The Pitcher Edition of the Stash List highlights the 10 best-pitching prospects likely to make an impact during the 2024 season.
Prospects are often thought of as only holding value in dynasty formats. However, knowing which prospects hold value for the current season can help set you apart in redraft leagues. Several have a 2024 ETA and getting ahead of the curve on rostering these prospects is a key part of roster management. Last year we saw more pitching prospects make their debut than ever before and there is no reason we should expect to see anything change in 2024. Keep reading to find out the top ten pitchers you should stash in your redraft leagues.
Ground Rules
- The Stash List is for your redraft leagues and does not consider impact beyond 2024.
- Only current minor league players who are expected to make an impact this season are included.
- Upside, proximity, health, and opportunity are all weighed for each player.
- The focus is on 12-team leagues with standard categories.
- Rankings and rostership percentages will be updated weekly.
- Stats will be updated weekly for all players through Thursday’s games.
The Stash List
Graduates/Call-Ups
It’s important to note that even once the pitchers you’ve been stashing reach the majors, you may have to continue showing patience as they often have rough debuts.
Orioles lefty Cade Povich was knocked around by the Blue Jays on Thursday, giving up six runs in 5.1 innings with four walks and two strikeouts. Povich’s control was off, throwing 58 strikes on 100 pitches. If the Orioles stick with Povich in a six-man rotation, then his next start would come at home against the Braves. The idea of the left-handed Povich pitching half of his games in Camden Yards with its expansive left-field wall is a big part of why we were so excited about him, so hopefully he gets that start. If he is sent back down, he would return to the stash list so hang on if you can no matter which way Baltimore goes.
Padres righty Mazur uncharacteristically walked four in six innings on Tuesday but limited the Angels to two hits and one run with two strikeouts. The lack of strikeout upside is what kept Mazur down in the On The Bubble portion of the stash list. The 23-year-old has a lot of polish, so he could flourish getting to pitch half his games at Petco Park like he did in his debut. Mazur came up along with Randy Vasquez when Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove hit the IL. Darvish could be back by next week, but Musgrove is likely looking at a lengthy absence. This could open the door for Mazur to stick around if he can outpitch Vasquez.
Top 10 Pitching Prospects to Stash
1. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Previous Ranking: 2
2024 MiLB (AA) stat line: 16.2 IP | 2.16 ERA | 35.3 K% | 14.7 BB%
Jackson Jobe should be nearing a return from a left hamstring strain suffered on May 1 with Double-A Erie, but there have been no updates since the 21-year-old right-hander threw a bullpen session on June 1. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder could make a return to game action sometime this week and could quickly earn a promotion to Triple-A Toledo. Jobe didn’t allow a hit over his last two starts and has retired 32 of the last 34 batters he’s faced going back to his April 13 outing against Akron. He could be pushing for a spot in the Tigers rotation by the end of June.
2. Christian Scott, RHP, New York Mets
Previous Ranking: 1
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 30.1 IP | 2.97 ERA | 38.4 K% | 6.3 BB%
2024 MLB Stat line: 27.2 IP | 3.90 ERA | 22.3 K% | 5.4 BB%
Christian Scott was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse last week with the Mets temporarily going away from a six-man rotation with their London trip creating travel days on their schedule. Scott had been solid but not spectacular in his first five MLB starts, but he picked up where he left off in Triple-A by dominating over five innings against St. Paul on Wednesday. Scott struck out seven with one walk, allowing two hits and one run, coming on a solo homer by recently-demoted Edouard Julien. The 24-year-old righty kept his same pitch mix from his MLB stint, using the start to stay sharp while limiting his workload to 59 pitches. Scott could be making just one more start for Syracuse before returning to New York.
3. Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Previous Ranking: 7
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 6 IP | 4.50 ERA | 45.8 K% | 4.2 BB%
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 49.1 IP | 2.92 ERA | 22.4 K% | 7.9 BB%
Hurston Waldrep was passed over when the Braves dipped down into Double-A for a rotation reinforcement on May 29 and went with Spencer Schwellenbach. Instead of a promotion to Atlanta, Waldrep was bumped up to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he dominated with 11 strikeouts in six innings against Norfolk.
The issue with Waldrep has been his control, highlighted by two four-walk outings in April. Against Norfolk, Waldrep threw 64 of 89 pitches for strikes and allowed just one walk. Over his last eight starts, the Braves’ first-round selection in the 2023 draft has a 1.68 ERA with a 52-13 K-BB over 48.1 innings.
The Braves may want to keep Waldrep away from the automated ball-strike system being used in Triple-A, so he could still get a call-up from Mississippi any time that he is deemed ready. With Schwellenbach carrying an 8.38 ERA through two starts for Atlanta, Waldrep could be coming up soon to take a shot at finally nailing down the fifth spot in the Braves rotation that has been a game of musical chairs.
4. Shane Baz, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
Previous Ranking: 6
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 20.1 IP | 6.20 ERA | 13.3 K% | 15.3 BB%
After struggling through diminished velocity and poor results in his previous start for Triple-A Durham, Shane Baz bounced back with four scoreless innings on Sunday at Jacksonville. Baz was back up to averaging 95.2 mph on his fastball after dipping to 94.6 the turn before. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder had averaged 96 mph on his fastball over his first four rehab starts.
