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
For the second consecutive week, no prospects featured on the Stash List received the call to the major leagues.
Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash
1. Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B/3B – Miami Marlins
At this point, it is shocking that Deyvison De Los Santos is not playing every day in Miami. At this point, what else does he have to prove? 37 home runs in the minor leagues, not to mention in three different stints, is evidence enough that he’s ready for the major leagues. The Marlins’ season is over, so it’s time to pivot towards the 2025 season. De Los Santos could be in line for an everyday role in Miami next season, and the Marlins should give him a chance to work through major league pitching to be better prepared for next season. De Los Santos’ power is legit, and while there are some things he needs to work on, he should get a chance to show off his pop before the end of the season.
The situation in Miami has been well-documented on this list all season. Connor Norby has been the lone Marlin featured on this list this season to break into the lineup every day. Victor Mesa Jr. looked like he was going to follow suit, but injuries derailed an impressive season. De Los Santos has been featured in the vast majority of these articles this season and somehow is yet to make his debut. It’s a simple equation, the Marlins are bad and De Los Santos has been very good. The time is now for the slugger to get his chance to assert himself as part of Miami’s plans for the foreseeable future.
2. Jasson Domínguez, OF – New York Yankees
On Friday morning, Brian Cashman told reporters that Alex Verdugo gives the Yankees the best chance to win right now. Yankees fans have voiced their disagreement with that belief for weeks now, and have been calling for Jasson Domínguez to be promoted immediately. “The Martian” has shown why fans are so excited for him to return to the Bronx. After a one-day stint in the majors for the Little League Classic, Domínguez has taken AAA by storm. In 15 games since returning, he’s hitting .365 with four home runs and a wRC+ of 165. In that time frame, his strikeout rate has also shrunk by nearly 5%. Despite what Cashman and the Yankees may think, Domínguez deserves to be playing at Yankee Stadium.
New York is going into October following a season-long battle with the Orioles for the division. That battle is still raging and may leave both teams slightly more fatigued than they would have been if they were able to clinch the division lead earlier. For obvious reasons, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge’s spots in the lineup are untouchable, and while Giancarlo Stanton is a polarizing figure, 25 home runs and a 120 wRC+ are tough numbers to take out of the lineup. Verdugo’s spot is likely the only one up for grabs for Domínguez. Fresh legs may be necessary for the Yankees as they prepare for whatever foe they may face come October.
3. Nick Yorke, 2B – Pittsburgh Pirates
As good as Nick Yorke was with the Red Sox organization, he’s been even better since being traded to the Pirates organization. In 31 games with the Indianapolis Indians, he’s hitting .353 with a 142 wRC+. Among all minor league second basemen (min. 450 PAs), he ranks ninth on the season with a 124 wRC+ between three teams. His ability to get on base is a valuable commodity, especially in fantasy leagues. He may not have as much pop in his bat as other second basemen, but he still can manage 10-15 over a full season. Yorke should be firmly placed as part of the Pirates’ future plans, and he may get a chance to establish himself over the final few weeks.
The situation in the major leagues remains unchanged. Nick Gonzales has been Pittsburgh’s everyday second baseman for the majority of the season, but his performances haven’t been impressive enough to completely lock down the spot going forward. The Pirates have experimented with playing Yorke in the outfield, but his defensive home should remain in the infield going forward. Jared Triolo and Alika Williams are ahead of Yorke on the organizational depth chart, but it likely won’t stay that way. Nick Yorke has a chance to lock down an everyday role in 2025 and may get a run at the major leagues to end 2024.
4. Dalton Rushing, C/OF – Los Angeles Dodgers
The name of the game for Dalton Rushing right now is versatility. He needs to prove that his abilities as both a catcher and an outfielder warrant a place on the roster over the final weeks of the season. The Dodgers have an experienced catching core that will be valuable for the team in October, but an exciting bat on the bench couldn’t hurt. Will Smith and Austin Barnes‘ roster spots are safe, as both have been through playoff runs before and know what it takes to win. However, some bench spots could open up down the stretch, leaving an opening for Rushing to step into.
Since arriving in AAA, Rushing has been sensational. In 25 games, he has a 125 wRC+, five home runs, and an OPS of .929. These are all numbers that secure his place as a serious piece to consider for Los Angeles going forward. Despite his successes in the minor leagues up until this point, he has some established veterans to fight for a roster spot to end the season. The catchers have been discussed, but it’s the same story in the outfield too. Chris Taylor and Kevin Kiermaier are established names in the majors, and they both have value for the Dodgers in October. Rushing’s versatility will have to be his calling card if he gets a chance to play in the major leagues, and he might get his chance over the final weeks of the season.
