7:31	Jeff Zimmerman:

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In the article, I cover the players using CBS’s (about 40% or less initial roster rate) and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both hosting sites have the option for daily and weekly waiver wire adds. CBS uses a weekly change while Yahoo looks at the last 24 hours. Yahoo is a great snapshot of right now, while CBS ensures hot targets from early in the week aren’t missed. The players are ordered for redraft leagues by my rest-of-season preference, grouped by starters, relievers, and hitters.

Batters

Warming Bernabel: The dream continues (.354/.367/.688, 3 HR). Where his talent settles, nobody knows.

Isaac Collins: Five-category contributor (7 HR, 13 SB, .290 AVG in 307 PA).

Jakob Marsee: Is a 1.378 OPS good? While the batting will regress, he could be a great source of steals (5 SB so far, 47 SB in AAA) while not being a drain on power and batting average.

Luke Keaschall: Unstoppable in the majors with a 1.169 OPS and 5 SB in 39 PA.

Wenceel Pérez: (possible foot injury) Solid bat with 9 HR, 6 SB, and .259 AVG in 210 PA. Ten straight starts.

Lenyn Sosa: Leaned into pull flyballs and he has 13 HR (10 pulled) with a .276 AVG while qualified at three positions.

Blake Perkins: Small improvements have him batting .276.333/.534 with 3 HR and 3 SB in 63 PA.

Jesús Sánchez: Strong-side platoon bat hitting .276/.323/.414. With Houston, he might be sacrificing power for more contact. Or it could be a small sample.

Ernie Clement: Solid .287 AVG and qualified at all four infield positions.

Daulton Varsho: Hitting .241/.273/.607 with 11 HR on the season while sitting against most lefties.

Kyle Manzardo: Hits home runs (18 HR) from the strong side of a DH platoon.

Matt Wallner: Hit 16 HR in 274 PA and nothing else (0 SB, .218 AVG).

Daniel Schneemann: Strong-side platoon bat with 10 HR and 8 SB on the season.

Brooks Lee: The Twins’ starting shortstop (.249/.291/.377, 11 HR in 358 PA)

Kody Clemens: Eleven straight starts, including one against a lefty. A power-only bat with 13 HR in 233 PA.

Coby Mayo: Seven straight starts while batting .218/.297/.371 with 4 HR in 138 PA.

Ryan Mountcastle: Off the IL and started in both games. During his AAA rehab, he hit .387/.486/.806 with 3 HR in 37 PA. Track the playing time.

Romy Gonzalez: Starts against all lefties and a few righties. Great (.305/.345/.567, 8 HR, 4 SB) when he plays.

Andrew Benintendi: Providing power (14 HR in 347 PA) and not much else.

Casey Schmitt: Some power (7 HR in 197 PA) but not much else.

C.J. Kayfus: Five starts in six games since being promoted. He is struggling a bit (38% K%) with sinkers being the only pitch he can hit. His 38% K% and .462 BABIP battle it out to see where his talent stabilizes.

Alex Freeland: Continues to play with Tommy Edman hurt. So far in 27 PA, no extra-base hits or stolen bases. And a 30% K%. I have some worries about his talent and playing time.

JJ Bleday: In 17 PA since being promoted, he’s batting .529/.529/1.000 with 2 HR. I’m sure the .700 BABIP is sustainable.

Joey Loperfido: Dealing with a knee injury. In 50 PA, he’s taking advantage of his .500 BABIP. His playing time could decline once Springer comes off the IL.

Nathan Lukes: He occasionally will sneak in a start against lefties, but a strong-side platoon bat. Middling stats (10 HR, 1 SB, .250 AVG).

Liover Peguero: Started in seven of the last 10 games. Batting .244/.311/.561 with 4 HR this season.

Tyler Locklear: Continues to struggle to make contact (39% K%, .154 AVG). Might not be enough time for him to turn it around.

Spencer Horwitz: Strong-side platoon bat with no carrying tool.

Jordan Lawlar: Remains on the IL. In his previous 56 PA, he struggled with a 36% K% and .136 OPS. And now he’s recovering from an injury. Pass on him in ’25.

Darell Hernaiz: Showing both power (.258 ISO, 2 HR) and contact rate (0% K%) while starting at shortstop with Wilson on the IL. Play week to week.

Catchers

Kyle Higashioka: Catcher with 7 HR and a .258 AVG is solid.

Hitting Prospects

Dylan Beavers: In AAA, the 23-year-old outfielder is batting .309/.425/.536 with 18 HR and 22 SB in 389 PA.

