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.
We’re adding something new to the Stash List this month: a trade deadline tracker. From now until the deadline, prospects will have a “trade likelihood” attached, assessing the possibility that they’re moved for MLB regulars at the deadline. The scale ranges from 0 (no chance of a trade) to 10 (definitely going to be in a deal), and takes into account talent level, recent rumors, and organizational depth at the position.
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
A stash list frequent flyer finally got the call to the big leagues. After spending about a year as a member of the top ten, Colby Thomas is headed to the show. The 24-year-old outfielder hit .297 in AAA, adding 17 home runs and seven steals. Thomas likely won’t replicate his 31-homer, 15-steal production in the Majors, especially with Mark Kotsay saying that he will primarily be used as a pinch-hitter, but he brings a high floor to the A’s bench. If a spot in the lineup opens up, Thomas will be a valuable asset to have. However, with his manager opting to use him off the bench, his value is diminished for now.
With Luis Robert Jr. forced onto the injured list, Brooks Baldwin returns to the Majors to hold down center field in the All-Star’s absence. This could turn out to be a glimpse at the future on the South Side, as Robert looks poised to finally be traded after a dismal start to 2025. Baldwin won’t win any gold gloves in center, but he serves as a solid replacement with 80 games of MLB experience under his belt. He was one of the hottest hitters in the sport over the last month, hitting .387 with a 209 wRC+. Baldwin won’t put up the same numbers in the Majors, but he could be an underrated waiver wire add due to his multi-position eligibility and the amount of opportunities he’ll be afforded on a bad White Sox team.
The Colorado Rockies continue to turn to their prospects to change their fate, calling up 22-year-old slugger Yanquiel Fernández to the big league roster. I’m firmly a part of the “avoid Rockies players” camp, so I’ve been hesitant to add him to the stash list, but he’s been on the radar for the last month. Fernandez has already exceeded his 2024 home run total (12), hitting 13 in about half as many games as last year. His average exit velocity (88 miles an hour) and hard hit rate (38%) are lower than what we’ve come to expect from a top prospect, and he has a major splits disparity (.610 OPS vs. LHP, .946 vs. RHP). If you’re in dire (and I mean dire) need of a power bat, then taking a flyer on Fernandez could be worth it. That said, he’s not worth dropping an MLB regular, and there should be safer options on the waiver wire.
One of the more puzzling promotions of the season also happened just in time for the holidays. The White Sox promoted shortstop Colson Montgomery to make his debut on the 4th of July. To say that Montgomery has struggled this season would be putting it nicely. He’s struck out in 33% of his plate appearances and has a 79 wRC+. The power upside (115.3 max EV) and 87% Z-Con rate are encouraging, but there are a lot of question marks in his profile. If you have the space on your bench to add Montgomery, he could be worth a speculative add. However, similar to Fernandez, he’s far from a sure thing and should be seen as a volatile fantasy option.
Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash
1. Chase DeLauter, OF – Cleveland Guardians
Trade Likelihood: 2/10 – Unless the Guardians make a groundbreaking move, there’s no reason to include DeLauter in trade talks.
Chase DeLauter is quickly entering “okay enough, just call him up” territory. The Guardians are coming off being on the losing end of a 3-0 sweep to the Cubs during the week, and while they’re still in second place, a 40-45 record is not where they want to be. In that series, Cleveland’s outfielders hit .184 with one extra base hit, a Lane Thomas homer. In that same three-day stretch, DeLauter hit two doubles and drove in two runs (although he did hit only .167). The main concern with DeLauter remains in his durability, but the organization recently said that he’s worked up to playing five games per week (per Tim Stebbins, MLB.com). If he’s able to maintain that level of availability, there’s no reason not to give him a chance to improve on the lackluster offensive production Cleveland is getting from its outfielders right now.
DeLauter is more than deserving of a spot on the Major League roster, and Cleveland’s current outfield options aren’t performing well enough to “block” his path into the lineup. The Nolan Jones (.623 OPS) experiment in right field is not paying off, and the time is coming for the Guardians to go in another direction. Even if DeLauter doesn’t replicate his insane level of AAA production against Major League competition, he’s still an upgrade over Jones, and bench options Angel Martínez and Johnathan Rodríguez. Expect to see DeLauter in the Majors before the end of the month.
2. Samuel Basallo, C – Baltimore Orioles
Trade Likelihood: 0/10 – Trading Basallo after the O’s failures this year would be organizational malpractice.
