Pete Crow-Armstrong is in a rough patch after the break, but the underlying data paints a patient, long-term bounce-back story. He’s posting solid contact metrics and power indicators, suggesting the slump is temporary rather than a failing profile. Fantasy managers should weigh the Cubs’ lineup context and the rookie’s track record before pulling the plug.

James Wood carries a contrasting arc: elite raw exit velocity and hard-contact rates point to a breakout ceiling, even as a two-week lull drags his ownership down. Wyatt Langford owns a different tale—early-season promise tempered by a brutal month, with strike-zone discipline and plate approach as the keys to his next stretch. Lawrence Butler and Brendan Donovan illustrate the mid-season reality: big counting stats can mask inefficiencies, making them risky or retreat-worthy in shallower formats while still usable in deeper leagues where flexibility matters.

Max Fried remains a pillar, but recent results urge matchup-driven decisions rather than reckless trust. Josh Hader’s shoulder issue clouds late-season plans, elevating Brian Abreu as a potential save-hand in the short term. The host’s broader theme is clear: with playoff push here, owners must cut the fat, protect the core, and ride the upside players who can carry through the final sprint while managing risky spots with strategic benching and timely pickups.

Mets promote a top pitching prospect who could debut this weekend, signaling a new wave of callups shaping fantasy rosters as the stretch run nears. The narrative centers on a hard-throwing righty with a plus slider and improving control, hinting at immediate minor-league-to-MLB impact and potential wins if he gets a favorable matchup in Seattle. The bullpen picture in Houston grows murkier after Josh Hader’s shoulder strain, pushing a committee between Brian Abreu and Bennett Sousa with Sousa scoring a save in recent action. On the hitting side, Giancarlo Stanton's hot streak continues to dominate, while Francisco Alvarez starts tapping into his raw power with multi-homer games that could catalyze a strong finish for the Mets. Sal Frelick and Chandler Simpson pace a Brewers and Rays backcourt of speed and table-setting, respectively, while Ernie Clement (Toronto) provides multi-position eligibility as a steady in-season contributor. The episode also highlights Christian Javier as a sneaky stash option heading into Sunday starts, with Will Warren offering another streaming window for players short on pitching depth.

Stanton's power surge sits at the center of the bats, but Alvarez, Frelick, and Simpson each carry tangible upside in shallower leagues while Clement's positional flexibility adds value in daily formats. The Astros bullpen dynamic could swing saves count and leverage, a critical factor for fantasy pitchers late in the season. Across the board, the episode emphasizes upside adds on the waiver wire—particularly pitchers with clear paths to innings and hitters who can sustain hot streaks—and cautions about health and workload as teams navigate down the stretch.

Fantasy implications touch multiple angles: elite power bats that are slowly returning to health, multi-positional infielders and outfielders who can be slotted for value, and pitchers who can turn short outings into wins with strong run support. The curation of arm depth—Cortes, Javier, Warren—and bullpen orchestration in Houston underscore the volatility but also the upside of mid- to late-season adds. A balanced mix of proven contributors and high-upside rookies defines this week’s landscape for fantasy managers aiming to dodge FAAB landmines and maximize weekly upside.

Major shakeup in MLB top 100 prospect rankings expands the late-season fantasy toolbox. Kevin McGonicle rises to No. 2 for Detroit after posting a monstrous minor league line: about 63 games, .330, 49 runs, 28 doubles, 9 homers, 57 RBI, and 40 walks against 31 K with six steals. JJ Weatherholt slides into a top-10 slot for St. Louis, slashing .299 in 83 games with 19 doubles, 13 homers, 47 RBI, and 16 steals, projecting a strong batting-average and speed contribution. Colt Emerson climbs to No. 11 for Seattle, carrying a 276 average across 96 games with 12 homers and 54 RBI plus 16 steals. Carson Benj of the Mets shows a .308 average across 92 games with 12 homers and 60 RBI, highlighting a quick, adjust-to-big-league hit tool. Spencer Jones, a power-speed force for the Yankees, sits around the middle of the top tier after posting a 293 average across two levels, with 30 homers and 62 RBI in 81 games and a sky-high 25 steals. The update also flags real questions about emergence timelines in Detroit, Seattle, and New York as teams weigh cup-of-coffee calls.