Samuel Basallo: In AAA, the 20-year-old catcher is batting .277/.384/.613 with 23 HR and 0 SB in 302 PA.

Carson Benge: Across two minor league levels (A+, AA), the 22-year-old outfielder is batting .313/.420/.523 with 12 HR and 19 SB in 407 PA.

Kevin McGonigle: Across three minor league levels (A, A+, AA), the 20-year-old shortstop is batting .332/.427/.571 with 9 HR and 6 SB in 281 PA.

JJ Wetherholt: Across two minor league levels (AA, AAA), the 20-year-old shortstop is batting .305/.419/.515 with 13 HR and 16 SB in 360 PA.

Leo De Vries: In High-A ball, the 18-year-old shortstop is batting .246/.354/.405 with 8 HR and 9 SB in 402 PA.

Starters

Cade Cavalli: Unless there is an injury stash available on the wire, Calvalli might be the last starting pitching prospect to roster. He shoved in his debut with 6 K, 1 BB, and 0 ER in 4 IP (88 pitches).

Jacob Lopez: After struggling in July (5.30 ERA, 4.35 xFIP), he has been amazing in two August starts (0.00 ERA, 2.40 xFIP). As a starter, he projects to be a low-4.00 ERA arm.

Joey Wentz: His value will jump or tank depending on how his Sunday start goes against Miami. He found the strike zone (2.7 BB/9) since joining the Braves and has a 3.09 ERA (3.43 xFIP) and 0.90 WHIP.

Joey Cantillo: Solid besides the walks. His 1.44 WHIP has done as much ratio damage as a 5.16 ERA. Fine in points leagues where WHIP is not an issue.

Mike Burrows: After a 10-game stretch with a 3.08 ERA (3.59 WHIP), he got lit up on Tuesday by allowing 6 ER in 4 IP. I believe he’s one of the better options, especially as he develops his sinker.

Jose Quintana: Since the break, he’s taking a step forward by throwing more strikes in the season’s second half (1H: 3.9 BB/9, 2H: 1.6 BB/9). If he keeps it up, he could settle into being a 4.00 ERA talent.

Taijuan Walker: Keeps chugging along, but he could lose his job next week when Nola comes off the IL.

Chris Paddack: A mid-4.00 ERA talent facing the White Sox and Twins next week.

Aaron Civale: Settled into being a steady 4.50 ERA arm. I feel this might be too low with his decent ranking over the last two weeks. I’m ranking off the long record of being a mediocre talent.

Jason Alexander: He’ll start for Houston on Sunday, but it’s not clear if he’s still in the rotation after that game. As for his talent, his 55% GB% helps hide some warts, especially his 3.5 BB/9. He’ll run high a BABIP because the high groundball rate and walks have led to a 1.32 WHIP (eqiv of a 4.46 ERA). Not the worst option.

Cade Povich: The underlying numbers (3.94 xFIP) point to a better pitcher than the results (5.25 ERA) show. He keeps getting hit around (1.5 HR/9, .338 BABIP).

Davis Martin: Not sure why he’s in demand. It might be the two-week start he’s in the middle of right now.

Logan Allen로건: Nothing positive here with a 1.37 WHIP that’s doing as much ratio damage as a 4.75 ERA. He faces Miami and Atlanta next week.

Carson Whisenhunt: His only positive trait is the changeup (16% SwStr%, 60 BotOvr, 102 Pitching+). He needs to start throwing strikes. His 41% Ball% points to a 12% BB% and high-4.00’s ERA. At least he’s not Falter.

Ryan Bergert: His struggles with walks (4.4 BB/9) continue, but he’s got that 2.83 ERA (4.89 xFIP). He has been lucky (0.9 HR/9, .204 BABIP, 82% LOB%) in all aspects of his game. His luck could run out at any moment.

Hurston Waldrep: He found the strike zone with just one walk on Saturday over 6 IP. This season, he posted a 4.9 BB/9 in AAA and 10.3 BB/9 in ’24. Watch from afar until his talent stabilizes.

Bailey Falter: A solid 5.00 talent with starts against the Nationals and White Sox next week.

Miles Mikolas: Two starts against the Rockies and Yankees for the 5.00 ERA talent.

Cal Quantrill: The 5.00 ERA talent is in the middle of a two-start week (vs HOU, at ATL). The first game did not go well (4 IP, 7 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 2 SO).

Cristian Javier: The 28-year-old righty is supposed to debut next week. It’ll be fine to roster him, but don’t start him. In 14 IP during his rehab, he has allowed 15 BB. I have zero expectations from him.

