The Hitter Edition of The Stash List is back and updated for Week 22.
This Stash List highlights the 10 best-hitting prospects likely to make an impact during the 2023 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 2023 ETA and getting ahead of the curve on rostering these prospects is a key part of roster management. You can check out last week’s edition of the list here and keep reading to find out the latest updates.
Ground Rules
- The Stash List is for your redraft leagues and does not consider impact beyond 2023.
- 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 Friday’s games.
The Stash List
Graduates/Call-Ups
Three prospects including two that were included in last week’s edition. The most notable is Everson Pereira who is getting a chance to play every day on the Yankees. Pereira has plenty of power potential but is struggling to limit the strikeouts. Check out his first major league hit:
Everson Pereira's first MLB hit! pic.twitter.com/RqbR5BgWKJ
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) August 24, 2023
Parker Meadows and Wilyer Abreu were also promoted this past week. Abreu has gotten off to a good start in Boston’s outfield and could be a useful fantasy asset in OBP leagues. Meadows is also off to a strong start. I prefer Abreu over Meadows if you are looking to add one.
Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash
1. Jordan Lawlar, SS Arizona Diamondbacks
No changes at the top of this list as Jordan Lawlar remains the most valuable prospect to stash in all of baseball. Lawlar has continued to look the part since his promotion to Triple-A with two home runs and two stolen bases. Strikeouts were the biggest concern early on this season but so far in Triple-A, Lawlar is walking more than he is striking out. This is a five-category fantasy baseball asset that needs to be stashed now. The nice part is that his speed helps provide a stable fantasy floor even if his hit tool takes some time to adjust like we are seeing with Elly De La Cruz.
At the major league level, the Diamondbacks continue to battle for a spot in the postseason. Trade deadline acquisition Jace Peterson has been drawing the majority of starts at third base despite a 25 wRC+ since coming to Arizona. With every day, it is becoming more obvious that Peterson does not have much left in the tank and Arizona cannot afford to waste time if they plan on making the playoffs. Shifting Geraldo Perdomo to third base and calling up Lawlar gives the team their best chance to win. Stash Lawlar now before there is a rush to pick him up once he gets the call.
2. Ronny Mauricio, SS/2B New York Mets
2023 marks the second straight season that Ronny Mauricio has eclipsed the 20/20 mark. Instead of struggling with the jump to Triple-A, Mauricio has actually improved in metrics such as batting average and strikeout rate. Players that have the ability to post 20/20 seasons are instantly valuable in fantasy baseball which is why Mauricio ranks second on this list. Yes, the chase rate is concerning but Mauricio has been showing a consistent ability to make contact and hit for plenty of power. Every prospect comes with risk, but few possess the fantasy upside of Mauricio which is why he needs to be a priority.
Ronny Mauricio now has a hit in 15 of his last 16 games
He has a hit in all but 2 games in the month of August pic.twitter.com/4HAAFp7fO9
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 23, 2023
While other teams have already begun to call up their top prospects, the Mets have opted to keep players like Mauricio in Triple-A. This should not last much longer as Jonathan Araúz should not continue getting regular starts at third base. Although his defense has not been great, Mauricio can play all over the diamond and the Mets are going to want to take a look at what he has to offer heading into 2024. Stash Mauricio now and remain patient if you have already.
3. Austin Wells, C New York Yankees
We can safely say that Austin Wells has officially settled into playing in Triple-A. Wells is now up to four home runs and is slugging .554 since August 9th. Power is the name of the game when it comes to Wells and he is putting that on full display. While Wells will be known for hitting home runs, his ability to consistently hit line drives should not be overlooked. Strikeouts are likely to keep his batting average down, but he profiles to run high BABIPs that will prevent him from being a complete bust in that category. He is also quietly up to seven stolen bases on the season despite appearing in under 100 games.
The Yankees have just about fallen out of things in the American League playoff hunt. The team has already recalled Everson Pereira and Oswald Peraza leaving Wells as the next logical promotion. The team is not getting much production offensively from the catchers currently on the roster and the position is wide open heading into next year. Wells deserves a chance to show what he can do at the major league level. If you are looking for catching help down the stretch, stash Wells now.
4. Colton Cowser, OF Baltimore Orioles
Sometimes, players take time to regain their confidence after a demotion back to Triple-A. This has not been the case for Colton Cowser who has picked up right where he left off. Since returning to Norfolk, Cowser has already hit two more home runs since returning. His poor major league stat line was filled with bad luck and is not indicative of Cowser’s true talent level. His sustained success in Triple-A is a testament to his skill level and fantasy managers need to not forget about him based on a 26-game sample.
Cowser was initially sent back to Triple-A when Aaron Hicks returned from the IL. Well, Hicks is already back on the IL and although Cowser was not the first player promoted, he will surely be in consideration when rosters expand at the beginning of September. He could eat into the playing time of Cedric Mullins who has just an 80 wRC+ against lefties since the start of May and be the next man up in the event of an injury. Cowser is extremely talented and needs to be in stash consideration for teams where you are looking for help in the outfield.
