MLB News

Cooper Pratt • SS • Brewers

Cooper Pratt on Breakout Watch

Milwaukee Brewers rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt, who is considered the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is already on breakout watch in fantasy baseball circles despite debuting in the big leagues on June 16. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter has batted .284/.367/.394 with a .762 OPS, two home runs, 14 RBI, 17 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in his first 35 major-league contests across 128 plate appearances. The former sixth-rounder in 2023 hasn't had much of an issue adjusting to major-league pitching so far in 2026 after slashing .241/.349/.386 with a .735 OPS, six home runs, 32 RBI, 17 steals, and 34 runs scored in 58 games on the farm with Triple-A Nashville. Pratt has really locked in at the plate in 22 July games, going 23-for-71 (.324) with two homers, three doubles, a triple, 12 RBI, 13 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 84 plate appearances. He has beaten Jesus Made to the majors, and Pratt might have a better shot to stick at the 6 long-term in Milwaukee. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder's contact skills are excellent, and he loves to run, making him an immediate waiver-wire consideration in mixed fantasy leagues. Pratt is currently rostered in just 10% of Yahoo leagues.

4 hours ago

Theo Gillen • CF • Rays

Theo Gillen Extends Hit Streak With Two-Homer Game

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Theo Gillen extended his 13-game hit streak with a two-homer performance on Wednesday night for Double-A Montgomery and continued his red-hot month of July. In 68 at-bats for Montgomery in July, Gillen has six homers, 22 RBI, 14 runs scored, and seven stolen bases, all while hitting .338. At age 20, Gillen is the top prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays. He's split time between High-A Bowling Green and Montgomery this season and is on a tear at Double-A. Earlier this season at Bowling Green, Gillen was equally impressive with 12 homers and 44 RBI to go with 53 runs scored and 28 stolen bases while hitting .342. Blessed with a 60-grade hit tool and a 60-grade run tool, Gillen is a rare prospect to monitor. But it still might be a bit before he reaches Tampa Bay, as he is just 20 years old.

4 hours ago

Tyler Wells • RP • Orioles

Tyler Wells the Closer to Roster in Baltimore

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells appears to be the closer to roster in fantasy baseball leagues with Ryan Helsley (elbow) still on the injured list, and Wells is only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues. The 31-year-old veteran and former starting pitcher is 2-2 on the year with a 2.72 ERA (3.43 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, three saves, 53 strikeouts, and only 13 walks in 53 relief innings for the O's. Veteran right-hander Andrew Kittredge has Baltimore's most recent save (on Wednesday), but he also has two losses within the last week and has not been as sharp as Wells. Wells' last save came on July 17 against the Houston Astros, but all three of his saves this year have come in July, a month in which he has allowed just two earned runs with four walks, 13 strikeouts, and a win in 13 appearances out of the bullpen. He's never been a dominant pitcher in terms of strikeouts, but his control is solid, and he does have a 25.5% strikeout rate in 2026, which is his highest mark since his rookie campaign in 2021. Fantasy managers searching for saves should consider Wells.

4 hours ago

Justin Gonzales • 1B • Red Sox

Justin Gonzales Homers in Three Straight Games at High-A

Boston Red Sox outfield prospect Justin Gonzales stayed hot with a homer in his third straight contest on Wednesday night at High-A Greenville. Gonzales brought his season total with Greenville to 15 homers and 43 RBI with 56 runs and eight stolen bases while hitting .263. The 19-year-old right-handed hitting outfielder has left a nice mark at High-A Greenville, producing at a high rate. He is the No. 3 overall prospect in the Red Sox' system and boasts a 55-grade hit tool with 55-grade power. From the Dominican Republic, Gonzales has adjusted nicely to minor league baseball so far. He will need to continue that progression through the upper level of the minors before he debuts for Boston. At age 19, he will likely need a few more years of development before making a debut at Fenway Park.

4 hours ago

Braden Montgomery • RF • White Sox

Braden Montgomery Can Help Fantasy Managers Down the Stretch

Chicago White Sox rookie outfielder Braden Montgomery had a memorable major-league debut on June 9 against the Atlanta Braves, when he walked it off with a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Since then, though, the former 12th overall pick by the Boston Red Sox out of Texas A&M University has hit a mediocre .250/.329/.405 with a .735 OPS, three home runs, 20 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a steal in his first 148 major-league at-bats with the Pale Hose. The 23-year-old switch-hitting outfielder has plenty of long-term upside, though, and he can be a fantasy baseball asset to close out the 2026 campaign. Since July 12, Montgomery has gone 15-for-48 (.313) with a .900 OPS, a homer, two doubles, two triples, 12 RBI, a stolen base, and eight runs scored in 13 games and 55 plate appearances. As long as Montgomery can avoid lower-body injuries, which have been an issue for him in the past, he should play regularly in Chicago, and his overall athleticism makes him an intriguing bench stash in deep-mixed leagues. Montgomery is only rostered in 10% of Yahoo leagues.

