The second half of the 2025 MLB season is approaching, and several hitters are poised for breakout performances after disappointing first halves. Michael highlights key players who are buy-low trade targets for fantasy baseball managers looking to improve their rosters.

Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles, who has been recovering from an early injury, is starting to show signs of improvement, hitting .280 with a .803 OPS in July. Wyatt Langford of the Texas Rangers, despite a challenging season, remains on track for a potential 25/25 year. Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals has experienced bad luck with a low batting average but boasts strong underlying metrics indicating a positive regression. Jake Burger from the Rangers has finally found his rhythm after a rocky start, proving he can still deliver 30 homers with a solid pace.

Heading into Week 16 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season, cutting players from your roster becomes more critical as underperformers emerge. Notably, Drew Rasmussen of the Tampa Bay Rays is under scrutiny after a decent stat line, but concerns surrounding his limited innings cap make him a candidate for drop in most leagues. Brenton Doyle of the Colorado Rockies has struggled significantly on the road, suggesting he might only be a viable option in deeper leagues. Meanwhile, Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers appears to show signs of rebound despite an inflated ERA, making him worth holding onto.

Adolis Garcia of the Texas Rangers is intriguing as a potential trade candidate, with recent performance indicating he might be turning a corner. Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres, after a rocky start, is also on the hot seat after a two-homer game, leaving fantasy managers pondering his future. Lastly, Salvador Perez and Ian Happ, both experiencing slumps, show volatility typical of catchers while also still holding some value due to their respective roles. This week’s Cut List urges careful consideration and strategic thinking as you manage your roster.

In a tightly contested match on Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell to the Kansas City Royals, suffering their sixth consecutive loss, ending the game 4-3. Salvador Perez's eighth-inning home run against Isaac Mattson sealed the Pirates' fate at Kaufman Stadium.

The Royals established a commanding lead early, with Perez's solo homer in the second and Jac Caglianone's stunning 466-foot two-run blast in the fourth. However, the Pirates fought back in the sixth, with Oneil Cruz grounding out to bring in a run. Ke'Bryan Hayes then stepped up, hitting a two-run single to level the score.

Kris Bubic's effective pitching kept the Pirates at bay until the sixth inning. The matchup showcased the Royals' resilience, with timely hitting and strong pitching, while the Pirates showcased determination despite their extended losing streak.

Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners' switch-hitting catcher, has made waves in Major League Baseball by leading the league with 35 home runs as of July 6. This impressive tally puts him just 13 home runs shy of the all-time record for catchers in a full season, currently held by Salvador Perez at 48.

Raleigh’s achievement is particularly notable as it ties him for fifth place for the most home runs before the All-Star Break, alongside legends like Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. Notably, he is also the first switch-hitter to surpass 30 home runs before the break. While the Mariners have six road games left before the All-Star Break, Raleigh has shown strong performance away from home, suggesting he may continue to challenge these records as the season progresses.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face the Kansas City Royals in a compelling matchup at Chase Field, with Eduardo Rodriguez pitching for the Diamondbacks and Kris Bubic on the mound for the Royals. Rodriguez has been impressive lately, limiting opponents to no more than two runs in his last five starts, showing signs of consistency with a 4.09 ERA against Kansas City in his career.

Bubic, despite his recent struggles, boasts a strong changeup that has yielded a .155 average against hitters. The Royals are seeking to address their offensive shortcomings, averaging just 3.3 runs per game, which is the lowest in the American League. Their starting rotation, highlighted by Bubic, remains a key strength.