Pitching Prospects

Jonah Tong: In AA, the 22-year-old righty posted a 1.58 ERA (2.09 xFIP), 0.94 WHIP, and 14.3 K/9 in 97 IP.

Relievers

Dennis Santana: Average reliever who is the closer.

Keegan Akin: Average reliever who is now the closer.

Jose Ferrer: Below-average reliever who is the closer.

Justin Topa: Below-average reliever who is the closer.

Phil Maton: Good reliever who could now be the closer. At least he’s in a committee.

Sean Newcomb: Good reliever who is most likely the closer

Alex Vesia: Good reliever who is in a closer committee.

JoJo Romero: Average reliever in a closer committee.

Calvin Faucher: Average reliever who is sharing the closer role.

Cole Sands: Good reliever who might have lost his closer’s role.

Riley O’Brien: Average reliever in a closer committee.

Ben Casparius: Average reliever who is in a closer committee.

Michael Kelly: Below-average reliever who is probably the backup closer.

Garrett Whitlock: Good reliever who is the backup closer.

Hunter Gaddis: Good reliever who is the backup closer.

Jeremiah Estrada: Good reliever who is a few steps away from closing.

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Note: Real life had me busy this week (moving my daughter to college), so I was adding news when I could. I wish there was more.

American League

Royals

• Ryan Bergert added a “kick-change”.

But the Royals also acquired the 25-year-old Bergert thinking about their future rotation. He showed why on Tuesday, with a 90-95 mph fastball that averaged 19 inches of induced vertical break. His sweeper showed a ton of movement despite Bergert not having the best command of his breaking pitches, and he flashed his new kick-changeup.

The difference in spin is obvious over his last two starts.

The STUPH models loved his changeup in his Kansas City debut giving it a 128 Pitching+ and 77 BotOvr.

Tigers

• The manager is considering Troy Melton in high-leverage relief appearances.

If the Tigers turn at some point to pitching chaos, or some rendition of it, Melton becomes big. Even if they don’t, Melton potentially looms large in situational work.

Asked if Melton could work into higher-leverage opportunities, Hinch said, “I think so. I mean, the stuff’s there. I think it’s about experience and strike throwing and being able to still use his whole arsenal. …

“I don’t know where it ends in terms of usage. I think the No. 1 goal in putting him towards the bullpen is to maybe pitch him a little bit more often. As he pitches more often, the outings are going to come where he can get the ball in his hand in that leverage that you’re talking about. He certainly has the stuff. I think he has the DNA. I think he has the makeup. It’s just all new for him.”

National League

Braves

• Grant Holmes is hoping scar tissue will heal his torn UCL.

Holmes consulted with three doctors, including Dr. Neal ElAttrache and a Braves team physician. The hope is that the rehab will help the UCL grow back together.

“If I’m not mistaken, I think ElAttrache said it was more about kind of letting the scar tissue over,” Holmes said. “Since it’s been injured, just let the scar tissue over. There was a small tear in there.”

Holmes to his torn UCL …

Cubs

• Ben Brown could be used as a starter.

Counsell said Ben Brown, who relieved Soroka on Monday and allowed just one run in four innings, was an option to make starts.

• Cade Horton’s starts will be limited for the rest of the season.

In Wednesday’s 6-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, Horton was dominant. The rookie tossed 5 2/3 scoreless frames, striking out six and walking none, having allowed just two hits. He needed just 67 pitches to get through his start and was pulled because the Cubs continue to monitor what’s already a career-high workload.

“We want a healthy Cade Horton,” manager Craig Counsell said. “We want a strong Cade Horton for the rest of the season. So we’re going to have to make some tough decisions, that’s just part of it. It’s the right thing to do for the team and for Cade.”

Horton understands the thinking, and while he said he feels good, he knows there’s more at stake to consider. His focus is just taking the ball when it’s given to him and attacking hitters while he’s on the mound.

Padres

• The team wants to give Mason Miller a chance to close.

Still, Suarez is the Major League saves leader, and the Padres don’t see much reason to move away from that formula. In his Padres debut on Friday, Miller pitched the eighth and Suarez got the ninth. Suarez again got the ninth on Sunday, and Miller seems to be on board with that plan.

“I’m happy to be here,” he said. “Hoping to make [the bullpen] an even bigger strength. … Whatever I can do to help the team win, I’m ready to do.”

Eventually, that will include closing games, with Shildt adding: “There will be opportunities for Mason to take that role down at some point.”

Phillies

• Andrew Painter is not being promoted because he lacks command and can’t get lefties out.

Tuesday was one of those nights. The RailRiders loaded up on lefties, playing eight against Painter. Southpaws are among his biggest problems; entering Tuesday, lefties batted .311 with an .881 OPS against him.

