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Fantasy baseball managers hunting for an edge in Week 16 are turning to the waiver wire for players who are delivering outsized production despite being owned in fewer than 25% of leagues. This week’s spotlight falls on a mix of everyday hitters, speed threats and under‑the‑radar arms who could reshape matchups.
Four Houston players were chosen on the second day of the MLB Draft, bringing the total to five and marking the most selections since 2019 while tying for the 21st spot nationally.
After eight years in professional baseball, Jordyn Adams has signed with SMU as a wide receiver, bringing a unique dual‑sport background and a determination to support his family to his next chapter.
The 2026 MLB draft saw Texas Tech’s Logan Hughes become the highest‑drafted player in school history, while a wave of Red Raiders talent heads to the pros.
Shohei Ohtani's 350th career home run marks a historic milestone, placing him alongside Hideki Matsui as the only Japanese players to achieve the feat across MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball.
Two Michigan State alumni, pitcher Nolan Higgins and outfielder Nick Williams, were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, continuing a streak of Spartans drafted in each of the past four years.
Nolan Higgins, a standout pitcher from Wixom, Michigan, was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays after a collegiate career that included key performances in the Big Ten Tournament and multiple academic honors.
Luke McNeillie, a junior right‑handed pitcher from Florida, was drafted by the New York Mets in the fifth round of the 2026 MLB Draft, continuing a trend of Gators players being selected and building on a strong junior season.
Four Florida players and a signee were selected in the opening rounds of the 2026 MLB Draft, showcasing the program’s continued excellence and setting the stage for future talent pipelines.
With a 43‑24 run under Don Mattingly, the Philadelphia Phillies are still missing pieces that could push them into the postseason.
Detroit Tigers right‑hander Tarik Skubal has been vocal about the spark that teammate Dillon Dingler brings to the clubhouse, especially during spring training sessions where Dingler’s pitch‑calling creativity stands out. Dingler, a catcher with a keen eye for hitters’ tendencies, explains that his game‑calling philosophy hinges on adaptability — tailoring each sequence to exploit a batter’s strengths while keeping the opposition guessing. In his latest outing against the Oakland Athletics, Skubal showcased a razor‑sharp changeup that not only baffled hitters but also underscored his command of secondary pitches, a factor that has become a cornerstone of his recent success. The performance coincided with a strong start from rookie infielder Joshua Kuroda‑Grauer, who has quickly earned a reputation for simplicity and relentless work ethic in the Athletics’ farm system. The piece also revisits a lesser‑known statistic: only three pitchers in baseball history have started five All‑Star games — Lefty Gomez, Don Drysdale, and Robin Roberts — highlighting a lineage of excellence that modern players continue to chase. On the international stage, the KBO’s Samsung Lions secured the services of veteran left‑hander Chris Paddack for the remainder of the season, a move that could reshape the league’s competitive balance. Baseball history will also be front and center at the upcoming SABR convention, where Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, is slated to deliver a keynote address celebrating the sport’s diverse heritage. The recent passing of former Minnesota Twins star Darrell Jackson, left‑hander Al Holland, and right‑hander Phil Regan serves as a reminder of the game’s evolving narrative and the indelible marks left by its pioneers. Japanese phenoms Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Masataka Yoshida continue to dominate discussions, with Yamamoto praised for his consistency and athleticism, while Yoshida’s clutch hitting and solid bat‑to‑ball skills have made him a reliable presence in high‑pressure moments. Comparisons abound for players like Kensuke Kondoh, whose power swing mirrors Yoshida’s, and Haruto Takahashi, whose NPB performances for the Hanshin Tigers have drawn attention from scouts worldwide. Across the Pacific, Forrest Whitley’s strikeout prowess for the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, Carson McCusker’s contributions to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and Riley Thompson’s KBO leading strikeout rate illustrate the depth of talent emerging from foreign leagues. Domestic prospects such as Seth Beer in the Mexican League, Curtis Mead’s potential highlighted by Blake Butera, and Alex Binelas’s steady output for the Reading Fightin Phils further enrich the talent pipeline. Minor league leaders like Manuel Pena, who tops home‑run charts, and Connor Oliver’s consistent performances for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ affiliates underscore the depth of development programs that feed the major leagues.
Two West Virginia University pitchers, Dawson Montesa and Maxx Yehl, were among the first 100 picks in the 2026 MLB Draft, highlighting the program's rising influence.
The Chicago Cubs selected right‑hander Dylan Marionneaux with the 108th overall pick, recognizing a standout collegiate season and a place in school history.
The Dodgers' left‑hander earned the All-Star nod after a breakout season that placed him among the league’s top performers.
Three current Florida players and a signed recruit were selected among the first four rounds of the 2026 MLB Draft, highlighting the Gators’ depth and the influence of coach Kevin O’Sullivan.
Russell Sandefer, a right‑handed pitcher from Tampa, was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the recent MLB Draft, a pick that carries a slot value of $575,300. After a standout season with the Florida Gators, he transitioned from a bullpen role to a weekend starter, logging 12 starts and 19 appearances while posting a 4.42 earned run average across 57 innings. The 22‑year‑old consistently throws in the mid‑90s, topping out at 99 miles per hour, and relies on a sharp sweeper and a deceptive changeup to keep hitters off balance. His most memorable outing came against Ole Miss, where he delivered seven innings of work, striking out 11 batters and setting career highs for both innings pitched and strikeouts. Prior to Florida, Sandefer honed his craft at Saint Leo University and the University of Central Florida, where he posted a 3.38 ERA and compiled a 39‑to‑4 strikeout‑to‑walk ratio over 11 games at Saint Leo, and 49 strikeouts against 19 walks in more than 50 innings at UCF. The Dodgers view Sandefer as a high‑upside piece for their developing rotation, betting that his fastball velocity and secondary pitches will translate well to professional competition. With a track record of durability and a proven ability to perform in clutch moments, he joins a pipeline that has recently produced major‑league talent such as Tony Gonsolin and Tyler Anderson. Scouts have noted the Tampa native’s poise on the mound and his willingness to attack the strike zone, traits that could accelerate his ascent through the minor leagues. If he continues to refine command and maintain health, a debut in Los Angeles could materialize within the next two seasons.
Tampa-born pitcher Russell Sandefer was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2026 MLB Draft, bringing a strong collegiate résumé to the organization.
Three Arkansas standouts — pitcher Hunter Dietz, pitcher Carson Wiggins and catcher Ryder Helfrick — were chosen in the opening round, drawing praise for their talent and potential.
Since 2000 the University of Oklahoma has produced over 150 draft picks, including eight first‑rounders, and continues to send players to the majors at an unprecedented rate.
The Phillies' farm system sits second‑worst in baseball, and with key prospects underperforming, President Dave Dombrowski faces increasing scrutiny as the club chases a championship before its current stars fade.
Several standout baseball players from the Jersey Shore are among the leading prospects for the 2026 MLB Draft, set to unfold in Philadelphia over two days.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ two‑way sensation Shohei Ohtani will not take the mound against Arizona this weekend, will miss the upcoming All‑Star Game and undergo knee treatment as the club looks to preserve his health for the season’s second half.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been removed from his scheduled start against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to persistent left‑knee irritation. He will serve as the designated hitter for the remainder of the weekend series and will undergo targeted knee interventions after the series, a move designed to keep him healthy for the latter half of the season.
With a strong junior season and top prospect rankings, Arkansas baseball is on the cusp of extending a rare draft achievement that has only been matched by a handful of college programs.