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
Nearly two years since last taking an MLB mound, Shane Baz made his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery with six strong innings against the Rangers on Friday. The 25-year-old righty struck out six and walked one, overcoming a three-run third inning to post a quality start. Baz averaged 96.2 mph on his fastball and topped out at 99.1 mph, so he’s not far off the 97.1 mph he averaged in his first taste of the majors back in 2021. After successfully limiting his innings in the minors, the Rays should be able to leave Baz in the rotation as long as he’s having success this season.
After spending June back in Triple-A, Christian Scott returned to the majors on Wednesday for a start at Washington and was one out away from a quality start when Luis Garcia touched him for a three-run homer. The 25-year-old wound up allowing four runs in 5.2 innings with two strikeouts and two walks. Scott will need to produce to stay in the New York rotation.
Top 10 Pitching Prospects to Stash
1. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Previous Ranking: 1
2024 MiLB (AA) stat line: 21.2 IP | 2.08 ERA | 37.2 K% | 12.8 BB%
2024 MiLB (A+) stat line: 9 IP | 2.00 ERA | 24.2 K% | 6.1 BB%
Jackson Jobe returned to Double-A Erie on Friday after rehabbing in High-A from a strained hamstring and looked sharp, striking out eight and allowing just one run in five innings. The 21-year-old righty threw strikes on 52 of his 79 pitches and could get bumped up to Triple-A before the All-Star break. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder could be a dynamic weapon in the second half for fantasy owners if Detroit doesn’t slow-roll him to save his rookie eligibility for next year.
2. Max Meyer, RHP, Miami Marlins
Previous Ranking: 5
2024 MLB Stat line: 17 IP | 2.12 ERA | 21.5 K% | 4.6 BB%
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 43.2 IP | 5.36 ERA | 26.8 K% | 10.3 BB%
Against Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, Max Meyer looked more like the guy who posted a 2.12 ERA over 17 innings in three starts for the Marlins back in April. The 25-year-old tossed 4.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts after coming in with a 6.00 ERA. Meyer was up to 86 pitches on Tuesday but couldn’t complete the five innings needed for a victory, so he will be working on his efficiency in what will likely be one more start in Triple-A before returning to Miami.
3. Yilber Diaz, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Previous Ranking: N/R
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 22 IP | 3.27 ERA | 30.8 K% | 9.9 BB%
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 54 IP | 4.33 ERA | 34.2 K% | 12.9 BB%
Yilber Diaz had been flying under the radar until Monday when the 23-year-old righty dazzled with 13 strikeouts in six no-hit innings in Triple-A. The 6-foot, 190-pound strikeout artist has been dealing with two of the worst places in the minors for pitchers, Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno, so the cumulative 4.03 ERA he has on the season is actually very good. Diaz has racked up 105 strikeouts in 76 innings on the season while making progress on his sometimes shaky control. After starting June with 15 walks in 11 innings over three starts, Diaz has issued just four free passes in 17.2 innings over his last three outings. With Jordan Montgomery hitting the IL with knee inflammation, the D’backs have a hole in the rotation that Diaz could be ready to fill in. Arizona went with Cristian Mena on Wednesday, but that didn’t go well so Diaz could be making his next start in the majors.
4. David Festa, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Previous Ranking: N/R
2024 MLB Stat line: 10 IP | 10.80 ERA | 17.0 K% | 2.1 BB%
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 59.2 IP | 3.77 ERA | 35.1 K% | 9.7 BB%
David Festa looked like he would get some runway in the Twins rotation after Chris Paddack went on the IL with a case of dead arm. The 6-foot-6 righty was lit up in each of his two starts for Minnesota (16 hits and 12 runs in 10 innings), so Festa was sent down to Triple-A on Friday. The 24-year-old put up 87 strikeouts in 59.2 innings for St. Paul this season before getting the call, so he’ll look to get back on track in the minors before being a candidate to rejoin the Twins rotation after the All-Star break.
