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The Stash List Week 22: Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash in 2024

The top 10 hitting prospects to stash in redraft leagues.

Jack Mueller
Dynasty 8/25/2024

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

 

Connor Norby has now made his MLB debut for two different teams this season. He’s hitting .308 with a .770 OPS in three games since his debut with the Marlins. In his short time as an MLB player, he’s already put up some solid numbers. His sprint speed is in the 94th percentile in the league, and his barrel rate (12.9%) and sweet-spot rate (48.4%) are both among the elite in the majors. A strong performance should keep him in Miami’s plans for 2025 and beyond.

Dylan Crews will be added to the Nationals’ major league roster for the upcoming series against the Yankees. Crews has put together a stellar resume in his first full season as a professional. An .812 OPS and a 115 wRC+ are both very impressive numbers from the former LSU Tiger. He’s been even more impressive as the season’s progressed. So far in August, he’s hitting .303 with four home runs and a .929 OPS. Crews should slot in nicely alongside James Wood as the Nationals continue to forge their future core.

Drew Romo was on the fringes of the list for several weeks, and he’s struggled to establish himself with the Colorado Rockies. In his first eleven at-bats, he has just one hit. Granted, he’s going to have a longer leash than most prospects because of the dire state that the Rockies roster is in right now. Elias DĂ­az is gone, and while Jacob Stallings is a good veteran to keep around, he shouldn’t block Romo from seeing significant playing time. Colorado has some interesting pieces going forward in Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle. Having a young catcher to rely on going forward would be a major benefit for a team looking to turn a corner.

Jasson DomĂ­nguez returned to the major leagues at the Little League Classic in Williamsport. He went 0-4 and was promptly sent back down to AAA. He rejoins the list this week.

It’s also worth noting that Jacob Wilson is healthy again and back to his regularly scheduled programming. Since returning to action in AAA on August 17th, he’s hitting .400 with two extra-base hits. Wilson does not feature in this week’s list due to the fact his stint in the minors has been described as a “rehab” stint and should be back on the major league roster in the coming days.

 

Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash

 

1. Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B/3B – Miami Marlins

 

What more does Deyvison De Los Santos need to prove? Are 35 home runs in the minor leagues not enough to warrant a shot at the majors? He’s been red hot in August, hitting .303 and adding five more home runs in 66 at-bats. In 21 games with the Marlins, he has a wRC+ of 139. That would land him in the top 10 among all qualified AAA hitters this season. The one slight concern with De Los Santos remains his splits against left-handed pitching. His batting average is still over 100 points lower against southpaws than against right-handers (.233 vs LHP/.343 vs RHP). Despite the lower average and the strikeout rate approaching 30%, he is still slugging well over .800.

It’s a very simple equation for the Marlins to solve. They need more power bats in the Majors. Relying on only Jake Burger to drive in runs in the middle of the order will not result in forward progress for this team. They need to add more pop, and their #5 prospect has plenty of it. Miami did an excellent job at the deadline acquiring young talent, and they are already reaping the rewards of their deals. Connor Norby has gone 4-13 to start his career in South Beach. More reinforcements should be on the way to Marlins Park, and Deyvison De Los Santos should be the one leading the way.

 

2. Nick Yorke, 2B – Pittsburgh Pirates

 

Getting traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates may have been a blessing in disguise for Nick Yorke. Obviously, getting traded is never fun, but he is now much higher on the organizational depth chart than he was in Boston. With the Red Sox, Yorke was competing with Marcelo Mayer, Emmanuel Valdez, Vaughn Grissom, and more for playing time in the middle of the infield. In Pittsburgh, his competition in the majors is Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and Nick Gonzales. Both of these players are solid organizational pieces, but they should not be seen as permanent fixtures at second base. Yorke is playing like the second baseman of the future for the Pirates, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets the chance to lock down his spot.

Since joining the Indianapolis Indians, Yorke is hitting .359 with a wRC+ of 125. The power that landed him six home runs with the Red Sox has not transferred over yet, and his walk rate is noticeably lower than it was with his previous club. However, a batting average over .350 in an 18-game sample size is something to keep an eye on. The Pirates are out of contention for a playoff spot this year, but they have a young core with some exciting pieces coming back in 2025. Nick Yorke should be able to get the chance to lock down his spot in the future lineup down the stretch this season.

 

3. Christian Moore, 2B – Los Angeles Angels

 

Christian Moore has cooled off slightly since being promoted to AA. His batting average is down eighty points since last week, and he’s only added one home run in that time frame. Despite the struggles, he’s still hitting .357 with five home runs and a wRC+ of 212 just weeks after winning a national championship with Tennessee. If he was promoted, Moore would have lived through one of the craziest summers a baseball player could dream of experiencing. From winning a national title to getting drafted in the top ten, to the major leagues, all within a matter of months. That is the dream of every little boy playing youth baseball across the country. Moore has to continue to impress to earn the opportunity to play in the majors, but due to how the Angels have handled their young, college bats before, he may not have to wait long.

