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 (and Injuries)
Last week’s #5 prospect to stash, C.J. Kayfus, was called up to join the Cleveland Guardians for their series against the Minnesota Twins. The early returns haven’t been great, but that’s to be expected with any prospect facing big league pitching for the first time. His 3-13 start has given us glimpses of what to expect, although it’s not all good. His first MLB base hit was a 108-mile-an-hour double, but he’s struggled to find that pop since then. His barrel rate is solid (11.1%), and his approach has been good (28% chase). That said, Kayfus’ bat speed (68.6 mph) and resulting expected stats (.190 xBA, .280 xSLG) have been far from ideal. Again, this is all based on a small sample size, and there’s plenty of time for him to break out. Kayfus should have plenty of chances to get accustomed to the big leagues, and he still represents a safe offensive floor for fantasy managers.
One player who hasn’t started slowly is Jakob Marsee. The 24-year-old outfielder has floated between the 8-10 range or the honorable mentions over the last two years, which, in retrospect, may have been too low. Marsee is hitting .500 with a homer and a 1.167 OPS in his first five games. After a stellar campaign in AAA with 14 homers, 47 (!!) steals, and a 126 wRC+, Marsee is now one of the hottest names in the sport. Like Kayfus, this is based on a very small sample size, and this level of production is undoubtedly unsustainable, but it’s a fun breakout to follow. If you can add Marsee, you should. Even if his performance drops off, he’s a cheap source of power and speed to have on your bench.
The Colorado Rockies continue to bring along their young players, this time adding Kyle Karros to their big-league roster. The 23-year-old impressed during the Spring Breakout games and carried his good performance into the season. In 55 AA games before his promotion to AAA, he posted a 151 wRC+ with an .861 OPS. The counting stats weren’t as impressive (four HR, seven steals), but 17 doubles and .382 wOBA were deemed good enough to get to AAA. He was solid in his 16 games in Albuquerque. Karros added two home runs and posted a 104 wRC+ in his stint. That was enough for Colorado to add him to the Major League roster. The Rockies have already seen Warming Bernabel break out, and they’re hoping Karros will do the same alongside the existing young core of Ezequiel Tovar, Jordan Beck, and Hunter Goodman. Colorado isn’t going to compete anytime soon, but it’s encouraging to see the organization prioritize giving their young talent chances on the MLB roster.
The San Francisco Giants joined the promotion party, adding Drew Gilbert to their Major League roster. A major part of the return for the Mets’ acquisition of Tyler Rogers, Gilbert will make his Major League debut over the weekend against the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park. After a 133 wRC+ in his first full professional season, he struggled in 2024, posting a .685 OPS. This year, he’s been much better. Gilbert posted a 119 wRC+ with 14 homers and a .835 OPS in 93 total games in the minors. In five games with the Giants’ AAA team, he’s hitting .500 with a 277 wRC+. Clearly, that was enough for the Giants to warrant getting him on the roster. Gilbert will slot into the outfield alongside Jung Hoo Lee and Heliot Ramos, and should provide some pop at the bottom of the Giants’ lineup. A fun sidenote with this callup is that Gilbert is now the teammate of the player he was traded for as a member of the Astros during the 2023 season, Justin Verlander.
Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash
1. Samuel Basallo, C – Baltimore Orioles
The deadline for newly promoted prospects is fast approaching, which could mean Samuel Basallo’s Major League debut is imminent. Baltimore’s GM, Mike Elias, stated that he thinks Basallo and Dylan Beavers (more on him at #3) “getting … a taste in 2025 here would be a good thing for all parties.” Basallo is one of two qualified players in AAA with an OPS over 1.000, and he’s second in wRC+ with a mark of 160. At the time of writing, he’s homered in three straight games, scoring six runs and driving in eight in that time. Since the trade deadline passed, Basallo’s hitting .333 with six strikeouts in 24 plate appearances. Those strikeouts were a concern in AAA last year (31.4% in 21 games), but he’s cut that mark by almost 10% this season.
Given the state of the Orioles’ roster post-deadline, it shouldn’t be too hard to work him into the lineup. I mean no disrespect to Jeremiah Jackson or Ryan Noda when I say that they should not be taking at-bats away from a player who could be the Rookie of the Year favorite in 2026. Simply put, Basallo’s performance this season, combined with his 35+ home run potential, warrants an extended run in the O’s lineup down the stretch. They’ll have to be careful to ensure that he maintains rookie eligibility for PPI purposes, but giving a player exposure to MLB pitching, then allowing them to adjust to it, has proven to be a viable strategy for hitting development. Once the deadline for rookie eligibility passes, I fully expect Basallo to be with the Orioles.
