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
Two Stash List veterans finally received his call to the Major Leagues this week. When he was healthy, Junior Caminero was a fixture in the top three of this list. Fans were begging for the Tampa Bay Rays to give Caminero his debut, and they finally obliged, calling him up on Tuesday for his second run at the Major Leagues. He didn’t get off to a flying start in his first appearance, striking out three times. However, he did lace a ground ball at 116 miles an hour for his first hit since his return. That performance is indicative of what you can expect from Caminero going forward. He’s going to strike out a fair amount, but when he makes solid contact, there aren’t many players in the world who can hit a baseball harder than him.
The second of the pair of regulars is Jace Jung. The former Texas Tech Red Raider will make his Major League debut during this weekend’s series with the Yankees. Jung has been impressive all season. His 16.1% walk rate would land him in the top four among all Major Leaguers, and his 14 home runs would be among the top ten at his position. His defensive home in the Major Leagues is up in the air due to the resurgence of Colt Keith, but Jung can play third base competently if he’s given playing time in that role. Jung, along with the next graduate, joins an exciting core of young talent emerging at Comerica Park.
Trey Sweeney will make his Major League debut this weekend after being called up on Thursday. The former Eastern Illinois standout went on a tear after being traded to the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline. The 24 year old shortstop hit .381 with a 1.114 OPS in eleven games with the organization. Sweeney put up a wRC+ higher than 100 at every stop on his minor league journey until an 87 with the Dodgers in AAA this season. He will have to compete for playing time in the Majors, and may not have an instant impact in fantasy leagues. Still, Sweeney is a bat to keep an eye on down the stretch.
Shay Whitcomb will make his debut this weekend as well after being called up on Thursday night. Whitcomb has been one of the best hitters in minor-league baseball this year. His 25 homers rank fourth among all minor leaguers, and he set the Astros’ AAA RBI record with 91. He is now one of three qualified players to register a 20-20 season in 2024, with Agustin Ramirez joining the party this week. He has the positional versatility to plug in wherever he is needed, and his combination of power and speed would be an asset to any team. With the Astros, he will likely take on a utility role, with a strong start possibly amplifying his playing time.
Niko Kavadas was the fifth player who has featured on a Stash List to get called up this week. He’s been among the honorable mentions for the past few weeks, and will get a chance to prove himself with the Angels. Kavadas can provide a power boost for fantasy teams in need of some extra pop as the season winds down.
Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash
1. Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B/3B – Miami Marlins
Deyvison De Los Santos has adapted to his new team admirably. In just 14 games since arriving in the Marlins organization, he’s swatted five home runs and has a wRC+ of 124. De Los Santos is one of the most exciting power bats yet to debut this year. He projects as a legitimate power threat from a corner infield spot, even if his value is limited by strikeouts. The one area of concern to keep an eye on regarding De Los Santos is his platoon splits this season. There’s a nearly 100-point difference between his batting averages against left-handed pitching (.238) and right-handed pitching (.336). 26 of his 33 home runs have come against right-handers. He’s faced righties nearly four times as often as lefties, so unfamiliarity might play a role in his struggles, and a .860 OPS against southpaws is far from bad.
Should he be promoted, De Los Santos would immediately become one of the biggest power threats in the Marlins’ lineup. Jake Burger has been on fire since the All-Star break, hitting .330 with 13 home runs. However, outside of him, there aren’t many hitters that strike fear into opposing pitchers. Xavier Edwards and Kyle Stowers are intriguing pieces to keep in the fray, but they haven’t proven that they can be counted on to lead this team. The Marlins aren’t as far away from the playoffs as many think, as injuries have derailed their roster this season. If their starting rotation can return to full strength and players like De Los Santos perform when called upon, Miami could be a team to watch going forward.