Injuries and returns loom large. Shane Bieber could rejoin the Blue Jays’ rotation after a rehab assignment that showed promise, with potential five to six starts down the stretch and a velocity rebound that would boost any fantasy staff. Shane McClanahan’s season-long shutdown leaves a gap for a few other arms to step up. Marcelo Mayer’s return from injury could juice Boston’s depth if he hits the ground running; Luis Garcia’s minor-league rehab shows progress and a possible AL-Only stash. Michael Soroka surfaces as a late, low-owned stash with a hint of upside as he works his way back in Chicago.

For fantasy managers, the path to production is clear: McGonicle offers a near-term batting average with multi-category upside; Emerson and Weatherholt bring speed and on-base skills that could translate quickly in favorable lineups; Benj and Jones carry big upside in power and speed, with Jones possibly arriving soon. Bieber’s return would be a season-changer for any roster, while Garcia and Soroka represent high-reward, low-cost risks in deeper formats. Mayer’s clock remains one to-watch as the Red Sox navigate health and depth down the stretch.

Christian Javier’s return from Tommy John offers a glimmer of late-season upside, with a velocity jump back toward 94 mph and a firmer changeup that produced better whiffs. It wasn’t perfect—an early hiccup followed by four scoreless innings—but the fastball cadence and new sinker/slider dynamics hint at a usable late-stage option in fantasy. Zebby Matthews impressed with nine strikeouts and a clean leash, underscoring his big‑league upside despite allowing three solo homers. Colson Montgomery continued to mash, his 10th homer in 32 games fueling a compelling rookie profile, though a high strikeout rate tempers excitement. On the injuries and rotations front, Judge’s limited outfield action and Alvarez’s live-batting-practice return keep watchful optimism alive for Houston and New York. Everson Pereira’s acquisition chatter and a broader rookies wave (Baldwin, Hayes, and more) add depth to the week’s waiver wires. In bullpen news, Abreu’s potential uptick in close-save chances adds flexibility for holds and saves leagues. Taken together, pitching upside jumps from Javier, Matthews, and Montgomery anchor a week that otherwise teems with high-variance youngsters and patchwork middle-infield depth.

Carlos Correa has been mashing since returning to Houston, elevating his fantasy value as he repeatedly posts multi-hit efforts and drives in runs in a strong Astros lineup. His overall batting average stays solid, and the counting stats are trending up, making him a must-consider in medium and deeper leagues as his spot in the order floats between top four spots. Drake Baldwin and Hurston Waldrep add to the Houston/Atlanta chatter, while Ezekiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle hot-streaks in Colorado highlight the Rockies’ breakout possibilities. Jurickson Profar’s leadoff value and Jacob Lopez’s improving Athletics baseline round out a streamable, upside-heavy week, with Michael Wacha providing a viable pitching pickup to balance the lineups.

Drake Baldwin’s breakout in Atlanta has him hovering around a useful power-speed mix for catchers, especially in deeper formats. Tovar’s Colorado surge keeps him in the two- to four-category mix, while Doyle’s cores-anchored performance offers daily upside in Colorado’s hitter-friendly environment. Profar’s speed and patience, Lopez’s recent 7.2-inning gem with 10 Ks, and Wacha’s steady control give fantasy managers several streaming and platoon opportunities as Week 21 looms. Waldrep’s early Braves success adds a high-upside arm to rosters, giving believers a reason to diversify pitching holds and manufactured wins.

Owners should chase hot hands but watch for Coors-induced volatility; Correa, Tovar, Profar, and Lopez present scalable value across standard and deeper formats, with Waldrep and Baldwin offering pedigree-driven upside. A balanced mix of proven veterans and breakout talent could tilt the week in fantasy favor, especially for managers who stay aggressive on adds with favorable matchups.