4 hours ago

Jacob Webb • RP • Cubs

Jacob Webb an Attractive Flier in Cubs Closer Committee

The Chicago Cubs are using a closer-by-committee situation right now with regular closer Daniel Palencia (elbow) still on the injured list, which is a frustrating situation for fantasy managers. After Trent Thornton's blown save on Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals, right-hander Jacob Webb might be the most enticing deep-league source for saves right now. The 32-year-old veteran has gone 3-2 in his first year with Chicago, with a 2.72 ERA (3.52 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, a career-high five saves, and a 55:17 K:BB in his 46 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He hasn't had a save since July 12 against the Cincinnati Reds, but Webb also has not allowed a run in his 10 innings of work in 10 July appearances while walking three, striking out 10, saving three games, and picking up two holds for the Cubbies. Caleb Thielbar is the other real threat for save opportunities in Chicago's bullpen, but with the way Webb has pitched of late, he should get more chances soon enough. Webb is rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues right now.

5 hours ago

Rainiel Rodriguez • C • Cardinals

Rainiel Rodriguez Defying Youth With Production at Double-A

St. Louis Cardinals catching prospect Rainiel Rodriguez had another multi-hit game on Wednesday night and is hitting .303 in Double-A Springfield during July. In 76 July at-bats, Rodriguez has five homers and 13 RBI with 10 runs scored while hitting north of .300. At 19 years old, the right-handed-hitting catcher is the top prospect in the Cardinals' system, making him enticing as a stash candidate even for this year. However, St. Louis is loaded at catcher at the big league level with Ivan Herrera, Jimmy Crooks, and Pedro Pages. Being that Rodriguez is just 19 years old, the Cardinals could choose to wait on a big-league debut for him, especially with the vast experience they already have in St. Louis at the position. Rodriguez looks like a dynamite dynasty league option, but in a redraft league it might be wise to regroup at the position next season.

5 hours ago

Bryan Abreu • RP • Astros

Bryan Abreu Continues to See Fantasy Value Increase Amid Impressive Stretch

Houston Astros right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu got off to a rough start to the 2026 campaign when Josh Hader was still on the injured list, but he has been locked in of late and could be a waiver-wire consideration in deeper fantasy leagues. In the team's 7-4 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Abreu pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings with no hits allowed, no walks, and a strikeout to pick up his seventh save of the year. The 29-year-old Dominican hurler is 2-3 on the year with a still elevated 4.74 ERA (5.43 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 28 walks in 38 innings out of the bullpen. This was Abreu's second save since the All-Star break, but he was only in there because Hader had pitched in four of the previous five days. Still, Abreu has been much better in July, allowing just two earned runs with three walks and 14 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched, and he will definitely be an asset in holds leagues if he continues to pitch like this. Abreu is rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues.

5 hours ago

Eric Hartman • CF • Braves

Eric Hartman Off to Stellar Age-20 Season at High-A

Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Eric Hartman continued a stellar season at High-A Rome with a two-homer game on Wednesday night, complete with four RBI. Hartman continues to mash at Rome, with the left-handed hitter tallying 24 homers, 63 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 37 stolen bases while hitting .278. It's been a remarkable year for Hartman at High-A, but fantasy managers will still want to take a wait-and-see approach to see if he can master Double-A and Triple-A in the same fashion. Hartman is just 20 years old and has the prospect pedigree as the Braves' No. 2 overall prospect. So he's definitely a name to monitor in dynasty leagues, especially with the stolen base potential, but he will likely need more time to advance through the minors before even thinking about a big league debut. The start at High-A is extremely enticing, but he'll have to prove himself a little more.