2. Christian Moore, 2B – Los Angeles Angels
Admittedly, placing Christian Moore this high is a bit of a risk. He’s only been in professional baseball for a matter of weeks, but he’s already showing signs of being something special. Moore had the worst game of his short professional career on Tuesday night. The former Tennessee Volunteer went 0-4 with two strikeouts, failing to record a hit for only the second time in his career. This outing dropped his batting average to a mere .500. Yes, even after going 0-4 in his ninth career game, Christian Moore was still hitting .500. Sure, these insane numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt due to the tiny sample size. Still, he’s off to a special start in the minor leagues. Over the last two weeks, only two hitters have a higher OPS than Moore’s 1.570 in the entire MiLB. The Angels have been no strangers to accelerating their prospects through the ranks, and it looks like Moore is next in line.
Los Angeles once again finds themselves outside of the playoff picture. They sit 12.5 games out of the division, and injury woes overshadowed Mike Trout’s brilliance. However, despite the disappointment that another season without October baseball brings, there are some bright spots to build on. Nolan Schanuel has grown into an intriguing player with elite plate discipline. His whiff rate (14.6%) is in the 95th percentile in the league, and his walk rate (11.2%) is in the 84th. Logan O’Hoppe was discussed in trade talks at the deadline, according to reports, but he should be considered a big part of a future Angels squad. Zach Neto has had an up-and-down season but a near 20-20 season is solid for a second-year player. Adding Christian Moore to this lineup would give the Halo’s four legitimate bats to build around Mike Trout as he enters the twilight years of his career. In the absence of Jace Jung and Junior Caminero at the top of this list, Moore provides arguably the most cost-efficient upside among all minor leaguers.
3. Connor Norby, 2B – Miami Marlins
If it wasn’t for a rough start to life in the Marlins organization, Norby would likely be with the Major League team right now. The former Oriole has a wRC+ of just 70 since being assigned to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, a far cry from his 134 with Baltimore’s AAA squad. Norby, like many first-time big leaguers this year, struggled to assert himself during his brief stint with the Orioles. He hit just .188 and accrued -0.1 WAR in just 9 games in the show. Norby has much less competition for everyday playing time going forward with the Marlins, but he has to improve his offensive output to ensure he sticks with the club.
Norby still has some competition for spots on the Major League roster, even if he’s no longer competing with baseball’s #1 prospect for a promotion. Javier Sanoja has one of the more interesting statlines in AAA. Both his AAA walk (9.5%) and strikeout (5.6%) rates are noticeably low, and his 117 wRC+ ranks second among qualified hitters at the level (behind Jackson Holliday’s 141 and ahead of Owen Caissie’s 110). Norby’s ability to hit the ball with power gives him more fantasy upside than Sanoja, but the youth and bat-to-ball ability that the latter possesses makes him a name to keep an eye on. The Marlins have an exciting crop of young talent on the way, and Norby is arguably the most ready to make an impact every day in Miami.
4. Nick Yorke, 2B – Pittsburgh Pirates
Nick Yorke is doing everything he can to earn a call-up to the Major Leagues. Since being traded to the Pirates, he’s hitting .392 in AAA with an OPS of .949. He’s yet to tap into the power swing that’s allowed him to swat ten home runs this year, but the hit tool makes him worth a call-up either way. Jared Triolo isn’t hitting and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa has the versatility to move to another spot defensively to give Yorke a shot. Since arriving in Pittsburgh, Yorke’s defensive versatility has been tested. The career infielder has spent time in all three outfield spots during his brief stint in Indianapolis. Pirates fans will be hoping this added aspect of Yorke’s game will land him in the Major Leagues this month.
The Pirates are in an interesting situation going into the 2025 season. They have some incredibly exciting pieces to build around in Paul Skenes and Jared Jones. Pittsburgh also has Bryan Reynolds, who would be an asset to every team in the league and is still under team control until 2031 after signing a lucrative extension. Oneil Cruz was considered one of the most talented prospects in the world when he arrived at PNC Park and has shown flashes of being the electric shortstop many thought he would be (18 HR, 12 SB, 117 wRC+). Adding Nick Yorke at the deadline gave the Pirates another intriguing young bat that could plug into the lineup as soon as this year.
