Pittsburgh Pirates impressive rookie right-hander Paul Skenes became just the fifth rookie ever to start the All-Star game on Tuesday, and the first to do so since 1995. The 22-year-old had a scoreless first inning while flashing triple-digit velocity and maxing out at 100.1 mph. He tallied a game-high-tying four swings and misses. Skenes retired Steven Kwan on a pop out and Gunnar Henderson on a ground out before walking Juan Soto and getting Aaron Judge to roll over on a ground out to third base to end the inning. Last year's first overall pick out of LSU has special stuff and is going to be one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball for years to come. He's already 6-0 in his first big-league season with a stingy 1.90 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 89 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings over his first 11 starts with the Pirates.

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Cleveland Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd (elbow) was sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Boyd was signed by Cleveland in June and is on the 15-day injured list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery that he had in June of last year. It's good news that the veteran 33-year-old southpaw is now embarking on a rehab assignment, but he's still probably a month away from being an option for the big-league roster. It's unclear what role the Guardians envision for Boyd when he's healthy, but 160 of his 174 appearances in the big leagues over the last nine seasons have come in a starting role. He went 5-5 with a 5.45 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 25 walks in 15 starts for the Tigers in 2023 before having Tommy John surgery. Boyd is unlikely to be much of a fantasy option in mixed leagues the rest of the way in 2024.

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San Francisco Giants left-hander Ethan Small (oblique) was sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday at the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Small hasn't been able to pitch in the big leagues at all this year due to a Grade 2 right-oblique strain that he suffered in spring training, but he's working his way back and is now ready to appear in game action in the minors. The 27-year-old southpaw is probably going to need a full 30 days on his rehab assignment because of his long layoff, and even when he's healthy, there's no guarantee that he'll be pitching meaningful innings for the Giants in the big leagues. Small made his big-league debut with the Brewers in 2022 and has an 8.71 ERA and 2.61 WHIP with 13 K's and 10 walks in just 10 1/3 innings in parts of two seasons in Milwaukee the last two years.

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New York Yankees outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez (oblique) is still on the mend from an injury suffered about a month ago. Yankees manager Aaron Boone initially announced an eight-week timetable for the slugger with his right oblique injury and speaking last week, Boone said Dominguez still has a ways to go before returning. The 21-year-old has impressed at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when healthy this season, hitting .389 in nine games. But it has been mostly a lost season for the Dominican due to various injuries. He could push for a promotion late in the season once healthy and remains a big part of the Yankees' future plans.

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Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Jackson Jobe (hamstring) is dialing things up at Double-A Erie after missing some time with a hamstring injury. The right-handed flamethrower has thrown 10 innings in two starts in July with 16 strikeouts, four walks, and just an earned run on five hits. The 21-year-old is the top pitching prospect in the minors at the moment and is showing why. With Paul Skenes dominating the big leagues and earning an All-Star Game start, Jobe is the best young pitching prospect to stash in dynasty leagues. He should earn a Triple-A promotion by the end of this season and potentially a big-league look, though next year might be more likely for an MLB debut.

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With the Miami Marlins likely to sell at the trade deadline, right-handed starting pitching prospect Max Meyer could be called up to join the rotation during the second half of the season. The 25-year-old struggled initially at Triple-A Jacksonville after being demoted early this season. But he has turned things around nicely lately, with a 0.57 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in three July starts. The Marlins' No. 3 overall prospect should fit nicely in the team's rotation given another opportunity. He is certainly a pitcher to watch in the second half of the season.

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Tampa Bay Rays left-handed starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (elbow) is ramping up for a return to the big leagues after working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Springs has three appearances of at least four innings during July for Triple-A Durham. He is inching closer to making his way back to the Tampa Bay rotation. The 31-year-old had a breakout 2022 campaign, going 9-5 with a 2.46 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. He was injured in his third start during the 2023 season. It is never easy to predict how a pitcher will fare post-Tommy John, but Springs was in the midst of a career renaissance with the Rays prior to the injury.