5. Colt Keith, 3B Detroit Tigers
| AVG | HR | SB | BB% | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .300 | 21 | 3 | 9.4% | 21.8% |
As Colt Keith’s power has come to life in Triple-A, his average has trended in the wrong direction. Keith has four home runs since August 11th but is batting under .250 during that time. However, simply looking at his average does not paint the full picture. During that period, Keith has a BABIP of just .184. For a batter like Keith who is known for hitting tons of line drives with an extremely smooth swing path, this BABIP is not something that should be expected to continue. Fantasy managers should be thrilled with Keith’s recent performance as he continues to hit for more power while lowering his strikeout rate.
As mentioned earlier, the team has already promoted Parker Meadows to the major leagues and Keith could very well be next. The Tigers are currently playing Matt Vierling at third base although he has a wRC+ below 50 since August 10th. He profiles as a better platoon player than everyday starter and the Tigers are sure to want to see how Keith fares against major league pitching. The Tigers should promote Keith soon and he is an important player to stash on your redraft teams.
6. Jackson Merrill, SS San Diego Padres
Since arriving in Double-A on July 14th, Jackson Merrill has now started games at shortstop, first base, second base, and left field. Learning new positions can be hard for some players, but Merrill has not lost a step offensively. He is now up to four home runs in Double-A, and most importantly, he continues to hit the ball in the air more frequently.
The Padres are clearly trying to find any way to get Merrill onto the major league roster. Bringing him up in a super-utility role appears likely and could result in him gaining multi-positional eligibility in leagues such as Yahoo and Ottoneu. The Padres cannot afford to waste time if they want to make the playoffs and it is becoming exceedingly likely we see Merrill this season. Stash him now before it is too late.
7. Jackson Chourio, OF Milwaukee Brewers
The two 19-year-olds on this list slot in back-to-back. Jackson Chourio hit home runs in consecutive games this week bringing his season total to 19:
One night after setting a @BiloxiShuckers record for RBIs in a season, Jackson Chourio is at it again.
MLB's No. 2 prospect (@Brewers' No. 1) goes deep for a second consecutive game! pic.twitter.com/LY1N06qLPC
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 25, 2023
Chourio’s raw power potential is obvious in his ability to crush home runs to the opposite field. He is also a stolen base machine and a threat to become a 30/30 player at the major league level. The only reason he does not rank higher on this list is due to the strong play of Tyrone Taylor at the major league level. If you are stashing for upside, Chourio has as much as anybody even if he is less likely to make his major league debut this season.
8. Justyn-Henry Malloy, 3B/OF Detroit Tigers
| AVG | HR | SB | BB% | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .283 | 18 | 5 | 18.3% | 23.0% |
There really is nothing left for Justyn-Henry Malloy to prove at the minor league level. He is walking an absurd amount recently (over 30% since August 15th) while hitting for both average and power. His on-base percentage since August 10th is over .500. He is getting on more than he is getting out which is nearly impossible.
The Tigers have plenty of room in their lineup for Malloy and we should expect to see him soon. He is going to be relevant in all formats, but especially in OBP leagues. Malloy needs to be considered if you are looking for a stash option.
9. Addison Barger, SS/3B Toronto Blue Jays
Addison Barger started this season ranking toward the top of many stash lists. A strong showing in Spring Training coupled with doubts over the Blue Jays infield production had many (including myself) seeing an early season call-up occurring for Barger. Unfortunately for him, he dealt with injuries for much of the first half and the Blue Jays were getting solid offensive production from their infielders.
Barger’s rough start is resulting in many not paying any attention to just how impressive he has been lately. He is showing significant improvements in his plate discipline and contact skills while hitting for substantial power. He has been playing a lot of outfield this year which could get him into the Blue Jays lineup over either Kevin Kiermaier or Daulton Varsho. Barger could also steal at-bats from Matt Chapman who has been abysmal at the plate recently. His strong second half makes him an excellent stash option down the stretch.
10. Darell Hernaiz, SS Oakland A’s
Darell Hernaiz is the newest prospect to debut on the stash list this season. After being traded from Baltimore to Oakland this off-season, Hernaiz has enjoyed a breakout season. He posted a 132 wRC+ across 71 games at Double-A before earning a promotion to Triple-A. He has not missed a step since his promotion batting well over .300 with six stolen bases. Hernaiz profiles to provide strong average with plus-speed making him an intriguing fantasy asset.
The Athletics have been aggressive with their prospect promotions this year and Hernaiz is the next batter in line. He has primarily played shortstop this year which is the biggest hole in Oakland’s lineup. Nick Allen has been playing there but has a 42 wRC+ on the season. Hernaiz should be up soon and is worth stashing if you need middle infield help.
On The Bubble
In no particular order, the top five hitters that were in consideration for inclusion to this list were: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Heston Kjerstad, Ceddanne Rafaela, Tyler Gentry, and Kyle Manzardo.
Why do you prefer Wilyer Abreu over Parker Meadows?