San Francisco Giants right-hander Landen Roupp has become a popular waiver-wire pickup because of his strong start in his third year in the big leagues, but can he keep it up, or should fantasy managers sell high on him? Roupp enters a tough matchup on Thursday night on the road against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and is currently 5-3 with a career-best 3.09 ERA (2.51 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 19 walks in 43 2/3 innings across his first eight starts of 2026. With an expected ERA of 2.55 and an xwOBA of .255, the 27-year-old's underlying metrics point to his early-season numbers being sustainable going forward. Roupp also ranks in the 98th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 86th percentile in strikeout rate, although he sits in the 31st percentile in walk rate. The former 12th-rounder in 2021 has been great at limiting hard contact and keeping the ball in the yard -- he leads the league with a 0.2 HR/9 mark. Roupp will be bested on Thursday, but he did limit the Dodgers to one earned run on just one hit with five walks and seven strikeouts in five innings in a win at home back on April 21.

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Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday has looked like a different hitter since joining the Reds this year, as he came into Thursday's action with a .292/.443/.646 slash line, a 1.088 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, and eight runs scored in just 15 games played. The former fourth overall pick by the Miami Marlins in 2019 out of Vanderbilt kept it going in Thursday's 15-1 blowout win over the visiting Washington Nationals, going 3-for-5 at the plate as the designated hitter with two home runs, six RBI, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .321 and his OPS to 1.210. The left-handed-hitting outfielder now has six long balls in his first 52 at-bats since joining Cincy, which should have fantasy managers taking notice in all formats. Bleday won't be able to keep this pace up all season, but his pedigree as a top draft choice makes him more intriguing as a potential waiver-wire star in 2026 who is clicking with a change of scenery in a very hitter-friendly home ballpark. Bleday is only rostered right now in 18% of Yahoo leagues and should deserve more attention.

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Per MLB Pipeline, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jesus Made is now the No. 1 prospect in baseball, taking over the top spot with shortstop Konnor Griffin now starting in the big leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Made is only 19 years old and hails from the Dominican Republic, but he has a realistic chance to make his major-league debut before the 2026 season is over in Milwaukee. The 6-foot-1, 221-pound switch-hitter is currently stationed at Double-A Biloxi, where he has hit .257/.340/.400 with a .740 OPS, three home runs, 20 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 26 runs scored in 34 games across 159 plate appearances for the Shuckers. He doesn't have any obvious weaknesses from either side of the plate, and he has 25- to 30-homer upside at the big-league level at a premium position. In addition to his raw-power upside at the plate, Made has a refined approach at the plate despite his young age, and he consistently finds the barrel when he makes contact. In addition to his hitting skills, Made is a plus runner with lots of range at the 6. He could initially be used at second and third base in the majors, but long-term, he has the skills to stick at shortstop. Despite not even being 20 years of age yet, Made is rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues.

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Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez (thumb) hasn't played in a game since May 1 after suffering a muscle strain in his thumb, but could be back on the field in the coming weeks. Before hitting the injured list at Triple-A St. Paul, the Twins' fourth-ranked prospect was showing well, hitting .247 with six home runs and producing a superb .417 on-base percentage thanks to an elite 21.3 percent walk rate (28.7 percent strikeout rate). The left-handed slugger has displayed an elite eye at the plate for the entirety of his minor league career, and had a 16-home run campaign in just 99 games back in 2023, but staying healthy has been an issue for him, playing a total of 65 games in 2025 and 47 in 2024. With Matt Wallner recently demoted to Triple-A, there could be a path to playing time once Rodriguez returns to action, and with his solid combination of power, speed, and plate discipline, the 23-year-old is a worthy stash candidate in deeper leagues.

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Miami Marlins pitching prospect Thomas White could be the next man up when a rotation spot opens up after the recently promoted Robby Snelling (elbow) hit the injured list with a UCL sprain after one start, with the team recalling Braxton Garrett for Thursday's start against the Twins. White is not on the 40-man roster, so it is not a certainty he'll be the next name called, and he was shaky in his latest start at Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, allowing four earned runs on seven hits (two home runs) and two walks in just four innings of work. He struck out three batters, but his ERA at Triple-A now stands at 4.86 through five starts with an uninspiring 1.62 WHIP, thanks partly to a high 11.1 percent walk rate. Still, the Marlins' top prospect was fantastic in 2025, recording a 2.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 145 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings (25.0 percent K-BB%) across three levels, and should get back on track soon. With a nearing MLB debut and his high potential for strikeouts, the 21-year-old is one of the top pitchers to stash in most formats.