5. Jasson Domínguez, OF – New York Yankees
Dominguez would have ranked higher this week if not for the comments made by the Yankees’ general manager, Brian Cashman. He said that there “is currently no lane to bring him in.” Cashman also said that he is healthy and his versatility in the outfield makes him a part of their future, so there are some encouraging signs for Yankees fans. For fantasy managers though, this should be a red flag. There is no doubt that if Dominguez received consistent playing time, he would make an impact in fantasy leagues. However, being limited to spot appearances takes away his redraft value. Dominguez could still get the call to return to the Majors when the rosters expand and would make an impact if a spot opens up. For now, though, he’s “waiting in the wings” in AAA.
The Yankees don’t necessarily need an outfielder at this very moment, but Dominguez’s ceiling is considerably higher than some of the outfield options on the roster. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are immovable in the heart of the order. Jazz Chisholm has spent most of his time in pinstripes in the infield, but can play the outfield should he be required to. However, he hit the injured list with an elbow sprain, so he’s not an option for the time being. Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham have put up solid production in the third outfield spot, but Dominguez is more enticing than either option. Going forward, Dominguez will likely hold down one of the outfield spots, and Yankees fans should hope that he gets the chance to this year.
6. Dalton Rushing, C/OF – Los Angeles Dodgers
Dalton Rushing makes his debut on the Stash List after reaching AAA in the beginning of August. He finds himself in the same predicament that many top prospects on competing teams face: There just isn’t a role for him at the moment. Rushing has proved that he’s ready for a shot at the top level of professional baseball, hitting .271 with 18 home runs between AA and AAA this season. He is now the #1 prospect in the Dodgers organization after MLB Pipeline’s recent update, and he checks in at #39 among all minor leaguers. Los Angeles is gearing up for a fight for the division title as the season marches towards its conclusion. Both Arizona and San Diego sit just two games behind the Dodgers, and will not go down quietly. As the battle heats up, LA will need all of the backup they can get.
What has stuck out regarding Rushing in recent weeks is his versatility in the field. At AA, he was primarily used as a catcher, logging 39 games behind the plate. Since being promoted, he’s only played in left field. Rushing’s ability with the bat will warrant giving him significant at bats when he is called up, but his defensive home remains a question mark. If he is able to retain his catcher eligibility in the Majors, then he could be a legitimate, high-upside, stash in two catcher leagues. Even if he is only used as an outfielder, he could provide solid production.
7. Edgar Quero, C – Chicago White Sox
The equation remains simple in terms of Edgar Quero’s MLB ETA. The Chicago White Sox are bad, and he has been very good. Why not give the organization’s top-performing AAA prospect a run in the Major Leagues as the team rebuilds for 2025? Quero’s 142 wRC+ ranks third in the entire organization, behind Ryan Galanie (A+) and Brooks Baldwin (64 wRC+ in MLB). Quero will likely be the first of that core to arrive, with reinforcements coming soon (hopefully). The catching production at the Major League level on the South Side has been, to put it nicely, substandard. White Sox catchers have amassed a bWAR of -1.1 (Maldonado:-1.2, Lee: 0.1). Quero would serve as an instant upgrade at the position, even if his age suggests he could spend more time in the Minors. The future isn’t exactly bright for the White Sox, so giving their fans a young core to rally around should be priority #1 going forward.
Colson Montgomery hasn’t been great in AAA this year, but with a full year at the level under his belt, he might break out to end this season or start the next. Baldwin and Miguel Vargas have already reached the Majors, but have failed to truly establish themselves. If they can, then the Sox have a handful of young bats to build around Garrett Crochet (if he’s somehow not traded). There are also some young pitchers to be excited about. Jonathan Cannon and Drew Thorpe have struggled at times, but have also put together some solid outings. As bad as the White Sox are, and boy are they bad, there are some pieces to keep an eye on. Edgar Quero is one of those exciting pieces.
