The Hitter Edition of the Stash List is back for the 2025 season.
This Stash List highlights the 10 best hitting prospects likely to make an impact during the 2025 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 2025 ETA, and getting ahead of the curve on rostering these prospects is a key part of roster management. Read to discover the top 10 hitters you should stash in your redraft leagues.
Ground Rules
- The Stash List is for your redraft leagues and does not consider impact beyond 2025.
- 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 will be updated weekly.
- Stats will be updated weekly for all players through Thursday’s games.
The Stash List
Graduates/Call Ups
Ladies and gentlemen, it happened. The Roman Empire is here.
The Boston Red Sox finally decided to promote the #1 prospect in baseball, Roman Anthony, to the big leagues for his long-awaited MLB debut. On Monday, he recorded his first RBI on a groundout, and added two more on Tuesday with a double to left field to give the Red Sox a two-run lead over the Rays. It is still far too early to tell how the 21-year-old will handle the Majors, but the results in his first two games show he hasn’t been overmatched so far. His xBA (.245) and xwOBA (.234) are both far below his actual marks, so expect those to come up as he gets acclimated to MLB pitching. Anthony’s bat speed in his first two appearances (74.8 mph) ranks in the top-30 among MLB hitters, level with Elly De La Cruz and faster than Bryce Harper, so expect plenty of power to appear soon too. At this point, trying to acquire Anthony may prove to be futile. If you have him on your roster, count your lucky stars. If you don’t, just sit back and watch a star in the making like the rest of us.
Christian Moore held down the #6 spot on the List until Thursday, when he was called up by the Angels. He spent several weeks on the Stash List after exploding onto the scene after being drafted with the 8th overall pick in the 2024 Draft. Just under a year later, he’s moments away from a Major League debut. Moore started his stint in AAA by going 8-13 with a homer and five RBI’s. In the 16 games since, Moore has continued to produce at a high level. Moore had a .953 OPS and 137 wRC+ with the Salt Lake Bees. Both of those marks would be comfortably inside the top-three among qualified second basemen at the level. There’s plenty of risk attached to Moore, but the Angels should allow him plenty of opportunities to get accustomed to MLB pitching.
Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash
1. Chase DeLauter, OF – Cleveland Guardians
I’ll be the first to admit: This is an aggressive ranking. DeLauter is an injury-prone outfielder who has yet to play more than 60 games in a season, and his career high for home runs in a season hasn’t reached double digits. So far in 12 AAA games, he’s hitting .244 with a .782 OPS. After getting used to Roman Anthony and Jac Caglianone at the top of the list, this is a clear step down. Even with all of that in mind, it’s a challenge to find a bat with stash-worthy proximity and as much upside as DeLauter has. He possesses the rare combination of elite power (91.1 average EV, 48.5% hard hit) and bat-to-ball skills (92.9% O-Con, 91.7% Z-Con in 2024) that, in tandem with his 6’3″, 235 lb frame, make him an incredibly dangerous bat. The contact numbers (76.6% in AAA in ’25) are down from his career mark, which sat around 85%-90% throughout his MiLB career, so if those rebound, his slash line could look even better.
Outside of Steven Kwan (128 wRC+), the Guardians can’t possibly get much worse offensively in the outfield. Jhonkensy Noel and Lane Thomas both rank in the bottom ten in batting average and wRC+ (min. 70 PAs), and the best performer of the group, Nolan Jones, is posting a -0.4 WAR. For a 34-32 team still in the playoff picture, that’s simply unacceptable. Noel was sent to the minors, and Jonathan Rodriguez will have the chance to take his spot, but his career .136 MLB average doesn’t exude confidence. If DeLauter is healthy, he has the highest ceiling and could prove to be the most productive hitter of that group this season. Asking DeLauter to stay on the field is a big ask, but if he can do it, he should be in the middle of Cleveland’s lineup in the coming weeks.
