The Stash List Week 17: Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash in 2024

The Hitter Edition of the Stash List is back for the 2024 season.

This Stash List highlights the 10 best-hitting 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 prospects debut than ever, and there is no reason we should expect to see anything change in 2024. 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 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 will be updated weekly.
• Stats will be updated weekly for all players through Thursday’s games.

 

The Stash List

 

Graduates/Call Ups

Prior to the start of the second half, the Athletics promoted Jacob Wilson to the major leagues. Wilson ranked third on last week’s edition of the Stash List, so hopefully, you already picked him up. Oakland’s first-round pick from last year has torn through the minor leagues and figures to get everyday playing time. His Triple-A data suggests he is unlikely to hit many home runs and he has not proven to be much of a threat on the basepaths. That being said, he has an elite hit tool and should post high averages for fantasy teams. He did leave his first game on Friday with an apparent injury which is worth monitoring.

 

Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash

 

1. Coby Mayo, 3B – Baltimore Orioles

 

No changes to the top of this list as Coby Mayo remains the best stash in all of fantasy baseball. Mayo has been nothing short of fantastic this season in Triple-A and is likely to find himself in Baltimore soon. When asked last week about the plans for Mayo, Orioles GM Mike Elias hinted that he is very close to making his Major League debut. Elias confidently answered that Mayo would help the Orioles at some point this season. While GMs often put on facades for the press, a vote of confidence in Mayo’s direction only creates more hype for the top prospect.

Mayo has slowed down a bit overall since the start of July. He is batting under .280 with just two home runs this month. His wRC+ only sits at 120 (yes, only 120) compared to his season-long mark of 159. All of this is to say that Mayo is slumping and is still 20% better than the league average hitter. Fantasy managers should not expect Mayo to hit over .300 at the major league level anyway. He profiles to be a .270-ish hitter with 30+ home run potential. Austin Riley is a great player comp for future value. The Orioles will not stick with Ramón Urías and Jorge Mateo for much longer.

 

In his return to action from the IL, Jace Jung showed us everything we wanted to see. The wrist injury is clearly not going to impact his ability to crush home runs and dynasty managers can let go of any health concerns moving forward. Jung is an excellent hitter who has done nothing but mash since being drafted by Detroit a few years ago. He has posted a strong barrel rate this season and should be an impactful fantasy asset as soon as he is promoted.

The Tigers have enough pieces on their major league roster that they could be a contender within the next two seasons. That being the case, they should be incentivized to give some of their young prospects extended looks at the major league level. There is more than one clear opening in Detroit’s lineup that Jung could easily fill. If Zach McKinstry struggles to start the second half, Jung could find himself in Detroit very soon.

 

3. Matt Shaw, INF – Chicago Cubs

5. Junior Caminero, 3B – Tampa Bay Rays

Sitting over five games out of the Wild Card and 10 games out of the division, you have to figure the always savvy Rays are going to look to sell at this year’s deadline. Who exactly they sell remains to be seen, but the likelihood seems high. This is part of the reason Junior Caminero slides up on this week’s list. The team could trade Yandy Díaz to open up an infield spot. They could trade Jose Siri opening up the DH role, or just simply they have seen enough of Caminero in the minors to promote him. If they decide to go for it, they need Caminero’s bat in the lineup. No matter how you slice it, Caminero should find himself in the majors at some point within the next month.

Caminero is incredibly talented. He is universally ranked as one of the game’s top prospects for a reason. His average exit velocity in Triple-A sits above 92 mph with a very high barrel rate. His raw power is tantalizing and could quickly turn him into a superstar. The only concern continues to be how often Caminero taps into that raw power. Low launch angles have limited plenty of impactful bats in the past and could cap Caminero’s ceiling as well. If the Rays can get him to lift the ball more, his value will jump even higher.

6. Owen Caissie, OF – Chicago Cubs

What will Owen Caissie’s playing time look like once he is promoted? That is the biggest question when it comes to Caissie who slides down a couple of spots to sixth on this list. Already in Triple-A, Caissie’s proximity to the major leagues is an obvious bonus for his near-term value. Caissie also possesses plenty of upside. Last season, Caissie hit 22 home runs and stole seven bases. His season looks even better if you remove his slow start to last season. From May 25 forward, Caissie hit .301 with 15 homers and five stolen bases. Caissie ranks as one of the Cubs’ top prospects and his upside is worth stashing.

As I mentioned last week, my skepticism remains strong with how often the Cubs will be able to get Caissie into the lineup. The Cubs’ outfield is crowded and could remain crowded even with the potential trade of Cody Bellinger. Based on recent promotions, Alexander Canario seems most likely to be first in line for additional playing time. Mike Tauchman is going to come back from the IL and Christopher Morel could factor in if the team promotes Matt Shaw. Caissie is still worthy of a stash but is no longer a top priority.