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Tampa Bay Rays third base prospect Junior Caminero (quadriceps) is 4-for-17 during his rehab stint for the FCL Rays. Three of his four hits have been home runs and he's recorded five RBI. Caminero could be ready to return to Triple-A Durham once the team returns from their All-Star break. Once he gets back into action with Durham he could make a quick progression to the major leagues. He just needs to demonstrate that he is back to full health and a big-league debut could be on the way. Caminero is arguably the prospect to stash in the second half of the season.

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The Chicago Cubs acquired minor-league right-hander Jesus Tinoco from the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, the Cubs optioned reliever Daniel Palencia to Triple-A Iowa. The 29-year-old Tinoco has a 4.58 ERA in 57 career major-league games, including nine games with the Texas Rangers in 2024. In his 10 innings pitched out of the bullpen with Texas, he gave up nine earned runs on 11 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out nine. At Triple-A Omaha for the Royals, he posted a 4.05 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with a save, 10 strikeouts and one walk in just 6 2/3 innings. Tinoco has a career 4.58 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with one save and an 18.1% strikeout rate in his five major-league seasons. He'll operate as relief depth for the Cubbies and isn't anywhere near the fantasy radar.

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Free-agent infielder/outfielder Nick Senzel signed a major-league deal with the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Senzel was recently released by the Washington Nationals after being designated for assignment and going unclaimed on waivers. The 29-year-old former second overall pick in 2016 out of Tennessee by the Cincinnati Reds didn't pan out as the Nationals' third baseman in the first half of the 2024 season, slashing just .209/.303/.359 with a .663 OPS, seven home runs, 18 RBI, 25 runs scored and 53 strikeouts in 235 trips to the plate in 64 games in his sixth year in the big leagues. Senzel will now get an opportunity with the worst team in baseball and could get a shot at the hot corner in the Windy City, at least until Yoan Moncada (groin) returns from the injured list. Senzel also has experience as an outfielder, though, so he could get some playing time there as well.

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray (elbow) looked fantastic in his ninth rehab start Sunday with Single-A San Jose. Ray pitched five scoreless innings, striking out nine hitters while working up to 74 pitches. The 32-year-old has looked good overall while recovering from his May 2023 Tommy John surgery, pitching with San Jose, Triple-A Sacramento, and the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Ray was a standout fantasy pitcher in 2021 and 2022 and could be poised to join the Giants sometime shortly after the All-Star break, so he should be on fantasy managers' radars in all leagues at this time.

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Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase ensured an American League win in Tuesday's 5-3 All-Star Game against the National League. Clase came on to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two. He struck out Pete Alonso for the first out and got Elly De La Cruz to ground out for the second out. He allowed a single to Jackson Merrill but struck out Bryan Reynolds to end the game. The 26-year-old has now been to three All-Star games and has served as a top fantasy closer throughout his career. He has converted 29 of 32 save opportunities this season with a minuscule 0.81 ERA, a 0.68 WHIP, and a 23.8% strikeout rate.

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Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller recorded a win in his first All-Star Game appearance in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the National League. Miller pitched a scoreless fifth inning, tossing a 1-2-3 inning while striking out Shohei Ohtani and Trea Turner. To top it off, the 25-year-old threw the hardest recorded pitch in All-Star Game history, coming in at 103.6 MPH. Miller has been impressive on all accounts this season, converting 15 of 17 save opportunities with a 2.27 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, and a ridiculous 46.7% strikeout rate. His 100.9-MPH average fastball velocity is the fastest in baseball and he should continue to use his fastball-slider combination to strike hitters out at an elite clip.

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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani brought the star power in Tuesday's 5-3 All-Star Game loss to the American League. Ohtani went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run, a walk, and a strikeout. The 30-year-old provided the first runs of the game, obliterating a third-inning Tanner Houck splitter into the right-field seats. The two-way star managed to produce as one of fantasy's top players in the first half without providing any pitching stats, slashing .316/.400/.635 with 29 HR, 75 runs scored, 69 RBI, and 23 stolen bases in 429 plate appearances. He should continue to be a five-category force in the second half while hitting in the middle of one of baseball's best lineups.

