Three young prospects are poised to make significant impacts in fantasy baseball: Colton Gordon, Yanquiel Fernandez, and Harry Ford. Gordon, a 26-year-old pitcher for the Houston Astros, has shown promise with a 3.98 ERA over 40 innings. However, his strikeout rate raises concerns about his long-term fantasy viability. Yanquiel Fernandez, an outfielder for the Colorado Rockies, is making his major league debut after a strong performance in the minors, featuring a .284 average with 13 home runs. He brings much-needed power to a struggling Rockies lineup. Lastly, Harry Ford, a catcher for the Seattle Mariners, has dominated in Triple-A with a .305 average and solid power metrics. As fantasy managers weigh their options, these names could be crucial waiver wire additions.

As the 2025 MLB season approaches its halfway point, fantasy baseball managers must reconsider their pitching options. In this week’s Unlikely Aces, we evaluate four starting pitchers who have shown unexpected promise: Colton Gordon, Trevor Rogers, Adrian Houser, and Matthew Liberatore. Each has demonstrated various strengths and weaknesses critical for fantasy roster decisions.

Colton Gordon, despite a recent hike in ERA after a rough outing at Coors Field, shows elite command with a 99th percentile walk rate. However, his lackluster fastball and high HR/9 rate make him a risky streaming option. Trevor Rogers, who’s rebounded from injury woes and is showing improvements, especially in velocity and control, remains a solid option in mixed leagues. Adrian Houser’s resurgence with the White Sox, boasting a stellar 1.90 ERA over his last seven starts, illustrates his potential as a bench streamer. Lastly, Matthew Liberatore has turned around his previous struggles with impressive command and a decent strikeout rate, making him a reliable addition for most fantasy formats.

The Houston Astros are set to clash with the struggling Colorado Rockies in a mid-week matchup at Coors Field. Houston, currently standing at 50-34, is coming off a weekend series against the Chicago Cubs where they managed to win two of three games despite being outscored 16-10 overall. Notably, Framber Valdez shone with a stellar performance, earning his ninth win of the season by throwing six shutout innings. Meanwhile, the Rockies are mired in a disappointing season with a record of 19-65, though they managed to snap a five-game losing streak with a hard-fought win against the Milwaukee Brewers, highlighted by an Orlando Arcia home run.

In this upcoming game, the Astros will send rookie Colton Gordon to the mound, who boasts a 3.98 ERA with 18 strikeouts in June over 21 innings. He faces Chase Dollander of the Rockies, who has struggled this season with a 6.06 ERA and a record of 2-8. Betting odds favor the Astros, with a moneyline of -181 against the Rockies at +148. The game is expected to have a total of 11 runs, with trends suggesting Houston has covered the run line in 9 of their last 10 against Colorado. The Astros are favored to dominate, especially given their strong recent performances against teams with poorer records.

Colton Gordon of the Houston Astros and Jordan Beck from the Colorado Rockies present intriguing options as potential fantasy baseball assets, albeit with caveats. Gordon, a rookie pitcher, has a 3.98 ERA, bolstered by an impressive control with a mere 2.9% walk rate, but his strikeout rate of 22% raises questions about his long-term viability. Meanwhile, Beck is showing promise with a .260 average, ten home runs, and nine steals, yet his performance fluctuates drastically between Coors Field and road games.

Gordon might be a streamable option against weaker lineups, particularly with the Astros’ strong offense backing him. However, his next start could be challenging. Beck, on the other hand, is seeing his plate discipline improve, suggesting he could be more than just a Coors Field hitter. His ability to capitalize on home games could make him a valuable asset if leveraged properly.

Colton Gordon of the Houston Astros and Jordan Beck of the Colorado Rockies are two players generating buzz among fantasy baseball enthusiasts. Gordon, a rookie with a 3.98 ERA, shows promise with an impressive walk rate, though his strikeouts remain a concern. His ability to limit walks could be a key asset for fantasy managers looking for pitching options.

On the other hand, Beck is making strides as an outfielder, posting a solid .260 average with double-digit homers and steals. However, his performance has been marred by inconsistency, especially away from Coors Field. While both players are not without their flaws, their potential makes them intriguing considerations for fantasy teams.