Moore said that he’s taking it “day-by-day” in an interview with MLB Network, but one of these days may be the one he gets the call. Nolan Schanuel was called up weeks after being drafted. Zach Neto was given just eleven games in his first full season before he was beckoned to join up with the Angels. Pitchers Ben Joyce and Sam Bachman were both called up during their second professional season. There is a clear pattern of Los Angeles being aggressive with their collegiate draftees. Moore has shown he can handle professional pitchers, and the Angels may be inclined to fast-track him to the show if Brandon Drury (29 wRC+) continues to struggle.

 

4. Dalton Rushing, C/OF – Los Angeles Dodgers

 

If you thought Dalton Rushing’s AA performance was impressive, you’re going to love what he’s done since being promoted. In 14 games in AAA, he’s improved his batting average by nearly forty points. Rushing is also walking 5% more than he did in AA, and he’s also cut his strikeout rate slightly. 19 home runs isn’t too shabby for a minor league catcher either. His ability to stick behind the plate will be vital for his fantasy value going forward, but even if his future isn’t at catcher, his plate discipline and power make him a player to keep an eye on.

Offensively inclined catchers are a rare breed. For every Cal Raleigh out there, there’s also a Miguel Amaya. Every backstop brings value in their own way, but for fantasy, catchers with pop are a valuable commodity. Rushing has made 39 appearances at catcher this season, so he should retain eligibility in that position once he is called up. In two-catcher leagues, he could be a late-season impact player for managers looking to add offense at that position. It must be said that it’s entirely possible that Rushing ends up in the outfield, especially with Will Smith being the star that he is. However, the possibility of adding an offensive threat behind the plate to fantasy lineups should at least be considered by fantasy managers.

 

5. Jasson DomĂ­nguez, OF – New York Yankees

 

Technically Dominguez was called up from AAA, but he made just one appearance and then was sent right back down. His lone appearance did not go to plan. Dominguez went 0-4 with three strikeouts, managing to put the ball in play just once. He was no better in the field. Parker Meadows slapped a line drive through the infield towards Dominguez with the game tied and a runner on the way home. He double-clutched on the throw allowing the winning run to score. That poor performance was a tough blow for a player who was just starting to find form after returning from injury.

Calling up Dominguez in the first place was a puzzling move, especially if the plan was to send him back down after the game. Dominguez was only given four plate appearances in his long-awaited return to the majors, in a nationally televised game, against the Tigers ace. Tarik Skubal has made hitters look silly all year, and Dominguez was just another hitter to fall victim. Since returning to the minors, Dominguez has hit his stride, which is why he retains his spot on the list. In three games, he’s hitting .538 with two steals and a wRC+ of 207. Granted, the sample size is very small, but it’s an indicator that Dominguez can bounce back from tough performances. In New York, that is a crucial skill to have. With the September call-ups looming, don’t be surprised to see “The Martian” back in the Yankee Stadium outfield to close out 2024.

 

6. Edgar Quero, C – Chicago White Sox

 

Edgar Quero has been dealing with an injury and hasn’t played since August 13th, but that shouldn’t prevent fantasy managers in need of catcher production from considering adding him. 16 home runs, 70 RBI, and an .845 OPS are all eyebrow-raisers from a player on the verge of making his MLB debut. The Chicago White Sox continue to be the worst baseball team in recent memory, and they desperately need their young talent to make the jump to the major leagues. Quero and Colson Montgomery are the two closest prospects to the Sox major league roster, but the former’s upside at his position makes him a valuable stash.

Before his injury, Quero was making waves in his pursuit of a promotion. He was hitting .371 with an OPS of 1.025 and two home runs. Quero has also started over 70 games behind the plate this season, which will likely ensure his catcher eligibility when he reaches the majors. There is some DH risk with him, but considering the other options behind the plate in Chicago, Quero should get a run behind the plate. With the September roster expansion imminent, and the lack of high upside on the fringes of the major league roster, Edgar Quero should be one of the players on the way to Guaranteed Rate Field.

 

7. Matt Shaw, INF – Chicago Cubs

 

The Chicago Cubs‘ #1 prospect is on the cusp of the major leagues. Matt Shaw has adapted to AAA admirably, showcasing the skillset that has shot him up prospect rankings since being drafted last year. The main aspect of his game that has impressed this season is his ability to hit the ball with power to all corners of the field. His first AAA home run was an opposite-field bomb that left his bat at 110 miles an hour. His second was a high fastball from Triston McKenzie that Shaw slapped to the pull side. The left fielder didn’t even bother to move. Shaw has all of the tools to be a consistent power threat once he reaches the major leagues.