5. Matt Shaw, INF – Chicago Cubs
Time is running out for the Cubs’ season. Just when it looks like they are hitting their stride, they drop two out of three to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Some fans would be forgiven for thinking their playoff push ended right there, but the Northsiders responded with a combined no-hitter, the first at Wrigley Field since Milt Pappas in 1972. At the time of writing, the Cubs sit 4.5 games back of the final wildcard spot ahead of a crucial weekend series with the New York Yankees. Looking at the Cubs roster, there is room for improvement in the infield bench roles. Luis Vasquez has spent some time in the majors this year, but is yet to show any signs of future productivity. Miles Mastrobuoni has been a serviceable backup for two seasons, but he shouldn’t impede any prospects from making their debut. If the Cubs are going to play October baseball, it’s time to go all in and get their best hitters to Wrigley Field, and there is no doubt that Matt Shaw is one of those hitters.
Shaw missed a few games with a minor back injury and returned to the lineup in his usual fashion on Wednesday. He went 2-4 with two singles for the Iowa Cubs. Before the injury he also showed flashes of his plus glove at shortstop, ranging deep into the third base gap to corral the ball and make a long throw to retire the runner on August 25th. Shaw’s swing is funky, but it’s been getting results at every place he’s ever played. From college to the Cape Cod League (where he won MVP in ’22) to affiliated baseball, he’s been an explosive bat. The Cubs’ #1 prospect has the second-best wRC+ in the system (144), behind fellow ’23 draftee Jonathon Long, who just got the call to AA. Shaw will no doubt play a part for the Cubs in 2025, but Chicago should at least explore the idea of calling Shaw up for their run at the playoff positions.
6. Kristian Campbell, INF/OF – Boston Red Sox
Despite staying in the hunt all season, it doesn’t look like there will be October baseball in Boston. Despite falling short, the Red Sox have put together a roster full of young, promising talent to build around for 2025 and beyond. Jarren Duran looks like a legitimate star in center field. His 6.7 fWAR ranks 6th among all major leaguers, ahead of Shohei Ohtani and Elly De La Cruz. Duran’s supporting cast isn’t bad either. Wilyer Abreu has the third lowest odds to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award, behind Colton Cowser and Austin Wells. With Rafael Devers locked up long-term, the Red Sox could enter the heavyweight battle between the Yankees and Orioles next season, but they will need more help to reach those heights.
Kristian Campbell at the very least should join the supporting cast in 2025, but an argument can be made that he should be on the roster now. The former Georgia Tech standout joined the 20-20 club on Thursday, mashing his 20th homer of the year. Despite starting the year in Single-A, Campbell has looked right at home in AAA and could end his meteoric rise in 2024 with a stint on the MLB roster. There are no red flags with his numbers. The strikeout and walk rates have been impressive at every stop, and the power has maintained itself throughout the season. There’s a minimal gap in his numbers against right-handers (.331/.439/.584) and lefties (.344/.464/.533), demonstrating his ability to hit for contact as well as for power. Campbell should be considered for a late-season call-up and represents a high-upside stash for managers in need of an impact bat.
7. Drake Baldwin, C – Atlanta Braves
With Edgar Quero departing the list due to injury, Drake Baldwin is the lone primary catcher left on the list. September has not been kind to him though, as through four games in the month he has just two hits. Granted, both of those hits were for extra bases, and he also added four walks during that time period as well. Baldwin has established himself as the most MLB-ready bat in the Braves organization that hasn’t debuted yet. His 118 wRC+ ranks third in Atlanta’s organization, behind Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Drew Compton. Baldwin is an impact bat that, due to his eligibility as a catcher, could provide high upside for fantasy managers, especially in two catcher leagues.
There isn’t much to add about Baldwin that hasn’t already been said. The Braves’ #5 prospect could have been called up weeks ago if it wasn’t for the veteran catching depth that Atlanta possesses. Sean Murphy and Travis D’Arnaud aren’t going anywhere, and their experience will be crucial in a playoff race. However, Baldwin’s bat provides consistency that the Braves’ bench has been lacking. Eli White has been impressive in limited plate appearances, but outside of him, there isn’t much to write home about. Baldwin may have to settle for a bench spot in 2024, but he should be a player to keep an eye on going forward.
