MLB News

Caleb Durbin • 3B • Red Sox

Caleb Durbin Is a Strong Power-Speed Target

Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin has worked his way into mixed-league relevance with a useful blend of power and speed. He is batting .236/.299/.400 with 10 home runs, 42 RBI, 42 runs, and 11 stolen bases across 92 games. Durbin does not hit the ball especially hard, but his 13.6% strikeout rate helps him stay involved and keeps the floor from falling apart when the power cools. The 26-year-old has also settled into regular work at third base and carries second-base eligibility in Yahoo leagues, giving managers more ways to fit him into a lineup. His 84.9 mph average exit velocity, 29.2% hard-hit rate, and 2.7% barrel rate make another major power surge unlikely, so the appeal is the overall category mix rather than a breakout. Durbin remains available in 59% of Yahoo leagues and ranks 25th in RotoBaller's latest waiver rankings. He belongs in the 10-team mix.

4 hours ago

Heliot Ramos • LF • Giants

Heliot Ramos Is a High-End Power Target

San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos is hitting .268/.304/.455 with nine home runs, 31 RBI, and 33 runs through 260 plate appearances. The home-run total undersells how well he has squared up the ball. His 92.4 mph average exit velocity, 15.7% barrel rate, and 50.3% hard-hit rate support the power case, and his .491 expected slugging percentage is 36 points higher than his actual mark. Ramos is not a five-category player. He has yet to steal a base, and a 26.6% strikeout rate adds batting-average risk. The power is real, though, and he has remained in the lineup since returning from a right quad strain, including recent starts in both the fifth and leadoff spots. Ramos is rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues and ranks 23rd in RotoBaller's latest waiver rankings, with an add recommendation for 10-team leagues and deeper. He is one of the better power bats still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues.

4 hours ago

Max Meyer • SP • Marlins

Max Meyer Won't Throw for Two Weeks

Miami Marlins right-hander Max Meyer (neck) will not throw for two weeks after he was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a neck injury, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. It means that Meyer won't be ready to return from the IL when he's eligible on Aug. 4. Fantasy managers should be stashing him in the meantime due to the success he's had in 2026 in his fourth year in the big leagues. Meyer was a first-time All-Star after going 9-1 with a career-best 2.68 ERA (3.51 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 121 strikeouts and 41 walks in 111 innings over his 20 starts. The 27-year-old former third overall pick from the University of Minnesota has not allowed more than two earned runs since his final start in May, when he gave up five earned runs with three walks and six strikeouts in a no-decision to the New York Mets. Meyer is no stranger to injuries in his career, but he had finally taken the next step this year with a career-high 26.2% strikeout rate before injuring his neck. He's currently rostered in 85% of Yahoo leagues.

4 hours ago

Griffin Jax • SP • Rays

Griffin Jax Is Back on Track as a Mixed-League Rotation Add

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Griffin Jax bounced back from a rough outing with six strong innings against Toronto on Wednesday, July 22. He allowed one run on three hits and one walk, struck out five, and earned his sixth win. Jax had been tagged for seven earned runs by Boston in his previous start, but the response brought his season line to a 3.89 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts over 81 innings. The move from the bullpen has stuck, with Jax now up to 16 starts in 27 appearances. He also carries SP/RP eligibility, making those innings easier to fit into fantasy lineups. Jax appears on 53% of Yahoo rosters, while RotoBaller ranks him as a 10-team addition. One blowup should not erase the larger body of work. Jax should not remain available in competitive mixed leagues.

4 hours ago

Curtis Mead • 3B • Nationals

Curtis Mead Undervalued Despite 17-Homer Breakout

Washington Nationals third baseman Curtis Mead is batting .258 with 17 home runs, 48 RBI, 48 runs, and six steals across 279 at-bats. He went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored Monday at Colorado before going hitless Tuesday and sitting Wednesday. Even with the quiet finish to the series, Mead is 22-for-55 (.400) with three homers in July. Mead's Yahoo roster rate has climbed to 52%, but that still leaves him available in nearly half of leagues. He also qualifies at first and second base, giving managers several ways to fit his bat into the lineup. RotoBaller ranks Mead 15th among its latest waiver options, first at third base, and recommends him in 10-team formats. The breakout is no longer speculative. Mead should be rostered wherever he remains available.