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran was awarded the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award on Tuesday, with the American League team defeating the National League team 5-3. Duran went 1-for-2 with a go-ahead, two-run home run. The 27-year-old put the American League up for good in the bottom of the fifth inning, clobbering a Hunter Greene offspeed pitch into the right-center field seats. Duran became the first Red Sox player to hit an All-Star homer since Adrian Gonzalez in 2011. He was also an All-Star from a fantasy perspective in the first half, slashing .283/.342/.476 with 10 HR, 62 runs scored, 41 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 440 plate appearances.

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New York Mets starting pitching prospect Christian Scott has struggled to generate strikeouts at an elite rate in the big leagues as he did in the minor leagues earlier this summer. Through his past three starts in the majors, Scott has logged 15 innings to the tune of a 5.17 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with only 10 punchouts. However, earlier this summer at Triple-A, the Florida product struck out 55 batters in just 42 frames. In addition, last season at Double-A, the right-hander tallied 77 strikeouts in just 62 innings. The 25-year-old's workload is also being monitored by the Mets, which could play a role in his second-half production. Scott is still worth holding onto in standard leagues as he has showcased elite strikeout potential in the past, but his ceiling may remain limited as he continues to get accustomed to the big leagues.

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Baltimore Orioles infield prospect Jackson Holliday has performed very well in July and is nearing a return to the major leagues. Since July 1, the former first overall selection in the 2022 MLB Draft has posted a .297/.469/.541 slash line with one home run, two stolen bases, and an excellent 12:9 BB:K ratio. This is great to see, as Holiday got into a bit of a slump in June, where he held a lower .222/.444/.378. Holliday earned a small stint in the majors earlier this season but struggled over his brief 10-game stint. The 20-year-old should see time in the majors later this season and is a popular stash candidate, as he should make an immediate impact in his second stint in the big leagues.

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Houston Astros outfield prospect Joey Loperfido has struggled to find consistent playing time in his latest major league stint, which, unfortunately, has begun to affect his performance. Since June 30, Loperfido has held a .233/.294/.467 line with one home run, two doubles, nine RBI, and a 2:9 BB:K ratio. Also, the Duke product has never started more than three games in a row in this span. However, Loperfido has done very well in hitting fastballs with a .346 BA and .500 SLG against them, but his poor .080 BA and .120 SLG against breaking balls have brought his production down. If the 25-year-old could begin to earn more stable playing time, he could work out these struggles. Until then, he remains a target only in deeper formats.

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Arizona Diamondbacks third base prospect Deyvison De Los Santos has continued to post elite production at Triple-A and is nearing his major league debut. Since June 28, the 21-year-old has held a solid .265/.294/.571 line with four home runs and 17 RBI. Through 44 total games at Triple-A Reno, De Los Santos has posted a .297/.340/.611 line. The young infielder began the season with his second look at Double-A and needed only 38 games to prove he was ready for the top level of the minor leagues. Arizona has lacked offensive firepower at the hot corner this season, with Eugenio Suarez sporting a disappointing .210 AVG with only 11 long balls. De Los Santos is worth stashing in deeper leagues and could become a 'must-stash' player if he continues to dominate Triple-A after the All-Star Break.

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Minnesota Twins shortstop prospect Brooks Lee has looked quite comfortable in his first stint at the major leagues. Through 11 games, the Cal Poly product has posted a solid .273/.313/.432 line with two home runs, nine RBI, one stolen base, and a 3:7 BB:K ratio. He has posted four multi-hit games and has only gone hitless four times. In addition to his performance in the batter's box, Lee has made starts at shortstop, second base, and third base, which suggests the Twins may want Lee up in the majors for the long haul. The former eighth-overall pick should be considered a must-add in all standard leagues as he should always have a spot in Minnesota's starting nine with his defensive flexibility during the second half.

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