8. Chase DeLauter, OF – Cleveland Guardians
Chase DeLauter should be considered a high-risk, high-reward stash over the final few weeks of the season. The injury troubles that have plagued the first few years of his career are still evident. DeLauter has been absent since August 30th with a hamstring strain, which is a shame since he was crushing AAA during his short stint there. In his first six games, he was hitting .304 with two home runs and a 185 wRC+. Yes, the sample size is small and there is a ton of injury risk with DeLauter, but the impact bat he possesses cannot be ignored. His lefty swing is a work of art, and he can hit the ball to all fields with power. His ability to turn around high fastballs and deposit them into the seats is ridiculous, and Guardians fans should be very excited for DeLauter to join the big league club.
The Guardians are gearing up for a playoff run in the gauntlet that is the American League. The Orioles and Yankees both look incredibly dangerous, even if their division race is still up for grabs, and you can never rule out Houston come October. Cleveland will need every bat they can get on their major league roster, and DeLauter’s could be a true difference-maker. Is it a risk to add an unproven rookie to a postseason roster? Yes, but when that rookie has “light-tower” power like DeLauter, it’s a risk worth taking. Jhonkensy Noel is the only real power threat in the outfield right now, so adding DeLauter would give opposing pitchers one more bat to worry about after José Ramírez and Josh Naylor. This stash depends heavily on when DeLauter returns to play, which is expected to be in the next few days.
9. Colby Thomas, OF – Oakland Athletics
While the Athletics have been out of the playoff race for some time, there are pieces in place that should make them an interesting team to watch in the coming years. Jacob Wilson is a legitimate everyday shortstop who, despite his weird walk and strikeout rates, will give the A’s solid production. Lawrence Butler is growing into a star in front of our eyes. In 149 games in the major leagues in his career, he has 26 home runs and 13 steals. He’s going to be an All-Star candidate for the next few years and has 20-20 upside for the future. It’s time for the A’s to start thinking about a supporting cast, and Colby Thomas should fit right in with their long-term plans.
The 23-year-old outfielder has struggled since the beginning of August. He’s hitting just .211 with four home runs and has struck out 37 times in 90 plate appearances. His strikeout rate above 30% is something that will have to be improved upon if Thomas is going to be a consistent performer in the majors. Despite the red flags, there is an upside to consider with Thomas. 25 home runs and 14 steals are solid numbers that should translate to success with the big league club. Thomas has upside for fantasy managers to consider if he’s promoted to the Athletics down the stretch this season.
10. Payton Eeles, 2B – Minnesota Twins
It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Payton Eeles. After going undrafted following a five-year college career in which he hit .381 with an OPS of .982, Eeles signed on with the Chicago Dogs for the remainder of the 2023 season. The 24-year-old infielder started 2024 playing for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the Independent Atlantic League, but after just six games he signed with the Minnesota Twins organization. It’s been a meteoric rise since then. Eeles hit .331 in 34 games in Single-A before being promoted, and after just 47 games in affiliated baseball, he arrived in AAA. In 48 games with St. Paul, the former Coastal Carolina standout is hitting .298 with a .862 OPS and has a 131 wRC+. These are elite numbers coming from a player who was playing independent baseball mere months ago. Standing at 5’5″, it’s hard to compare Eeles to any active major leaguers. Jose Altuve is the most obvious comparison, but the former MVP hits for far more power. Eeles is a unicorn, and he may be able to finish his storybook season with a run in the Majors.
The Twins’ infield is arguably one of the most talented in the entire league. Carlos Correa was having a career year (151 wRC+) before being sidelined with plantar fasciitis in mid-July. Royce Lewis has a career wRC+ of 147 over three seasons, which would be considered otherworldy, but he’s played just 130 games in that time span. Brooks Lee is a former top prospect who’s started to figure it out at the major league level, but injuries have had their impact on his career too. Every part of Minnesota’s infield comes with some inherent injury risk. Eeles can plug a hole in any of these spots and provide a solid contact bat either at the top or toward the bottom of the order. The Twins are still battling for a playoff spot, and they will need all the productivity they can get out of their lineup. Adding a bat like Payton Eeles to the fold gives the Twins some versatility should any injuries occur down the stretch.
On The Bubble
Here are the next five hitters considered for inclusion on this week’s list in no particular order.
Stash List