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Seattle Mariners infield prospect Colt Emerson stayed hot on Wednesday, clubbing his seventh home run of the season and collecting four RBI in a 2-for-5 day at the plate. The Mariners' top-ranked prospect is slashing .300/.333/.520 in 11 games in May, and owns a .257/.342/.478 slash line for the season with seven home runs and nine steals through 35 games at Triple-A Tacoma. The former first-rounder has the makings of a potential five-category producer for fantasy, and despite being just 20 years old, appears likely to be the next highly-rated MLB prospect (MLB No. 6 overall) to make his major league debut this season. With no current holes on the major league roster, a promotion is not imminent, but it could happen before the end of the month or shortly thereafter, so fantasy managers looking for a fantasy-friendly infield bat should consider Emerson as one of the top hitters to stash ahead of his eventual call-up.

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Colorado Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander (arm) was pulled from Thursday's series finale at PNC Park early against the Pittsburgh Pirates with right-arm tightness, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Dollander made the start and only went one inning, giving up three earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out none before getting the early hook. The 24-year-old's velocity was down, but as of right now, the severity of his arm injury is unknown. The former ninth overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Tennessee has mostly served in a bulk-relief role in 2025 in his second year in the big leagues -- Thursday was just his third traditional start of the year -- and he came into Thursday's action with a strong 3.35 ERA (3.83 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 47:17 K:BB in 43 innings across his nine appearances (two starts). Dollander's strong start in his first full year in the big leagues has made him a popular waiver-wire target early on, although he's still rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues.

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Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper weathered a 3-for-27 (.111) slump at the end of April, but has since turned it around, going 13-for-43 (.302) with three doubles, three home runs, and three steals so far in May (10 games). The Twins' second-ranked prospect is now slashing a respectable .253/.345/.460 with eight home runs and eight steals through 36 games at Triple-A. This comes on the heels of a 20-home run, 25-steal performance last year between High-A and Double-A, showcasing his ability to be a potential multi-category contributor for fantasy. The former first-round draft pick could make his MLB Debut in the coming weeks, and with experience at shortstop, second base, and third base, the 23-year-old has multiple paths to get there. He's only eligible at SS in Yahoo! leagues, but is available on nearly all waiver wires, and with his proximity to the majors along with multi-category appeal, the right-handed slugger should be considered one of the top hitters to stash in deeper leagues.

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After struggling to a 4.90 ERA across 90 MLB innings in 2025, Seattle Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock entered 2026 as an afterthought in the minds of most fantasy managers. However, the 26-year-old has gotten off to a strong start to the year, recording a 3-1 record with a 3.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts across 47 2/3 innings (eight starts). Hancock's underlying metrics support his improvement as well, as his K-BB rate has skyrocketed from 8.6% to 22.2%. The return of Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller from an oblique injury that delayed his 2026 debut looked like it might throw a wrench in Hancock's emergence. However, Seattle announced that Miller will piggyback with struggling Mariners veteran Luis Castillo, leaving Hancock's spot in the team's rotation unencumbered. As long as Hancock remains healthy, he could be on the verge of a breakout season.

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After allowing six earned runs to the Texas Rangers on May 6, New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren bounced back with a strong performance against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. The 26-year-old is off to a solid start to 2026 overall, as he's recorded a 5-1 record with a 3.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 59 strikeouts across 47 1/3 innings (nine starts). Warren has lowered his walk rate from 9.1% in 2025 to 6.1% in 2026 while simultaneously improving his strikeout rate from 24.1% to 29.8%. He's also allowing less hard contact so far this season, as opponents own a 41.3% hard-hit rate against him after posting a 45.2% hard-hit rate last year. Additionally, Warren's spot in the Yankees' rotation may be more secure after fellow starter Max Fried (elbow) was removed from his start on Wednesday due to elbow soreness. While Warren may not offer elite upside, he looks like a reliable source of strikeouts and innings for fantasy managers in 2026.

