Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Jhonkensy Noel blasted three solo home runs for Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, bringing his season total to 12. The slugger is a career .251 hitter in the minors, but the power is real after he hit 32 long balls between High-A and Double-A as a 20-year-old in 2022 and 27 homers last season at Triple-A as a 21-year-old. It's possible the 22-year-old sees some time in Cleveland this season at some point, and his power should put himself into the season-long conversation once he gets the call. But it could come at the expense of average, as he's currently sporting nearly a 26% strikeout rate in 2024 at Triple-A, and that probably won't get better at the big-league level.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott earned his sixth save of 2024 in Wednesday's win over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, fanning one and allowing one hit before locking down the shutout victory. William Contreras singled to get Christian Yelich to the plate and make things interesting in a one-run ballgame, but Scott got Yelich to ground out to wrap this one up. The 29-year-old left-hander remains manager Skip Schumaker's preferred ninth-inning man despite the return of fellow southpaw A.J. Puk to Miami's bullpen, and he hasn't surrendered an earned run in 14 straight appearances with five saves during this span. Scott owns a dicey 22:18 K:BB through 21 innings overall, however, and he could be on the move at July's trade deadline with many anticipating for the Marlins to host a fire sale later this summer. That makes Scott a sell-high piece in fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto broke out at the dish in Wednesday's blowout win over the visiting Texas Rangers, belting his first home run in 14 games since April 28 with three RBI in the rout. After smashing a solo homer to left field to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead in the third inning, Realmuto knocked a two-run single to left field to up the lead to 8-2 during the sixth. The 33-year-old perennial All-Star has been regularly batting second in Philly's lineup since Trea Turner (hamstring) went down, and while he's hitting an excellent .350 (21-for-60) in May, Realmuto only has five RBI and zero stolen bases over 14 games this month. Realmuto will clash with Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney in Thursday's series finale, and the veteran backstop is batting .360 (18-for-50) with two long balls, three doubles, and six RBI against left-handed pitching this year.

From RotoBaller

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager clubbed his eighth home run of the year in Wednesday's loss on the road to the Philadelphia Phillies, adding a single and two walks in the blowout defeat. Seager smashed a solo shot to left-center field in the seventh inning, cutting the Rangers' deficit to 10-4. The 30-year-old All-Star slugger is still recovering from a painfully slow start to the season, but he's starting to look the fantasy stalwart we've come to expect over the years. Over his last 17 games, Seager is hitting .313 with six big flies, 11 RBI, and nine runs scored. A daunting task awaits Seager in the form of Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler in Thursday's series finale, but the veteran infielder has gone 5-for-14 with a double and an RBI in 14 career plate appearances against Wheeler.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. launched his seventh home run of the year in Wednesday's win over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, helping lift his team to victory. Chisholm wasted no time getting Miami on the board, drilling a leadoff homer to right field off Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta to give them a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Despite the last-place Marlins' struggles, the dynamic 26-year-old slugger has managed to stay healthy and go about his business while slashing .254/.329/.429 with seven round-trippers, 25 RBI, 26 runs scored, and nine stolen bases through 210 plate appearances (50 games) as the engine to Miami's offense. A three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks is on deck starting on Friday. In five games against Arizona in 2023, Chisholm hit a mere .176 (3-for-17) with no extra-base hits and zero RBI.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo twirled a gem in Wednesday's victory over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, striking out four batters and allowing just three hits (all singles) and no walks over a career-high eight scoreless innings for his second win of the season. It was the longest start of Luzardo's career, and he's now posted back-to-back scoreless outings for the Marlins after retiring 17 straight batters at one point on Wednesday. The 26-year-old left-hander has fared far better over his past four starts than he did during his first four starts to begin the campaign, turning in a 1.40 ERA and 25:4 K:BB since April 20. His hot streak will face a tough test when Miami takes on the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday, when Luzardo is next scheduled to take the ball, but it's hard to sit the former top prospect in fantasy with the way he's throwing right now.

From RotoBaller

San Diego Padres second baseman Luis Arraez slapped his first home run of the year in Wednesday's victory on the road against the Cincinnati Reds, flexing some pop while going 4-for-5 with two RBI in the win. Not known for his power, Arraez got the scoring started on Wednesday with a leadoff homer in the first inning off Reds right-hander Nick Martinez, later adding three singles. The 27-year-old two-time batting champion is now riding a ridiculous seven-game multi-hit streak, hitting .391 (27-for-69) with three doubles, six RBI, eight runs scored, and three stolen bases in 16 games overall since joining San Diego, and he should get more work at second base with Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) on the injured list. Arraez next gets Cincinnati righty Frankie Montas during Thursday's series finale. In six plate appearances against Montas in his career, Arraez is 3-for-6 with a double.

