With the rapidly adjusting rosters IRL and fantasy-wise due to trade deadlines, here’s to hoping this piece ages better than a gallon of milk left out next to the Jack Buck statue outside Busch Stadium yesterday…
In the time of drafting this piece, both Ryan McMahon and Gregory Soto were moved, and things are only going to accelerate until the 31st. We likely won’t see any major moves, especially any that are going to top the Rafael Devers swap, but all of the little trades that impact the peripheries of rosters go a long way to affecting this piece. Those moves also create the cracks required to find new players to roster for the fantasy baseball stretch run.
So accordingly, we have a good mix of pickup suggestions below. A few that could be fantasy studs for a couple months (Drake Baldwin and Zebby Matthews) along with a handful of names that could rise to prominence with a newfound 40-man roster occupation (Dylan Beavers, Jakob Marsee).
Good look out there this weekend Razzballers! We’ll be back next weekend with a huge rundown of all the trade deadline fallout, as many new roles will be carved out.
The stats and roster rates below are updated as of noon central time on 7/25.
As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on BlueSky (@mcouill7.bsky.social).
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Drake Baldwin (ATL, 48% CBS Rostership) – Baldwin’s Savant page continues to look immaculate. The 51.4% HardHit rate (89th percentile) along with an 84.8% zone-contact rate is absolutely bananas – that’s pretty much Vladimir Guerrero Jr-type level. AT CATCHER. Atlanta has also made a nifty switch in post-All-Star break in which both Baldwin and Sean Murphy are playing every day, cycling between catcher and DH, as Marcell Ozuna has been relegated to the pine. With no playing time restrictions on the rookie backstop, he’s looking to build upon his well-deserved .284/.353/.479 slash line while pretty much being a full-time first baseman in the lowest volume fantasy starting spot. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Sean Murphy (ATL, 44% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Ryan Jeffers (MIN, 41% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Francisco Alvarez (NYM, 31% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Victor Caratini (C/1B, HOU, 26% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Teel (CHW, 22% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Adrian Del Castillo (ARI, 8% CBS Rostership) – As the D-backs clean house this next week, Del Castillo, another superb bat masking as a catcher (although, Baldwin can actually handle the position, unlike Del Castillo) stands to be the biggest beneficiary in Arizona. The 25-year-old has finally recovered from shoulder and back injuries that marred his playing time while Gabriel Moreno has moved to the 60-day IL. The batted ball data isn’t as strong as Baldwin’s (but outside of Cal Raleigh, no other catcher’s is), but Del Castillo can hover around a 10% barrel rate and make plenty of appearances at DH in a decent lineup with a solid home park to be well worth the investment down the stretch. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Edgar Quero (CHW, 8% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Miguel Amaya (CHC, 8% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Danny Jansen (TBR, 8% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Liam Hicks (C/1B, MIA, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Luke Keaschall (2B, MIN, 35% CBS Rostership) – The rookie infielder has been rounding out his rehab from a broken hand right as Brooks Lee has gone into a tailspin (.106/.173/.128 slash for a -15 wRC+ in July). I loved Keaschall so much that I took liberties with a pop classic in recognition of his game upon his debut. Given his batted-ball quality and desire to constantly play like his hair is on fire, I expect Keaschall to be something like a .270 bat with a 15 homer/25 steal pace in a prime lineup spot over the next few months. Yes, that means I think all of the projections are low – the 22-year-old’s blazing trail through the minor leagues never allowed those projections to fully catch up. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Ezequiel Tovar (SS, COL, 50% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Tyler Freeman (2B/OF, COL, 40% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Josh Jung (3B, TEX, 38% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), J.P. Crawford (SS, SEA, 45% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jose Caballero (2B/3B/SS/OF, TBR, 43% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Ernie Clement (1B/2B/3B/SS, TOR, 39% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Caleb Durbin (2B/3B, MIL, 38% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Manzardo (1B, CLE, 30% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Brice Matthews (2B/SS, HOU, 28% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Coby Mayo (1B/3B, BAL, 23% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Brett Baty (2B/3B, NYM, 21% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Luis Rengifo (2B/3B, LAA, 20% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Otto Kemp (1B/3B/OF, PHI, 6% CBS Rostership) – Alec Bohm’s latest fractured rib might be a blessing in disguise because at least offensively, Kemp might be the superior player. After getting his feet wet at the big-league level, the 25-year-old has put together a nifty July with a .265/.342/.412 (113 wRC+) slash line in 38 sporadic plate appearances that have been buoyed by a 52.2% HardHit rate and 21.7% barrel rate. Given the triple positional eligibility, Kemp’s upcoming three-to-four week run with regular reps at the hot corner (his natural position after being shuffled between first and the outfield upon promotion) could unlock his full potential. Like Keaschall, the projections haven’t fully captured the recent improvements in Kemp’s game, so I think he can be a solid .250 bat and a 15/15 taters and legs pace as the floor. (3-5% FAAB)