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Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Trevor Megill was a top-line closer in 2025, pitching to a 2.49 ERA with 30 saves and 60 strikeouts across 47 innings. However, the 32-year-old has not been able to repeat his success so far in 2026, as he owns a 6.00 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP with 19 strikeouts across 15 innings. Megill's average fastball velocity is down from 99.1 miles per hour to 97.6 miles per hour, and his strikeout rate has dipped from 31.3% to 28.4%. While Megill has four saves on the season, he has not recorded one since April 17. Megill's 3.69 xERA suggests he's run into some bad luck so far in 2026, so he could work his way back into the ninth-inning role in Milwaukee over the course of the season. However, he appears to be out of the running for saves in the short term, which means he's no longer a must-roster pitcher for fantasy managers.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez began this week reminding fantasy managers why he is one of the top hitters to stash after belting another home run on Tuesday and stealing another base on Wednesday, now with eight home runs and seven steals through 35 games at Triple-A Memphis. The 6-foot-3 slugger is slashing just .236/.314/.464, but after hitting 20 home runs and stealing 54 bases while batting .287 last year between High-A and Double-A, the former second-round draft pick has the potential to be a multi-category producer when he gets to the majors. The team will likely want to see an improvement on the 32.7 percent strikeout rate he's produced this season for Memphis, but there's a good chance he debuts by midseason, making him one of the top prospect hitters to stash in fantasy leagues for managers who have available bench space or an NA slot to tuck him away in until the 22-year-old gets the call.

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Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler's start to the 2026 season was delayed by the shoulder injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Since making his return on April 25, Wheeler has recorded a 2-0 record with a 2.55 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts across 24 2/3 innings (four starts). By the top line numbers, the 35-year-old has mostly looked like his vintage self. However, there are a few minor red flags in Wheeler's profile. For one, his average fastball velocity currently sits at 94.9 miles per hour, down from 96 mph in 2025. Wheeler's 23.2% strikeout rate is also way down from his 33.3% rate in 2025 and would be his worst mark since the shortened 2020 season. Given Wheeler's extended track record as one of the best pitchers in baseball, he deserves the benefit of the doubt and could simply be rounding into form after a long injury layoff. Still, fantasy managers may want to prepare for potential regression from Wheeler.

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler has been one of the best pitchers in baseball so far in 2026, recording a 5-1 record with a 1.35 ERA and 0.81 WHIP with 59 strikeouts across 53 1/3 innings (nine starts). The 25-year-old is averaging 98.1 miles per hour on his fastball and currently owns an elite 24.8% strikeout rate. While Schlittler has unquestionably been excellent early on this year, there may be reason to believe some regression is coming. For one, Schlittler's 4.5% walk rate appears unsustainable, given that he posted a 10.2% walk rate across 73 MLB innings in 2025. Additionally, Schlittler's 0.17 HR/9 is likely to rise as the weather heats up, particularly given that he will be making his home starts at Yankee Stadium. Even with some decline, Schlittler could still provide fantasy managers with high-end starting pitcher production. However, managers may want to consider moving on if they can secure a king's ransom in return.

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Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson has been impressive in his first season of professional baseball, showing why the team selected him third overall in last year's Draft. The southpaw began 2026 with Double-A Arkansas and is boasting a 0.60 ERA and 0.67 WHIP with an impressive 47:5 K:BB through six starts (30 innings pitched, 39.6 percent K-BB%). His next start is scheduled for Friday, but with the type of dominance he's shown, the LSU product may not get too many more before he earns a promotion to Triple-A. At that point, he'll be knocking on the door to the majors, and if he continues to produce, then an MLB debut could happen later this year. The Mariners aren't in need of any arms in the rotation at the moment (in fact, they're currently using a six-man rotation), but that could change quickly. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the lefty up in the big leagues by midseason, and with his pedigree, along with the dominance he's displayed, fantasy managers should consider the 21-year-old one of the top pitchers to stash in all formats.

