MLB News

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Troy Melton Emerging as a Breakout Candidate to Target on the Waiver Wire

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Troy Melton had the start of his 2026 season delayed by an elbow injury. However, the 25-year-old made his return to the MLB mound on May 24 and has impressed in his first two starts of the year, allowing just two earned runs across 12 2/3 innings pitched. Melton's production in 2026 is a continuation of his strong 2025 performance, as he recorded a 2.76 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 16 games (four starts) after making his MLB debut in late July. With a 17.4% career strikeout rate, the young right-hander has struggled to generate whiffs at the big-league level so far. Still, he's consistently found a way to get outs and showed more strikeout upside in the minors, recording a 32.4% strikeout rate across 75 1/3 innings split between Double and Triple-A in 2025. Melton should have an extended runway to establish himself as a rotation fixture in Detroit and profiles as a breakout candidate for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

4 hours ago

Angel Martínez • LF • Guardians

Angel Martinez Expected to Make Quick Return from Foot Injury, Remains a Top Waiver Wire Target

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) is currently considered day-to-day as he battles a mid-foot strain that forced him to exit early from his team's game against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. However, Martinez is not expected to require a trip to the injured list and could be ready to go for the start of Cleveland's three-game set with the New York Yankees on Tuesday. The 24-year-old is in the midst of a breakout season so far in 2026, hitting .243/.281/.449 with nine home runs, 29 RBI, 24 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across 200 plate appearances. While Martinez's 3.0% walk rate brings his plate skills into question, he's made up for it by raising his barrel rate from 3.5% in 2025 to 8.1% this season. As a switch-hitter, Martinez has established himself as an everyday staple in the Guardians outfield, which should allow him to continue to rack up counting stats and stolen bases. Particularly in deeper leagues, Martinez profiles as a valuable compiler who should be a priority on the waiver wire for fantasy managers.

4 hours ago

Zack Gelof • 2B • Athletics

Zack Gelof a Top Waiver Wire Target Ahead of Possible Breakout Season

After opening 2026 in Triple-A, Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof earned a promotion to the big leagues in mid-April and has since established himself as his team's everyday third baseman. Across 150 plate appearances so far this season, the 26-year-old is hitting .259/.304/.432 with six home runs, 19 RBI, 21 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Gelof battled major swing-and-miss issues in his previous MLB stints, logging a 34.4% strikeout rate across 547 plate appearances in 2024 and striking out in 45.5% of his 101 plate appearances in 2025. However, the former top prospect has lowered his strikeout rate to 24.7% in 2026. As long as Gelof can continue to keep the whiffs under control, his combination of power and speed makes him an appealing option for fantasy managers. Gelof also has the advantage of playing his home games in the A's hitter-friendly home environment in Sacramento, which should allow him to maximize his abilities at the plate. Gelof profiles as a priority waiver wire target with upside ahead of a possible breakout season in 2026.

4 hours ago

Ryan Ward • 1B • Dodgers

Ryan Ward Launches First Career Home Run, Will He Carve Out a Full-Time Role?

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/first baseman Ryan Ward picked up his first career home run on Sunday during his team's 9-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Ward was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday after the Dodgers placed veteran outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain. The 28-year-old Ward has been in the Dodgers farm system since 2019 and recorded back-to-back minor league seasons with at least 34 home runs and 104 RBI in 2024 and 2025. The lefty-swinging Ward could be in a position to play on the big side of a platoon in left field with Dodgers outfielder Alex Call until Hernandez returns from the IL. With regular playing time, Ward's power could provide a nice lift for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. The Dodgers' depth brings Ward's playing time into question, but he may still be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

4 hours ago

Sam Moll • RP • Reds

Sam Moll Earns One-Out Save for Reds, Worth an Add in Deeper Leagues?

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Sam Moll picked up his first save of the season on Sunday, recording the final out in his team's 6-4 win over the Atlanta Braves. Moll came on in relief of right-hander Tony Santillan, who started the ninth inning but exited after two hits, a walk, and an earned run. With closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list and top setup man Graham Ashcraft on the 60-day IL, the Reds are currently without a primary option in the ninth inning. Moll has pitched well so far in 2026, recording a 2.49 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 26 strikeouts across 25 1/3 innings (28 games). The 32-year-old has just two career saves and averages 92.3 miles per hour with his fastball, so he does not profile as a prototypical closer. Still, given Cincinnati's current situation, Moll could be a worthy saves target on the waiver wire for deep-league fantasy managers.

