Bubba Chandler’s call-up to Pittsburgh signals the Pirates are leaning into youth with a high-upside starter who can annually touch triple digits. His major-league debut window comes with a soft Friday matchup against Colorado, but fantasy managers should temper expectations given recent rough stretch in the minors. A deeper, rosters-up perspective points to keeping an eye on his development and keeping a spot warm for a potential breakout late in the season.

Meanwhile, Nolan McLean’s Mets debut is a reminder that the pipeline of young arms is real. McLean impressed in his first big-league outing, while Chandler offers elite upside if he can command his stuff. On the Yankees side, Ben Rice and Jose Caballero have been surging, adding a useful multi-position angle and sprint-speed threat to a lineup that’s heating up. Brooks Lee and Owen Casey are also drawing attention as mid-late-season risers with real multi-positional upside for dynasty and deep-league managers.

Across the league, the wave of call-ups includes Jameson Taillon’s return’s impact in Chicago and Luis Hill’s return in New York, with Hill showing strikeout upside in a supportive Yankees environment. The waiver-wire landscape remains dynamic, with matchups driving the best streaming options—Colorado, Atlanta, Boston, and Washington stand out for the immediate weeks left in fantasy ball.

As the MLB season approaches a critical juncture with Super Two eligibility looming, key players from the injured list are under the microscope. Justin Martinez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, recently placed on the 15-day IL due to shoulder inflammation, has seen diminished velocity and mixed performance this season. Analysts suggest holding onto him if closer options are scarce.

Meanwhile, Atlanta Braves' Ronaldo Lopez, recovering from shoulder surgery, is expected to be sidelined until mid-July, making him a wait-and-see option for fantasy managers. Boston Red Sox’s Walker Buehler is on the mend from a shoulder bruise, with a projected return that could yield value later in the season.

Prospects are also generating buzz, notably Bubba Chandler of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who is showcasing elite strikeout potential in the minors and could be called up shortly. Other notable prospects include Ivan Herrera and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, both worth stashing as they recover from injuries and look to make an impact. Overall, the focus shifts to managing injuries while capitalizing on emerging talent as the season progresses.

The latest installment of Locked on Fantasy Baseball provides fantasy enthusiasts with a wealth of knowledge on emerging prospects and injury updates as the season progresses. Host Matthew highlights key players to watch, such as Nick Curts, who has just been called up, and discusses his potential impact on fantasy rosters. Additionally, he delves into other prospects like Kobe Mayo of the Baltimore Orioles, who, despite a rocky start, shows promise for future contributions. Andrew Painter from the Philadelphia Phillies, another intriguing talent, is also on the radar, particularly with a potential comeback after Tommy John surgery. The episode emphasizes the importance of staying ahead in the fantasy landscape by stashing these players.