5. Chayce McDermott, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Previous Ranking: 6
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 83 IP | 3.58 ERA | 33.4 K% | 13.0 BB%
Chayce McDermott posted a season-high 12 strikeouts in seven innings for Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, allowing just three hits and one run. The 25-year-old has a 28:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 18.1 innings over his last three starts on the heels of an 18:11 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 17.2 innings over his previous three outings. The Orioles just moved Cole Irvin to the bullpen with Dean Kremer back off the IL, so there could be an opening for McDermott if the Orioles go to a six-man rotation again soon.
6. Ricky Tiedemann, LHP, Blue Jays
Previous Ranking: 9
2024 MiLB (AAA) stat line: 8 IP | 5.63 ERA | 23.8 K% | 21.4 BB%
2024 MiLB (A) stat line: 8 IP | 1.13 ERA | 51.7 K% | 6.9 BB%
2024 MiLB (FCL) stat line: 0.1 IP | 81.00 ERA | 20.0 K% | 40.0 BB%
Ricky Tiedemann has looked good on a rehab assignment for Low-A Dunedin, piling up 18 strikeouts in eight innings over three starts working his way back from ulnar nerve inflammation in his left elbow that flared up in mid-April. The 21-year-old lefty was up to 65 pitches on Wednesday, so he may be headed back to Triple-A Buffalo for his next start. Tiedemann struggled in three starts for Buffalo before getting hurt, so it would be nice to see these recent results carry over to tougher competition before getting too excited. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder could be ready for a possible MLB debut after the All-Star break for Toronto.
7. Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs
Previous Ranking: 8
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. There haven’t been any updates on the 22-year-old right-hander, but he should be getting back on the mound around the All-Star break and could be making his MLB debut by early August. Horton is among the very best pitching prospects, so he can still be stashed on teams that can afford to wait.
8. Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, San Francisco Giants
Previous Ranking: 7
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 67 IP | 5.91 ERA | 28.5 K% | 12.3 BB%
Carson Whisenhunt drew the unfortunate assignment of two starts in the offensive tinderbox of Las Vegas, getting hammered for a combined 13 hits and 12 runs (11 earned) in six innings last week. The 23-year-old southpaw has a 9.60 ERA in eight road starts, but has sparkled at home with a 2.92 ERA over nine outings. The Giants chose to fill the hole in its rotation with Erik Miller as an opener and 30-year-old rookie Spencer Bivens in the bulk role on Friday. Whisenhunt may need to show that he can overcome his road struggles in Triple-A before getting a shot in San Francisco, so he could make his MLB debut soon after the All-Star break.
9. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Previous Ranking: N/R
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 61.2 IP | 3.65 ERA | 30.4 K% | 8.9 BB%
Bubba Chandler is taking a queue from fellow Pirates pitching phenoms Paul Skenes and Jared Jones, absolutely dominating over his last three starts for Double-A Altoona by going 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA and a 28:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 21.1 innings. The 21-year-old flamethrower hit a road bump in mid-May when was placed on the 7-day IL with what was termed a forearm issue on the heels of his worst start of the season, allowing five runs and five walks without getting out of the first inning. Since returning from the IL, Chandler has posted a 45:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 37 innings. The Pirates are just four games out of the wild card, so they could make an aggressive push to contend this season by bringing up Chandler after the All-Star break. Chandler is at 61.2 innings this season after 111 frames last year, so there could be 70 innings left in his arm this season. We’ll see if the Pirates opt to protect one of their prized arms and save him for next season, but it could be worth stashing Chandler just in case he can get to Pittsburgh by the end of July.
10. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
Previous Ranking: 4
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 60.1 IP | 3.58 ERA | 29.4 K% | 14.0 BB%
Just when it was looking like he had turned a corner, Jacob Misiorowski fell flat on his face for Double-A Biloxi on Sunday, surrendering three homers in 2.1 innings. At least the 6-foot-7 righty held his control gains, walking one to finish the month of June with a 24:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 21 innings. Misiorowski is scheduled to take the mound on Saturday at Mississippi, so by the time you read this, he could be back to pushing for a promotion to Triple-A.
On The Bubble
Here are the next five pitchers that were in consideration for inclusion on this week’s list: Brandon Sproat, NYM; Caden Dana, LAA; Zebby Matthews, MIN; Jack Leiter, TEX; Ian Seymour, TB.