Welcome to a post trade deadline edition of Buy or Sell, where we dig into a handful of players getting a chance to prove their mettle in new lineups. After the beautiful chaos of the deadline, with its flurry of trades and call-ups, we’re seeing a fresh wave of hitters looking to make an impact. This week in our Hitter Profiles segment, we’re expanding the scope to include recently promoted prospects, players traded to new teams, and those stepping into everyday roles due to roster shakeups. With two months to go in the season, this is likely the last major shift for waiver wires across the league. Whether you’re saving your FAAB or weighing a trade, we’re here to help clarify your next move. Let’s dive into this quick-hitter edition of Buy or Sell.
Warming Bernabel
With Ryan McMahon sent to the Yankees at the deadline, Warming Bernabel got the call-up after slashing .301/.356/.450 with eight homers and three steals across 75 games at Triple-A. Since arriving in Colorado, he’s been on a tear, hitting .458 with three home runs and 12 combined runs and RBIs. He has a clear path to everyday playing time at third base for the rest of the season, but beneath the surface, there are concerns. Bernabel isn’t ranked among the Rockies’ top 30 prospects, largely due to poor plate discipline that’s followed him through the minors. He walked less than 5 percent of the time in 2023 and 2024. While that has improved to 7.3 percent this year, it’s still a red flag for a corner infielder whose power likely tops out in the low double digits. This hot streak has fantasy managers paying attention, but the long-term outlook doesn’t match the short-term excitement. It’s a classic case of buying high at your own risk.
Verdict: Sell
Jakob Marsee
Marsee was featured here a month ago as a potential difference-maker in the speed department. Now, with Jesús Sánchez out of the picture, he has every day playing time in center field for the Marlins. In 98 minor league games this season, he batted just .246, but he posted a strong .379 OBP thanks to a 15.9 percent walk rate. That approach led to 60 stolen base attempts in the Chandler Simpson mold, with 47 successful steals, along with 14 home runs. While Chandler Simpson thrives with a high batting average, Marsee gets on base with walks, like he did three times in his big-league debut.
He doesn’t bring much power and may not reach double-digit home runs. There’s also some platoon risk after he struggled against left-handed pitching in the minors. Still, with elite on-base skills and game-changing speed, Marsee offers sneaky, if maybe streaky, value for fantasy managers down the stretch.
Someone get Jakob Marsee that ball!
First MLB hit for the @Marlins' No. 10 prospect: pic.twitter.com/GkjGKlrsun
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 2, 2025
Verdict: Buy
Tyler Locklear
Acquired in the Eugenio Suárez trade, Locklear is a top-10 prospect for the Diamondbacks with a real opportunity to lock down the first base job entering 2026. At Triple-A with Seattle this year, he slashed .316/.401/.542 with 19 home runs and 17 steals over 98 games. His plate discipline has been solid, walking over 10 percent of the time with strikeout rates in the low 20s. He posted a 46 percent hard-hit rate and an average exit velocity above 90 mph, showing the power is real. Throw in 18 steals in 24 attempts and you’ve got a profile that plays in fantasy.
Defensively, he’s more than capable at first base. The one knock is his swing path, which produces more line drives than fly balls, leading to a groundball rate near 50 percent. Albeit some luck propped up his power numbers through favorable home run per fly ball rates. The raw tools are there, but the true game power may take time to fully emerge. He’ll offer corner infield value this season with the potential for a bigger breakout in 2026.
Tyler Locklear and two pitching prospects are going back to Arizona in the Eugenio Suárez trade, according to a source.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) July 31, 2025
Verdict: Buy
C.J. Kayfus
Called up earlier this week by Cleveland, C.J. Kayfus was punishing minor league pitching. Across two levels, he hit .300 with 14 home runs, 54 RBIs, 51 runs, and a .390 OBP. Since being drafted in the third round in 2023, he’s consistently produced similar results at every level. He offers some defensive flexibility between the outfield and first base, but with Kyle Manzardo and Carlos Santana holding down DH and first base, Kayfus may be limited to outfield reps in a part-time role. There are also some underlying red flags. He feasted on fastballs in the minors but struggled with breaking balls, which big-league pitchers will be quick to exploit. Add in uncertain playing time and platoon risk, and the short-term fantasy outlook gets cloudy. There’s long-term intrigue, but for now, there are better waiver wire options available.
Verdict: Sell
Warming has been a great pickup for me but I hear your concerns. Playing in Coors may entice a trade partner. About what tier player would you trade him for? (Unfair question I suppose but feel free to call out a bat or two)
Thanks for this info
Yes, I think he has some heat and likely the most he ever will at the moment. I would aim for a top 75 bat or somebody with a wart or two like a Kerry Carpenter or Trevor Story.