2. Spencer Jones, OF – New York Yankees
At the end of February, I pointed to Jones’ near 37% strikeout rate and 61.6% contact rate as indicators that he was not going to succeed as he faced higher levels of pitching. Well, as the calendar ticks into August, he’s proved me wrong and then some. Jones is one of two players with a 180 or higher wRC+ alongside the Mets’ Carson Benge. Since 2006, only 16 players have reached that mark over a full season. Jones’ 190 wRC+ would rank eighth among them. To say he’s overperformed would be an understatement. The underlying batted ball data (94.4 AVG EV, 56.8% Hard Hit) indicates that the power is going to translate to the next level, even if the 62% contact rate means he’s going to strike out more than his 24.2% mark in AAA.
There’s no doubt that Jones has earned a spot on the Yankees roster, but the challenge is now how to best get him playing time. The one question mark around Jones at this point is where he will be playing defense, or if he will be playing defense at all. Trent Grisham, Jasson Domínguez, and Cody Bellinger take up outfield spots in the lineup, and that doesn’t even take into account Aaron Judge. The DH spot is going to be occupied by the odd one out of those three, or the veteran Giancarlo Stanton. Taking nothing away from Jones’ performance, it’s going to be an uphill battle for him to break into that group. His best bet is likely an injury or the impending roster expansion in three weeks. Jones’ upside makes him worth a stash, but he’s riskier than some other names on this list.
3. Dylan Beavers, OF – Baltimore Orioles
Before the season started, the chances Beavers would see time on a Major League roster were slim. The Orioles were primed to contend for the AL East title, and there was plenty of organizational depth ahead of him. Now, that reality has drastically changed. Two separate-but-connected realities have unfolded in the meantime. Beavers has exploded as a prospect, and the Orioles dramatically underperformed. After a playoff berth last year and a largely unchanged roster, Baltimore is now 52-63 and a long way off from the playoff picture. At the same time, Beavers has already eclipsed his 2024 homer total and is on pace to shatter his career high in steals (31). His .961 OPS is his highest since a stint in Single-A in 2022 (.999), and his wOBA matches his best tally from that same 2022 season.
The bat-to-ball skills make it clear to see why Beavers has been so productive. His Z-Con rate sits at 89.3%, and his whiff rate is the fourth best in AAA (min. 1,500 pitches) at 19.2%. That number jumps to 37.2% on pitches outside of the strike zone, but he only swings at those pitches 20.9% of the time. These numbers are vastly better than his 2024 numbers, which have led to a 6% drop in strikeouts between his 2024 and 2025 AAA numbers. Beavers’ average exit velocity (89.8 mph) and hard hit rate (39.5%) are not superb on their own, but his approach at the plate allows him to create production. Beavers doesn’t have the offensive ceiling of his current teammate, Samuel Basallo, but he should join him on the MLB roster before the end of the month and give fantasy managers decent speed and power upside.
4. Justin Crawford, OF – Philadelphia Phillies
New month, same story. Justin Crawford just keeps hitting. Since the start of August, he’s posted a .348 AVG with more hits (eight) than strikeouts (six). Only one of those hits was for extra bases, but with Crawford’s speed, a single can turn into a double via the stolen base in an instant. His 35 steals this season rank third in AAA, behind Marsee’s aforementioned 47 and Esteury Ruiz’s 39. That baserunning prowess pairs perfectly with his ability to handle pitching from both sides of the plate (.956 OPS vs. LHP, .804 vs. RHP), which makes him a dangerous run-producing threat. In most other cases, a 62.2% ground ball rate would be considered a red flag, but with Crawford’s wheels, it may actually be an asset. With the power potential he’s shown (12 HR in 211 games, 110.6 max EV), the Phillies would probably like to see him elevate slightly more, but his approach is working so far.