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San Francisco Giants left-hander Erik Miller (back) is currently on the 15-day injured list as he works his way back from a back injury. However, the 28-year-old made his second rehab appearance on Wednesday and appears to be on the verge of rejoining the Giants. Miller was off to a strong start before getting injured, pitching to a 3.18 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and two saves across 11 1/3 innings. The closer situation in San Francisco has been unsettled all year long, and the team recently demoted former closer Ryan Walker to Triple-A. Miller has flashed dominant high-leverage upside and owns a 35.4% strikeout rate so far this season. Upon his return to the big leagues, Miller could emerge as the primary closer in San Francisco. In deeper leagues where he's not already rostered, Miller deserves a look on the waiver wire from fantasy managers.

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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring, neck) will sit out again at Double-A Corpus Christi on his minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday due to neck soreness, manager Joe Espada told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. The hope is that Pena will return to the Hooks' starting lineup on Friday. The 28-year-old Dominican collided with a baserunner on Tuesday while playing for Corpus Christi and is dealing with minor neck soreness. He has been out for over a month with a strained right hamstring, but as long as he avoids another injury this weekend in the minors, he could return to Houston's starting lineup by early next week. The Astros could really use Pena back after veteran infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) suffered a season-ending ankle injury. When Pena is cleared to come off the 10-day injured list, he'll be the Astros' starting shortstop, making him valuable in mixed fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues. Pena was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his fourth year in the majors, slashing .304/.363/.477 with an .840 OPS, 17 homers, 62 RBI, 20 steals, and 68 runs in 125 games played.

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) has been scratched from the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Miami Marlins due to right hip-flexor soreness, according to Twins reporter Audra Martin. Ryan Kreidler will make the start in center field for Minnesota and will hit eighth in the batting order against Marlins left-hander Braxton Garrett, who is making his first start of the year in the big leagues. It's disappointing that the oft-injured Buxton is hurt just a day after hitting two home runs in Wednesday night's loss to Miami, but hopefully, it's just a minor injury. The 32-year-old has been on fire at the plate lately, too, clubbing 12 of his 15 home runs in his last 20 games. For now, we'll consider him to be day-to-day. Fantasy managers will want to check back in on Friday to see if Buxton is back in the starting nine for the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. Kreidler has played in only five games for the Twins this year and has gone 3-for-14 (.214), but with two homers and four RBI in 18 plate appearances.

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Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin, who signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract in the offseason, has been one of the best offseason moves so far in baseball. FanSided's Robert Murray writes that Griffin could be a trade candidate ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline, or he could be a candidate for a long-term extension, although sources say there haven't been any talks about a potential long-term deal. The 31-year-old southpaw currently has a sharp 2.12 ERA through his first eight starts of the 2026 season for a Nationals team that is currently two games under .500 (20-22). Griffin could be the latest left-hander to cash in on a long-term deal in his first season after coming from Japan. The former first-rounder by the Kansas City Royals in 2014 has allowed more than three earned runs in just one of his starts this year and has given up one earned run on nine hits (one homer) while walking seven and striking out 20 in 20 innings over his last three starts. Despite pitching at hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark on Thursday, Griffin will be an enticing streamer against a Reds team that ranks 25th in baseball in OPS (.684). Griffin is rostered in under 70% of Yahoo leagues right now.

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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor's (calf) MRI exam showed that his strained calf is healing, but there remains no timetable for his return, manager Carlos Mendoza told Steve Gelbs of SNY. The skipper said that Lindor will now move into the strength-training portion of his recovery, although he still looks to be quite a ways away from a return from the 10-day injured list. Fantasy managers should expect the 32-year-old Puerto Rican to return sometime in June. In the meantime, with Ronny Mauricio (thumb) on the shelf as well, Bo Bichette has moved to shortstop full-time, and Brett Baty will continue to see most of the starts at third base against right-handed pitchers. Lindor, a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger winner, was hitting just .226 (21-for-93) with two homers, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases at the time of his injury, is a must-stash in fantasy leagues despite his extended absence. When fully healthy, Lindor is a top-tier shortstop. He has reached 30 homers in each of the last three seasons and has stolen 30-plus bags in two of those years.

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