5 hours ago

Sebastian Walcott • SS • Rangers

Sebastian Walcott Producing at High Clip Since Injury

Texas Rangers shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott has homered in two straight games and is recovering nicely since returning from right elbow internal brace surgery. He played two games with the ACL Rangers on a rehab assignment before being assigned to Double-A Frisco on July 17. In 47 at-bats between Frisco and the ACL Rangers, Walcott has four home runs with 10 RBI, 15 runs scored, three stolen bases, all while hitting .383 with a 1.208 OPS. The right-handed hitting 20-year-old is producing at a high rate since returning from his injury. The top prospect in the Rangers' system, Walcott will likely need some time at Triple-A before making a major league debut. But if he can prove his health, he looks like a big-time prospect and thus a big-time waiver addition to beat the rush to his services. But at only 20 years old and coming off a serious injury, 2027 might be the most realistic year for his MLB debut.

5 hours ago

Blake Snell • SP • Dodgers

Blake Snell Fans Nine in Latest Rehab Start

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (elbow) looks ready to rejoin the team's big-league starting rotation after throwing four shutout innings with one hit allowed, no walks, and nine strikeouts in four innings of work with Low-A Ontario. It was against inexperienced hitters, but Snell looked good and threw 45 of his 60 pitches for strikes during the outing. The 33-year-old began the year nursing a shoulder injury before then landing on the injured list following a procedure on his left elbow to remove loose bodies from his arm. Although Snell looked good on Wednesday, the Dodgers could continue to slow-play the 33-year-old's rehab, like they are doing with most of their other injured stars. The former first-rounder and two-time Cy Young winner has made only one start for the Dodgers in 2026, but he deserves to be stashed in most fantasy baseball leagues for his strikeout upside when he's healthy. Snell is currently rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues, and his return to L.A. could be on the horizon.

5 hours ago

Corey Seager • SS • Rangers

Corey Seager to Come Off Injured List on Friday

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) will be activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday before the team's game against the division-rival Houston Astros if he is OK physically after his two minor-league rehab games, according to president of baseball operations Chris Young. Seager will be returning to the majors for the first time since early July due to inflammation in his lower back. It has been an injury-plagued year for the 32-year-old five-time All-Star, as he's had multiple stays on the IL and has played in only 51 games (219 plate appearances). When he has been on the field, he hasn't been himself, slashing .182/.292/.374 with a career-low .667 OPS, 10 home runs, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored, and a stolen base for the Rangers. Expect Texas to ease Seager back into the fold so that he will be healthy for the stretch run as they attempt to get into the postseason. If Seager can stay healthy the rest of the way and rebound to his pre-injury form, he'll be an asset at a premium position in all fantasy leagues.

6 hours ago

Daniel Susac • C • Giants

Daniel Susac Hits First Two Homers in Blowout Win Over Milwaukee

San Francisco Giants rookie catcher Daniel Susac had a day to remember in Wednesday's 16-3 drubbing of the visiting Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park. Susac went 2-for-4 at the plate with the first two home runs of his career, four RBI, three runs scored, and a walk to raise his season batting average to .256 and his OPS to .678. The 25-year-old former 19th overall pick in 2022 from the University of Arizona is now hitting .256/.306/.372 with a .678 OPS, 19 RBI, nine runs scored, and two stolen bases in his first 45 MLB games and 136 plate appearances. Susac had been losing out on playing time behind the dish to Drew Cavanaugh because of a recent slump offensively, so perhaps this will get him going again as we head into August this weekend. He has played in only eight games in July, going 4-for-18 with his two homers, five RBI, four runs, a steal, one walk, and three strikeouts, and he also hit .222 (10-for-45) in 16 games in June.

6 hours ago

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tarik Skubal Expected to be Traded by Monday's Deadline

ESPN's Jeff Passan thinks that Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal will be traded by Monday's deadline. The Tigers knew that they needed to go on a really big run in July for Skubal to stick around, and they didn't do it. They are currently 51-58 (six games back in the American League Central), and they sit 4.5 games behind the last wild-card spot in the AL, with four teams in front of them. Passan mentions the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are the favorites at this point, as the teams in the best position to pull off a blockbuster trade for Skubal, who has won the AL Cy Young in each of the last two seasons. The 29-year-old southpaw missed some time in the first half of the season due to surgery on his left elbow to remove loose bodies, but otherwise he's pitched well in 2026, going 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA (2.61 FIP) and 0.91 WHIP with 116 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 96 2/3 frames across his 16 starts. Moving to a contender like the Brewers or Dodgers will definitely boost Skubal's fantasy appeal to close out the season. Stay tuned.

