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Christian Scott vs. SF (9/6)
Drew Anderson vs. MIN (9/8)
Shane Drohan vs. CIN (9/11)
Sean Manaea vs. MIA (9/7)
Connor Prielipp vs. DET (9/7)
Gage Jump vs. SEA (9/6)
Max Scherzer vs. BAL (9/11)
Pitcher Targets
I can’t even discriminate between shallow and deep anymore, so I’m jamming them all together.
Cal Quantrill, Rangers (43%): The former Padres and Guardians prospect has been filling leaks in the Rangers’ rotation throughout the year. He was amazing in August, with a 1.45 ERA and only 26 baserunners in 31 innings. Never known as a strikeout pitcher, he had 29 Ks in August. He should keep his spot in the rotation as Cody Bradford struggles with command and Nathan Eovaldi struggles with health.
Grant Holmes, Braves (46%): Yeah it’s middling numbers this year (3.62 ERA, 1.31 WHIP), but this guy has pitched all year with a partial UCL tear. He will get two starts this upcoming week.
Yusei Kikuchi, Angels (13%): 14% K-BB%, 12.7% SwStr% in two starts. Slider looks decent; good matchups coming up (PIT & WSH)
Ryan Gusto, Marlins (3%): 1.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP in August. Location has been awesome; he has just seven walks in 28.2 innings (5.7% BB%).
Max Scherzer, Blue Jays (15%): 13.8% SwStr%, 30% K% in… the last two starts. It’s probably fake, but Scherzer turned back the clock last time with 17 whiffs. Fastball has been good lately; slider has been pretty good all year.
Alex McFarlane, Phillies (2%): With a fastball that has averaged around 100 MPH in the majors, the 25-year-old has quickly moved into some high leverage situations for the Phillies. Using his 60-grade slider to help drive a 54.2% ground ball rate, McFarlane is putting himself in position to be a key member of the Phillies bullpen for years to come.
Nate Pearson, Royals (4%): The long-time Blue Jays prospect who could never stay healthy started this season in Houston – and, of course, was injured. The Astros DFA’d him and the Royals snatched him up for their ailing bullpen. Since then he has a 0.57 ERA in 16 games with two saves and four holds. His career-best 94.4% of running left on base is driving that success, but he wouldn’t be the first former prospect to finally find himself a high-leverage bullpen job at 30.
Shallow League Hitter Targets
Hector Rodriguez, Reds-OF (19%): After going homerless in his first 10 MLB games, Rodriguez has homered five times in his past 10 games. That’s enough for him to graduate from deep league and shallow league. He is the everyday right fielder now and has hits in 11 of his past 12 games.
Javier Sanoja, Marlins-2B/SS/3B/OF (39%): Known for his bat-to-ball skills and speed, Sanoja has been hot since the start of August, going 35-for-101 (.347) and with four of his seven 2026 homers. Throw in three steals and position flexibility and you have a good fill in.
Henry Bolte, Athletics-OF (45%): Looks like a blossoming fantasy stud to me! Elite tools, plate discipline rapidly improving. If he can lift the ball a little bit more he’s like a 20-30 guy.
Jeff McNeil, Athletics-1B/2B/3B/OF (25%): .340 since August, three homers, five steals. Not getting enough respect in fantasy leagues!
Heriberto Hernandez, Marlins-OF (29%): Leads the Marlins in homers.
Deep League Hitter Targets
Joey Ortiz, Brewers-3B/SS (11%): We told you last week, Ortiz has found his swing since June 1. Nothing has changed other than his ownership more than doubling.
Drew Gilbert, Giants-OF (5%): .372 xwOBA, +0.54 over expectation since July 30th. 12.3% Brl%, 21% K%. Hits fly balls, seems to know which pitches to swing at.
Jonah Cox, Giants-OF (7%): After stealing 116 bases in 2024-25, the 25-year-old has ridden the BABIP magic carpet to hit .400 (with .464 BABIP) in Double A, .468 (.568) in Triple A and .290 (.500) in the majors this year. His aggressive (career 50+% swing rate) style has not resulted in great contact rates, so enjoy this while you can.
Brett Bateman, Blue Jays-OF (8%): Acquired from the Cubs in the Kevin Gausman trade, Bateman should be the Toronto MVP if they make the playoffs. He stepped into the holes at centerfielder and leadoff in the lineup and just run with it. You keep thinking the end is near, but he continues to stay one step ahead of the regression.
Ethan Salas, Padres-C (23%): One of two major leaguers born in 2006 (Konnor Griffin is the other), Salas has shown an advanced hitting approach that has made him a top prospect for years. Playing time is a question mark for the rest of 2026.
Lazaro Montes, Mariners-OF (28%): Big Cuban lefthander is always comp’d to Yordan Alvarez. He has the power, but not the bat-to-ball skills. But that power could be just the spark the Mariners and your team needs. Hopefully you are in an OBP league.
Yohandy Morales, Nationals-1B (10%): Former U of Miami slugger, has moved off of third base and found his power stroke again with 25 longballs in Triple A this season. For a player that needed 40+ games before he hit his first minor league homer, the nearly 25-year-old homered in his first MLB game.
Leonardo Bernal, Cardinals-C (3%): Another Cardinals catching prospect, Bernal is the best combo of offense and defense for St. Louis when compared with Jimmy Crooks (plus-defense) and Rainel Rodriguez (plus-offense). He got his second start at DH – and hit his first career HR – so he looks to get the playing time you want.
Deyvison De Los Santos, Marlins (3%): 21 bombs, 18 steals, .339 OBP… IN THE MINORS. K% has improved down there this year, big power tool with some speed. Very deep league suggestion, but the Marlins will take a look at him in September.
Last Week’s Waiver Wire Review
Shallow League Hits
Andrew Painter, Phillies-SP: Followed a QS with a dominant seven shout innings, allowing just two hits, no walks and striking out 6.
Henry Bolte, Athletics-OF; Kaelon Culpepper, Twins-SS: Both rookies continue to put up solid numbers and create paths toward potential future fantasy stardom.
Shallow League Misses
Walker Jenkins, Twins-OF: First week in Majors was not pretty (.150, 84 wRC+) but had a homer,a steal and struck out the same amount of walks (16.7%), so better days appear to be ahead.
Deep League Hits
Hector Rodriguez, Reds-OF (see above)
Deep League Misses
Elmer Rodriguez, Yankees-SP: Complete flop with easy matchup against the Angels (3.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5K). Control seems to get lost between Triple A and Majors.
Gage Jump, Athletics-SP: Made Elmer look good giving up season-high seven earned runs in collecting 13 outs on the road against the Rangers.