Carson Williams (SS, TBR, 19% CBS Rostership) The 22-year-old Williams has turned the corner recently at Triple-A. One has to look deeper than the .218 average and 34.0% K-rate on his season line, because his July has been what the Rays have been awaiting before promotion. In 16 games this month, Williams is slashing .255/.367/.549 (135 wRC+) with four homers and steals apiece. Oh yeah, and that has all come with a palatable 25.0% K-rate and 15.0% BB-rate, indicating the pitchers in the International League are starting to fear him. With Brandon Lowe’s recent ominous left ankle/foot tendinitis injury, Ha-Seong Kim’s continued rounding into form, and the Rays’ front office about to free up a 40-man spot or two at the deadline, Williams is on the precipice of the big leagues. Look for the top prospect to be young Javy Baez-like, with lots of slick fielding, monster long balls, flashy steals, and cacophonous whiffs. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Andrew Vaughn (1B, MIL, 19% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Chase Meidroth (2B/SS, CHW, 18% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Lenyn Sosa (1B/2B/3B, CHW, 16% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B, PIT, 15% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Nick Gonzales (2B, PIT, 10% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Max Muncy (2B/3B/SS, ATH, 10% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), C.J. Kayfus (1B/OF, CLE, 8% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Spencer Horwitz (1B/2B, PIT, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Mauricio Dubon (1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, HOU, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Casey Schmitt (1B/2B/3B, SFG, 6% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Nick Yorke (2B, PIT, 4% CBS Rostership) – At the risk of becoming a Nick Yorke guy, I’m sticking with him as the suggestion this week. The Pirates already shipped out Adam Frazier, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa likely has a moving company on standby. Given that Pittsburgh demoted Cam Devanney, the return for Frazier, upon his acquisition, it appears the front office might prefer Yorke as the replacement for IKF. Yorke has continued to be a steady middle infield bat at Triple-A Indianapolis, hitting .270 with six homers and 12 steals across 76 games. (1-3% FAAB)
Will Wagner (1B/2B/3B, TOR, 4% CBS Rostership) – I’m starting to lose count of the number of Blue Jays on the back end of their lineup I’ve suggested this year. Toronto continues to shuffle the roster to ride the hot (or uninjured) hand, with Wagner resurfacing in a strong-side platoon role lately. Assuming that his father’s Hall-of-Fame induction won’t distract him this weekend, the 26-year-old has been on a BABIP-fueled heater since reappearing June 28, slashing .341/.438/.463 with five doubles, nine runs scored, and four RBI in 47 plate appearances. Most of what I laid out back in Week 2 still applies for Wagner, and now he has first base eligibility too! Look for a solid batting average with requisite counting stats in solid playing time and limited power/speed out of this infielder. (3-5% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Jordan Beck (COL, 47% CBS Rostership) – I am definitely a Jordan Beck guy, a dude slashing .328/.348/.448 with a homer and two steals in 69 nice July plate appearances with half his games at Coors Field. He’s produced $7.2 of value per our Player Rater so far and is set to keep doing that because the Hittertron consistently projects weeks in the mid-teens for Beck when the Rox are at home. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Mickey Moniak (COL, 33% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Victor Scott II (STL, 48% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Ramon Laureano (BAL, 28% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Angel Martinez (2B/OF, CLE, 27% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 22% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Jake Mangum (TBR, 22% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Jake Fraley (CIN, 6% CBS Rostership) – Fraley and his Cincinnati teammates have a juicy week to stream with five home games in thick summer heat at Great American Smallpark before doing the one-game MLB Speedway Classic in Bristol, TN. In addition, of those six total contests, the Reds should face just one lefty starter, Blake Snell, who is making his first return start and could easily have a limited outing. Fraley is a right-handed weapon, owning a career .264/.348/.438 (114 wRC+) with what would pace to a 15 homer/18 steal season against righties. If looking for a one-week streamer who is not likely to be affected by the trade deadline, Fraley is your guy. If looking for a more long-term outfield option, consider Isaac Collins, who has been consistently drawing playing time and producing no matter the weekly matchup. