Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin is one of the hottest hitters in baseball in the month of July, and that continued on Sunday in the team's 8-5 win over the visiting Texas Rangers at Truist Park. Baldwin went 5-for-5 at the plate with two home runs and three RBI as the leadoff hitter to boost his season average to .276 and his OPS to .843. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop is now hitting .368 (21-for-57) with a 1.050 OPS, four home runs, 15 RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in 15 games in July to raise his season slash line to .276/.362/.481. Baldwin has also homered three times in his last three games. It has been nice to see for the Braves and fantasy managers alike after Baldwin struggled to a .063/.100/.125 slash line, one homer, an RBI, three runs scored, one walk, and 22 strikeouts in 12 games in June after returning from a stint on the injured list. His two-homer game on Sunday against Texas was the second multi-homer game of his career, and it was also the first time in his career with at least four hits. It's safe to say Baldwin is now back in the flow offensively, and he could be a difference-maker in fantasy leagues in the second half.

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In the first game of Sunday's doubleheader in the Bronx against the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto saved the team's bullpen. Yamamoto went the full nine innings in the 8-2 victory, allowing two earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out seven to win his 10th game of the season. He threw 69 of his 102 pitches for strikes in what was the first regular-season complete game of his career. The 27-year-old bounced back nicely after he allowed a season-high six runs to the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks on July 11 in his last start of the first half of the season. Yamamoto now has a sharp 2.78 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with 113 strikeouts and 25 walks in 119 2/3 innings on the season. He is as good as they come, allowing two runs or fewer in 12 of his 18 starts in 2026. Yamamoto will be an absolute must-start in all fantasy baseball leagues in his upcoming matchup against the New York Mets this weekend. In his first meeting with the Mets all the way back on April 14, Yamamoto allowed just one earned run with one walk and seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings for a no-decision.

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New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean had a dominant performance over the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies in Sunday's 6-1 victory on the road at Citizens Bank Park, throwing six shutout innings with only two hits allowed, two walks, and a season-high 10 strikeouts to pick up his seventh victory of the 2026 season and drop his ERA to 3.34 on the year. The 24-year-old is now 7-6 on the season with a 1.09 WHIP, 135 strikeouts, and 41 walks in 113 1/3 innings pitched across his 20 starts in his first full MLB season after he went 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 57:16 K:BB in 48 innings over his first eight starts last year. Since surrendering six earned runs to the Chicago Cubs on June 24, McLean has righted the ship, going 3-1 with a 0.75 ERA (1.81 FIP), seven walks, and 29 strikeouts in his last 24 innings pitched over his last four starts. The former third-rounder in 2023 out of Oklahoma State University will have a tough challenge to keep his strong run of form going in his next scheduled outing versus the Los Angeles Dodgers this weekend. He pitched well in his first meeting with L.A. on April 14, though, allowing just one earned run with two walks and eight strikeouts in seven innings for a no-decision.

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Los Angeles Angels pitching prospect George Klassen turned in his best outing of the season on Sunday, punching out 11 of the 23 batters he faced over six innings, yielding just one earned run on two hits and three walks. It comes on the heels of arguably his worst outing of the season, in which he allowed four earned runs on six hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings of work while failing to strike out a single batter. The up-and-down season has led to a mediocre 4.25 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and an 8.5 percent K-BB%, but an 11-strikeout performance should put him back on the stash radar for fantasy. If the Angels' fourth-ranked prospect can string together a couple of good performances, he could be back in the big leagues by mid-August, so it's worth monitoring his progress from here.

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San Francisco Giants left-hander Erik Miller has put together a nice season so far in 2026, with a 3.18 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 40 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings pitched (33 appearances). Miller has some of the most unhittable stuff in MLB, evidenced by his .186 xBA (95th percentile) and 84.2 mph average exit velocity (99th percentile), but his control is the worst in MLB, with a 16.1 percent walk rate (first percentile). Therefore, with Miller, you have to assume he will not help you in the WHIP category. Miller has primarily been deployed as a high-leverage, lefty specialist for the Giants, but his role of late has expanded, and he has even earned a few save opportunities (three on the season). In addition to his two saves, Miller also has 10 holds on the year, and due to his electric stuff, he is someone who has the upside to take over as the Giants' primary closing option, but for now, Miller should not be considered must-roster, more so someone to keep an eye on over the latter part of the season.

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Miami Marlins outfield prospect Kemp Alderman continues to show well at Triple-A Jacksonville after a slow start to the year. The Marlins' eighth-ranked prospect hit just .197 over the season's first 19 games, but in the 42 games since then, he's batting .331. All in all, including the 20 games he spent at Triple-A last season, the former second-round draft pick is slashing .297/.365/.549 for the Jumbo Shrimp, with 20 home runs and eight steals across a combined 81 contests. With hard-hit rate, barrel rate, average exit velocity (EV), and max EV all coming in at 93rd percentile or better, it seems the only thing holding him back is a high chase rate (19th percentile) and a high strikeout rate (15th percentile). If he can show improvement in that area, the sooner he may get the call to the majors, but even if he doesn't, a debut in the big leagues before the year is out seems inevitable. Fantasy managers with an NA spot in 14-team leagues and deeper could consider stashing the 23-year-old for his power upside.