One of the main gripes with the 2024 Cubs is their inability to hit the long ball. Chicago’s 130 home runs rank 22nd in MLB and fourth in the NL Central. Cody Bellinger, Dansby Swanson, and Nico Hoerner have all seen their home run tallies cut in half so far this season. Ian Happ leads the club with 22 home runs, and his defense will make him a valuable asset going forward. The Cubs have a deep farm system, riddled with talented hitters who could also make an impact once they’re ready, but Shaw is ready right now. If the Cubs continue to struggle to find consistency, Shaw would be a valuable September call-up.

 

8. AgustĂ­n RamĂ­rez, C – Miami Marlins

 

AgustĂ­n RamĂ­rez’s promotion ETA took a massive step forward when he was traded to Miami in exchange for Jazz Chisholm Jr. With Austin Wells and Jose Trevino in the mix, Ramirez likely would not have seen much playing time if he was called up to the Yankees. There is no such depth in the Marlins system. Nick Fortes and AlĂ­ Sánchez have been handling the workload behind the plate, but neither has performed strongly enough to warrant a long-term future at the position. While Fortes offers some defensive value (91st percentile in blocking), his 51 wRC+ simply will not cut it for Miami going forward. It’s time for the Marlins to start building toward the future, and the first step in doing that is allowing their young players a chance to grow in the major leagues.

Ramirez hasn’t been setting the world on fire with the Marlins so far, but he’s shown glimpses of the potential that landed him the #4 ranking in Miami’s farm system. His 22 home runs are second among minor league catchers, behind Adrian Del Castillo. Ramirez’s splits have also been impressive. Against left-handed pitching, he’s hitting .307 with a 1.096 OPS. In just 88 plate appearances against southpaws he’s hit ten home runs already. His stats against righties aren’t quite as impressive, but it’s not a dramatic fall-off. With the Marlins looking to the future, Ramirez should get a chance to assert himself as the future backstop before the end of the season.

 

9. Drake Baldwin, C – Atlanta Braves

 

Drake Baldwin appears on the Stash List for the first time this season due to a dominant offensive display so far in AAA. He wasn’t on the promotion radar when he started the season hitting .244 with a 90 wRC+ in 52 AA games. However, after being promoted to the Gwinnett Stripers, Baldwin has been stellar. The 23-year-old backstop is hitting .312 to go along with a 144 wRC+. He’s also tripled his home run tally. After just four dingers in AAA, he’s added nine since his promotion. Baldwin briefly garnered the national spotlight when he smashed an opposite-field home run at the Futures Game during All-Star weekend. Baldwin has proven himself to be one of the best at his level, and he should get a chance to prove it in the majors soon.

Atlanta’s catching tandem is extremely experienced and very talented. Both Sean Murphy and Travis D’Arnaud can comfortably handle the duties behind the plate for the remainder of the season. The only reason Baldwin is not higher on this list is because of the likelihood that his playing time as a catcher may be limited. He’s exclusively played catcher in his career, so should a spot open up he should be able to slide right in. However, as things stand he carries some major DH risk. With the injury struggles Atlanta is facing, and the impending battle for a playoff spot in September, they will need extra bats. Even in a limited role, Baldwin would serve as a quality bat for a team that desperately needs one.

 

10. Roman Anthony, OF – Boston Red Sox

 

The Red Sox made headlines last week, promoting three of their top prospects to AAA, all at the same time. Kyle Teel, Marcelo Mayer, and Roman Anthony all made the jump from Portland to Worcester. Days later, they promoted Kristian Campbell, one of the most exciting talents in the system to join them. Teel has started slow (-13 wRC+) and Mayer is out with a back issue, so despite the promotions, it looks like they will end their season in AAA. Anthony arguably has the highest ceiling out of any of them and was ranked #14 in MLB’s recent top-100 prospects update. He has everything you could want out of a top prospect. His lefty swing is a piece of art, and his speed and defense are both solid.

Stashing Anthony should be seen as a moderate-risk, high-upside play. There is every chance the Red Sox opt to keep their top prospects in the minor leagues and use the offseason to prepare them for the majors. However, top prospects have benefitted from being exposed to major league pitching early on, then going back to the minors to make adjustments. Jackson Holliday is the most popular example. He was hitting .059 at the time he was demoted back to AAA. Since returning, he has a 123 wRC+ with five home runs. Anthony could benefit from facing big-league arms, then taking the offseason to make the necessary adjustments and come back stronger. The Red Sox are still outside the playoff positions and will need all of the offense they can get down the stretch as they try to force their way into October.

 

On The Bubble

 

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

Owen Caissie

Kyle Manzardo

Chase DeLauter

Kristian Campbell

Colby Thomas

 

Stash List

Jack Mueller

Jack Mueller is an incoming graduate student at Miami University studying Sport Management. Before joining PitcherList, Jack worked for the Orleans Firebirds (Cape Cod Baseball League) and the Chicago Dogs (American Association) as an advance scout and data analyst.

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