Before his July 2022 Tommy John surgery, Baz sat in the upper-90s with his fastball, averaging 97.1 mph in his first taste of the majors in 2021. Baz has struggled with control issues as is often the case in returning from TJ, walking 15 in 20.1 innings. There were enough positive signs in his last start that we are continuing to stash Baz, but with a careful eye on how he’s doing in the minors.
5. Max Meyer, RHP, Miami Marlins
Previous Ranking: N/R
2024 MLB Stat line: 17 IP | 2.12 ERA | 21.5 K% | 4.6 BB%
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 26.2 IP | 6.75 ERA | 27.4 K% | 9.7 BB%
After finally dropping Max Meyer out of the top 10 on our stash list last week, we got some good news when Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said he expects the 25-year-old right-hander back in the majors soon. Meyer made what could be his last Triple-A start on Friday and was limited to just 57 pitches, giving up two runs in three innings.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder has struggled to a 6.75 ERA over eight starts for Jacksonville, but the Marlins succeeded in restricting his workload by putting just 26.2 more innings on his right arm. Meyer may have just been going through the motions, working on certain pitches and not worrying about results much like a veteran in spring training.
On Friday, possibly with his eye on a return to the Miami rotation next week, Meyer upped his slider usage, throwing it as often as his fastball. The Marlins are initially having Roddery Muñoz fill in for Sixto Sánchez (on the IL with shoulder inflammation), but Meyer would be lined up to return to Miami on Friday.
6. Chayce McDermott, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Previous Ranking: 5
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 52 IP | 3.81 ERA | 34.7 K% | 14.4 BB%
Chayce McDermott has been right on Povich’s heels all season as the first pitching prospect up to help fill in the back of the Orioles rotation. With Povich struggling in his MLB debut, McDermott could be very close to coming up for first start for Baltimore. Coming off a strong May with an impressive 45-7 K-BB in 25.2 frames, McDermott struck out seven in five innings allowing just one run last Sunday against Norfolk. The 25-year-old right-hander walked four, so his control problems have flared up with seven bases on balls in his last nine innings. With the Orioles playing games on all but one day in June, McDermott may be needed soon.
7. David Festa, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Previous Ranking: 4
2024 MiLB (AAA) stat line: 48 IP | 3.56 ERA | 34.5 K% | 11.8 BB%
David Festa struck out six in five innings on Friday for Triple-A St. Paul, allowing two runs and one walk. The 6-foot-6 right-hander was coming off his worst start of the season on June 1, when he gave up five runs and three walks in four innings. The 24-year-old has been cranking out 80+ pitches and is back pitching on five days of rest after a rain-shortened start in mid-May messed up his schedule. The Twins are in the middle of a particularly busy part of their schedule, so there’s a chance that Festa will make his MLB debut on his next turn. Chris Paddack has been up-and-down in the Twins rotation and is carrying a 5.26 ERA, so there could soon be a spot for Festa even if it’s not happening just yet.
8. Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs
Previous Ranking: 9
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 16.1 IP | 1.10 ERA | 29.0 K% | 3.2 BB%
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 18 IP | 7.50 ERA | 27.2% | 13.6 BB%
Cade Horton left his May 29 start in Triple-A after just one inning with lat soreness, which was then diagnosed as a subscapular strain that will shut him down from throwing for about a month. The 22-year-old right-hander could be back on the mound in early July and could be an option to make his MLB debut soon after the All-Star break. Horton is among the very best pitching prospects, so he can still be stashed on teams that can afford to wait.
9. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
Previous Ranking: 10
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 39.1 IP | 2.52 ERA | 31.4 K% | 18.0 BB%
Walks have been the big problem for Jacob Misiorowski all season in Double-A, but he finally made some progress on Thursday by issuing just one free pass in three innings. It may not sound like much, but Misiorowski had walked 31 in 39.1 innings coming in. The 6-foot-7 flamethrower has been more hittable of late, giving up 19 hits over his last 15 innings. He had allowed just 10 hits over his first 27.1 innings. If Misiorowski is to avoid being moved to relief so he can help in the Milwaukee bullpen down the stretch, it’s about time he starts to dial in his control over his next few starts so we can be encouraged to keep stashing him.
10. Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, San Francisco Giants
Previous Ranking: N/R
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 45.1 IP | 5.96 ERA | 31.6 K% | 12.6 BB%
The Giants currently have a Blake Snell-sized hole in their rotation after the 2023 NL Cy Young winner landed on the IL with a strained groin. San Francisco is expecting Keaton Winn back soon from a forearm strain, but the pitching staff has been using bullpen games to piece things together of late.
The Giants have their top two pitching prospects in Triple-A: Mason Black and Carson Whisenhunt. Black struggled in four outings for San Francisco, posting an 8.79 ERA, but he has a 1.35 ERA for Sacramento. Meanwhile, Whisenhunt has a 5.47 ERA in Triple-A, but the 23-year-old left-hander has more strikeout upside. Whisenhunt tossed a solid 5.2 innings on Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) with five strikeouts. It would be a good time to bring Whisenhunt up for his MLB debut and to help out a beleaguered Giants staff survive until Snell and Alex Cobb return from the IL.
On The Bubble
Here are the next five pitchers that were in consideration for inclusion on this week’s list: Sem Robberse, STL; Tink Hence, STL; Richard Fitts, BOS; Mason Black, SF; Drew Thorpe, CHW
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