The pitches Painter trusts against lefties did not deliver. He could not locate his fastball, which spun arm-side up. The changeup, he thought, wasn’t competitive. The curveball was off.

• Aaron Nola will start in the majors on August 17th or 18th.

Aaron Nola made another rehab start Wednesday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He’s scheduled to pitch again next Tuesday in Buffalo, N.Y., with the IronPigs. He will then join the Phillies in Washington. It puts him on track to return either Aug. 17 or 18.

The team is prioritizing defense and starting Edmundo Sosa more.

When possible, in recent games, Thomson has turned to Edmundo Sosa over Otto Kemp at third base. The manager said it’s to prioritize defense. On the infield, that has grown into a team strength this season.

Pirates

• Dennis Santana is the team’s closer.

And when it comes to mapping out who will factor into the ninth moving forward, Santana is the guy right now.

“He’s going to get the bulk of the opportunities there,” Kelly said. “He’s earned that, the way that he’s thrown.”

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American League

Angels

• Since coming off the IL, Christian Moore (87 wRC+) started in four straight games at second base.

• Bryce Teodosio (39% K%, .625 BABIP) started five straight in center field.

• There has been a different starting third baseman over the last three games (Yoán Moncada, Luis Rengifo, and Oswald Peraza). Read the rest of this entry »

In our first Pitcher Playing Time Changes roundup since the Trade Deadline, let’s take a look at how the moves made changed how many starts and relief innings we can expect for pitchers down the stretch:

The word “Issue” and the name “Tarik Skubal” haven’t been used in the same sentence very often in 2025. The Detroit Tigers’ lefty is the clear frontrunner for winning the Cy Young award at the end of the season. However, back in May, hitters began ambushing Skubal, knowing their best chance of even being graced with a ball in play was on the first pitch. Read the rest of this entry »

Daily SP Chart archive

The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.

These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.

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While the NFBC Main Event garners most of the attention, there are a handful of leagues with even larger entry fees ($2.5K to $15K). They are named “High Stakes Leagues,” and there are eleven of them. With so much money on the line, these fantasy managers try to gain any advantage. Most of the time, these managers will be a week or two ahead of everyone else on their adds. Here are the players and some information on the ones added in five or more leagues.

Batters

Jakob Marsee (11): Added for his playing time (Marlins’ centerfielder) and ability to steal bases (51 SB in ’24, 47 in ’25). An .833 BABIP and 29% BB% makes his current slash line look insane (.500/.647/1.167)

Tyler Locklear (10): I’m not sure Locklear is an improvement over other waiver wire first basemen. Here are his Steamer600 comps.

If a manager is eyeing Curtis Mead, then maybe Locklear should be on their radar.

Eli White (9): The 31-year-old White has six straight starts with Acuna on the IL. White has been a fine injury replacement with 7 HR, 7 SB, and a .254 AVG in 222 PA. I wonder if most of his demand came from his two-homer race track game on Sunday.

Jonny DeLuca (8): For any Ray, dissecting the playing time is the most important factor. DeLuca has started in eight of 11 games since coming off the IL. He sat against three righties (started against five righties).

Over his three major league seasons, he has hit .236/.291/.353 (84 wRC+) with 8 HR and 23 SB in 463 PA. While the stolen bases would be helpful in fantasy, he needs to continue hitting and play every game to become fantasy-relevant.

Blake Perkins (7): The 28-year-old outfielder is in his third major league season. In 656 PA, he has 12 HR and 31 SB with a .235 AVG (similar to DeLuca). A speedster with non-zero power and some contact issues. Since Jackson Chourio got hurt, Perkins started five straight in centerfield.

For a player with his profile, he needs to play all the time to get the required Runs and RBI. Check in on his playing time once Chourio returns.

Joey Loperfido (6): Since being called up, the 26-year-old is batting .389/.436/.542 (.500 BABIP) with 3 HR and 1 SB in 79 PA. I found two changes from last year’s .614 OPS campaign. First, he’s increased his Contact% from 67% to 73%. Second, he cut his swinging-strike rate against sliders from 21% to 11%.

The Jays have noticed and started him in nine of the last 10 games. Over a full season, he projects for 15 HR, 10 SB, and a .240 AVG. Streaming option at best.

Brooks Lee (6): With Correa traded away, Lee has started every game at shortstop.  Over a full season, he projects for 15 HR, 6 SB, and a .240 AVG. Almost the same as Loperfido. Another streaming option.

