Baseball America’s July Dynasty 500 update brought a fresh wave of movement, and the biggest winners this month are a mix of established big leaguers and prospects pushing their way into the conversation. On the other side, a few familiar names kept sliding, with several once-hot fantasy assets now carrying far less shine than they did just a few months ago.
Michael Harris II made one of the more notable climbs, jumping from No. 69 to No. 42.
The 25-year-old is in his fifth season with the Braves and has taken his game to another level, showing both power and batting average production. His stolen bases are down in 2026, but that tradeoff has come with more home runs and hits, even if his value takes a slight hit in OBP leagues.
Jordan Walker also surged, moving from No. 120 to No. 66.
He entered the season as waiver wire material, but now sits inside the top 75 in dynasty leagues as the trade deadline approaches. The 24-year-old is on pace for his first 30-homer season and could also swipe 20 bags while hitting above .280.
Sebastian Walcott climbed from No. 115 to No. 70 after getting healthy again in Double-A and starting to hit. The Rangers’ top prospect could finish the year in Triple-A and be in position to help the big club in 2027 as a 21-year-old. His game is built on speed, with enough hit tool to let the power play.
Mike Sirota moved from No. 105 to No. 84 after one of the longest on-base streaks in minor league history earlier this season. The Dodgers prospect brings elite on-base skills, 20-plus-homer upside, and enough speed to project for 15-20 steals in his early years. He’s trending sharply upward as the season enters its final stretch.
Gavin Williams continued his breakout with the Guardians, rising from No. 112 to No. 90.
After a strong 2025, he’s taken another step in 2026, posting a 23.4% K-BB% and striking out 30.7% of hitters. He’s also punched out 11 batters in four straight games heading into August, and the second half could be a big one.
Otto Lopez jumped from No. 137 to No. 93 and has turned into one of the better fantasy breakouts of the year. He’s hitting .331/.365/.496 with nine home runs and 22 steals, and he has a chance to reach 15 homers and 30 steals while batting around .330. That kind of production is rare, and it plays everywhere.
Brandon Marsh made the biggest leap of the group, skyrocketing from No. 409 to No. 137.
He has been as valuable as Juan Soto and Corbin Carroll this season and has locked himself in as a top 20 fantasy outfielder. With power, speed and enough contact ability, Marsh brings five-category value and still has a solid runway ahead at age 28.
Zyhir Hope also kept rising, going from No. 196 to No. 138.
The 21-year-old is turning in a standout season for Double-A Tulsa and is closing in on a 20-homer, 20-steal campaign. He’s climbing alongside fellow Dodgers prospects Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota, and the major-league version of that production may not be far off.
Jared Jones moved from No. 207 to No. 142 after missing all of 2025 and returning looking like himself again. Through 10 starts, the 24-year-old right-hander has a 3.72 ERA, with even better ERA estimators underneath it. He’s striking out 28.8% of batters and walking only 7.1%, which puts him in the conversation as a legitimate No. 2 or 3 fantasy starter.
Angel Genao rounded out the risers, jumping from No. 216 to No. 159.
The 22-year-old switch-hitting shortstop has hit .305/.389/.483 with Triple-A Columbus, along with eight home runs and six steals. He’s shown a strong mix of hitting ability, power and speed, and he should be useful in OBP formats.
The fallers list was headlined by Kyle Tucker, whose slide continued from No. 55 to No. 83.
The Dodgers outfielder remains inside the top 100, but his 2026 season has been a disappointment so far with just nine homers and a .712 OPS. The challenge in ranking him is obvious: weighing a rough year against a track record that still carries major weight, even if this season has not matched the expectations that came with his big-time free-agent deal.
Cal Raleigh took a major tumble from No. 62 to No. 127.
After months of holding off on a drop, Baseball America finally pushed the 2025 breakout star outside the top 100. A year ago, “Big Dumper” hit 60 home runs and became the first catcher or switch-hitter to do it, but in 2026 he has only 11 homers and has lost 90 points on his wRC+.
He’ll turn 30 this offseason, which only adds more uncertainty to his long-term value.
Nico Hoerner fell from No. 133 to No. 173 as his profile took a hit in the most frustrating way possible for a hit-and-speed player. His batting average on balls in play dropped from .313 to .266, and his average has followed from .297 to .254. The stolen bases are down, too, and there isn’t enough power in his game to make up for the dip.
Austin Riley slid from No. 131 to No. 200 after a steady decline over the last three seasons reached a low point in 2026. As of July 29, he’s hitting .216/.293/.351 with 12 home runs in 106 games. The contact and approach have stalled, and the bounceback hopes have faded fast, though he still has a chance to regain some ground with a strong finish.
Jo Adell dropped from No. 147 to No. 215, and his 2025 power surge may end up looking like the high-water mark of his career. He hit 37 home runs last year, but in 2026 he’s been unable to find that same pop and is slugging just .401 with 16 homers entering the final days of July. Outside of power, he offers little, especially in OBP formats where he’s a negative.
In Other News...
Braves Make Another Infield Move As Shortstop Pressure Builds
The Braves added another layer to their infield depth chart by bringing Kyle Farmer back on a minor league contract and sending him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Farmer had been released last week after getting only a brief look in the majors this season, and the move gives Atlanta a familiar glove to stash in the system while the club keeps sorting through its options around the diamond.
Shortstop remains the spot drawing the most attention, with the Braves carrying a roster mix that makes easy fixes hard to find. The bench is tight, rookie Jim Jarvis has struggled on both sides of the ball, and the market does not appear to offer many clean answers, especially if Atlanta wants to chase a name that would cost a major return. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Deadline Pressure Could Force A Move Fans Never Expected
With the trade deadline approaching, the Braves are still weighing how far they want to go to shore up a roster built to win now. Pitching remains the clear priority, with rotation help and bullpen depth sitting ahead of any offensive upgrade, though there is still some interest in a left-field and DH platoon bat if the right fit emerges. For a front office led by Alex Anthopoulos, that kind of balancing act matters, especially with his history showing a more aggressive style in Toronto than the steadier, more measured approach he has usually taken in Atlanta.
The pressure is not just about the current race, either. A potential MLB lockout has added another layer to the deadline calculus, and that could make this a moment when the Braves decide to act differently than they have in years past. Anthopoulos has generally preferred to avoid forcing a deal, but the combination of a tight competitive window and uncertainty beyond this season is creating the kind of backdrop that can push even a cautious front office toward a bolder move. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Just Created A New Divide Between Two Top Infield Prospects
The Braves have nudged their two highest-profile infield prospects onto different tracks, with Tate Southisene moving up the ladder and Alex Lodise heading back to a familiar stop. Southisene, the clubs first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, has been pushed to Double-A Columbus, while Lodise, taken in the second round, is returning to High-A Rome after a solid run in Single-A during 2026.
For Atlanta, the split is a reminder that prospect development rarely moves in lockstep, even for players drafted in the same class and likely to be compared for a long time. Lodise will begin a second stint with the Emperors, where the Braves can see whether his offensive production carries over again, while Southisene gets a tougher test against older competition and a chance to keep climbing ahead of the pack. [Read more 🡒]