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Isaac Collins (MIL, 14% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Andrew Benintendi (CHW, 18% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Pavin Smith (1B/OF, ARI 16% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Luke Raley (1B/OF, SEA, 13% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 9% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Tommy Pham (PIT, 9% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Alek Thomas (ARI, 5% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Nathan Lukes (TOR, 4% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Joey Loperfido (TOR, 3% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Jakob Marsee (MIA, 1% CBS Rostership) – Marsee has found a new level in July, slashing .305/.423/.542 (162 wRC+) with nearly identical strikeout and walk rates (18.1% and 16.7%, respectively) in 17 games this month. The Marlins have to add the 24-year-old to the 40-man roster this offseason in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. But with the upcoming deadline likely to clear at least one of those roster spots, there’s little reason for Miami to not call up their hottest minor-league bat and see what he can do in the big leagues. (1-3% FAAB)
Dylan Beavers (BAL, 4% CBS Rostership) – The price is only increasing on Beavers, as Ryan O’Hearn and Cedric Mullins will not be in Baltimore by this time next week (and might have been already shipped out as you read this). Beavers has nothing left to prove at Norfolk, where he’s put up 13 homers, 20 steals, and a .306/.407/.504 (145 wRC+) slash line this season. The former Cal Golden Bear is going to be a starting outfielder rest of way post-deadline and will likely be a great value pick for 2026. (3-5% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Zebby Matthews (MIN, 45% CBS Rostership) – Zebby’s Friday outing against the Nats was exactly the type of performance expected as a long-time fan around here. He looked masterful over six scoreless two-hit innings, punching out six with no walks. In addition, the Stuff+ metrics came back extremely positive, with his fastball back up to a 110 Stuff+ after being below 100 in his Colorado start and last appearance before the IL stint. With everything humming along, Matthews is the best chance at a fantasy ace from the waiver pool right now – it’s not a stretch to see him producing a 3.50 ERA with a strikeout per inning over the last two months. (7-9% FAAB)
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN, 25% CBS Rostership) – Latch-Key Kid will cover this for us tomorrow, but woof, the two-start landscape next week is brutal for addable arms. Woods Richardson has the most pleasant two step with scheduled starts versus Boston and at Cleveland. Since a six-run blowup against Texas on June 10, the Minnesota right-hander has been better with a 3-1 record and 2.14 ERA. Although he’s been skinny Homer with a 4.19 FIP and 25:16 K:BB during that span, if chasing wins and volume this week, he’s unfortunately the best available option as pitchers on the wire are riddled with warts. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Eric Lauer (TOR, 49% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Frankie Montas (NYM, 25% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Cade Horton (CHC, 42% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Charlie Morton (BAL, 40% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Bradish (BAL, 30% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Michael McGreevy (STL, 16% CBS Rostership) – THE AGE OF MICHAEL MCGREEVY HAS DAWNED, BITCHES. With Erick Fedde’s unceremonious DFA this week, McGreevy will get the remainder of 2025 to work his six-pitch arsenal against big leaguers. As the foremost user of the Michael McGreevy player tag on this website, I think it’s worth be aggressive with bidding on the right-hander because he can be a ratios salve. Look for an upper threes ERA and 1.15 WHIP along with real, viable chances at wins and quality starts for McGreevy thanks to his pinpoint control and groundball-inducing repertoire. The K’s will be lacking (probably around six per nine), but steady additions to fantasy rotations don’t get much better than this late in the season. (5-7% FAAB in 15-teamers, 3-5% in 12-teamers)
QUICK HITS: Troy Melton (DET, 8% CBS Rostership, 3-5% FAAB), Logan Allen (CLE, 20% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Cristian Javier (HOU, 16% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Nolan McLean (NYM, 14% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Richard Fitts (BOS, 12% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Mike Burrows (PIT, 8% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Randy Vasquez (SDP, 9% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Hunter Barco (PIT, 5% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Cal Quantrill (MIA, 3% CBS Rostership) – There’s nothing I like better than a good Quantrill stream in this section. Assuming he’s still in the rotation when this post goes up and not in a contender’s bullpen, Quantrill is teed up for a nice matchup next week in St. Louis against a Cardinals team that was just shut out by the Rockies in Colorado. Quantrill looked sharp in his first post-ASB start against Kansas City this week with six scoreless frames allowing just two hits with three Ks. (3-5% FAAB)