The biggest question around Crawford now is how the Phillies will use him should they call him up. The production in the minors has been undeniable, and his bat-to-ball skills should translate to the Majors (91.4% Z-Con, 71.7% O-Con). That said, the addition of Harrison Bader makes the Phillies’ outfield crowded, which could limit Crawford’s chances. Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler haven’t been outstanding, but they’re MLB veterans who don’t need an adjustment period against elite pitching. There’s no doubt that Crawford would add a new variable to Philly’s lineup with his speed, but the questions around his lack of a power bat could limit his plate appearances. Philadelphia will likely give Crawford his debut before the end of the season. If he’s in the lineup every day, his value as an OBP and steals threat is high. However, it’s also possible that he’s relegated to a bench role for the stretch run of the season.
5. JJ Wetherholt, SS – St. Louis Cardinals
In his first full season of professional baseball, Wetherholt is making the game look easy. He’s one of four players in the minor leagues with a walk rate above 15% and a strikeout rate below 15% (min. 300 PAs). Among that group, he’s the only one with an OPS above .900 (.946) and leads the pack with a 159 wRC+. He leads the Cardinals organization in wOBA (.427) and ISO (.213) with impressive Statcast data to back up the production. Wetherholt’s 91.2 average exit velocity and 50% hard hit rate aren’t necessarily elite, but they’re in the same ballpark as prospects like Caissie and Chase DeLauter, which is ludicrous for a player who was playing college ball a little over a year ago.
The direction of the Cardinals franchise is unclear. They have built a young core of hitters that have the potential to anchor the franchise for the next half-decade. Among them are infielders Brendan Donovan (2028 free agent) and Nolan Gorman (2029 FA). Donovan is unmovable, as he’s become a centerpiece of the franchise. Gorman (101 wRC+), on the other hand, may be feeling the pressure being put on him by Wetherholt. That said, Wetherholt also has to compete with Thomas Saggese and José Fermin for spots on the 40-man roster. If Wetherholt keeps hitting at this rate, the Cardinals should find a way to get him some exposure to big league pitching. Should he handle the transition, St. Louis can start preparing for a world where Wetherholt plays alongside Maysn Winn and Donovan every day in 2026.
6. Kristian Campbell, 2B – Boston Red Sox
Thursday’s game marked the end of an impressive 16-game hit streak for Campbell. Before the streak started, Campbell was hitting .186 and looked like he was doomed to remain in AAA for the remainder of the season, and therefore be removed from the top ten. Since then, he’s hit .373 in 68 plate appearances. At the end of July, he had multiple hits in four straight games, two of which he homered in. It’s an impressive turnaround for a player who has not had an easy season. From being in the headlines for breaking camp with Boston, to returning to the minors after 67 games, it’s good to see Campbell start to find his feet again.
That said, his underlying data suggests that this might not be sustainable. Campbell’s xBA (.211) sits well below his actual number, and his xSLG (.276) has an even larger separation than the traditional value (.419). The main reason for that is his quality of contact. His hard hit rate (29.1%) would be among the 25 worst in the Majors, and the barrel rate (4.7%) is in the bottom 50. Despite the production improving over the past few weeks, these underlying numbers have not. Campbell’s average exit velocity in August is his worst mark so far (80.9 mph), despite cutting his whiff rate by ~20% so far. Boston undoubtedly wants Campbell to be a part of their plans going forward, but it’s hard to put faith in production when the data doesn’t match it. I still expect Campbell to come up, but I have more question marks around his role this season than I did before.
7. Owen Caissie, OF – Chicago Cubs
It’s a weird time to be a Cubs fan right now. The team is putting together one of their best seasons in recent memory, but because of the Brewers’ insane run of form, fans are still disappointed. They have a reason to be. The Cubs were average-at-best at improving at the deadline (that assessment could be lowered depending on the health of Michael Soroka) and have dropped consecutive series to the Royals and Reds. They need help, and fast. Calls for Ian Happ to be dropped are ringing louder every day. The Cubs’ veteran is hitting just .191 with a .640 OPS since the start of July, and every single offensive stat is down from his 2024 marks. Owen Caissie would be a huge upgrade over that level of production and breathe new life into the Cubs’ stagnant lineup.
Since the trade deadline passed, Caissie’s productivity has been stellar. He’s 5-12 in the four games since, although only one of those hits was for extra bases. He’s already surpassed his home run total from a year ago, and is on pace to shatter his run production total (69 runs scored last year, 65 so far). Caissie’s power output and ability (92 AVG EV, 51% hard hit), in tandem with 45-grade bat-to-ball skills (73.1% contact), make him a threat for 25-30 home runs every year. Simply put, that’s a bat you need to have on your roster. Getting Caissie consistent playing time will be a challenge, but putting two of Happ, Willi Castro, and Caissie in the lineup on a given day is a good situation for the Cubs to be in.