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24-year-old Colorado Rockies outfielder Cole Carrigg has had a nice start to his MLB career, slashing .288/.371/.529 with four home runs, two stolen bases, 26 runs scored, and 23 RBI. He has flashed both power and speed, and plays his home games in the friendliest ballpark in all of MLB (Coors Field). Carrigg has also demonstrated a strong eye at the plate, evidenced by his 11.2 percent walk rate and 20.8 percent strikeout rate, which for a rookie is not bad at all. Under the hood, the data show some regression (.333 xwOBA, .252 xBA); however, in five-outfielder formats, he has demonstrated good power (evidenced by his four home runs since his June 9 call-up, 90th-percentile sprint speed, and two stolen bases). Carrigg is likely rostered in most deeper formats, but fantasy managers who see him out there in five outfield leagues should look to target him, as the Rockies will likely be sellers at the deadline and let the young kids play.

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Miami Marlins reliever Michael Petersen has been excellent this season with a 2.91 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 17 holds, and 51 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings pitched (41 appearances). Peterson has primarily worked in the eighth inning of games, and at times the seventh inning to escape jams, and is the go-to guy for the Marlins to bridge the gap to Pete Fairbanks, whom the Marlins brought in on a one-year deal to close out games for the Fish. Fairbanks has struggled mightily this season, with a 7.42 ERA and 1.52 WHIP, and although he has converted on 13 of his 16 saves, he blew the save and took the loss on Sunday, allowing three earned runs on two hits, one walk, and one strikeout. At some point, the Marlins are going to need to move on from Fairbanks if he continues to struggle. The Marlins are sitting at 52-48 and are currently tied for the last spot in the NL Wild Card race, and can't afford any more hiccups. Peterson has clearly been more productive this season, so fantasy managers proactively looking to get ahead and grab a potential closer in the near future may want to look at grabbing Peterson.

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Ryan Zeferjahn earned the save for the Angels on Sunday, allowing one run on one hit and no walks or strikeouts to convert his third save of the season on five opportunities. Zeferjahn allowed a solo home run to Riley Greene, but was able to avoid any additional damage. On the season, Zeferjahn has a 4-3 record, 3.91 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, three saves, and seven holds on the season; however, this was his first save since June 12. The underlying data supports Zeferjahn's campaign, evidenced by his 3.14 xERA and .160 xBA, and he has elite swing-and-miss stuff with a 34.2 percent whiff rate and 31.8 percent strikeout rate. His control, on the other hand, has been awful: 15.2 percent (fourth percentile). Zeferjahn's main competition for saves is Kirby Yates, who has converted on three of his six save opportunities and has a 3.74 ERA. Ironically, Jordan Romano, who was cut by the team months ago, still leads the team in saves with four. The Angels have only recorded 12 saves on the season, but as far as who is getting the next one, Zeferjahn is clearly in the mix with Yates. In deeper formats, if you are struggling for saves, Zeferjahn should be on your radar.

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Colorado's C Hunter Goodman had five RBIs going 3-for-4 with three home runs in a 9-6 loss to the Reds on Sunday, Jul. 19.

San Diego Padres' 1B Ty France had five RBIs going 2-for-6 with two home runs in a 19-2 win over Kansas City on Sunday, Jul. 19.

Seattle Mariners' SP Logan Gilbert recorded 10 strikeouts in 6 innings with the win in a 6-3 win over the Giants on Sunday, Jul. 19.

New York Mets' SP Nolan McLean recorded 10 strikeouts in 6 innings with the win in a 6-1 win over Philadelphia on Sunday, Jul. 19.

Seattle Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert continued a strong recent run on the mound by picking up his eighth win of the season in the team's 6-3 victory on Sunday over the visiting San Francisco Giants, allowing three earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out a season-high 10 batters in six innings of work. The 29-year-old has given up 14 runs with 52 strikeouts and only eight walks in 46 1/3 innings in his last seven starts, and he's gone at least six innings in all of those outings. Sunday was Gilbert's second time reaching double-digit punchouts this season. The former 14th overall pick in 2018 out of Stetson University is now 8-6 in 2026 with a 3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 129:25 K:BB in 120 innings pitched across his 20 starts. Although his underlying metrics suggest some regression coming in the second half, Gilbert is a firm starting pitcher hold in most fantasy leagues with a strong upcoming matchup coming against the division-rival Texas Rangers. He's gone 0-2 in his two previous starts this year against Texas, but he's only allowed four earned runs with a walk and 12 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings pitched.