Marco Raya (MIN, 1% CBS Rostership) – If the Twins do indeed move Joe Ryan at the trade deadline, don’t be surprised if Raya, a 2020 fourth round pick, finally gets his chance in Minnesota. The 22-year-old is already on the 40-man roster and is a 45 future value prospect according to FanGraphs mostly because of his walk issues (5.4 BB/9 at Triple-A this season). In addition, the Twins had really been babying Raya, limiting his innings as a pseudo opener and piggyback starter. But that approach has changed since June 22, when the right-hander went five frames and kept that rolling until his recent disaster at Louisville this week. If looking solid in ratios but chasing Ks, Raya could be a sneaky play in an AL-Only league thanks to his nasty curveball, which has led the way to a 10.1 K/9 at St. Paul. (1% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Grant Taylor (CHW, 21% CBS Rostership) – Just like everyone expected, the White Sox are the hottest team after the All-Star break, going 6-1 including a beatdown of the Cubs on Friday. Taylor hasn’t had any opportunities for save during that stretch because the Sox are dismantling teams like the 1890 Boston Reds. But if looking to invest in a closing option that won’t lose his role over the next week of trade chaos, Taylor remains a formidable option thanks to his 1.56 FIP and 23.3% K-BB rate. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Kirby Yates (LAD, 33% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Robert Garcia (TEX, 32% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Alex Vesia (LAD, 21% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Jason Adam (SDP, 36% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Randy Rodriguez (SFG, 30% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Bryan Abreu (HOU, 28% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Abner Uribe (MIL, 26% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Tommy Kahnle (DET, 23% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
David Robertson (PHI, 4% CBS Rostership) – As fantasy baseball players, saves saviors pretty much never appear like this. The 40-year-old Robertson signed with the Phils this week and has already reported to Triple-A to make his final preparations. Robertson, who had one of his best seasons in 2024 with a 3.00 ERA, 2.65 FIP, and 24.3% K-BB in 72 (his career high!) frames, immediately would become a top 10 closer given his talent while joining a successful ball club. Really the only question is whether the late start will hinder Robertson, but between his 17-year relief career and fastidious self-training, I don’t have many doubts. (7-9% FAAB in 15-teamers, 5% in 12-teamers)
Seranthony Dominguez (BAL, 14% CBS Rostership) – The Baltimore bullpen is about the be a whirlwind over the coming week. Dominguez would have been my odds-on favorite for the closer role, but then Gregory Soto nailed own the first save after Felix Bautista’s placement on the IL. Then Soto was shipped out, leaving Dominguez back in the driver’s seat. Don’t be surprised to see the erstwhile Phillie also getting shipped out; he’s been solid with a 3.32 ERA and 11.7 K/9 (WHIP and walk rate purposefully glossed over). But proceed with caution on the bid investment here, because it could all be for naught as Dominguez likely won’t close if dealt to a contender. The next man up after Dominguez would be Andrew Kittredge (buried in the Quick Hits below). (3-5% FAAB in 15-teamers, 3% in 12-teamers)
Dennis Santana (PIT, 19% CBS Rostership) – The Pirates front office has finally made overtones that David Bednar will be traded this deadline. Santana would be the next up for Pittsburgh saves, assuming he isn’t also traded. The other question is how man save chances there will be as the Pirates will likely be among the worst teams in the league over the final two months. (3-5% FAAB in 15-teamers, 3% in 12-teamers)
Dylan Lee (ATL, 10% CBS Rostership) – It will be front-office malpractice if Atlanta can’t clear house over the next week. A part of the cleanup should be re-homing Raisel Iglesias and Pierce Johnson, leaving Lee, with his 2.62 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 49:11 K:BB in 44.2 innings, as the preferred saves option. (3-5% FAAB in 15-teamers, 3% in 12-teamers)
QUICK HITS: Ben Casparius (LAD, 13% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Phil Maton (STL, 7% CBS Rostership, 3% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 18% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Reid Detmers (LAA, 15% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Calvin Faucher (MIA, 12% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB), Yariel Rodriguez (TOR, 7% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Andrew Kittredge (BAL, 2% CBS Rostership, 1% FAAB), Jose Ferrer (WSN, 1% CBS Rostership, 1-3% FAAB)