8. Matt Shaw, INF – Chicago Cubs
Just when you think the Chicago Cubs are getting their season back on track, they falter once again. Before dropping the series to Cleveland at the beginning of the week, the Northsiders had won eight of their last ten games and were beginning to insert themselves into the playoff conversation. They’re not out of it yet, sitting only five games out of the last playoff spot, but they need to generate consistent offense. MLB Pipeline’s new #1 prospect in the Cubs system could help out with that. Shaw’s off to a rough start in AAA Iowa, but he’s just a phone call away from a team that could use his bat.
The only trouble with Shaw is finding a defensive home for him. He can play second, third, or shortstop, and could DH if necessary. However the Cubs have established veterans in each one of those spots, and using him as a designated hitter would displace either Cody Bellinger or Michael Busch. Craig Counsell and Jed Hoyer have time to solve that equation though. Shaw’s 2-24 start at AAA ensures that he’s at least a week or two away. He’s bounced back from slumps before, and likely will again. After a rough May (.228/.336/.347), Shaw played like an All-Star over the next two months, slashing .321/387/.575 with a wRC+ of 177. There is no doubt that Shaw’s bat will make an impact at Wrigley Field at some point in the future, but Cubs fans should hope that time is coming soon.
9. Dylan Crews, OF – Washington Nationals
After a better-than-expected start to the season in the nation’s capital that saw them near a playoff spot, the Nationals have fallen out of contention. However, for the first time since trading Juan Soto, this team has direction and a solid core to build around. CJ Abrams and James Wood have the potential to be franchise cornerstones for the Nationals. The young pitching staff has promise as well, with Mackenzie Gore, Mitchell Parker and DJ Herz all under team control for the foreseeable future. The core of a future competitive Nationals roster is still being built, and they will hope that the #2 overall pick in the 2023 Draft will be a part of that roster soon.
Dylan Crews has flown through the minor leagues since being drafted last season. He reached AAA less than a year after being drafted from one of the best college baseball teams in recent history. He hasn’t produced at the same level he did during his National Championship campaign with the LSU Tigers, but 12 home runs and a 113 wRC+ is nothing to laugh at. Crews has the potential to be a difference maker in every aspect of the game. He plays plus defense and has the ability to register consistent 20-20 outputs. For 2024 though, he should be seen as an upside stash for late-August/September. The Nationals will likely wait to call him up until he can retain his rookie eligibility for 2025, but once that day comes, expect Crews to make his debut.
10. Owen Caissie, OF – Chicago Cubs
Owen Caissie has missed out on the last few Stash Lists, mainly due to the crowded outfield in Chicago. However, local radio in the city reported that Caissie would be one of the minor leaguers to get the call to the Majors once September rolls around. This wouldn’t be considered a shocking move, as Caissie has been stellar in AAA all season and the Cubs still can’t figure out how to score runs consistently. Still, the amount of playing time he’d hypothetically be able to muster behind two established corner outfielders is a red flag to keep an eye on. His bat, like Shaw’s, warrants consistent playing time as the Cubs look to integrate their prospect core into the Major League picture.
Chicago’s new #3 prospect has been a consistent performer all season in AAA. His lowest batting average in a full month so far this season is .244, and that came during the dawn of the season in April. He hasn’t demonstrated the power he possesses to his full capability yet, but his 34 home runs between 2023 and 2024 so far rank him third in the Cubs’ system (behind Felix Stevens’ 45 and Matt Mervis’ 35). Looking forward to 2025, the Cubs may have vacancies on their roster. Mike Tauchman is arbitration-eligible until 2027, but he’s 33 years old and the Cubs have a plethora of outfielders in AAA. Owen Caissie should get the first chance to audition to take over his role as the fourth outfielder on the roster. Cubs fans will be hoping local radio reports were right and Owen Caissie will be blasting home runs onto Waveland Avenue in September.
On The Bubble
Here are the next five hitters considered for inclusion on this week’s list in no particular order.
Kevin Alcantara
Kyle Manzardo
Drake Baldwin
Agustin Ramirez
Stash List