Shane Bieber's Return to Form

Shane Bieber, the 2020 Cy Young Award winner, made a strong return to the mound on Friday, showcasing his peak form post-Tommy John surgery. Pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays, Bieber averaged 92.7 mph with his fastball, his highest rate since August 2022. He struck out nine Miami Marlins and recorded 15 swings-and-misses, including seven on his slider and four on his changeup.

Carson Williams: A Rising Star

Carson Williams, the Tampa Bay Rays' shortstop, has been generating buzz with his power/speed combo. Despite a lackluster .213/.318/.447 line in Triple-A, Williams went 3-for-7 with a homer and a steal in his recent starts. His ability to draw walks and his 20/20 minor league potential make him a valuable mixed-league pickup.

Brett Baty: Power Hitter to Watch

Brett Baty of the New York Mets has emerged as a high-ceiling power hitter. Since the All-Star break, Baty has hit .283/.350/.500 with six home runs in 28 games. His 12.9% Barrel and 47.6% hard-hit rates are personal bests, placing him in the 75th percentile among all players.

Kyle Teel: A Rookie Sensation

Kyle Teel of the Chicago White Sox has been on a tear since the All-Star break, batting .322/.378/.500 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 26 games. While his underlying metrics aren't elite, Teel is a surefire add in deeper leagues and a prospective breakthrough player for 2026.

Jeremiah Jackson: Multi-Positional Asset

Jeremiah Jackson of the Baltimore Orioles has made the most of his opportunity, earning starts in right field, third base, and DH. Over his first 19 MLB contests, Jackson has delivered six multi-hit efforts, making him a useful asset in 12-team mixed leagues or deeper.

Late-Season Pickups

Keep an eye on Kyle Bradish and Parker Messick for late-season pickups. Bradish, returning from Tommy John surgery, is a speculative add, while Messick's outstanding debut performance makes him a key player for the Cleveland Guardians down the stretch.