Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner extended his hitting streak to seven games as his team held on for a 7-6 win over the Colorado Rockies, going 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored. Turner went back-to-back with teammate Kyle Schwarber with a long ball as the Phils ambushed Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner for four runs in the first inning, later doubling to lead off the fifth and scoring a run during the frame. The 32-year-old fantasy superstar is off to a much better start than that of his Philly debut season in 2023, now slashing a potent .329/.386/.487 with two big flies, six RBI, 12 runs scored, and seven stolen bases through 19 outings in 2024 following Wednesday's three-hit attack. Turner looks to stay hot during an upcoming weekend series at home versus the Chicago White Sox. In six games against Chicago since 2022, Turner is hitting .292 with two homers, four RBI, and three thefts across 22 at-bats.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout continued his strong start to the 2024 campaign with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, also drawing an intentional walk in the ninth inning. Trout homered to deep right center in the first inning to get the Halos into the scoring column, which was already his eighth round-tripper of the young season. The 32-year-old perennial All-Star has been excellent so far this year, slashing .282/.363/.690 with an American League-high eight homers, 11 RBI, 12 runs scored, and three stolen bases while returning early-round numbers in all fantasy settings. His RBI upside will likely be held back by Anaheim's underwhelming lineup all season long, but the swipes are a welcome sight after the oft-injured Trout stole only three bags across 201 games from 2022 to 2023. After Thursday's series finale against the Rays, Trout gets a three-game series at the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck spun a complete-game shutout in Wednesday's 2-0 victory over the visiting Cleveland Guardians, going the distance on just 94 pitches while giving up only three singles. This one wrapped up in just one hour and 49 minutes, which should give you an idea as to just how efficient Houck was on Wednesday. He threw 69 pitches for strikes and fanned nine on his way to posting his third win of the 2024 season. The 27-year-old right-hander is thriving in a starting role for the BoSox thus far, boasting a 1.35 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with a sparkling 28:2 K:BB covering 26 2/3 frames (four starts) to this point. Houck will square off with these same Guardians at Progressive Field sometime next week. In 14 innings against Cleveland since 2022, he now has a strong 1.93 ERA with 13 punchouts.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller shut down the Cincinnati Reds while tallying a win in Wednesday's 5-1 victory, tossing six innings of one-run ball on one hit with seven strikeouts. Reds star Elly De La Cruz may have taken Miller deep in the second inning, but the hurler was perfect for his other five frames otherwise. Following the 25-year-old former top prospect's brilliant day on the mound, he sports a shiny 1.85 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 24:7 K:BB over 24 1/3 frames (four starts). Miller's next start lines up for next Wednesday on the road against the defending-champion Texas Rangers, who torched him for 13 runs in seven innings last season. Fantasy managers in season-long leagues will have a difficult decision to make for that one, but Miller might be throwing too well to sit right now.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez fanned 10 Colorado Rockies en route to his first win of the 2024 campaign on Wednesday, firing six scoreless innings on five hits and one walk in the 7-6 victory. Spotted to an early four-run lead, Sanchez mostly cruised through Colorado's lineup on Wednesday. Brenton Doyle reached on Alec Bohm's fielding error in the opening frame, so Ezequiel Tovar's score went down as an unearned run. The 27-year-old southpaw will take a strong 2.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 25:8 K:BB across 21 1/3 frames (four starts) into his next appearance that's slated for Tuesday at the Great American Ball Park against the Cincinnati Reds, which is a tough matchup for fantasy purposes.