2. Samuel Basallo, C – Baltimore Orioles
Basallo falls comfortably into the tier below the Caglianone/Anthony super prospects in terms of fantasy impact in 2025. He’s certainly talented enough to warrant the O’s taking a chance on him, but Baltimore may not have the space for him on the roster right now. On paper, it makes sense to swap out Maverick Handley for Basallo, as the latter has a much higher ceiling. However, is a promotion really worth it if Basallo’s relegated to a backup role? In my humble opinion, no. The O’s should, and likely will, wait to promote their top yet-to-debut hitting prospect until there’s an opportunity for consistent playing time.
He’s done everything in his power to force a move, though. In June, Basallo is hitting .333 with five homers and a 234 wRC+ in seven games. Those long balls weren’t cheap shots; all but one was hit over 400 fee,t and every one was hit harder than 100 miles an hour. With a hard hit rate of 56% and an average exit velocity over 93 miles an hour, Basallo is well-equipped to make the jump to the show. The Orioles don’t have time to waste. Simply put, they need their best hitters in the lineup every day if they have any hope of getting back into the playoff conversation. Although contention may be a pipe dream right now, the upside that Basallo provides might get them a step closer to getting themselves back in the picture.
3. Brady House, 3B – Washington Nationals
Since the start of June, House has played in nine games and has at least one hit in every one of them. The 22-year-old third baseman is hitting .382 this month with four multi-hit games, boosting his average from .288 to .302. If he keeps his current pace up for the rest of the season, he’ll set career highs in almost every offensive category. House has also been making better contact in his second stint in AAA. His boost in average exit velocity (90.7 mph) and hard hit rate (46.6%), in tandem with a 7% boost to his fly ball rate (29%) and 10% boost to his pulled ball rate (49%) have resulted in a signifiant jump in his HR/FB rate (24.5%). As is the case with (almost) every prospect featured on this list, some regression should be expected if he reaches the Majors, but his adjustments have heightened his ceiling for the rest of 2025.
The Nationals have an abundance of options if they want to get House onto the roster. José Tena has been serviceable (100 wRC+), but he lacks the upside that House does, and shouldn’t block him from making his debut. Amed Rosario (108 wRC+) has been surprisingly productive in limited appearances, but Andrés Chaparro provides very little value to the roster. With his three remaining minor league options, I’d expect him to be the roster casualty should a move be made. House needs to improve his strikeout numbers before getting the call, but I’d expect him to join Washington’s young core sometime in the next 1-2 months.
4. Bryce Eldridge, 1B – San Francisco Giants
This is not a good time for Bryce Eldridge to fall into a slump. Since the start of the month, he’s 3-28 with 11 strikeouts and just one extra base hit, a homer on June 5th. He drew five walks in that span, good enough for a 14% rate, but he still failed to replicate the level of production we’ve seen from him this season. The batted-ball numbers don’t redeem him either. Since his promotion to AAA, he’s posted a 29.4% hard hit rate and an average exit velocity lower than his 2024 mark. It’s too early to sound alarms. It’s only been seven games, but the Giants could really use his bat in the Majors, and Eldridge’s performance might delay their promotion plans.
After cutting ties with Lamonte Wade Jr., San Francisco opted to sign Dominic Smith to an MLB deal. Early returns indicate that this move will prove to be futile. Again, it’s only seven games, but a .230 wOBA and 44 wRC+ are not numbers to build around. Jerar Encarnación has been even worse in his six-game stretch since returning from IL, posting a .059 AVG and -78 wRC+ in 17 PA’s so far. Despite the drop-off in performance, Eldridge is arguably still the Giants’ best option at first base. When he adapts to AAA pitching and starts to produce more consistently, he should give Posey and Co. plenty to think about in San Francisco’s front office. The 6’7″ slugger would fit perfectly behind the first four batters in the order, and bring a ton of upside to the middle of the Giants’ lineup.
