Link to the “Player Debut” data we talked about on the show today.
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Check out the podcast for some extra names that didn’t make the written piece, and a lot more detail on the guys we talk about below.
Shallow League Pitcher Targets
Tatsuya Imai, Astros (40%) - Hard to deny the ceiling he has shown us in these last two starts.
Griffin Jax, Rays (40%) - Pitch count UP to 80+ last time, and he keeps getting outs.
Jack Flaherty, Tigers (35%) - Coming back off the IL soon, had a 30% K% and 5% BB% in seven starts before the injury.
Brandon Sproat, Brewers (17%) - He’s going to keep showing up here until people buy in. The former Mets prospect struck out 10 in six scoreless innings earlier this week. What more do you need to see?
Sean Burke, White Sox (xx%) - After a great end-of-season debut in 2024 (22Ks in 19 innings with 1.42 ERA), Burke had his struggles in 2025, mostly because of a 1.45 WHIP and walking more than four batters per 9. The walks have returned to 3.09 and the WHIP has come back to a solid 1.21. He strikes out nearly a batter an inning and is part of the surprising White Sox start to 2026.
Cade Cavalli, Nationals (50%) - .350 BABIP allowed, the highest in the league for non-Rockies. ERA can hover around 3.75 - WHIP should come to in a hurry with BABIP regression.
Deep League Pitcher Targets
Tyler Mahle, Giants (17%) - Could he be back? After missing nearly a month with a hamstring injury, Mahle got 17 outs on just 70 pitches in his return. Right now, he’s a streamer when he starts at home. But he could become more in a few weeks with good work.
Ian Seymour, Rays (15%) - 6.1 innings with a 7:0 K:BB last time, last three starts he has a 16% K-BB%, a 13.5% SwStr%, and a 33.4% Ball%.
Robert Gasser, Brewers (12%) - Talked about him last week. Typical Brewers guy who they get the most out of. Deceptive lefty, deep pitch mix.
Jake Bennett, Red Sox (13%) - A guy who can outpitch his Stuff+ numbers, Bennett is coming off a fantastic start against the Rockies in Coors. It was surprising when the Red Sox traded one of the top power pitching prospects (Luis Perales) for Bennett in the offseason. But the Red Sox know they are doing with young pitchers at least. If the Red Sox deal Sonny Gray, Bennett could have a rotation role for the rest of the season and beyond.
Sean Manaea (25%) - Bad outing against the Cubs, so we’re moving him to DEEP LEAGUES. But still, a 60:20 K:BB this year and he’s been stretched out as a starter.
Marco Raya, Twins (1%) - Tip of the hat for a callup corner arm here. Raya was called up from Triple A on Wednesday. A surprising 4th round pick in 2020 because of his average size (6-1, 170) and being a prep hurler far away from the Texas prep hotbeds of talent, Raya has slowly made his way to his MLB debut. Moving to the bullpen last year increased his chances, but he lacks one dominate pitch to give him a high-leverage spot in an MLB bullpen.
Anthony Kay, White Sox (20%) - Another matchup with Cleveland coming up! 17:4 K:BB in his last three starts, doing some good things.
Shallow League Hitter Targets
Francisco Alvarez, Mets (24%) - The oft-injured catcher is back from his latest IL stint and showing off the power that made him a top 100 prospect. As long as you know he will return to the IL at some point, now is the time to ride the Alvarez power train.
Willi Castro, Rockies (47%) - The super utility player has a seven-game week at Coors coming up. But beyond that he has been on fire in June. Still only 29, Castro is hitting .324/.432/.541 with a 159 wRC+ for the month. He’s also making good decisions at the plate with a 13.6 BB% and 17 K% for a guy with career marks of 7% and 24.2%. Position eligibility all over the place, .938 OPS in June, hitting .331/.381/.441 at home this year.
Luis Garcia, Nationals (35%) - .286/.320/.614 last 150 PAs with 12 bombs.
Dylan Crews, Nationals (41%) - .263 xBA, .326 xwOBA, .837 OPS last two weeks with three homers and a good history of attempting a lot of steals.
Deep League Hitter Targets
Caleb Durbin, Red Sox (29%) - Hit his sixth homer on Thursday, slashing .315/.346/.616 in June.
Pedro Ramirez, Cubs (7%) - A decent prospect, since signing in 2021, Ramirez tore up his first taste of Triple A pitching (.312/.395/.547 with 9 HRs and 19 SBs in 43 games. That sent him into many Top 100 lists and forced the Cubs to bring him up in late May. Despite sporadic playing time, Ramirez is hitting .289 with two steals and a homer in 49 plate appearances. If the Cubs want to make something of this season, they need pitching and Ramirez is going to be on the top of other teams’ wish list. He could explode with consistent playing time.
Kyle Manzardo, Guardians (18%) - Hits bombs vs. RHP, and he’s been forced into regular(ish) time against lefties as well. Good streamer for HRs.
Christian Moore, Angels (10%) - He was on the Angels’ unfortunately fast track from the 2024 draft to 2025 MLB lineup. Not surprisingly failed in his first try. The surprise was the Angels sent him down to Triple A to start 2026. His numbers were very good, but in a PCL environment. What was more important was better walk and K rates. He is not tearing the cover off the ball in the majors yet, but he should become a solid power-speed combo with the .240-.250 average. He should qualify at second and third base.
Owen Caissie, Marlins (30%) - Seems to be improving despite a still-high K%. At least getting to the barrel, slugging .545 with an 18.6% Brl% in his last 75 PAs. Platoon bat, though.
Denzer Guzman, Angels (17%) - Maybe Moore will take playing time from him, but the guy has skills (21% K%, 9.5% Brl%) and can give you some power + speed.
Blaze Jordan, Cardinals (38%) - Playing every day for the Cardinals, slashing .286/.298/.476. Underlying numbers aren’t great, but the volume is there, and he has some raw power.
Coby Mayo, Orioles (15%) - One of the best hitters in the league against lefties.
Last Week’s Waiver Wire Review
Shallow League Hits
Dylan Crews, Nationals (OF): Could it finally be happening for Crews? He is 10-for-25 with eight runs scored and a homer while playing all three outfield positions.
Javier Assad, Cubs (SP): With starting pitchers dropping like flies, Assad stepped up and delivered a five-inning effort that wasn’t pretty (5 hits, 3 ER, 5 K) but got him win No. 6 on the season. It will never be pretty, but he can be effective.
Shallow League Misses
Kody Clemens, Twins (INF): There is a reason why he’s played for three teams in the past five seasons. Clemens is streaky and he’s just started a cold streak after going hitless for his past three games.
Deep League Hits
Matt Shaw, Cubs (2B,3B,OF): A homer and stolen base during the week is what you should expect from the Cubs usual right fielder.
Joe Mack, Marlins (C): Miami’s top catcher went 4-for-14 with a home run and 3 RBI, which likely makes him a top 10 catcher for your fantasy league.
Deep League Misses
JR Ritchie, Braves (SP): While the Braves need him in the rotation because of injuries, he has pitched so poorly in the MLB this season that they are going back to Reynoldo Lopez.
Andrew Vaughn, Brewers (1B): Being on the short side of the platoon has kept his counting stats low.