Baltimore’s catching tandem at the time of writing could be used as a metaphor for their entire season: utterly uninspiring. With Adley Rutschman, Maverick Handley, and Chadwick Tromp all on the injured list, Gary Sánchez and Jacob Stallings (he’s still in the league?) have been entrusted to the Orioles’ pitching staff. To be fair, Sanchez is having a solid offensive season, posting a 126 wRC+ in 27 games so far. Stallings is not. He has a .141 AVG with a 34% strikeout rate (-1.0 WAR) in 30 games this season. Basallo is clearly an upgrade on his spot, and the Orioles should waste no time in allowing their top catching prospect to debut. Even if they opt not to put him at catcher, Ryan Mountcastle’s injury could allow him to play some first base alongside breakout star Ryan O’Hearn.
While Basallo’s listed position remains as a backstop, he’s spent considerable time at first base (125 innings) and has been pretty good in that spot (0 errors). Even if he struggled defensively, the bat he possesses is too good not to put into the lineup every day. Basallo’s power (94.3 AVG EV) and consistency (58.5% hard hit), in tandem with an impressive 85.4% Z-Con, put him in the “future superstar” conversation. Those tools have more than materialized on the field as well. Basallo is on pace to smash his career high in home runs (20), and his 141 wRC+ ranks 4th among AAA catchers. He’s simply too good a talent to keep in the minors for much longer. Expect Basallo to join the Orioles roster before the All-Star Game.
3. CJ Kayfus, 1B – Cleveland Guardians
Trade Likelihood: 3/10 – I don’t see it happening, but if Cleveland goes all in, then Kayfus is more likely to be moved than DeLauter.
Cleveland’s roster situation makes it tricky to get both Kayfus and DeLauter onto the roster at the same time, and the latter will likely be the first to get the call. That said, if the former continues to swing a hot bat, there’s no reason not to make every possible effort to get him onto the roster. Neither of these two prospects can play center field, which leaves only one corner spot open with Steven Kwan in left. Theoretically, they could move Kwan to center, as he has played there at the MLB level (30 innings in 2022, -1 FRV), but that’s highly unlikely. The more likely solution would be putting DeLauter in right every day with Kayfus rotating in with Carlos Santana and Kyle Manzardo at 1B/DH. Is it an ideal situation? No, but it is probably the most feasible short-term path for Cleveland to maximize the offensive upside of their roster.
Coming into the year, Kayfus was not expected to make it to the Majors. He spent the second half of 2024 in AA and performed incredibly (10 HR, 142 wRC+ in 67 games). He only spent 18 games there this season before making it to AAA, where he’s already eclipsed his homer and steals totals from his AA stint. The power tool is a clear tier below the likes of DeLauter and Basallo, but it’s still legit (90.3 AVG EV, 50% hard hit). Kayfus does have some swing and miss in his game, especially against curveballs (46.7% whiff), but makes up for it with an 87.1% Z-Con rate. The quality of contact is solid, too, as over 65% of his batted balls are line drives or fly balls. The Guardians will have to get creative, but Kayfus has been too good in 2025 to keep in the minors.
4. Kristian Campbell, 2B – Boston Red Sox
Trade Likelihood: 0/10 – Trading Campbell would be organizational malpractice.
After three straight games without a hit, Campbell is finally back to looking like the top prospect that scouts and analysts know he is. He went 4-9 over the last two games, including a double and two RBIs. Campbell did strike out four times in the pair of games, but the increased offensive production is encouraging. The 11-game sample size is still too small to derive a full opinion on him, but the walk rate is encouraging, even if the strikeout rate is ludicrously high for him. Campbell is not going to have a 30+% strikeout rate for the remainder of the year, and I’d expect that to rebound into the 23-27% range over the next few games. The contact (83% Z-Con) and hard hit (41%) rates haven’t reached Campbell’s 2024 marks, but they’re signs that the offensive output should increase over the next few weeks.
Campbell has a spot waiting for him in the Red Sox lineup once he’s ready. David Hamilton’s .174 average and 30 wRC+ are simply not good enough for a Boston team looking to gain ground in the division race. At 43-45, they’re far from out of the running, but something has to change, and fast. The Red Sox have the 6th-best team OPS (.745) and wOBA (.330) in the league, and their pitching hasn’t been awful (3.99 ERA, 18th in MLB). However, they’ve struggled to get across the finish line in one-run games and have a 9-19 record in those contests. Baseball is a situational game, and adding Campbell to their lineup likely will not immediately improve that record. However, having the most possible impact bats in the lineup maximizes their chance to generate runs when they find themselves in those situations.
5. Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B – Miami Marlins
Trade Likelihood: 1/10 – The Marlins are sellers. There’s no reason to trade a guy who could be your everyday first baseman next season.