From RotoBaller

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto put up his second two-homer game of the season in Wednesday's win over the visiting Seattle Mariners, going 2-for-4 with three RBI in the victory. Soto tagged Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller for a two-run jack to score Anthony Volpe in the third inning before going deep once more to make it a 5-0 ballgame in the sixth. On the season as a whole, the 25-year-old perennial Silver Slugger is slashing an elite .313/.409/.569 with 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 37 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 195 at-bats over 51 outings as New York's everyday No. 2 batter. Soto will next face M's right-hander Luis Castillo in Thursday's series finale. In 13 plate appearances against Castillo in his career, Soto is 2-for-8 with a homer, an RBI, and five walks.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is scheduled to undergo an MRI this week to see how his strained right shoulder is progressing. It's possible that he could begin a throwing program relatively soon if everything looks good, manager Torey Lovullo said on Wednesday. Kelly remains without a clear timetable for a return from the injury, and he isn't eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list until late June. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander carries a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 21:6 K:BB over 24 2/3 innings (four starts) for the D-backs while sitting on the shelf, and he's still worth a stash for fantasy managers who can afford the roster spot. With Kelly sidelined, Ryne Nelson and Logan Allen will help eat innings in Arizona's rotation.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to make his 2024 debut on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 21-year-old right-hander is the Braves' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he could have a shot to stick around as Atlanta's No. 5 starter if he impresses in the series finale. He's worth a speculative pickup in redraft fantasy leagues for his upside and high-end prospect pedigree, but he also hasn't looked very good in the minors this year, posting a 6.10 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 17 walks and 35 strikeouts in 31 innings over eight starts for Gwinnett. Smith-Shawver made six appearances in his MLB debut in 2023 and had a 4.26 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 20:11 K:BB in 25 1/3 frames. He has an electric pitch mix but is still a work in progress. The young righty will face a Cubs team that ranks 17th in OPS (.691) that has the ninth-most strikeouts in the league.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays minor league shortstop Carson Williams is a consensus top prospect both within the Rays' organization and Major League Baseball as a whole. He's been a prominent name in the minors ever since being selected in the first round of the 2021 draft. He displays spectacular skills in the field, where he uses his reliable glove and impeccable arm strength to challenge opposing hitters and runners. He is also a pure hitter, strong runner, and even capable of producing occasional power. Last week, Williams put on a show, going 8-for-18 with three homers, six RBI, five walks, and three strikeouts. Tampa Bay, which has a variety of needs within its infield, could promote Williams to Triple-A or the majors as he continues to swing a hot bat.

From RotoBaller

After a 2-for4 night at Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Juan Brito has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, going 18-for-52 (.346). Not only that, six of the games have been multi-hit efforts, and 10 of his 18 hits during this stretch have gone for extra bases (six 2B, four HR). Brito is the Guardians' sixth-ranked prospect according to MLB.com's top prospects list and has Brito with a 2024 ETA. The Guardians are winners of six straight and sit atop the AL Central standings, but no thanks to Brayan Rocchio's offense, their current shortstop which seemingly would be Brito's clearest path to playing time. Brito has played 2B, 3B, and SS this season, but Andres Gimenez and Jose Ramirez have him blocked at 2B and 3B. Brito's hot stretch is nice, but for fantasy he is probably off the season-long radar as his power and speed potential aren't impactful enough to warrant a roster spot at this point.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried threw his second complete game of the season in Wednesday's victory on the road over the Chicago Cubs, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with a season-high nine strikeouts en route to his fourth win of the year. Fried needed 105 pitches to go the distance in Wednesday's masterful performance, carrying a bid for a perfect game into the sixth inning before Ian Happ's leadoff double broke it up. Even though it's been an up-and-down campaign for the 30-year-old star left-hander, he owns a strong 3.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 48:20 K:BB with a career-best .197 average against through 10 starts overall (58 2/3 frames) for the Braves in 2024. Monday's series opener at home against the division-rival Washington Nationals marks Fried's next projected start. He gave up two runs over 9 1/3 innings (two starts) with a 9:1 K:BB against Washington in 2023.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz (elbow) looked sharp during his fourth minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, giving up one run on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts over four innings. This was Baz's fourth start in the minors as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, so there's an outside chance that his next appearance will come in the major-league rotation after tossing 76 pitches on Wednesday. In all likelihood, however, Baz will throw in one more rehab game before likely rejoining the Rays in early June. For his big-league career, the 24-year-old former top prospect sports an encouraging 4.02 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while punching out 48 and walking 12 through 40 1/3 frames (nine starts) for Tampa Bay. Baz is worth stashing in the majority of competitive fantasy leagues with his return on the horizon.