5 hours ago

Michael Arroyo • SS • Mariners

Michael Arroyo Heating Up in Quest to Make Big-League Debut

Seattle Mariners second base/outfield prospect Michael Arroyo was recently promoted from Double-A Arkansas to Triple-A Tacoma and is producing with two homers and 13 RBI in just 12 games with Tacoma. Altogether in the month of July, between the two levels, Arroyo is hitting .395 with four homers, 19 RBI, and 19 runs scored. Arroyo, the No. 5 prospect in the Mariners' system, can play second base or outfield, so he offers some positional flexibility for a potential call-up to Seattle. The Mariners are well stocked at the big league level with Cole Young manning second base and boast a loaded outfield. But Arroyo, the talented right-handed hitter out of Colombia, is producing in his age-21 season, and fantasy managers would be wise to add the talented youngster whose 55-power and 55-hit tool could be on display before the end of the season.

6 hours ago

TJ Rumfield • 1B • Rockies

TJ Rumfield a High-Floor Batting-Average Asset to Target on the Waiver Wire

Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season, hitting .297/.381/.476 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI, and 45 runs scored across 409 plate appearances. The 26-year-old's underlying batted-ball metrics are underwhelming, as he's logged just a 5.3% barrel rate and a 28.2% hard-hit rate. However, Rumfield has struck out in just 14.2% of his plate appearances on the year. Between his propensity to put the ball in play and his hitter-friendly home environment in Colorado, Rumfield profiles as one of the safer sources of batting average and run production available to fantasy managers on the waiver wire.

6 hours ago

Yohandy Morales • 3B • Nationals

Yohandy Morales Racking Up Power Numbers at Triple-A Rochester

Washington Nationals corner-infield prospect Yohandy Morales continues to hit for power at Triple-A Rochester and is making a case for a potential promotion. The No. 26 overall prospect for the Nationals, Morales has been consistently producing all season at Triple-A with 21 homers, 62 RBI, and 66 runs scored with a .294 batting average. The numbers beg the question if Morales deserves a shot with the Nationals, a team with a lineup loaded with young talent. Morales was a second-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, and his 55-grade power makes him an option as he can play either corner infield position. Morales could be worth a look in deep leagues as a sleeper stash, as his power bat would be a welcome addition to a deep Washington lineup at the big-league level.

6 hours ago

A.J. Ewing • CF • Mets

A.J. Ewing Remains a High-Upside Speed Threat on the Waiver Wire

Since being called up for his MLB debut in mid-May, New York Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing is hitting .274/.345/.426 with seven home runs, 25 RBI, 27 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 251 plate appearances. The 21-year-old has struck out in 27.1% of his plate appearances, which is a bit of a concern for fantasy managers. However, Ewing owns elite speed, which allowed him to consistently run a high batting average on balls in play throughout his time in the minor leagues. Across 124 minor league games in 2025, Ewing hit .392 on balls in play and stole 70 bases. Ewing has also drawn walks in 9.6% of his big league plate appearances, which should continue to help him make an impact on the bases. In leagues where he's not already rostered, fantasy managers should target Ewing as a speed threat with upside on the waiver wire.

6 hours ago

Angel Genao • 3B • Guardians

Angel Genao Continues to Impress During Red-Hot July Stretch

Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Angel Genao is tearing up the International League at Triple-A Columbus during the month of July with a .426 batting average, two homers, nine RBI, and 12 runs scored. The No. 2 prospect in the Guardians' system, Genao has split time this year between Double-A Akron and Columbus with a combined .296 batting average and 11 homers with 44 RBI and 60 runs scored. With Travis Bazzana manning second base at the major league level and with Brayan Rocchio at shortstop, Genao is blocked a bit by talent at the major league level, but he continues to produce at Triple-A. He is looking like a nice addition even in shallow leagues as he is likely to make his big league debut at some point this season. When he does, his 60-grade hit tool should make him a mainstay in fantasy lineups down the stretch.