Nolan Gorman (6): Gorman started in five of the last six games as he fills in for Nolan Arenado. Gorman has been a solid source of power (10 HR in 244 PA) but a drag in speed (1 SB) and a .224 AVG. Short-term fill-in.

Daniel Schneemann (6): The 28-year-old middle infielder has been on a hot streak ( .364/.378/.705 , 1 HR, 2 SB) since the break, driven by a .394 BABIP.

Casey Schmitt (6): Starts five games and then sits for one or two. Showing signs of 20 HR power (6 HR in 189 PA). Contact% and avgEV are at career highs. Good real-life hitter.

Warming Bernabel (5): Starting to cool down (in a 2 for 12 stretch), but still has a sexy triple slash line: .400/.415/.775 (.394 BABIP). He’s hacking at everything (1 BB in 41 PA), so pitchers aren’t giving him anything to hit. Regression comes, but when will his talent stabilize?

Abraham Toro (5): Ever since Mayer (wrist) went on the IL, Toro started all 11 games. The 28-year-old is another 15 HR and .250 AVG talent with no upside. A bench streamer at best.

Ty France (5): France went from starting most days in Minnesota to being an unrosterable part-time DH in Toronto.

Starters

Carson Whisenhunt (9): The 24-year-old lefty is showing no signs of being a major league pitcher. His 7% K%-BB% is not good. The four closest qualified pitchers are Bailey Falter, Mitchell Parker, Andre Pallante, and Jake Irvin.

His results, STUPH, and projections point to a high-4.00 ERA talent with a ratio-killing WHIP. I guess the matchup against Washington is enticing.

Jameson Taillon (6): Injury stash for a pitcher with a 4.44 ERA (4.30 xFIP), 1.11 WHIP, and 7.0 K/9.

Davis Martin (6): Martin’s opponents are decent for the next two weeks (at SEA, vs CLE, at KC). All season-long indicators (projections, STUPH, results) point to him being a low-4.00 ERA talent.

One issue, since coming off the IL (forearm), he’s lacked control with a 5.9 BB/9 and a 39% Ball% (equivalent of 4.2 BB/9). I understand teams need to take a chance, and this is a big one.

Logan Henderson (5): Finally back in the rotation with Misiorowski on the IL. The excitement has quelled a bit on Henderson with K%-BB% in AAA dropping from 25% to 17% between stints. Our two STUPH both think he’s the same pitcher. Maybe he got bored in AAA.

Aaron Civale (5): Since the break, he’s thrown three shutouts with a 10.4 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, and 50% GB% (2.45 xFIP).  The obvious improvement is that he’s attacking the strike zone. Before this stretch, he had a 3.8 BB/9. Additionally, he’s upped his curveball (12% SwStr%, highest among his pitches) usage from 17% to 24%.

His STUPH grades see an improvement.

STUPH: 1H, 2H
BotOverall: 39, 47
Pitching+: 91, 105

They point to a league-average pitcher, and that has some fantasy value.

Taj Bradley (5): Now in AAA, hopefully finding where the strikeouts went. Each season, his strikeouts have dropped from 11.1 K/9 to 10.0 K/9 to 7.7 K/9. And this season, he has a career-high 3.6 BB/9. I’m not sure what people are hoping for? He’s never been a league-average pitcher.

Tomoyuki Sugano (5): I’m always interested in why subpar pitchers are added. With Sugano, managers are likely chasing his next two starts  (vs ATH, vs SEA). He’s been horrible this season with a 4.42 ERA (4.64 xFIP), 1.32 WHIP, and just a 6.0 K/9. Desperate teams could be better off with a well-placed middle reliever option.

Kai-Wei Teng (5): The 26-year-old righty struggled in his first MLB action this year, allowing 5 ER in 3 IP with 5 K, 3 BB, 1 HBP, and 4 H. His struggles center around walking too many batters. In his combined 14 MLB innings, he has a 6.9 BB/9. His 41% Ball% over that stretch is equivalent to 5.4 BB/9. Here are his last four minor league walk rates.

Season: BB/9
2022: 5.6
2023: 4.8
2024: 5.2
2025: 3.5

Teng has shown the ability to miss bats. Here is how his pitches performed in AAA.

Everything except his sinker is a legit swing-and-miss pitch.

To be fantasy-relevant, he needs to find the plate.

Relievers

Cole Sands (10), JoJo Romero (9), Calvin Faucher (8), Keegan Akin (7), Sean Newcomb (7), Victor Vodnik (6): This week’s reliever carousel has been covered in detail by every publication and podcast. I have nothing to add.

Daily SP Chart archive

The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.

These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.

With just 4 games, I figured I’d just write ’em up really quick.

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Well, that’s a good night:

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