With the promotion of Colby Thomas, Deyvison De Los Santos now becomes the longest-tenured member of the Stash List to never receive a big league call-up. The 22-year-old featured prominently in this article for much of the summer last year, yet never got the chance to prove his worth at the MLB level. This year, it’s a similar story. De Los Santos has not been nearly as productive as he was in 2024 (40 HR, 127 wRC+), but the tools have been on display. His average exit velocity (91.7 mph) has jumped over two miles an hour from his mark last season, and he’s increased his hard hit rate (48.2%) by over 10%. The contact rate (66.7%, 78% Z-Con) says that De Los Santos will remain in the 25-30% strikeout range, but the power he holds in his bat should keep him in the lineup regularly going forward.
The Marlins aren’t in last place in the NL East, but their season is effectively over. At 36-49, they’re going to be sellers at the deadline. The big fish (pun intended) they’ll have on the market will be Sandy Alcantara, which should bring back a nice crop of young talent. As long as none of them play first base or have 40+ homer upside, De Los Santos’ path to the big leagues remains clear. Eric Wagaman has been fine (.251 AVG, 5 HR), but he lacks the potential that De Los Santos possesses. The Marlins have quietly built an impressive young core with Kyle Stowers, Connor Norby, and Xavier Edwards locked into long-term roles. De Los Santos could join that core this summer and provide a ton of power upside in the middle of the lineup.
6. Justin Crawford, OF – Philadelphia Phillies
Trade Likelihood: 7/10 – If the Phillies go all in and add at the deadline, then Crawford is likely gone.
Few hitters in the entire sport have been as consistent and productive as Justin Crawford this season. Among players his age or younger, he has the 8th-best batting average and is the only member of the top ten in AAA. He’s dominated left-handed pitching (1.086 OPS), and his production doesn’t drop off against righties either (.811). Crawford’s one of the elite speedsters in the minors (125 career steals, 87% success rate), while also possessing more pop than other speed-first prospects (90.1 mph, 43% hard hit). He’s been red hot recently, too. Crawford’s hitting .476 with four doubles, three walks, and just one strikeout in his last five games. MLB’s #49 prospect has been crushing it this season and should get a chance to make his MLB debut shortly.
The Phillies are still entrenched in a battle with their rivals to the north, the Mets, for supremacy in the NL East. Any and all help will be required for them to continue the fight. Brandon Marsh has been good offensively (.262 AVG, 100 wRC+), but he’s putting up the worst fielding run value of his career (0). Max Kepler hasn’t been able to do either, putting up just a .685 OPS and -2 fielding run value. Promoting a prospect to generate more production is always risky, especially when that prospect is just 21 with no MLB experience. That said, Crawford’s speed upside, in tandem with his elite bat-to-ball skills and sneaky power, makes him a more intriguing asset than the other two. The Phillies could make some moves at the deadline, so Crawford’s proximity could theoretically be affected this month. For now, though, he remains a player worth stashing if you need a boost from your outfield production.
7. Alex Freeland, INF – Los Angeles Dodgers
Trade Likelihood: 6/10 – A deadline deal could be beneficial for both parties. Freeland goes to a team with less infield blockage, and the Dodgers add assets.
The Dodgers were dealt a hammer blow on Wednesday night when Max Muncy was forced off the field after injuring his knee. Initial reports indicate that Muncy will miss at least six weeks in order to get back to 100%, which means the Dodgers will be forced to replace his impressive production in the lineup (134 wRC+). Lucky for them, they have a MLB-ready infielder waiting to get a shot in AAA. Alex Freeland hasn’t stayed as hot as he was during the first two months of the season (.279 AVG, 110 wRC+), and has fallen into a slump at the worst possible time.
Freeland is just 2-21 over his last five games, and has struck out six times in his last two games. Over the course of the season, his strikeout rate has gone up 3% from 2024, and his wRC+ (109) is down by over 26 points. However, Freeland’s average exit velocity (91.7) and hard hit rate (48.4%) have stayed consistent with where they were last year, and he’s still one of the 17 AAA players with double-digit homer and steal numbers. Los Angeles isn’t lacking infielders, with Hyeseong Kim and Enrique Hernández capable of holding down third in Muncy’s absence, but having more backup couldn’t hurt. The lack of clear playing time limits Freeland’s 2025 ceiling, but his proximity and high floor make him a player to consider stashing.
8. Jonathon Long, 1B/3B – Chicago Cubs
Trade Likelihood: 6/10 – Long doesn’t hold the same value as the top five prospects in the system, but could be a 2nd or 3rd piece in a major deal.
