Sunday's fantasy baseball landscape was shaken up by Rafael Devers' unexpected trade to the San Francisco Giants. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves faced a disappointing 10-1 loss against the Colorado Rockies, yet Grant Holmes stood out with a season-high strikeout total of 15. Holmes has become a fantasy asset, boasting a 43% strikeout rate over his last four starts, making him a strong addition for managers looking for pitching help.

Alongside Holmes, other emerging talents include Evan Carter from the Texas Rangers, who has rapidly increased his fantasy value with a series of impressive games. Two-way players like Clarke Schmidt and Will Warren from the New York Yankees are also on the radar for managers seeking impact pitchers. In deeper leagues, players like Chase Burns and Reid Detmers are promising additions as they move closer to significant playing time.

In a standout performance, Grant Holmes of the Atlanta Braves reached a career milestone with 15 strikeouts in just over six innings, yet his team's effort fell flat in a 10-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Despite not yielding a hit until the sixth inning, Holmes faced adversity when fielding errors led to unearned runs. His impressive strikeout total highlighted his potential, but the Braves' bullpen struggled, allowing seven runs after his departure. First baseman Matt Olson lamented the wasted effort as the Braves looked to gain momentum ahead of a crucial series against the New York Mets.

Ketel Marte is having an impressive season, having already hit 10 home runs in just 35 games, including a two-homer game against the Braves. He may surpass his career-high of 36 home runs set last season, despite missing 26 games. Currently listed at +430 in home run odds with FanDuel, Marte's left-handed hitting has yielded nine of his ten homers, making his matchup against Braves pitcher Grant Holmes intriguing. Holmes has struggled with home runs this season, allowing 11 already, which could present opportunities for Marte.

The Atlanta Braves face significant challenges with their starting rotation, especially following the placement of AJ Smith-Shawver on the injured list due to a torn UCL. This injury is expected to affect his availability for 2026, adding to the pressure on the Braves' depth. Despite these setbacks, the team has managed to stay competitive, thanks in part to performances from Spencer Strider and Chris Sale, who are gradually returning to form. Grant Holmes has emerged as a reliable depth piece, contributing positively with a 3.68 ERA. The Braves must rely on their rotation depth to maintain their playoff aspirations amidst strong competition in the NL East.

The 2025 fantasy baseball season is heating up, and savvy managers are scanning the waiver wire for breakout pitchers. Matthew Liberatore of the St. Louis Cardinals, Grant Holmes of the Atlanta Braves, and Gunnar Hoglund of the Oakland Athletics are three intriguing names rising to the occasion.

Liberatore is showing promise with a solid 3.07 ERA and a drastic reduction in his walk rate, now in the 94th percentile. His four-seam fastball has transformed into a reliable putaway pitch, leading to a significant uptick in strikeouts. With only 39% of leagues rostering him, he's a prime candidate for fantasy adds.

Holmes, on the other hand, has posted a 4.24 ERA and a high walk rate, putting him at risk for negative regression. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, the volatility in his performance makes him a more cautious add at 41% rostered.

Finally, Hoglund has made a splash with an impressive 2.38 ERA in his limited innings. Despite this, he has a small sample size, and fantasy managers should keep an eye on his development in the majors. He's currently at 34% ownership, making him a potential streaming option in favorable matchups.