5 hours ago

Hagen Smith • SP • White Sox

Hagen Smith Rounding Into Form at Triple-A, Emerging as a Top Pitcher to Stash?

Chicago White Sox left-handed pitching prospect Hagen Smith has begun to find his footing at the Triple-A level and is now firmly on the stash radar among pitching prospects. Since allowing four runs over 3 2/3 innings on May 21, the young southpaw has gone to log five innings in each of his last two games while allowing only two runs in each contest. During this 10-inning stint, Smith has struck out 14 hitters while walking only two total batters. This is worth noting, as his command was a major weakness in the opening month of the season, during which he walked a high 27 hitters over his first 33 2/3 innings. While the former fifth-overall pick will need to show this progress over a longer stretch of time, he could put himself in a position to earn the call before the All-Star break, given Chicago's lack of depth in its starting rotation.

5 hours ago

Luis Lara • CF • Brewers

Luis Lara Entering Must-Stash Territory Amid Torrid Stretch at Triple-A

Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara continues to swing a scorching hot bat at Triple-A Nashville and enters Week 10 of the season as a priority stash target for managers in all leagues. Through 55 games at Triple-A this season, Lara has posted an incredible .345/.452/.510 slash line with eight doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 18 stolen bases. During this stretch, the young outfielder has shown a strong eye at the dish, posting a 31:38 K:BB. His power production is even more impressive, as Lara only went deep two times over 136 games in Double-A last season. Seeing Lara maintaining an elite eye at the plate while hitting for power against the top pitching in the minor leagues is a great sign for his outlook. While the Brewers outfield is crowded at the moment, Lara's five-category profile makes him a worthy stash candidate in all standard leagues.

5 hours ago

Harry Ford • C • Nationals

Harry Ford Emerging as Deep-League Stash Target at Catcher Position

Washington Nationals catching prospect Harry Ford has begun to snap out of his cold streak at Triple-A and is emerging as a deep-league stash target. Over his last nine contests at Rochester, the young catcher has posted 256/.356/.359 line with a .715 OPS. During this stretch, Ford has hit four doubles while holding a 9:6 K:BB. Prior to this recent improvement at the dish, the 23-year-old backstop carried a much lower .186/.317/.245 line through his first 28 games of the MiLB season. Ford made his MLB debut during the second half of the 2025 season with the Seattle Mariners but appeared in only eight games while serving in a bench role. If Ford can maintain this pace, the Nationals could look to give their No. 5-ranked prospect his first extended look at MLB pitching before the All-Star break. Managers in deeper two-catcher leagues should continue to monitor his development at Triple-A.

5 hours ago

Jett Williams • SS • Brewers

Jett Williams Seeing Stash Value Increase with Clear Path to MLB At-Bats

Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jett Williams remains an elite stash option in Week 10 of the fantasy baseball season, given his clear path to at-bats on the major league roster. Williams was acquired by the Brewers in the winter in the deal that sent Freddy Peralta to the Mets. While Williams endured some growing pains over his first full look at the Triple-A level this season, the infielder has begun to show some steady progress. From May 6 through May 24 (17games), the former first-round pick has posted a .270/.397/.492 line with four doubles, two home runs, and three stolen bases. However, since this surge, he has tallied just one hit in his last five games. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his production, as another surge at the plate could push him to the big leagues and replace Joey Ortiz or David Hamilton in a starting role.

6 hours ago

Ralphy Velazquez • 1B • Guardians

Ralphy Velazquez Set for First-Half MLB Debut Amid Dominant Start to Regular Season?

Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez has seen his stash value soar over the past few weeks and is now in serious play to push for a first-half MLB debut. Velazquez opened the 2026 regular season with Double-A Akron but needed only another 36 games at that level to prove he was ready to join the top ranks of the system. With Double-A, Velazquez posted a stellar .317/.414/.566 slash line with nine doubles, three triples, seven home runs, with a 31:22 K:BB. This strong play earned him an early ticket to Triple-A Columbus, where he has carried a .235/.316/.324 line over his first nine games. If Velazquez can continue to find his footing with Columbus, he could be in the mix to replace the struggling Kyle Manzardo or Rhys Hoskins on the MLB roster.

6 hours ago

Jesus Made • SS • Brewers

Jesus Made Not Slowing Down at Double-A, Can He Debut in 2026?