 

7. Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B/3B – Arizona Diamondbacks

Small slide down this list for one of the best pure power hitters in the minor leagues. Deyvison De Los Santos is going to hit a handful of major league home runs throughout his professional career. He is a guy who has the potential to torment fantasy managers with his upside and inconsistencies. Through 44 games this season, De Los Santos has been extremely consistent on the surface. 28 home runs and a batting average over .300 is nothing to scoff at. Fantasy managers should continue to proceed with caution though as his swinging strike rate is extremely high.

The slide down this list is connected to Eugenio Suárez’s strong string of performances at the plate. With Suarez swinging it well and Christian Walker being one of the top first basemen in baseball, the path to the majors is a bit murky for De Los Santos. That being said, his power warrants enough attention to land him at seventh on this list. If you are looking for a boost in the home run department, De Los Santos is worth a stash.

And just like that, Deyvison De Los Santos ties the game 💪

De Los Santos launches his 2️⃣7️⃣th homer of the year on the heels of his Futures Game appearance 💣 pic.twitter.com/2FZQxNY5lu

— Reno Aces (@Aces) July 11, 2024

 

8. Dylan Crews, OF – Washington Nationals

With Caminero moving up a few slots, Dylan Crews is one of the few players that slides down on this list. The interesting part is that you can use a similar argument for Crews as Caminero. The Nationals are sellers at this year’s deadline making the likelihood of an outfield spot opening up. With Jesse Winker one of the more likely names to be moved, the team could easily promote Crews to fill that vacancy. In fact, I think it is extremely likely that Crews will find himself on the Nationals’ roster before the end of the season.

The reason Crews falls down to eighth on this list is my skepticism he is actually ready for the major leagues. Stashing a player is pointless if they are unable to help your fantasy team once promoted. Crews’ offensive production has been mediocre at best and it is fair to question whether or not he truly deserved a promotion to Triple-A. Now, this is not to say Crews does not have plenty of fantasy upside. He was selected second overall last year for a reason. He combines power and speed to form an exciting profile. Crews has the tools to be a fantasy star but still needs time to develop. Based on upside and proximity, Crews is worth considering as a stash. However, don’t be surprised if he struggles in his first taste of major league action.

 

9. Victor Mesa Jr., OF – Miami Marlins

A new face on this week’s edition of the stash list is Victor Mesa Jr. Since joining the Marlins organization back in 2019, the path through the minors has not come without turbulence. After a decent first season, Mesa’s development was put on hold due to the pandemic. He failed to live up to high expectations in 2021 and 2022 before experiencing a power outburst in 2023. Mesa hit a career-high 18 home runs last season and has already hit 13 through 72 games this year. Mesa has put his name back on the map as a prospect and is knocking on the door of the major leagues.

With the trade deadline right around the corner, Mesa felt like a valuable name to include on this list. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is at the center of trade discussions around baseball. With the Marlins entering a full rebuild and Chisholm likely to be traded, Mesa feels like the most likely candidate to get consistent playing time during the second half. The best news is that he has heated back up at the plate. Since June 19, Mesa is slashing .306/.352/.490. Mesa also slashed .276/.349/.458 prior to June 6. A poor two-week stretch is altering his season-long numbers in what has otherwise been a strong showing in Triple-A. His proximity to the major leagues makes him a worthy stash consideration for fantasy managers.

 

10. Jackson Holliday, 2B/SS Baltimore Orioles

Jackson Holliday is too good at baseball to not warrant stash consideration. The Orioles infield is crowded and the team is likely to promote Coby Mayo first, but Holliday’s upside is enough to land him on this list. The top prospect in baseball (still in the minor leagues) has a plus hit tool, plate discipline, power, and speed. Holliday literally has everything you want in a prospect. The best part is that Holliday is still just 20 years old. His first stint in the majors did not go as many hoped, but that does not mean the fantasy community should be out on Holliday for this season. He is going to be back in the major leagues at some point and you do not want to miss out. He hit two home runs in the first game post All-Star break which could be a sign of things to come.

As mentioned throughout this article, the trade deadline is right around the corner. While it would be surprising to see the Orioles trade Holliday, they could package him up in a deal for Mason Miller, Tarik Skubal, or Garrett Crochet. All three of those names will demand big returns which could include Holliday. If traded, you have to figure that his new team would waste no time getting him on the major league roster.

 

On The Bubble

 

Here are the next five hitters considered for inclusion on this week’s list in no particular order.

Drew Romo

Colby Thomas

Nacho Alvarez Jr.

Moises Ballesteros

Shay Whitcomb

 

Stash List