8. Bryce Eldridge, 1B – San Francisco Giants
Bryce Eldridge found another level to his game this week. Between August 2nd and 7th, he recorded multiple hits in four out of five contests. In the first game, he mashed two homers, then added another long ball in each of the next two games. So far in August, he has a .435 batting average, a .957 SLG, and a 26.7% barrel rate. That last number would be the best in MLB over the course of a full season. What’s even crazier is that his numbers in July were just as impressive. Eldridge’s hard hit rate sat just under 75% with an average exit velocity over 96 miles an hour, despite hitting just .227 in that time. Will Eldridge be able to maintain that level of production in the Majors, or even AAA? Unlikely, but it’s hard to ignore the potential impact he could have on San Francisco’s lineup.
Anytime a player carves out six years of service time, it should be considered impressive. That said, Dominic Smith is not the 1B/DH of the future for the Giants. Given the moves they made at the deadline and their current place in the standings, it’s time for Buster Posey and co. to gear up for next season and evaluate who will be a part of the roster in 2026. Smith may very well be back, but he should not be taking at-bats away from a 6’7″ slugger who could add 30+ homers to the Giants’ lineup. Adding Eldridge to a lineup that already includes Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman should thrill Bay Area fans. That said, given Eldridge’s strikeout issues (33.9% whiff, 28.4% CSW) and past struggles when faced with new levels of pitching (.601 OPS in first AAA stint), he could use an adjustment period. The next few weeks could serve as that for Eldridge, and get him ready for a major role with the organization next season.
9. Sal Stewart, 3B – Cincinnati Reds
Before the season started, I ranked Stewart as the Reds’ #7 fantasy baseball prospect, stating “his bat should force him into the Reds’ plans within the next two years.” I was wrong—he’s ready now. Some prospects see their level of production regress when faced with higher-level pitching for the first time. Not Stewart. After a slow, 4-21 start with the Louisville Bats, the 23-year-old rattled off eight straight games with a hit, including a 4-4 outing to kick off the streak. In that game, Stewart mashed his first two AAA homers, then added his third just three days later. In an admittedly small 18-game sample size, Stewart’s 143 wRC+ in AAA would be the 5th best among qualified hitters this season, despite never facing that level of competition before.
The statcast data and batted ball numbers indicate that this isn’t just a hot streak either. There’s very little disparity between his actual and expected batting average (.309 AVG, .285 xBA) and slugging numbers (.588 SLG, .549 xSLG). He swings on pitches out of the zone 34% of the time, but isn’t getting beat, whiffing on just 30% of those pitches. In the zone, he’s excellent. His contact rate alone is impressive (82.3%), but his quality of contact is equally as good (92.3 AVG EV, 17.8% barrel). For a 21-year-old, he has a very polished offensive approach and has the pop to create major production with it. The Reds are without an impact bat to put alongside Elly De La Cruz. Stewart could audition to be his co-star by the end of the season.
10. Carson Williams, SS – Tampa Bay Rays
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not as high on Williams as some others are in the industry. The near 35% strikeout rate, 31.4% chase rate, and 35.7% O-Con rate all combine for an offensive profile with some red flags. That said, Williams carries 25+ home run power, 30+ steal speed, and a 60-grade glove. That’s a rare combination of traits that few with Williams’ proximity possess. Since the start of August, he’s hitting .294 with a .839 OPS and 121 wRC+. That five-game sample size is probably the best case scenario for Williams’ MLB production in the near future, which would be a valuable asset for any fantasy manager to have on their bench.
At this point of the season, the Rays’ chances of making it to the playoffs are slim to none. At 11 games back of the division lead with a 57-59 record, Tampa Bay needs to be perfect to even compete. In the event that doesn’t happen, the Rays will be forced to once again look to next year to decipher how they’re going to get themselves back into contention. A big part of that should be Williams. His issues have been well documented, especially the strikeout numbers, but the upside he carries in his bat and glove warrants getting him onto the roster. Ha-Seong Kim hasn’t panned out this season (66 wRC+) and likely is not part of the Rays’ long-term plans. Alternatively, Williams would slide in nicely alongside Junior Caminero, forming a strong young duo for years to come.
On The Bubble
Stash List
