Several MLB prospects are poised to make an impact in fantasy leagues, starting with Jordan Lawlar of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite a hamstring injury sidelining him, his impressive minor league stats from Triple-A Reno demonstrate his potential across multiple categories. Samuel Basallo, catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, is also making waves. He showcases a powerful bat that has attracted attention from pitchers. Harry Ford of the Seattle Mariners, though delayed in his MLB debut, is expected to contribute offensively soon. JJ Wetherholt from the St. Louis Cardinals and Andrew Painter of the Philadelphia Phillies add to the list of exciting prospects, with each holding unique skills that could translate to fantasy success.

As we reach the halfway mark of the MLB season, with the Dodgers and Tigers on track for 100 wins, fantasy managers must pivot their strategies for the second half. Jose Soriano shows promise with a recent impressive run, while Edward Cabrera's command issues make him a risky FAAB target. Jacob Lopez has been stellar with his strikeout rate, but concerns linger. In the bullpen, Dylan Lee might seize more saves, while rookie Drake Baldwin has impressed offensively. Spencer Steer's resurgence is noteworthy as he competes for playing time with Austin Hays injured. Casey Schmitt is heating up for the Giants, and the Angels' Christian Moore might finally get his shot. Keep an eye on these players for FAAB bids this week!

The landscape of fantasy baseball presents unique opportunities for savvy managers, particularly when considering pitchers with high strikeout-to-walk ratios (K-BB%) but unflattering ERA numbers. Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres tops this list, showcasing immense strikeout potential despite an ERA over 4. He has been unlucky with a high BABIP and low strand rate, making him a prime buy-low candidate. Similarly, Sonny Gray of the St. Louis Cardinals holds strong K-BB% figures but struggles with ERA consistency, making him a solid No. 2/3 starter. Jesús Luzardo of the Philadelphia Phillies suffers from inflated ERA and BABIP figures, yet his underlying metrics suggest he can rebound significantly. Meanwhile, Jack Flaherty of the Detroit Tigers shows a concerning trend in hard contact despite a decent K-BB%, whereas Mason Miller of the Athletics offers high strikeout potential but has control issues. Tanner Scott of the Dodgers presents a unique case of elite control and strikeout ability, making him worth a buy-low offer as he collects saves. These pitchers could provide significant value if leveraged correctly in trade discussions.

Joey Ortiz and Caleb Durbin propelled the Milwaukee Brewers to a resounding 9-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, with Ortiz hitting two home runs and Durbin contributing a three-run shot. Both players, batting at the end of the lineup, combined for four runs and seven RBIs, showcasing their rising impact as the Brewers won five of their last six games. Freddy Peralta delivered a strong start, striking out eight and allowing only a single run through five innings before the Pirates rallied in the sixth with a home run from Nick Gonzales. Ortiz's recent surge raises hope for the Brewers as they push for a playoff spot.

Chase Burns made a remarkable debut for the Cincinnati Reds, striking out the first five batters he faced against the New York Yankees, marking a rare feat in Major League Baseball history. The 22-year-old right-hander demonstrated his potential early in the game but struggled to maintain his form over five innings, allowing three runs.

Burns, recognized as the second overall pick in last year’s draft, struck out a total of eight batters while permitting six hits. Despite his strong start, he did not earn a decision as the Reds rallied in the seventh inning to tie the game.