Midway through the campaign, the typical roster shuffle has turned into a hunt for hidden value, and a handful of under‑the‑radar performers are beginning to surface.
The Emerging Arms
Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs has posted a 2.79 ERA over his last two July starts, fanning 13 batters while keeping opponents to two runs or fewer in five of his past six outings.
Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners posts an xERA of 3.51 and an FIP of 3.05, despite a 4.23 ERA that understates his underlying quality. He ranks among the top five percent in Pitching Run Value and maintains a 35 percent chase rate, underscoring a strikeout profile that has already yielded a 4.23 ERA.
Bats Heating Up
Marcell Ozuna, now with the Pittsburgh Pirates after a high‑profile move, carries a plus‑7.0 offensive rating from 2025 and a cumulative plus‑40.2 over the past two seasons. He is currently batting .286 in July, a marked improvement from his .205 season average, and his power numbers are aligning with his historic upside.
Vinnie Pasquantino, also a Pirate, has been quietly dominant, batting .298 in June and launching 31 home runs in 2025 while maintaining a plus‑7.9 offensive rating. Over his last 283 games he has hit 51 homers, a pace that makes him a reliable middle‑of‑the‑order option.
The combination of arms that can lock down innings and hitters who are rediscovering their power makes this cohort a compelling target for any fantasy manager looking to solidify a playoff push. With the second half still unwritten, the upside is substantial for those who act now.