5. Jordan Lawlar, SS – Arizona Diamondbacks
Lawlar’s first stint in the Majors this season did not prove to be fruitful. However, since then, he’s returned to form. In the 11 games since rejoining the Reno Aces, Lawlar is hitting .298 with two homers and ten RBIs. Since the start of the month, he’s posting a 151 wRC+ and 1.048 OPS. As good as those numbers sound, there are significant issues to be wary of. Lawlar’s 40% strikeout rate in the Majors seems to have carried over into his second AAA stint. His AAA strikeout rate (33.3%) is eleven points higher than it was pre-promotion. The batted-ball numbers have been impressive while in the Minors, but they just haven’t translated into the big leagues.
At 34-34, the Diamonbacks are far from out of the race, but they need to get better and fast. That said, Lawlar doesn’t have a clear path to the big leagues. Geraldo Perdomo has been the 3rd-best shortstop in baseball by fWAR (2.3), and Ketel Marte is 2nd among second basemen in homers (12). It’s not going to be easier to break in at third either. Eugenio Suárez ranks 6th in the big leagues in homers (20) and is in the top ten third basemen in OPS (.825). Lawlar is more likely to return to the MLB roster than some of the names below him, but he needs to start to handle MLB pitching before he’s considered as a long-term fantasy option.
6. Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B – Miami Marlins
Every part of me wanted to move De Los Santos further down the list this week, but his proximity and high-level power potential made it challenging. After a 40-homer campaign in 2024, he had high hopes to live up to, and hasn’t reached those heights so far. De Los Santos’ strikeout rate (30.8%) is up by over 6%, and his OPS (.701) is down by over 200 points. Even with those numbers in mind, his hard hit rate (50.5%) has jumped significantly, as has his average exit velocity (91.5 mph).
For lack of a better term, the Marlins’ current lineup is uninspiring. Eric Wagaman is currently holding down the first base role for Miami, but his 84 wRC+ and .669 OPS shouldn’t be barriers for another exciting bat to get into their lineup. The Marlins aren’t going to compete this year, but at some point, they’re going to have to see what they have in De Los Santos’ bat, which is currently being wasted in the minors. Miami has interesting pieces in Agustín Ramírez, Kyle Stowers, Xavier Edwards, and Connor Norby. De Los Santos could prove to be another valuable hitter in the midst of that lineup later this summer and for the years to come.
7. Dylan Beavers, OF – Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are getting closer and closer to decision day. If their 26-39 record doesn’t improve fast, they’re going to be faced with an uncomfortable truth. After coming into the 2025 season expected to compete, they’re closer to the Marlins and White Sox than the Red Sox or Yankees in terms of their record. With their chances of postseason baseball dwindling, they may be forced to start thinking about 2026 instead. That will likely mean retooling a roster that has fallen well short of expectations this year. Cedric Mullins is a free agent at the end of the season, and with other top bats needing big-time extensions in the future, plus a pitching staff in dire need of investment, he may be seen as too expensive to retain. That means that Mullins could be wearing a new jersey at some point this season if the O’s decide to cash in on his value now. That scenario would open up a spot in the outfield/lineup, and Dylan Beavers is building a strong campaign to be the candidate who takes that place.
There’s a lot of “what-ifs” and guesswork built into that scenario. However, with each loss, Baltimore will have to entertain the possibility that they are “sellers” at the deadline. Even if they’re not, Beavers could prove to be worth a promotion regardless of the moves made on the MLB roster. He’s posting his best batting average since a 16-game stint in Single-A in 2022, and is on track for a career high in steals (48) and RBIs (64). Beavers’ average exit velocity (90.1 mph) is also up six miles an hour compared to his brief AAA stint last year, and his hard hit rate (41.4%) has more than doubled. At 6’5″, he has the frame to add to his 45-grade power (per Fangraphs), which has produced 31 homers in his minor league career. Ryan O’Hearn and Ramón Laureano have been pleasant surprises in the corners this year, but neither is likely part of Baltimore’s long-term future. If the O’s cash in on either bat or Mullins, Beavers should be next in line to lock down his spot at Camden Yards.