Cubs fans have been clamoring for the team to recall Moisés Ballesteros (.331 AVG) to rejoin the MLB roster, but Chicago has a safer promotion option elsewhere in the infield. I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t have the same faith in Ballesteros that many Cubs fans do. I just don’t see it. In my eyes, he’s an everyday DH with mediocre power. There’s still a chance he carves out a solid career with that, but for 2025, I think the Cubs can do without him. With Long though, there’s a much clearer path to the roster. He hits the ball hard and often (92 mph AVG EV, 51.4% hard hit, 87% Z-Con) without high strikeout numbers. Long’s on pace for a career high in homers and RBI’s with an impressive 126 wRC+. His ability to play first, third, and the outfield only makes him more valuable to a team looking to supplement their elite offensive lineup.
The Cubs don’t necessarily need to add another bat to their roster, but it can’t hurt. The production that Craig Counsell’s bench has generated this season has been underwhelming. Justin Turner (62 wRC+), Jon Berti (42), and Vidal Bruján (9) are combining for a -0.7 WAR. This leaves the Cubs without a reliable bench bat to bring into critical moments in late-game situations. It’s impossible to accurately guess whether Long would be able to step into this role and succeed, but I’m willing to bet he’d be an offensive upgrade to Brujan at the very least. Chicago is rumored to be targeting third basemen as we enter deadline season, but there hasn’t been anything of substance yet. If a deal doesn’t get done, and Matt Shaw (.221 AVG, 80 wRC+) continues to struggle, Long could carve out a role on the MLB roster.
9. Dylan Beavers, OF – Baltimore Orioles
Trade Likelihood: 2/10 – Baltimore should be sellers. Trading away a promising young piece would be counterintuitive
Over the past few years, plenty of Orioles prospects have been at the forefront of the team’s youth movement. Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, and Coby Mayo were all in the top ten at one point before becoming contributors to the MLB club. Basallo looks primed to join that group soon, but there’s another name that’s been just as productive without nearly as much press. There are 23 players this season with a walk rate higher than 10%, a strikeout rate less than 20%, and ten home runs. Dylan Beavers ranks 4th among them with a 147 wRC+. He’s made tremendous strides since being promoted last season, almost doubling his hard hit rate (39.5%) and adding five miles an hour to his exit velocity (89.4 average). His ability to play all over the outfield and generate immense offensive production with power and speed (49 steals in 189 games) makes him an underrated stash candidate for the second half.
As stated in every article this season featuring an Orioles player, Baltimore’s season is likely over. After being lauded as possible contenders after last season, they’re closer to the company of the A’s (36-53) and Nationals (36-50) than they are to the leaders of their division at 37-49. As a result, they find themselves in the “seller” category at the deadline as opposed to looking to acquire assets. Cedric Mullins‘ expiring contract, plus the breakout bats of Ryan O’Hearn and Ramón Laureano, could all be part of trade talks this month. Should any of these players find themselves with a new club, a spot opens up in the outfield for Beavers to claim. Heston Kjerstad could be first in line, but his failure to adapt to MLB pitching (.649 career OPS) could lead to Baltimore exploring Beavers as a full-time option.
10. Kevin Alcántara, CHC – Chicago Cubs
Trade Likelihood: 8/10 – If the Cubs go after a front-of-the-rotation arm, Alcantara will likely be involved in the deal.
If you take away Alcantara’s nearly 30% strikeout rate, his output this year looks like that of a player ready to contribute to an MLB organization. At 6’6″, he possesses the rare combination of power (91.3 AVG EV, 49.4% hard hit) and speed (92nd percentile in 2024) that organizations dream about. Alcantara has been red hot in June, hitting .337 with a .976 OPS and 151 wRC+. That hot streak may have come at the perfect time, as the Cubs are gearing up for the trade deadline and have major needs to address, mostly in the pitching department. As much upside as Alcantara possesses, there are things to be wary of. There’s a 300-point difference in OPS against righties (.754) and lefties (1.076), and he has a 46.7% whiff rate against sliders this season. The potential that Alcantara possesses keeps him high in organizational prospect rankings, but there are holes in his game that teams can expose.
The Cubs’ struggles to get production off the bench have already been discussed, but they apply to this situation, too. Brujan is the only non-regular to spend more than one inning in the outfield this season, and his bat leaves much to be desired. He and Berti have been (somewhat) valuable additions to Chicago’s roster, but they may have served their purpose. Alcantara provides much higher offensive upside and is capable of playing anywhere across the outfield. None of Counsell’s current bench options can say the same. Should a situation occur that requires one of Chicago’s stellar outfielders to be replaced, I’d rather have an exciting 22-year-old with an electric bat on my bench than a veteran with little to no upside. With the outfield trio established at Wrigley, Alcantara’s chances may be limited. If an opportunity is presented, though, there are few outfielders with similar proximity that have as much potential as Alcantara.
On The Bubble
Here are the next five hitters considered for inclusion on this week’s list in no particular order.
Stash List