From RotoBaller

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde recorded the win in the second game of Wednesday's twin bill against the division-rival Kansas City Royals, striking out five over 5 2/3 scoreless innings in the 2-1 victory. Fedde gave up three hits and three walks, and the ChiSox scratched a run during the fourth inning to help get Fedde his first win of the 2024 season. The 31-year-old right-hander has a solid 3.10 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 19:5 K:BB across 20 1/3 innings (four starts) so far this year. Fedde's next start is scheduled to come at Target Field on Tuesday against ace Pablo Lopez and the Minnesota Twins, when he'll be worthy of streaming consideration in fantasy baseball versus an injury-riddled offense that's scored the third-fewest runs (58) in baseball through 17 games.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez went 3-for-3 on Wednesday for High-A Cedar Rapids. Two of the hits were doubles, he walked once, drove in two, scored twice, and stole two bases. Despite the big day at the plate, his batting average stands at .250 on the young season, but hopefully this breakout game is a sign of things to come for MLB's 72nd overall prospect. The Twins' fourth-ranked prospect hit .348 in Single-A over 73 games in 2023, but just .215 in 43 games at High-A. On the plus side he hit nine home runs at each stop, totaling 18, and he's still only 20 years old so there's time to grow into more power.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber bashed two home runs to help complete a series sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, gathering three RBI in the 7-6 win. In a four-run first inning against Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner, Schwarber homered to deep right before greeting Peter Lambert in the sixth frame with a two-run blast to make a 7-1 ballgame. Fantasy managers who drafted the 31-year-old three-true-outcomes slugger probably know the deal already; Schwarber is hitting just .230 (17-for-44) but is making up for it with five homers, nine RBI, 13 runs scored and 10 walks in his first 19 games of the season. A big weekend could be in store for Schwarber, as he'll get a three-game series at home against a Chicago White Sox club that holds the seventh-worst ERA (4.46) and sixth-worst WHIP (1.40) in the major leagues this year. He did go hitless in 10 at-bats against Chicago last year, though.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Josue De Paula went 0-for-4 on Tuesday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, bringing his season average down to .176. While he started the season with a six-game hit streak, none were multi-hit efforts and he's yet to hit his first home run of the 2024 campaign. De Paula had a solid 2023 in which he finished with a .284 average, stole 14 bases, and had a strong 13.5% BB%, but it hasn't carried over to 2024 thus far. At just 18 years old, he's the Dodgers' fourth-ranked prospect and 95th overall per MLB.com. The lefty has had some lofty comparisons so hopefully he can get going. For dynasty purposes, if he lives up to his comps then managers are sitting on a gold mine, although it will be some time till we see him in L.A.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Chad Green (shoulder) was unavailable during Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the division-rival New York Yankees due to shoulder soreness he felt following Monday's appearance against the Yankees. Manager John Schneider hopes Green is good to go by Friday for the start of a three-game weekend set on the road against the San Diego Padres. The 32-year-old right-hander picked up two saves and helped bridge the gap until Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson were able to rejoin Toronto's bullpen on Tuesday, and he has a strong 2.35 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while striking out seven batters and walking two over 7 2/3 innings during the 2024 regular season. With that said, Green doesn't hold a whole lot of fantasy appeal at the moment outside of leagues that weigh holds.

From RotoBaller

The Los Angeles Angels announced on Wednesday that relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (shoulder, elbow) will miss the rest of the 2024 season due to an elbow injury, and they'll have more details on his setback on Thursday. Working his way back from discomfort in his right shoulder, Stephenson was removed from his first rehab minor-league appearance on Sunday after facing just one hitter and feeling something in his right elbow. The hard-throwing 31-year-old right-hander signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Halos after notching a 2.35 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and 60:8 K:BB over 38 1/3 innings with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, and it's worth noting he dealt with inflammation in his right elbow in 2023. Carlos Estevez will be leaned on for ninth-inning work in Anaheim's bullpen for the remainder of the year, and he's converted three of his first four saves while giving up only two runs with a 5:0 K:BB in six innings.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Phillies third base prospect Aidan Miller had four hits for Single-A Clearwater on Wednesday. It was his fourth multi-hit game in his last six, and he's now batting .359 with four doubles, two home runs, nine RBI, eleven runs scored, and five stolen bases. At just 19 years old, he's the Phillies' top-ranked offensive prospect and ranks 56th overall per MLB.com. He's not going to see the inside of Citizens Bank Park this season, but for dynasty managers he offers big-time power and clearly has the speed to steal some bases.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Owen Caissie hit his first home run of 2024 as part of a two-hit day on Wednesday for Triple-A Iowa. He also walked once. Caissie got off to a hot start with six hits in his first two games but has cooled considerably since, going 6-for-41 (.146) through Sunday. Over the last two games he's 3-for-6 with a triple, a home run, an RBI, three runs scored, and three walks. It may take an injury or trade though to get the call to the big league club, as the Cubs already called up fellow outfield prospect Alexander Canario this week as a right-handed platoon bat instead of Caissie's left-handed bat. The Cubs also have their top-ranked prospect in the minors as well in Pete-Crow Armstrong, so there's a logjam in the outfield. Should Caissie get the call he'd likely at least hold his own, as he posted a strong .333-2-11-9-2 line in spring training for the Cubs this year.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays infield prospect Orelvis Martinez launched a 469-foot grand slam on Wednesday for Triple-A Buffalo. It was the only hit he had in the game, but it was a big one as it put the Bisons ahead in extra-innings and extended his hitting streak to 11 games. The 22-year-old is making his best case for a promotion, hitting .296 with six doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, and 13 runs scored over 14 games in 2024. Bo Bichette has him blocked at shortstop though, so he'd have to play third or second base. Wherever he ends up, he'll bring plenty of pop with his 60-grade power.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho belted two home runs in Wednesday's game versus the division-rival New York Yankees, but it wasn't enough as his team fell 6-4. Varsho's first homer was a two-run shot that went 373 feet to right center field to score Davis Schneider in the second inning, and his second blast traveled 392 feet to give the Jays a temporary 3-1 lead during the seventh frame. The 27-year-old converted catcher had a strong spring training, and he's offering plenty of power with four round-trippers and eight RBI in 55 at-bats to begin the 2024 season. Even so, he's only batting .218 across 19 outings and will likely need to pick it up in the speed department (one stolen base) to overcome hitting in the lower part of Toronto's order. Varsho has a three-game series against the San Diego Padres starting on Friday, and in 21 games against San Diego since 2022, Varsho is batting just .147 with three bombs.