The top-ranked prospect in baseball, Jesus Made, has yet to slow down at Double-A and is putting himself in serious consideration to debut this season. The Milwaukee Brewers shortstop prospect has appeared in 45 Double-A contests this season at age 19 and has looked very comfortable. During this stint, he has posted a strong .280/.355/.460 slash line with eight doubles, four triples, six home runs, and 19 stolen bases. Additionally, Made has shown a strong eye for the dish, posting a 32:32 K:BB. Last summer, the No. 1-ranked prospect on MLB.com spent most of his time in the lower level and only logged five games at Double-A over the final week of the season. Given his quick progression at Biloxi, Made is now in serious consideration to move up to Triple-A in the coming weeks, putting him on track to contend for a late-season debut.

6 hours ago

Trevor Megill • RP • Brewers

Trevor Megill Tallies Eighth Save for Brewers, Fully in Control of Ninth-Inning Job?

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Trevor Megill locked up three saves last week, two of which came in the Brewers' most recent series in Houston over the weekend. On the season, Megill now owns a 4.29 ERA (2.87 xERA) and 1.05 WHIP with 27 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. He has also converted on eight of his nine save opportunities, and has demonstrated solid control with a 7.1 percent walk rate. While there has been a lot of hype around Abner Uribe, who has pretty electric stuff, Uribe has not showcased as much consistency and control as Megill, leading Brewers manager Pat Murphy to side with the 32-year-old veteran more often than the young 25-year-old Uribe. While it's possible Uribe will still snipe a couple of saves from Megill throughout the season, Megill appears to be the guy to own out of the two, and although Megill may not finish as a top 10 closer because of that, he is still a reliever that should be viewed as one of the more efficient closers in the game when given the chances. Additionally, Uribe has not recorded a save since May 19 against the Cubs.

6 hours ago

Karson Milbrandt • SP • Marlins

Karson Milbrandt Promoted to Triple-A, Quickly Approaching MLB Debut?

Craig Mish, host of SportsGrid, reported Monday morning that among all the Marlins' recent big-league moves is a significant minor-league note. Top 100 prospect starting pitcher Karson Milbrandt has been elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville. He has been fantastic in Double-A and is one step closer to the big leagues. Milbrandt is a former 2022 third-round pick by the Marlins, and he has been working his way up quickly through the Minors over the past year, with a solid 2025 season across High-A and Double-A, owning a 3.00 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with a 29.0 percent strikeout rate. Fast forward to his time in Double-A this season, and he owns a 1.34 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with a ridiculous 38.3 percent strikeout rate and 19.3 percent SwStr percentage. Milbrandt is an exciting prospect, as his arsenal includes a fastball that has touched 97 mph, and he now has a solid low-80s curveball after moving away from his slider while also improving his changeup. Milbrandt is certainly a prospect to keep your eyes on in redraft formats, while worth a check in your dynasty leagues to see if he's available.

6 hours ago

Tony Santillan • RP • Reds

Tony Santillan Stumbles in Save Opportunity, Safe to Cut in All Leagues?

Cincinnati Reds reliever Tony Santillan started the ninth inning for the Reds on Sunday with a three-run lead over the Atlanta Braves and faltered, recording only two outs and allowing two hits, one walk, and one earned run. He threw 18 pitches, 10 of which were for strikes, and Sam Moll came in to record the final out and pick up the save. Since Emilio Pagan (hamstring) landed on the injured list in early May, the closer role for the Reds has been in flux, with Santillan receiving most of the opportunities, but he has now blown three saves on the season, and only converted on two of them. He owns a 5.56 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and a 23.4 percent strikeout rate with an 11.7 percent walk rate. It has not been announced yet, nor have the Reds made it clear that Santillan has lost the role as the ninth-inning guy, but his production certainly suggests the Reds may look elsewhere, making him a strong drop candidate for fantasy managers heading into Week 11.

6 hours ago

Clayton Beeter • RP • Nationals

Clayton Beeter Tallies Another Save for Nationals, Emerging as Priority Waiver Wire Pick Up?

The Washington Nationals' carousel of closers continues, with right-hander Clayton Beeter recording the most recent two saves during the Nationals' three-game series against the Padres over the weekend. Beeter recorded the save on both Saturday and Sunday, working 2 1/3 innings, allowing one hit, and two walks with two strikeouts over the two outings. On the season, Beeter now owns a 2.30 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 15 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings pitched. He has converted on four of his six save opportunities on the season and is holding batters to a .135 batting average against. Considering Beeter got two opportunities in a row and is now tied for the team's lead in saves and save opportunities, he should be considered as a top closer fantasy option off the waiver wire in deeper formats where saves are difficult to come by. With the current state of closing pitching in MLB, Beeter's value is on the rise and is worth considering if you are struggling for saves.

