Welcome back, prospectors. We had one player graduate from the list as they were called up, and a little bit of a shakeup on the top 10. Some due to injuries, and a few players that needed some attention. These are the top fantasy baseball prospects I am looking to stash, if your league warrants stashing players. It isn’t always a huge benefit holding onto the next exciting bat from the minors, over some production you can find on the wire right now. Frankly, we’ve seen a lot of prospects struggle early on. It doesn’t mean it will continue, but the adjustment this year looks a bit tougher. So, you can look also view this as rank versus order of prospects that I believe are on their way.
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Tools
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
OFF THE LIST
Heston Kjerstad (OF – BAL )
After hitting 10 home runs, Kjerstad was called up to the majors as Austin Hays was put on the IL.
Ricky Tiedemann (SP – TOR )
Tiedemann was placed on the IL with elbow discomfort. Tiedemann missed time last year, and there were many worried it was going to lead to that dreaded two-letter word.
Brooks Lee (SS – MIN )
We found out Lee has been dealing with a herniated disc since spring training and is not currently doing any baseball activities.
PROSPECTS TO STASH
Junior Caminero (3B – TB )
Since returning from the IL, Caminero has hits in four of the last five games with three XBH and seven RBI. In three of those five games, he had multi-strikeout games, which the Rays won’t want to see. With Isaac hitting well, it clouds how soon the Rays will wait. I still believe right around the 1st of May, the clock becomes louder. The team could easily start DH’ing Paredes, or simply move Paredes, Ramirez, and Caminero around as the DH. The Rays are currently 22nd in the league in scoring. They could use an offensive boost.
Paul Skenes (SP – PIT)
In his latest start, Skenes went 4.1 innings striking out seven, walking one, and giving up his first run of the year. I feel like we may be getting closer to finding a date. Ben Cherington was asked on Wednesday about what Skenes pitch count might need to be to get to the Majors. Cherington, as expected was not forthright or positive about the situation, but he did say it would need to be higher than the 45 he threw two weeks ago. On April 24th, Skenes got up to 71. Two starts from now, I’d bet we see it over 80, and I think that opens up the timeline to mid-May for a call-up. Assuming he is still “not ready”
James Wood (OF – WAS )
With Lane Thomas hitting the IL, this seemed like the perfect time for James to get the major league call-up. Instead, the team, at least for now opted to go with Trey Lipscomb in the infield. There is a part of me that believes this could still change in a few days. Wood has hits in five of his last six games, including two multi-hit games. He’s hitting .288 in April and still has a sub-25 % K% on the year. I think we can read between the lines why this team might not be aggressive in a call-up, but as I said, I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a change of heart and brought James Wood to the majors.
Christian Scott (SP – NYM )
Christian Scott has now struck out at least seven batters in every game he’s pitched this year. His last start on April 23rd, he went 6.1 innings and stuck out eight. He’s gone five innings in three of his four starts, but going past six could be key here. He’s fooling hitters left and right, and putting up an absurd four walks to 34 strikeouts. Senga will be returning soon, but with Scott dominating at AAA, the Mets probably need to take a strong hard look at Adrian Houser and his 5.50+ ERA.
Joey Loperfido (OF – HOU)
The good for Loperfido has been the massive power. He hadn’t hit a home run since April 13th, but then blasted two more on Wednesday for the league lead at 12. The other good news is he has started getting reps at first base. Jose Abreu looks cooked, and they are working on their replacement with Loperfido. The bad is that he has average was .333 on April 14th, and is down to .279 as of April 25th (up 20 points thanks to his offensive outburst on Wednesday). The thing that has had me worried about his overall production is the strikeouts. He currently has a 31.4% K% and April 24th is the only day this entire month he didn’t post a strikeout. He’s coming soon, which is why I have him a bit higher than some other prospects that I think are more talented, but the swing and miss might temper his massive production expectations.
Coby Mayo (3B – BAL )
At this point, the only thing(s) keeping Mayo down, may just be out of his control. First, it was Cowser, then Holliday, and now Kjerstad. If Holliday were to be sent down, it may just be more of Westburg every day. There will come a point soon (and it could be if Holliday were sent down, to play Mayo at third and Westburg at second) that the team will make the callup. Over his last three games, he has two multi-hit games, to go with seven RBI in that span. He’s still striking out too much, but it’s easy to overlook when you hit .340 and are near the lead league in home runs. Mayo would rank higher if it wasn’t for the amount of talent Baltimore has in the majors.
Kyle Manzardo (1B – CLE )
Manzardo has been on a little hot streak as April ends. He has home runs in three straight games from April 22nd – April 24th (four home runs in that period) and hits in four straight games. His average is up over .300 while putting up a double-digit walk rate (14.3%) and a strikeout rate under 20% (17%). The Guardians are not hurting for a first base replacement, but it’s nearing the time when it would be a benefit to split time between first and DH for both hitters. The Guardians are winning games, and the focus will need to be on who helps them win more. Manzardo does that.
Orelvis Martinez (SS-TOR )
This is mind-boggling, going into April 24th, Orelvis Martinez has a hit in every single game played in April. Martinez has come a long way as a hitter. He’s currently hitting .333, where he has never hit higher than .275 in a season and has hit under .245 the past two years. Chasing with some swing and miss has been an issue, but those so far this season have taken a back seat. The Blue Jays just made a move and brought up Addison Barger. He’s played infield which could have been a negative, but he’s playing left field in his major league debut. That seems to make it more clear, that when the team is ready to move Biggio off second, Orelvis may be the guy. They can easily move Biggio into the outfield to make the spot clearer. I’m not as aggressive as some with Orelvis, nor to anticipate him coming up tomorrow, but he’s on the shortlist. When the call-up happens, he will be worth adding in many formats.
Jordan Beck (OF – COL )
This is a rinse-and-repeat from the last article. I think Beck is the best bat in the minors right now for a team that is one of the worst strikeout teams in baseball and needs production from the outfield. Beck is hitting .288 with five home runs and an under 20% K% in the PCL. It’s hard to gauge when the Rockies make a move, but I think it happens soon, and I’d try to pick up Beck in most 12 or higher formats.
Tyler Black (3B – MLW )
Since April 16th, Black has three home runs, two stolen bases, and three multi-hit games. He’s sporting a .329/.430/.539 slash with a massively impressive 12% K% to 14% BB%. He’s getting the ball in the air, with one of the lowest ground ball rates of his career. With Turang and Ortiz both playing solid ball, Black is a bit blocked. He could serve as a utility bat playing over the field. The problem is the Brewers are one of the best offensive teams in baseball, so they aren’t screaming for an offensive push. Black is most likely a defensive downgrade against anyone he would take a spot for. It may take an injury, but when it happens Black will be a bat to own.
PUT ON YOUR WATCH LIST
- Cade Povich (SP – BAL )
- Connor Norby (2B – BAL)
- Drew Thorpe (SP – CHW )
- Owen Caissie (OF – CHC )
- Carson Whisenhunt (SP – SF )
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | SoundCloud | TuneIn
Looking for more prospects for fantasy? Follow me on Twitter @isitthewelsh and check out my fantasy prospect show “Prospect One.”
