Five Starting Pitchers Under 40 Percent Owned Who Should Be in Your Rotation for the Second Half

The fantasy baseball market can be tricky when it comes to adding underrated pitchers to your roster.

On the one hand, the market is good at pricing arms who have two-start weeks. It's not so good, however, at identifying which underrostered starting pitchers are legitimate rotation holds versus being one-week streamers. That's because the market isn't always quick to catch up with underlying metrics. And that leads to fantasy value being left on the table.

Here's a look at five pitchers who could be second-half rotation holds, but are currently under 40% owned, according to Yahoo! fantasy.

Three Different Profiles, One Common Thread: The Market Has Not Caught Up to the Underlying Data

Brandon Sproat, Milwaukee Brewers, 29% rostered: The spotlight in Milwaukee has, understandably, been trained on Jacob Misiorowski. Meanwhile, fellow starter Sproat improved on a rough May to post a 3.46 ERA in June, including a solid June 23 outing against the Reds when he totaled 10 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over 6.0 innings. It wasn't single-game success, either, as he posted a 1.22 ERA over his last three starts. The consistent improvement (plus his 96.5-mph fastball, via Statcast) makes Sproat a second-half roster consideration.

Dustin May, St. Louis Cardinals, 28% rostered: The 4.80 ERA on the season understandably scares managers away. His injury history, plus taking a line drive to the ankle on July 2, doesn't help either. But May's evolving pitch mix and mechanics have led to improved fastball velocity (96.8 mph) and lowered walk rate (6.8%) compared to his 2025 campaign. As long as May stays healthy, he has high-upside potential heading into the second half.

Brandon Young, Baltimore Orioles, 33% rostered: Young is outperforming his xERA (4.27, compared to his 3.38 ERA), which suggests his number could regress later this season. What the market isn't factoring in is his much-improved barrel rate (6.3%) and chase rate (34.6%) compared to last year. He strung together five quality starts in June with a 24:10 K:BB ratio, which is good for a guy who relies on weak contact over strikeouts to retire opposing batters.

Two Arms With Rotation Locks and Underlying Metrics That Match the ERA

Jake Bennett, Boston Red Sox, 38% rostered: The 25-year-old rookie keeps getting better, and has secured himself a slot in the Red Sox rotation since being called up to the bigs on June 10. His average exit velocity (87.4 mph), chase rate (40.4%), walk rate (4.5%), hard-hit rate (35.6%), and groundball rate (53.4%) are all top-tier. The one thing fantasy managers need to monitor here is whether Boston has to give a rotation spot to Patrick Sandoval, who is returning from a rehab stint. But, given Sandoval has been linked to trade chatter, Bennett's spot could ultimately be secure.

Ian Seymour, Tampa Bay Rays, 34% rostered: Don't let that 4.02 ERA fool you. Seymour has improved from 2025 to 2026, as is evident by his much-improved exit velocity (87.9 mph), chase rate (33.5%), whiff rate (29.3%), and strikeout rate (26.1%). The southpaw could also get some very favorable matchups in July, as the opposing Mariners, Blue Jays, and Guardians have the three lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers in the league.

How to Use This List: Streaming vs. Holding and the Decision Framework

Remember, not every underrostered pitcher deserves a roster spot. And how they get utilized on your team can differ.

A streamer is added for two starts and evaluated after those starts with no expectation of tenure, while a hold candidate is added with the intention of carrying the pitcher through the All-Star break and into the second half. An underrostered starter whose rotation spot is secure for at least four more starts (Seymour's secure role and favorable matchups) is worth holding. If there is a worry about security (May's health, Bennett's role amid Sandoval trade talk), then that pitcher is a two-start streamer who should be reassessed later.

Owners also need to keep timing in mind, with the All-Star break rapidly approaching. Fantasy baseball is in a narrow window when the market's attention is divided between trade-deadline positioning, waiver-wire reactive adds, and roster management. Managers who identify second-half rotation holds before the break will have locked-in arms when September stats define championship rosters.

Need more help targeting underrostered pitchers? Athlon's ongoing Fantasy Baseball coverage offers daily rotation updates as the deadline approaches.

Questions About Underrostered Pitchers, Answered

Which starting pitchers under 40 percent owned should I add for the 2026 fantasy baseball second half?

The pitchers highlighted are Brandon Sproat, Dustin May, Brandon Young, Jake Bennett, and Ian Seymour. Each is under 40% rostered and offers a different path to second-half fantasy value, whether through improved underlying metrics, a secure rotation role, or favorable upcoming opportunities.

Is Brandon Sproat a good fantasy baseball pickup in 2026?

Yes. Sproat rebounded from a difficult May by posting a 3.46 ERA in June, including a six-inning, one-hit performance with 10 strikeouts against Cincinnati. He also recorded a 1.22 ERA across his final three June starts, making him a strong second-half roster consideration.

What is the difference between a streaming pitcher and a second-half hold in fantasy baseball?

A streaming pitcher is added for one or two starts and then reevaluated, while a second-half hold is added with the expectation of remaining on a roster through the All-Star break and beyond. Rotation security and sustainable underlying performance are key factors when deciding between the two.

What should I look for when deciding whether to hold or stream an underrostered starting pitcher?

Focus on whether the pitcher has a secure rotation spot, whether the underlying metrics support continued success, and whether the pitcher fits your team's needs. A secure role favors a long-term hold, while uncertainty surrounding health or playing time makes a pitcher better suited as a short-term stream.

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This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 4:04 PM.