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For some reason, San Diego Padres first baseman Ty France just sees the ball better when he's playing against the Kansas City Royals. France continued his torrid hitting against KC in the Padres' 19-2 blowout victory on the road on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium, going 2-for-6 at the plate with two home runs and five RBI to boost his season average to .275 and his OPS to .872. The 32-year-old veteran right-handed hitter hit a grand slam in the eighth inning and had a solo homer in the ninth to cap a rare offensive explosion for the Friars. The big performance from France extended his current hitting streak to seven games. During that span, he has four home runs, nine RBI, seven runs scored, and four multi-hit games as he continues to heat up during the summer. After the big day, France is hitting .275/.335/.537 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI, 28 runs scored, and a steal in his 243 plate appearances in his first year back in SD. He's been hot lately, but France has mostly been far too inconsistent with a limited power ceiling, which is why he's rostered in only 2% of Yahoo leagues. His .246 expected batting average also doesn't make him extremely attractive as a hitter to target in the second half.

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San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill helped the Padres avoid a three-game sweep in Kansas City on Sunday against the Royals with a monster performance in the team's 19-2 rout at Kauffman Stadium. Kelly went 4-for-6 at the plate with two home runs, four RBI, a stolen base, and a strikeout to boost his season batting average to .221 and his OPS to .640. It was the 23-year-old's first four-hit game and two-homer outing of the year, which was a nice way for him to snap an 0-for-13 slump offensively. With the stolen base, Merrill also reached the 20-steal mark for the first time in his career. Merrill has mostly been a speed asset in fantasy in what has otherwise been a disappointing third year in the majors. After the strong performance on Sunday against the Royals, Merrill is now slashing .221/.277/.363 with 12 home runs, 42 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases across his 407 plate appearances. The Padres and fantasy managers are really hoping that his Sunday outburst will get him rolling for the rest of the second half of the season.

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) appears to be on track to be activated from the 10-day injured list for the series against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians that starts on Monday and runs through Thursday, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Buxton did defensive drills with outfield coach Grady Sizemore on Saturday and has been hitting for a few days. The Twins could really use Buxton's bat back in their starting lineup as they push to stay in contention in the American League as the trade deadline approaches. Before his hip injury, the three-time All-Star was having another fantastic season at the plate, slashing .271/.328/.575 with a .904 OPS, 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 75 games and 335 plate appearances. Buxton is unlikely to return to the 20-steal mark in 2026, but his power has been real after hitting a career-high 35 dingers in 126 games a year ago. He has been a must-start once again in fantasy lineups in 2026 and shouldn't be floating around on any waiver wires with his return from the IL looming.

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Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman has proved in 2026 that he's an elite power hitter, regardless of position. In the team's 9-6 loss at Coors Field on Sunday to the Cincinnati Reds, Goodman went 3-for-4 at the plate with three home runs, five RBI, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .257 and his OPS to .887. He became the first player in Rockies history to have two three-homer games in the same season. Perhaps even more impressive was that two of his three long balls came against Reds right-handed starter Hunter Greene. Goodman now trails only Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who has 33, for the National League home run lead in 2026. Additionally, he's slashing .257/.326/.561 in his second full season in the big leagues. He hit 31 homers and drove in 91 in 144 games played in 2025 as a first-time All-Star. With club control and an elite power bat, contending teams like the New York Yankees could come calling for Goodman with the August trade deadline quickly approaching.

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Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that right-hander Casey Mize (groin, wrist) was pulled from his start early on Sunday in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels with groin tightness and a wrist issue after being hit by a comebacker, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Mize will have more rehab and tests on his groin, but he said he left the game as a precaution. The 29-year-old only made it through 3 1/3 innings on Sunday, allowing an earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out five for a no-decision. He was pulled in the fourth inning after he was hit by a groundball off the bat of Angels outfielder Jo Adell in the left hand/wrist, but Mize had already been feeling tightness in his groin at that point. Mize should be considered day-to-day for now, and although his injuries don't appear to be very serious, his next scheduled start against the division-rival Kansas City Royals on Friday, July 24, should be considered up in the air. He's already missed time in 2026 due to injury, but Mize is currently in the midst of his best year as a pro, coming into his start on Sunday with a 2.79 ERA (2.69 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 77 K's and 18 walks across his 14 starts.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (elbow) is considered day-to-day with a hyperextended right elbow, manager Torey Lovullo told Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic. Carroll will not have imaging and will have a chance to return to the starting lineup for Monday's series opener at home against the visiting Athletics. The 25-year-old All-Star hurt his elbow when he struck out swinging in the seventh inning of Sunday's extra-inning win over the St. Louis Cardinals, and he went 1-for-4 at the plate with a double and two strikeouts before being pulled. Thankfully, Carroll appears to have dodged a bullet and might not have to miss any time. The former 16th overall pick in 2019 came into Sunday's series finale at Chase Field with a .250/.345/.480 slash line, an .825 OPS, 14 home runs, 47 RBI, 55 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 352 at-bats in 2026. The three-time All-Star also leads the league with 10 triples, and he remains a must-start in all fantasy lineups as a five-category contributor and one of the most valuable outfielders in the game.

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