Kevin Gausman, SP, TOR
Gausman was spectacular against the Astros on Thursday, throwing a complete game shutout, allowing just 2 hits and a BB while striking out 9. He has been phenomenal since the all star break, compiling a 2.25 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 67:11 K:BB across 68 IP (10 starts), and over his last 3 starts, he has allowed just 2 ER's on 10 hits and 2 BB's in 24 IP (0.75 ERA). Things were looking south for Gausman in 2024, when he posted a 4.22 xFIP across 31 starts, but he has reestablished himself as a solid pitcher this season with a 3.44 ERA and 3.81 xFIP. This is still not the Gausman from his heyday from 2020-2023 when he combined for a 3.15 ERA and 11.01 K/9, as his strikeout rate is way down from those days, but he is at least a reliable pitcher once again.
Oneil Cruz, OF, PIT
Cruz was out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, although he did enter the game as a pinch runner and was caught stealing. This marks the 4th time across the Pirates' last 12 games that Cruz has found himself out of the starting lineup. The hard-hitting outfielder is going through a deep and extended slump, as he is slashing a brutal .117/.227/.169 in 88 PA's over his last 24 contests, dropping his season BA to an even .200. He has continued to strikeout at a bloated 32% clip, but his GB% has also climbed to a debilitating 61.2% during the aforementioned stretch. For the season as whole, he owns a lowly 15.1% LD% which is at least partially responsible for his .263 BABIP. He has also been especially awful against lefties hitting .105 with a .404 OPS against them this season, so perhaps the Pirates are planning to avoid him as much as possible in those matchups. That being said, Cruz remains a tantalizing fantasy option as he continues to hit the ball hard and is still among the league leaders in stolen bases. Just don't ignore the down side when drafting in 2026.
Ryan Weathers, SP, MIA
Weathers returned from the 60-day IL to make his first start since early June, and pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing 5 hits and striking out 4 without a BB against the Nationals on Thursday. It has been a lost season to injury for Weathers who was making just his 6th start of the season, but he has been solid while on the mound, recording a 2.73 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 27:8 K:BB across 29.2 IP. He was a popular breakout candidate heading into the 2025 season, partially due to increased velocity, and he may be a popular breakout candidate yet again next season. His lengthy injury history will likely keep him available until the late rounds of drafts so it shouldn't cost much to take a chance on him in 2026.
Aaron Judge, OF, NYY
Judge had a big game against the Tigers on Thursday going 3-4 with 2 HR's in the contest. Judge struggled a bit after returning from the IL in early August, but he has since rediscovered his power stroke, homering 9 times over his last 27 games. With 46 homers on the season and 16 games left to play, Judge has a good chance to reach 50 HR's for the 3rd time in 4 years and the 4th time in his career. It's rare to expect a player to hit 50+ HR's entering a given season, but that's where Judge will be at heading into the 2026 campaign. With Shohei Ohtani's steal total plummeting this year and Bobby Witt Jr.'s numbers taking a step back, Judge should be the consensus #1 pick in 2026 drafts.
Jesus Luzardo, SP, PHI
Luzardo got off to a rocky start against the Mets on Thursday allowing 4 ER's on 5 hits in the 1st inning, but bounced back to retire 22 in a row, and finish with 10 K's across 8 IP. Over his last 9 starts, Luzardo has produced a 2.91 ERA and a shiny 64:13 K:BB across 55.2 IP. His ERA for the season is still at a mediocre 4.03, but he has an excellent 3.29 xFIP and 10.61 K/9, making him a strong candidate to target in 2026.
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