th percentile in expected slugging, and the 74th percentile in xwOBA. He's also in the 77th percentile in xISO and is well on his way to setting a new career high in home runs this season with 16 through his first 92 games -- his career high was set in 2023 with 23 long balls. Steer isn't going to wow with his batting average or on-base skills, but the power is real in a hitter-friendly home environment. Fantasy managers seeking power need to add him off the waiver wire now. Steer is only rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 17, 2026, 11:24 PM ET

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin led the charge in Friday night's 15-1 blowout win over the visiting Texas Rangers at Truist Park to get the second half of the season started, going 3-for-4 at the plate out of the leadoff spot with a home run, five RBI, two runs scored, and a walk to raise his season batting average to .261 and his OPS to .804. Baldwin's home run was a three-run shot off right-hander Cal Quantrill in the fourth inning, and it was his 16th long ball of the year after he slugged 19 in an impressive rookie campaign in 2025. It was nice to see the second-year backstop go deep to begin the second half, as it was just his second round-tripper since June 17. Baldwin missed some time in the first half with an injury, but he has still produced an OPS over .800 with 51 RBI and a stolen base in 324 plate appearances. In 12 games in July before this week's All-Star break, Baldwin hit. 256 (11-for-43) with a homer, seven RBI, and seven runs scored. A second-half breakout could be coming for the former third-rounder from Mississippi State University.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 17, 2026, 11:03 PM ET

San Diego Padres infielder Xander Bogaerts has not lived up to his contract during his time with the organization. The Padres have Bogaerts locked up through 2033, but would reportedly like to get out of the contract. The speculation is that the Padres would attach Bogaerts in a potential Mason Miller trade at the deadline. It would be a shame to lose Miller, but Padres' fans would rejoice at being out of the $25 million per season owed to Bogaerts through 2033. This season, Bogaerts is slashing .224/.317/.331 with nine home runs, 37 RBI, and 12 steals in 91 games. The 33-year-old has almost no value by himself, so the Padres would likely have to package him with a superstar just to get out of the deal.--Andy Webb
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune