Andrew Vaughn (1B-MIL) was traded to the Brewers in exchange for Aaron Civale and cash considerations. The 27 year-old will likely report to Triple-A Nashville with the 1B and DH spots filled in Milwaukee. The 3rd overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Cal, Vaughn peaked with the White Sox back in 2022-2023, although he never hit more than .271, slugged more than 21 homers, or posted an OPS north of 113. Vaughn has never struck out often (20.5% career), but he's also proven allergic to walks (6%). He's registered a 79% overall contact rate and 89% in-zone contact rate over his 2451 career PA while Statcast shows a 46% hard-hit rate, 9.5% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 90.5 mph to go with an average launch angle of 11.7. Overall, the advanced metrics don't tell a clear story of why he's looking like a bust as they suggest that the production should be there. Perhaps a fresh start in Milwaukee can help Vaughn turn things around.
Aaron Civale (SP-CHW) was dealt to the White Sox after he requested a trade following a demotion to the bullpen. The 30 year-old righty has made just 5 starts in 2025, posting a 4.91 ERA, 7.8 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, and 4.94 xFIP over 22 IP. He owns a career line that includes a 4.06 ERA, 8.2 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, and 4.18 xFIP over 658.1 IP, so Civale could very well again become fantasy relevant. He certainly won't miss many bats (9.5% career swinging-strike rate) as he's allowed a 79% overall contact rate and 87% in-zone contact rate while generally limiting the hard contact (37.5% hard-hit rate, 7% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 88.5 mph per Statcast). There's back-end potential for fantasy rotations, so consider deploying him on a matchup basis once he shows signs of taming the longball (2.05 HR/9 so far in 2025).
Jacob Misiorowski (SP-MIL) is reportedly fine and expected to make his next start, which lines up to be in Chicago against the Cubs on Wednesday. The 23 year-old righty was, as expected, both electric and wild in his debut against the Cardinals (5 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 4 BB, 5 K) before he exited early because of leg cramps. He showcased his sharp stuff in the outing, with his heater averaging 99 mph while he also deployed his 94.5-mph slider, 88 mph curve, and 91.5-mph change. Over 13 appearances with Triple-A Nashville to open the campaign, Misiorowski registered a 2.13 ERA, 11.4 K/9, 4.4 BB/9, and 3.74 xFIP across 63.1 IP. He missed bats (14.5% swinging-strike rate), limited overall (69.5%) and in-zone contact (79%), and did not surrender much loud contact (37.5% hard-hit rate and an average exit velo of 88.5 mph). Add him wherever he's still sitting on the waiver wire.
Cade Horton (SP-CHC) put together a solid start in a no-decision against the Pirates on Friday afternoon as he surrendered no runs on 3 hits and a walk while fanning 4 on 76 pitches (46 strikes). The 23 year-old righty now owns a 3.47 ERA, 7.2 K/9, 2 BB/9, and 3.86 xFIP through his first 6 MLB starts (36.1 IP). Before getting the call to the majors, the 7th overall pick in the 2022 draft registered a 1.24 ERA, 10.2 K/9, 4 BB/9, and 4.34 xFIP over 29 IP (6 starts) with Triple-A Iowa. His minor-league track record and raw stuff - which includes a 95.5 mph average heater, 83.5-mph slider, 83.5 mph curve, and 87.5 mph slider - indicates that there's a bit more strikeout ability here, but the good news is that Horton has (so far) limited the free passes. He's not a bad play against the Brewers at home next week.
Garrett Crochet (SP-BOS) was effective in a no-decision against the Yankees as he fired 8.1 IP innings of 1-run ball in which he allowed 4 hits and a walk while striking out 7. His last pitch of the night resulted in an Aaron Judge homer, but he was otherwise sharp as he fired 72 of his 107 offerings for strikes in the outing. The 25 year-old southpaw has been an ace for the Red Sox, recording a 2.24 ERA, 10.9 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and 2.78 xFIP through his first 96.1 IP (15 starts) of the 2025 campaign. While his swinging-strike rate is down from 16% to 13.5% and the opposition is making a bit more contact in general (up to 73% from 69.5%) and in the zone (up to 82.5% from 78.5%), those figures are all still strong while he's allowing less loud contact, with Statcast showing a 36.5% hard-hit rate (down from 39% in 2024), 7.5% barrel rate (was 9%), and average exit velo of 87 mph (down from 88.5). Averaging over 6.1 IP per outing, Crochet is poised to post a career year. He does line up for a test in Seattle next week.
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