The 2026 big dog pitching prospect finally arrived this week. Anderson pitched at an ace level across his 18 starts at AA (1.06 ERA, 0.643 WHIP, and 135 strikeouts over 93.1 innings), highlighted by allowing only 47 hits and 13 walks. In his major league debut, he allowed three runs, seven baserunners, and two home runs across 5.2 innings.
For anyone with ammo in the free agent bankroll, Anderson commands all of it while leaving enough moves to negotiate the final four free agent periods in the main event.
After getting demoted and traded for two AAA games (two runs, six baserunners, and four strikeouts over six innings), Arrighetti made his first start for the Blue Jays this week. He battled his way through 3.1 innings (three runs, five baserunners, and four strikeouts), putting him in the risk/reward category down the stretch.
Four main event game managers invested in him last week ($9, $5, $4, and $2). He draws Kansas City at home next week, followed by a road start in Cleveland. Arrighetti seems like an upside gamble, but his arm has been a liability for months.
The Giants called up Wilkinson this week, leading to a clean two-inning opening role with no runs and one hit. He made it through AA and AAA cleanly this year (6-6 with a 3.52 ERA, 1.023 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts over 87.0 innings). Wilkinson was roughed up in two (12 runs, 18 baserunners, and four home runs over 9.1 innings) of his last four starts at AAA. Boston knocked him out after 3.2 innings today, leading to four runs, seven hits, and two strikeouts.
He should start next week at home against Arizona, but his starting major league lifeline could be short-lived. Only a player to follow for now.
The Braves gave Smith-Sawver seven rehab starts between A and AAA over the past seven weeks. He went 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA, 0.977 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts across 28.2 innings. Atlanta called him up this week, but Smith-Sawver struggled over 4.1 innings (four runs, seven baserunners, and three strikeouts). A matchup at home against the Dodgers this week brings disaster risk.
He was picked up in 26 main events last week with a range between $42 and $1. Sixteen of his bids were under $9. Smith-Sawver’s matchup and struggle suggest lower bidding this free-agent period.
After missing the past two months with a back injury, the Orioles gave Bassitt two starts over the last two weeks, leading to five runs, 17 baserunners, and nine strikeouts across 11.0 innings. He pitched 13.2 innings over three rehab games at AAA before being called up (1.98 ERA, 12 baserunners, and 12 strikeouts over 13.2 innings).
His 2026 stats (5.08 ERA, 1.619 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts across 67.1 innings) invite more disaster than reward. Bassitt has double starts this week (@STL and @ATH), creating a gambling situation for the fantasy teams chasing wins and strikeouts. His cost in the main event last week ranged between $19 and $1. I can’t see investing more than a buck.
After a stellar long relief appearance last week (no runs, two hits, and eight strikeouts over six innings), Urquidy will be a top double-starting option this week (TEX and @MIN). He pitched well over his last 46.0 innings at AAA (1.76 ERA, 0.935 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts).
The length of his recent success should be worth a $5 to $10 bid for the fantasy teams with a stash of free agent dollars.
Over his last three appearances in the Tigers’ starting lineup, Anderson allowed seven runs, 18 baserunners, and four home runs across 14.0 innings. His drawing card is 91 strikeouts over 81.1 innings, while his WHIP (1.291) shows more upside than his ERA (4.09).
Anderson was picked up by three teams ($15, $4, and $3) in the main event last week, with seven teams surprisingly dropping him. He faced the Dodgers at home next week, followed by a road game in Cleveland. I’m taking a swing on his arm if I see him in the free agent pool.
The Royals stretched Lynch out to 59 pitches and 4.1 innings on Sunday, putting him closer to being a potential fantasy asset in September. Over his past four appearances, he allowed nine runs, 17 baserunners, and two home runs with eight strikeouts across 12.1 innings. Lynch was Kansas City’s best reliever (1.96 ERA, 0.935 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts over 46.0 innings).
His cost remains in the dollar flier range until Lynch shows more value in strikeouts and tosses at least 75 pitches in a game.
Other Options: Ethan Pecko, Blade Tidwell, George Klassen, Quinn Matthews, Ryan Gusto
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