6 hours ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Tigers to Promote Top Prospect Max Clark to Major Leagues

The Detroit Tigers are promoting top outfield prospect Max Clark to the major leagues. Clark is currently viewed as MLB.com's No. 13 overall prospect and the top-ranked prospect in the Detroit system. Clark has spent his entire 2026 campaign at Triple-A Toledo but has recently begun to take major strides at the plate. Over his last 33 contests (since June 12), the budding superstar has posted a .323/.426/.538 slash line with a dominant .964 OPS. During this noted stretch, Clark has hit seven doubles, seven home runs, and swiped nine bags. Prior to this, Clark carried a much lower .248/.355/.374 line over the first 57 games of the Triple-A season. Given his above-average eye, increasing power, and high-end speed, Clark carries must-add value in all standard leagues ahead of his MLB debut.

7 hours ago

Adley Rutschman • C • Orioles

Yankees Checking in on Adley Rutschman

The New York Yankees are among many teams to check in on three-time All-Star/switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist), according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, who is a pending free agent, seemed like a logical fit for the Yankees, but the Twins are suggesting they are buyers with the Aug. 3 trade deadline quickly approaching. Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson is another name on the Yankees' list as they seek a catching upgrade this summer. Rutschman is drawing interest despite an injury-plagued and disappointing 2026 campaign to this point. The former first overall pick out of Oregon State in 2019 is currently on the 10-day injured list with wrist inflammation and has yet to resume baseball activities, so he's not necessarily close to a return. Fellow catcher Samuel Basallo (shoulder) is also currently on the IL. It remains unclear if the O's are sold on Basallo as their long-term catcher, which would make Rutschman expendable.

16 hours ago

Nick Kurtz • 1B • Athletics

Nick Kurtz Leaves After Being Hit on the Forearm

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (forearm) left Wednesday's contest against the Boston Red Sox after he was hit on the left forearm/hand by a pitch, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Jeff McNeil took over for Kurtz at first base to start the second inning. The A's are saying that Kurtz is dealing with a contusion, which suggests he avoided a major injury, but he'll likely undergo further testing on Thursday. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Thursday for an update on the power-hitting left-hander and to see if he's cleared to play in the series finale in Sacramento against Boston. After hitting 36 bombs and driving in 86 in just 117 games in his first year in the majors in 2025, Kurtz has followed it up with a .260/.398/.491 slash line, .889 OPS, 21 home runs, and 69 RBI in 96 games across 425 plate appearances. The power hasn't quite shown up like it did last year, but Kurtz has also missed time with an injury. He was a first-time All-Star in 2025 and is one of the best upside bats for power in the majors. Hopefully, he can avoid another stint on the injured list. UPDATE: Kurtz will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday after X-rays on his forearm "were kind of unclear," according to manager Mark Kotsay.

16 hours ago

Zach Neto • SS • Angels

Angels Willing to Discuss Trading Zach Neto

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto could be on the move soon with the trade deadline quickly approaching. According to Mark Feinsand, the Angels are willing to listen to offers on Neto, Reid Detmers, and Jose Soriano. It does seem a bit odd that the Angels are willing to move Neto, who is one of the key building blocks of this team. Plenty of organizations are looking to infield help, so the Angels could be looking to cash in on Neto's value while it's high. A change of scenery could be good for Neto's long-term value, but we'll see if the Angels are truly interested in dealing him.

17 hours ago

Curtis Mead • 3B • Red Sox

Curtis Mead Not Expected to Have Surgery

Boston Red Sox third baseman Curtis Mead (hand) is not expected to undergo surgery, according to Chris Cotillo. Mead is expected to miss 6-8 weeks while he recovers from a fractured left wrist. The 25-year-old was recently acquired by the team and suffered this injury during his second at-bat on Monday. The hope is that Mead can resume baseball activities at some point in August. Mead should be able to contribute again before the end of the season, but this is still a tough break for the Red Sox. The organization could look to add another bat at the upcoming trade deadline.

17 hours ago

Oneil Cruz • CF • Pirates

Oneil Cruz is Cleared for All Baseball Activities

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) has been cleared to resume all baseball activities on Wednesday. Cruz appears to be finally trending in the right direction as he continues to work his way back from a fractured left hand. The organization is hopeful he can start swinging the bat soon and then head out on a minor league rehab assignment. He's eligible to return from the 60-day Injured List on August 7, so hopefully he'll be ready around that time. Jake Mangum has been starting in center field, but will likely head to a bench role once Cruz is ready to play. Fantasy managers will hopefully get Cruz back in the mix within the next two weeks.

18 hours ago

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