MLB Player News

This doesn’t come as a surprise after the 32-year-old was designated for assignment earlier in the week. He’s now free to latch on anywhere else of his choosing. Aguilar slashed just .221/.281/.385 with five home runs and nine RBI in 115 plate appearances with the Athletics this season.

In a draft that is considered loaded with prep shortstops, Carlson is considered by many to be the best, and certainly the best defender. The 6-foot-1 infielder has a weapons-grade arm, outstanding athleticism, and the kind of actions you see from a shortstop who wins multiple Gold Gloves. He’s no slouch with the bat either, as there’s above-average power in his right-handed bat, and enough hard contact to suggest he’ll hit for a decent average to go with it. Carlson doesn’t offer the upside of some of the other high school bats in the class, but he has the highest perceived floor of any of those names.

Hall made the decision to reclassify to the 2025 draft in November, and immediately became one of the best shortstop prospects in the class. He’ll turn 18 on July 24, but already puts up electric speed times with a chance to be an 80-grade runner when all is said and done. He’s a solid defender at short with a strong throwing arm, and he has a chance to hit for a solid average with a little bit of pop as well. This is a better “real life” prospect than a fantasy one, but a shortstop who can get on base and steal 30-plus bags obviously has some value as well.

Vientos has had a season to forget. The 25-year-old third baseman became a household name with an excellent performance in the playoffs last year, but has been one of the bigger fantasy busts this season. Vientos is hitting .233 with a .641 OPS, but could help fantasy teams in the second half of the year if he regains his form from last year.

Estevez entered the ninth inning with a 2-0 lead. The 32-year-old right-hand proceeded to allow a double, a triple and eventually a game-tying sacrifice fly. He was bailed out by the Royals offense pushing across a run in the bottom of the inning on Nick Loftin’s walkoff RBI single. Estevez will take a 2.36 ERA, 25 saves and four wins into the All-Star break.

Parker’s twin brother Jacob also has a chance to go relatively high in this draft, but JoJo is the one who offers the potential to be a fantasy star in the coming years. The left-handed hitting shortstop has a smooth swing from the left side, and has a chance to be a major contributor in both the average and power category in the coming years. He’s not a great athlete, so his chances of staying at shortstop are far from guaranteed. Because he has a chance to get on at a high clip while providing pop, however, that bat can play at several positions. Parker will need time as most prep hitters do, but he could hit in the middle of an order someday; likely near the end of the current decade.

Holmes gave up five hits, walked one and struck out two. The 32-year-old right-hander hasn’t completed at least six innings since June 7 as he transitions into the rotation from the bullpen this year. Holmes threw 81 pitches before giving way to Sean Manaea, who was making his 2025 debut out of the bullpen. Holmes will take a 3.31 ERA and 83/41 K/BB ratio in 103 1/3 innings into the All-Star break.

Cameron allowed seven hits, walked two and struck out eight. The 25-year-old left-hander closed the first half strong with two runs allowed and 15 strikeouts in his last two starts spanning 13 2/3 innings. Cameron will take a 2.31 ERA and 58/22 K/BB ratio in 70 innings into the All-Star break. His 3.95 xFIP and the fact the Royals could limit his innings in the second half make him a sell high candidate for fantasy managers.

Kurtz jumped on a first-pitch sweeper from Justin Bruihl in the fifth inning and belted a 388-foot (103.4 mph EV) two-run shot that increased the A’s advantage to 6-1. Kurtz also led off the third inning with a double off of José Berríos and rode home on Tyler Soderstrom’s two-run blast. The 22-year-old slugger has impressed in his first taste of big league action, slashing .257/.333/.558 with 17 homers, 44 RBI and one stolen base in his first 235 plate appearances.

Soderstrom belted the second of three two-run homers by the Athletics on Sunday with his 410-foot (104.5 mph EV) off of José Berríos pushing the A’s lead to 4-0 in the third inning. That would be his only hit in four at-bats on the afternoon. The 23-year-old slugger finishes the first half slashing .262/.339/.462 with 18 long balls and 56 RBI in his first 395 plate appearances.

Miller notched his 19th save of the season for his efforts. The fire-balling 26-year-old hurler got Ernie Clement on a called third strike to start the inning before allowing a one-out single to Bo Bichette. He then won an eight-pitch battle with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., getting the 26-year-old slugger to ground into a game-ending double play. Miller wraps up his first half with a 4.04 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a 57/17 K/BB ratio across 35 2/3 innings while making good on 19 of his first 22 save chances.