6 hours ago

Isaac Paredes • 3B • Astros

Isaac Paredes Heating Up in July, Emerging as a Priority Waiver Wire Target

Across 410 plate appearances in 2026, Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes is hitting .263/.354/.438 with 14 home runs, 54 RBI, and 42 runs scored. The 27-year-old's overall line is solid, but he's really started to heat up in July. Across 71 plate appearances so far this month, Paredes is hitting .323 with three homers and nine RBI. Paredes has never had elite batted-ball metrics, and he's posted subpar barrel (6.1%) and hard-hit (30.4%) rates once again this season. However, the righty slugger maximizes his power by pulling the ball in the air at a high rate, which is a perfect approach for Houston's short left field. Paredes is also tough to strike out (15.1% strikeout rate), which helps keep his batting average floor high. For fantasy managers in need of power and run production, Paredes is a logical waiver-wire target.

6 hours ago

George Lombard Jr. • SS • Yankees

George Lombard Jr. Heating Up After Returning From Injured List

In his last five games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, New York Yankees shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. has nine hits and a home run, and he homered twice in his rehab assignment with the FCL Yankees in the two games prior. To say the Yankees' top overall prospect has been red-hot would be an understatement. His hot streak makes the shouts louder and louder from Yankees fans for a promotion, but nothing is official as of this moment. Fantasy managers, however, would be wise to add the 21-year-old now. Lombard Jr. is a five-tool prospect and has put up good numbers between three minor league teams this season. He has 11 homers and 29 RBI in 253 at-bats with 12 stolen bases, all while hitting .281. He has 55-grade power and 55-grade speed, so he could be looked to for elite numbers in the power categories, all while contributing to the stolen base category as well. Now is the time to add the youngster.

6 hours ago

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Could Be on the Verge of Fantasy Superstardom

Across 443 plate appearances this season, Detroit Tigers shortstop/third baseman Kevin McGonigle is hitting .281/.388/.422 with nine home runs, 35 RBI, 61 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The 21-year-old does not profile as a significant value-add in the power categories for fantasy managers, as he owns just a 7.6% barrel rate and a 38% hard-hit rate. However, McGonigle offers an elite plate approach, especially for a rookie. He's logged a 14.2% walk rate while striking out in just 13.8% of his plate appearances. McGonigle's ability to get on base has allowed him to cement himself as the near-everyday leadoff hitter in Detroit, which should keep him near the top of the runs-scored leaderboard for the rest of 2026. He also offers managers quality production in the batting average and speed categories. If McGonigle can hit for even slightly more power in the final few months of the season, he could emerge as a true five-category contributor.

6 hours ago

Braxton Ashcraft • SP • Pirates

Braxton Ashcraft Remains Worth Buying Despite Current Rough Patch

Across 116 1/3 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft has recorded a 9-4 record with a 3.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 130 strikeouts. While Ashcraft's overall line is strong, he's run into a rough patch of late. Across his last two starts, the 26-year-old has allowed four home runs and 12 earned runs in just eight innings pitched. Ashcraft's previous career-high for innings pitched in a professional season was 73 in 2024, so he may be running into a wall under the strain of his current workload. However, the young right-hander's underlying metrics still point to high-end upside. Ashcraft is averaging 97.2 miles per hour on his fastball, and he's logged a 27.0% strikeout rate with just a 5.8% walk rate. In leagues where managers are panicking after back-to-back rough outings, Ashcraft could be worth buying low on.

7 hours ago

Charlie Condon • LF • Rockies

Take a Chance and Add Charlie Condon Now

Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon is hitting .306 in July and is looking day by day like a potential call-up to make his major-league debut. Condon, the former No. 3 overall pick in the MLB Draft, is tearing up Triple-A Albuquerque this season, hitting .289 with 20 homers, 62 RBI, 77 runs scored with six steals, and a .975 OPS. The No. 3 overall prospect for the Rockies, Condon is looking like a must-add in all formats as he continues to light up the Pacific Coast League. The 23-year-old right-handed hitter is looking like a player who can pay back fantasy managers who take a chance and stash him on their roster. Condon can play first base or outfield, so he offers some roster flexibility to the Rockies should they want to call him up to make his major league debut. He is looking like one of the top adds on the waiver wire even though he is still in Triple-A. He looks like a difference-maker in the second half.

