Outlook Merrill Kelly
Struggles continue for the veteran right-hander despite his key role in the rotation.
Kelly has struggled significantly of late, posting a 7.30 ERA and a 1.98 WHIP over his last two outings. The third-place Diamondbacks are fighting to stay above .500, but Kelly’s recent form has been a hurdle for the club. He remains a fixture as the number two starter in a rotation currently missing Michael Soroka and Ryne Nelson due to long-term injuries.
While his current 5.80 ERA for the season is discouraging, our data projects a rebound toward a 3.98 ERA for the rest of the year. His career history, including a strong 2025 campaign, suggests that his current 1.54 WHIP is likely to normalize, though a career-low strikeout rate of 5.32 per nine innings suggests his days as a high-upside fantasy asset may be fading.
Kelly is in the midst of a two-start week, having already taken a loss against St. Louis on June 22nd. He closes the week on June 28th against the Rays, facing Drew Rasmussen and his elite 2.62 ERA. Given the difficult matchup and his ongoing struggles with command and hit prevention, it is best to keep him on the bench for now. Verdict: Sit.
Updated 1 day ago
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Outlook Connor Prielipp
Prielipp battles consistency issues as the Twins manage the rookie's high-upside arm
Prielipp has experienced significant growing pains lately, posting a 5.25 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP over his last 12 innings of work. The third-place Twins, currently enduring a three-game losing streak, are keeping a close eye on the rookie's workload to preserve his long-term health following his early-season debut. He currently slots in as a mid-rotation staple for Minnesota, though his command has wavered with five walks issued across his last two starts.
Under the hood, his 6.53 ERA over the last 30 days is a far cry from his 4.26 season projection, suggesting some positive regression is likely. The left-hander continues to flash impressive strikeout stuff, maintaining a career rate of nearly 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings. However, until he improves on his 1.43 career WHIP and limits the high volume of hits allowed, he will remain a volatile fantasy asset driven primarily by his strikeout upside.
The week ahead features a single remaining start this Sunday at home against the Rockies. Prielipp draws a favorable matchup against Ryan Feltner, who has struggled to find consistency this season. While the rookie's recent ratios are a concern, the Rockies' lineup provides a soft landing spot for him to get back on track and provide a boost in the strikeout category. Verdict: Start.
Updated 1 day ago