From RotoBaller

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell (finger) will begin taking swings off a tee ahead of Friday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox. The next major steps would be for Mitchell to first log at-bats in the Arizona Complex League and then head out on a minor-league rehab assignment as he progresses from a fractured left index finger. Mitchell's goal is to return to the Brewers during a series against the Los Angeles Angels that begins on June 17. The speedy 25-year-old was in line to be Milwaukee's starting center fielder and leadoff hitter in 2024, and he could still slot into those roles upon his activation from the 60-day injured list. In 47 career major-league games, Mitchell is slashing a formidable .278/.343/.452 with five home runs, five doubles, 16 RBI, and nine stolen bases over 126 ABs. He's a decent stash in NL-only fantasy leagues with most of the club's outfielders struggling besides Christian Yelich.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Twins outfielderMax Keplersignificantly impacted the Twins' 3-2 win over the Nationals on Wednesday. The lefty went 2-4 with a solo homer in the second inning to put the Twins in front early. Kepler doubled in the ninth and came around to score again on a single fromRyan Jeffers, who proved to be the difference maker in this one. While the .311 batting average he's currently sporting doesn't seem sustainable over the long haul, Kepler will be a valuable source of HRs & RBI for fantasy managers as long as he can stay healthy.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Royals third basemanMaikel Garciawent 2-for-5 with two runs scored on Wednesday as the red-hot Royals won their sixth straight game at home to finish their sweep of the Tigers 8-3. After a monster game Tuesday night (4-for-5, three Runs), Garcia kept the good times rolling during the finale, extending his hitting streak to 10 games and chipping in a stolen base for good measure. Hitting over .300 for May, Garcia, a late-round sleeper in most drafts before the season, is making anyone who took a flier on him look pretty smart right about now. The young speedster is pacing towards a 15 HR/40 SB campaign, but withBobby Witt Jr.andSalvador Perezbatting behind him, don't be shocked if he finishes the year in the triple digits in runs scored.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Adbert Alzolay (forearm) will be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks, manager Craig Counsell said on Wednesday. No surprise here, as Alzolay has gone for a second opinion on his strained right flexor. The Cubs will follow a conservative treatment plan for the 29-year-old right-hander, and while surgery is not off the table, they'll know more after his down time. After posting a poor 4.67 ERA with 13 strikeouts, six walks, and six home runs allowed in 18 games over 17 1/3 innings out of Chicago's bullpen this year and getting removed from the closer's role, Alzolay looks like a drop in shallow fantasy leagues and a weak stash in deeper formats. Hector Neris owns a 2.50 ERA with six saves across 18 frames and is the current favorite for ninth-inning work in the Windy City.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (thumb) is scheduled to take batting practice when the club opens a homestand that begins on Friday, and he has been catching pitches with a splint inside his mitt. Alvarez is progressing well and perhaps ahead of schedule as he recuperates from ligament surgery in his left thumb, and he's still on course for a mid-to-late June return to the Mets. The 22-year-old slugging backstop was hitting just .236 (13-for-55) with one home run as New York's primary catcher before heading to the sidelines, but he did have four doubles and one stolen base over 16 games and is worth stashing in all fantasy leagues for his power upside at the catcher position. As long as Alvarez remains on the shelf, veterans Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido will continue sharing work in a platoon for at-bats behind the dish.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (hamstring) was taking grounders ahead of Wednesday's game versus the visiting Texas Rangers. Turner has been taking batting practice and also ran arcs in the outfield on Wednesday, which typically preludes running the bases, but he'll get a "pullback day" on Thursday before resuming his ramp-up during the club's weekend series against the Colorado Rockies. Although there's no timeline yet for Turner's return from a strained left hamstring, he could potentially begin a minor-league rehab assignment before the end of May and rejoin Philly's lineup as early as June 8 for the start of the Phillies' two-game series against the division-rival New York Mets in London. Edmundo Sosa is worth a look in deep mixed or NL-only leagues in the interim, slashing .296/.406/.481 with one home run, eight RBI, 13 runs scored, and two stolen bases over 65 plate appearances this year.

From RotoBaller