6 hours ago

Kade Morris • RP • Athletics

Kade Morris of the Athletics Gets the Call to the Majors

Dylan Quinn, who covers the Athletics via Sports Illustrated, reported Sunday that the Athletics are promoting their 12th-ranked prospect, Kade Morris. Morris was acquired from the Mets in the Paul Blackburn trade and now joins the A's rotation. This news comes after it was announced that Jacob Lopez would be heading to Triple-A after Sunday's game against the Yankees. Morris, a former 2023 third-round pick, has not been very good at Triple-A this season, with a 4.45 ERA and 1.47 WHIP to go along with a 7.27 K/9, but the Athletics have seen enough from Lopez's 6.75 ERA. Last season, across Double-A and Triple-A, Morris posted a 4.35 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with a 7.68 K/9, similar to his performance thus far in 2026. Morris features a fastball that can reach 97 mph and good armside run, generating a lot of ground balls. Morris should not be on the fantasy radar for now, but he has the opportunity to make the first leap to the Major League level and showcase what he can bring, which is worth monitoring in the fantasy landscape.

7 hours ago

Jake Bauers • 1B • Brewers

Jake Bauers Emerging as Legit Bat in Brewers Lineup, Waiver Wire Value Rising Fast

Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers has cooled off slightly since his 12-game hitting streak came to an end on May 23, but his overall production remains highly encouraging. The 30-year-old is slashing .280/.351/.491 with nine home runs and continues to take a step forward offensively in his third season with Milwaukee. Bauers has been especially productive over his last 15 games, hitting .327 with a .564 slugging percentage while providing a steady mix of power and contact. His 22.6 percent strikeout rate is the lowest mark of his career and has helped fuel a more consistent offensive profile. With his previous career high sitting at 12 home runs, Bauers is well positioned to surpass that total. Fantasy managers should view him as a strong waiver wire target moving into June.

17 hours ago

Lucas Erceg • RP • Royals

Lucas Erceg Struggles Again, Losing Fantasy Relevance

Royals right-hander Lucas Erceg endured another rough outing on Saturday against the Rangers, failing to record an out while allowing three runs on five hits, including a home run. The appearance marked his third consecutive outing in which he surrendered multiple runs, continuing a troubling stretch after a strong start to the season. Erceg now owns a 6.33 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts across 21 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old has struggled to replicate the success he enjoyed in 2025, when he posted a 2.64 ERA in 61 appearances. His walk rate has jumped from 7.2 percent last season to 13.3 percent this year, contributing to the decline. While his 4.17 xERA offers some optimism, fantasy managers may want to look elsewhere until he regains consistency.

17 hours ago

Spencer Schwellenbach • SP • Braves

Spencer Schwellenbach Progressing in Recovery, Remains Priority Stash Target

Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) appears to be making encouraging progress in his recovery from right elbow surgery performed in mid-February. While a return timeline remains unclear, the 26-year-old carries significant fantasy appeal as a stash candidate. Schwellenbach emerged as a key member of Atlanta's rotation over the last two seasons, compiling a 3.23 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and elite command across 28 career starts. His 4.1 percent walk rate ranked in the 99th percentile, highlighting the combination of power stuff and control that fueled his success. Schwellenbach also showed improvement from 2024 to 2025 before the injury interrupted his development. Fantasy managers searching for impact pitching in the second half should continue monitoring his recovery closely as he works toward a return.

17 hours ago

David Sandlin • SP • White Sox

David Sandlin Delivers Strong Debut, Building Fantasy Appeal

Chicago White Sox right-hander David Sandlin made an impressive first impression on Wednesday, allowing just one run across six innings while striking out four batters to earn the victory. The 11th-round pick out of Oklahoma earned his promotion after dominating in the minors, posting a 0.55 ERA across 16 1/3 innings in six starts this season. Sandlin showcased the deep arsenal that fueled his rise through the system, relying on a six-pitch mix led by a 98 mph fastball that he threw 44 percent of the time. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should keep a close eye on his next few outings as he looks to build momentum and establish himself in Chicago's rotation.

17 hours ago

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