From RotoBaller

Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz went yard in his first start from the leadoff spot since March in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, smashing a two-run jack in the third inning and also stealing a base. Ruiz's homer was a 412-foot two-run shot that brought Max Schuemann around to score. The A's surprisingly sent the American League's 2023 stolen base leader to the minor leagues following only three games to start the 2024 season, but Ruiz is swiftly demanding the attention of fantasy managers after tearing it up in the minors. The speedy 25-year-old center fielder is now batting .357 (5-for-14) with two taters, four RBI, five runs scored, and two swipes in just six outings in the major leagues. He'll look to stay hot during a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians beginning on Friday. Across nine career games against Cleveland, Ruiz is hitting .333 (10-for-30) with five extra-base hits, six RBI, and four pilfers.

From RotoBaller

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto enjoyed a massive day at the dish in Wednesday's 6-4 comeback win over the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, going 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, two RBI, and two walks. Soto collected seven total bases on Wednesday, doubling during the fifth inning to bring home Oswaldo Cabrera and get the Yankees on the board before going deep in the eighth frame. The 25-year-old four-time Silver Slugger just can't stop hitting following a scorching-hot spring training, now slashing a robust .352/.478/.577 with four dingers, four doubles, 17 RBI, 12 runs scored, and one stolen base in 90 plate appearances (19 games) in the 2024 regular season. Soto's next act will come on Friday at home for the start of a three-game weekend set versus the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. He went hitless in eight at-bats against the Rays a season ago, so fantasy managers hope Soto isn't due to cool off.

From RotoBaller

Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller continued to solidify himself as the team's go-to ninth-inning option in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, picking up his fourth save of the season to protect the victory. Miller allowed a leadoff walk to Ivan Herrera but quickly settled in to retire the next three batters, striking out two. After giving up two runs in his first appearance of the 2024 campaign, the fire-balling 25-year-old right-hander has rattled off eight consecutive scoreless frames in the month of April and now owns a 2.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 17 punchouts over nine innings overall (seven appearances). The A's aren't going to win very many games this season, but Miller's current pace suggests there is a pathway to the neighborhood of 25-30 saves if he maintains a grip on Oakland's closing job and doesn't get shifted back to the starting rotation.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. finally got on the board in the home run department during Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Houston Astros, going 2-for-5 with a solo home run in the fifth inning. Fantasy managers who spent the No. 1 overall pick on the reigning National League MVP this spring will certainly be relieved to hear that following his 16-game homerless drought to begin the 2024 season, as Acuna launched one 422 feet to center field to give the Braves a 2-1 lead. The 26-year-old is still doing just fine from a fantasy perspective, hitting .294 (20-for-68) with a .797 OPS, six RBI, 17 runs scored, and eight stolen bases to go with the aforementioned long ball atop Atlanta's potent lineup. Acuna now gets set for a marquee three-game weekend set at home versus the defending-champion Texas Rangers beginning on Friday. He hit a big fly in each of his three games against Texas in 2023.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (back), who was placed on the injured list back on Opening Day due to lower back tightness, is closing in on returning to the major-league lineup and making his 2024 debut. Entering Wednesday's action, Massey is batting .407 (11-for-27) with six extra-base hits and eight RBI over six games on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha. He could rejoin the Royals as early as Friday for the start of a three-game weekend set versus the visiting Baltimore Orioles. The 26-year-old lefty-hitting infielder should serve as the club's everyday second baseman upon his imminent activation, with neither Adam Frazier nor Nick Loftin doing much to stand out at the keystone in the early stages of the season. With KC's lineup hitting well to begin the campaign, Massey is a name to watch for fantasy managers in AL-only or deep mixed leagues.

From RotoBaller