7 hours ago

Parker Messick • SP • Guardians

Parker Messick a Must-Start Pitcher Amidst Breakout Campaign

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season so far. Across 117 2/3 innings (20 starts), the 25-year-old has recorded an 8-5 record with a 2.68 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts. Messick has been particularly effective so far in July, allowing one earned run or fewer in all three of his starts this month. With an average fastball velocity of 93.9 miles per hour and a 24.8% strikeout rate, Messick may not have true fantasy SP1 upside. However, he does an excellent job of limiting hard contact. Opposing batters have posted just a 5.4% barrel rate against Messick, and he's allowed 0.84 HR/9. The young left-hander may be in for some slight regression in the second half of the season, but he profiles as a clear must-start pitcher for fantasy managers going forward.

7 hours ago

Walker Jenkins • CF • Twins

Walker Jenkins Working His Way Back From Injury

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has returned to the lineup for Triple-A St. Paul and has now been back for about a month. Activated on June 23, Jenkins has a month full of production under his name with modest results. The Twins top overall prospect has two homers and six RBI to his name during the end of June and most of July. Jenkins, a left-handed hitting former first round pick is uber-talented but is finding his swing after suffering a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in hi left shoulder. As he works his way back, now might be a good time to add Jenkins in dynasty leagues especially but also in shallow redraft leagues. In 168 at bats for St. Paul this year, Jenkins has recorded four homers and 15 RBI while hitting .274. He still has the tools to be successful in a call up to Minnesota and the Twins still could act on the 21-year-old sometime during the second half. Right now getting back to full health is the main priority for Jenkins.

7 hours ago

Ike Irish • C • Orioles

Orioles Prospect Ike Irish Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Friday that first base/outfield prospect Ike Irish (knee) is being placed on the High-A Frederick seven-day injured list due to a torn left meniscus that he suffered while sliding into second base on Wednesday, according to Steve Malewski. Irish, the Orioles' No. 2-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, is likely to miss the rest of the season. The 22-year-old former 19th overall pick out of Auburn University in 2025 will have his first full pro season cut short after hitting .286/.388/.528 with a .915 OPS, 16 home runs, 59 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 62 runs scored in 76 games across 343 plate appearances at Frederick. It ends a fantastic season for Irish in the lower levels of the minors. He should be ready to play for the start of the 2027 campaign, where he'll likely begin at Double-A Chesapeake. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound left-handed hitter has a mature approach at the dish and hits the ball hard to all parts of the field. There's a lot to like about Irish, who can hit for average and provide plenty of speed. The jury is still out on his overall power ceiling, but there is at least 20-homer potential.

7 hours ago

Ketel Marte • 2B • Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte to Return From Back Injury on Friday

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on MLB Network Radio that second baseman Ketel Marte (back) will be back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Washington Nationals and left-hander Carson Palmquist after he was scratched from Thursday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals with back stiffness, according to Dani Wexelman. Even with a left-hander on the mound to start for Washington, the 32-year-old switch-hitting Marte should be started in fantasy. In 115 plate appearances against southpaws as a right-handed hitter in 2026, Marte has hit .305 with eight of his 18 homers on the year. Marte has hit just .229 (16-for-70) with a homer, three doubles, a triple, six RBI, nine runs scored, three steals, five walks, and 15 strikeouts in 17 games and 76 plate appearances during July, but he's a must-start in most traditional fantasy formats at the keystone when he's active for his power from both sides of the plate.

8 hours ago

Casey Mize • SP • Tigers

Casey Mize Set to Start on Saturday

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin, wrist) will start on Saturday against the division-rival Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park, according to MLB.com. Mize was hit by a comebacker on his left wrist and aggravated a groin injury in his last start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, but the two injuries weren't enough to keep him from going this weekend in Motown in a plus matchup. He was able to throw his normal between-starts bullpen session this week and is ready to roll, so fantasy managers should get ready to throw him back into their starting lineups. The 29-year-old former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn has had a career year in 2026, going 4-6 with a 2.79 ERA (2.62 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 82 strikeouts and 19 walks in 80 2/3 frames across his 15 starts. Mize has dealt with some injuries and spent time on the injured list, but when available, he's been great, and he also has a career-best 25.6% strikeout rate. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his last four starts.

9 hours ago

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