8. Colby Thomas, OF – Athletics
Thomas’s 2025 stats tell an interesting story. He’s boosted his average exit velocity (89.7 mph) and hard hit rate (40.7%), but at the same time, his batted ball profile has drastically changed, largely due to a five-degree difference in average launch angle (from 18.2 to 13.5). Thomas’ ground ball rate (44.5%) is his highest mark since Single-A in 2023, and is almost 15% higher than his rate last season. At the same time, his HR/FB rate is his highest to date, sitting at 25.4%. More of Thomas’ fly balls are leaving the yard than at any point in his career, but he’s hitting a career-low 32.5% of balls in play in the air. He’s still on track to eclipse his 31-homer mark set last season, but if his batted ball numbers had stayed consistent, he could be even more productive.
After a promising start to the year, the A’s are once again relegated to the bottom of the AL West. Their season is effectively over. The Athletics sit 12.5 games back of the Astros for the division lead, and at 26-44, are the second-worst team in the American League. It’s not the offense’s fault, though. As a group, the A’s lineup sits in seventh in SLG (.416), wOBA (.324), and wRC+ (108). Getting another outfield bat into the lineup will be tricky, especially now since Denzel Clarke has become a defensive wizard in center field. One of JJ Bleday, Brent Rooker, or Lawrence Butler would have to lose their consistent lineup spot, which may be counterintuitive. Still, Thomas has been one of the better hitters in the minors this season and deserves to get a chance to prove it with the MLB club.
9. CJ Kayfus, 1B – Cleveland Guardians
At this point in the season, it’s important to prioritize upside over proximity in redraft leagues. There are plenty of players who might be closer to the Majors than Kayfus, but few carry the upside that he does. The 23-year-old has a career OPS of .934 in the minors, with 29 homers since 2023. That doesn’t suggest that he’ll hit for as much power as you’d expect a first baseman to, but his floor in every other area is pretty high. Kayfus’ hard hit rate sits just under 50%, and his SLG (.561) and wOBA (.410) show that he’s been productive in his 37 games with the Columbus Clippers so far.
The biggest barrier for Kayfus is the Guardians’ roster building. Taking another promising young hitter out of the lineup, in this case Manzardo, would be counterintuitive. He’s also played in both corner outfield spots so far this season, but he’ll have DeLauter for competition to take over one of those spots. Kayfus’ performance is more than good enough to warrant a shot with the big league squad, but factors outside of his control could force him to wait until later this summer for his well-deserved debut.
10. Justin Crawford, OF – Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are right in the mix of the hunt for October. At 38-29 (at the time of writing, but they’re currently 3-0 up on the Cubs), they sit in 2nd place in the NL East, and are 0.5 games back from the #1 Wildcard spot. For a team that good with aspirations of a deep playoff run, 0.8 fWAR between four of their outfield bats is not going to cut it (min. 50 PA’s). Nick Castellanos has been good on offense, but is the worst defender in the big leagues by Statcast’s FRV (-8). Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler have been solid and provide stability in the bottom of the lineup, but that’s about it. Luckily for the Phillies, they have an outfielder in the minors who’s averaging almost 45 steals over his last two years, and is hitting .349 with 23 steals this year.
Justin Crawford is having the best season of his career. He’s currently on track for career highs in batting average, OPS (.864), and wRC+ (135). Usually, when a player has less than ten homers and 40+ steals, they’re overlooked due to the perception that speed alone won’t keep them in the Majors (see: Chandler Simpson). However, in Crawford’s case, he possesses much more than just speed. His average exit velocity (90.3 mph) is higher than Coby Mayo and Carson Williams, who both have plus power according to Fangraphs and MLB.com. Crawford’s hard hit rate (44.4%) also sits alongside top prospects like Cole Young and Jordan Lawlar. The disparity between his expected and actual numbers is somewhat alarming, and indicates that there will be some form of regression this year. However, Crawford still could prove to be an undervalued stash as Philadelphia hunts for offensive production from their outfielders.
On The Bubble
Here are the next five hitters considered for inclusion on this week’s list in no particular order.
Stash List
