The Pitcher Edition of the Stash List highlights the 10 best-pitching 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 pitching prospects make their debut than ever before and there is no reason we should expect to see anything change in 2024. Keep reading to find out the top ten pitchers 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 and rostership percentages will be updated weekly.
- Stats will be updated weekly for all players through Thursday’s games.
The Stash List
Graduates/Call-Ups
There was a tsunami of pitcher prospect call-ups this week – Nick Nastrini, Jonathan Cannon, Yariel Rodríguez, Jack Leiter, Landon Knack and Darius Vines. Nastrini, a 24-year-old White Sox right-hander, was particularly impressive, striking out five in five innings while allowing three hits and two runs to the Royals. He had been struggling in Triple-A with a 7.71 ERA but with 13 Ks in seven innings. Nastrini could stick in Chicago and would provide strikeouts if nothing else, so he makes a worthy add in deeper leagues. Rodriguez was No. 4 on this list a week ago, and he debuted on Saturday with six strikeouts in 3.2 innings against the Rockies. The biggest question with Rodriguez is whether he will be used as anything more than a five-and-diver in the rotation. There is a pretty high ceiling with his filthy slider if Rodriguez has the shackles taken off. Leiter bombed in his debut on Thursday, giving up eight hits, seven runs and three walks in 3.2 innings to the Rangers. The No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft isn’t guaranteed a follow-up start with Michael Lorenzen making his Texas debut on Sunday and Cody Bradford not expected to miss much time with a sore back. If Leiter gets sent down, he will still be worth stashing in case of another opportunity in Texas. Cannon, Knack and Vines have lower ceilings and are better left as streaming options if they stick around for any more MLB starts.
Top 10 Pitching Prospects to Stash
1. Paul Skenes, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Previous Ranking: 1
2024 MiLB (AAA) stat line: 12.2 IP/0.00 ERA/57.4 K%/8.5 BB%
The Pirates continued to ramp up Paul Skenes on Thursday when they had him toss 65 pitches for Triple-A Indianapolis after 55 and 44 in his two previous starts, respectively. For the second straight start, Skenes struck out eight in 3.1 scoreless innings. The 21-year-old flame-thrower is making a mockery of Triple-A hitters, yet to allow a run in 12.2 innings with a staggering 27 strikeouts. With the Pirates off to a solid start that has them in the thick of the NL Central race, it’s kinda crazy to have Skenes wasting bullets in the minors. I predicted last week in this space that Skenes would make his MLB debut on May 6 against the Angels. But now I think he’ll get one more Triple-A start to get up to 75 pitches, then he could make his debut on April 24 at home against the Brewers. If Jared Jones is the next Spencer Strider, then Skenes can be an even more explosive Gerrit Cole. It’s a good time to be a Pirates fan!
2. Christian Scott, RHP, New York Mets
Previous Ranking: 2
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 14.1 IP/3.77 ERA/46.4 K%/5.4 BB%
If the Mets are waiting for Christian Scott to be fully built up before bringing him to New York, consider him ready after reaching 95 pitches in his last start for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. Scott surrendered two home runs in the first inning, but allowed just those two runs in 5.1 frames with seven strikeouts. The 24-year-old right-hander is up to his old tricks with a 26-3 K-BB in 14.1 IP after posting a combined 107-12 K-BB in 87.2 IP last year over three levels. Scott’s one bugaboo so far has been a propensity to give up the long ball, allowing five homers in his three starts. Considering that last year he was taken deep just five times in 19 starts, this may just be a blip on the radar. With José Buttó earning more time in the Mets rotation while Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill are on the IL, the question is now whose spot would Scott take? If Scott takes the ball on Sunday for Syracuse, he would line up with Adrian Houser’s turn for New York. So I’m predicting that Scott will make his MLB debut on April 27 at home against the Cardinals, jumping into Houser’s spot in the rotation. Scott could be a true difference-maker as a WHIP and strikeouts weapon, so make sure to pick him up in any leagues he’s still available in.
3. Max Meyer, RHP, Miami Marlins
Previous Ranking: N/R
2024 MLB Stat line: 17 IP/2.12 ERA/21.5 K%/4.6 BB%
In one of the more undeserved demotions in recent memory, Max Meyer was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday despite going 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA over his first three starts for Miami. The Marlins needed to make room for Edward Cabrera coming off the IL, but it was generally assumed that either Ryan Weathers or A.J. Puk would get the boot. The Marlins are trying to be extra cautious with Meyer, who missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. This move buys the Marlins a little more time to see whether they want to continue with the experiment of using Puk in the rotation, which has not gone well so far with the 28-year-old lefty posting a 5.91 ERA over his first three starts. Weathers was also on shaky ground, but the 24-year-old righty delivered 10 strikeouts against the Giants on Tuesday to shore up his spot. Meyer should be back in Miami in relatively short order, so by definition, he should be stashed in the meantime.
4. Cade Povich, LHP, Baltimore Orioles
Previous Ranking: 6
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 16.1 IP/1.10 ERA/42.1 K%/8.8 BB%
Cade Povich has been early unhittable for Triple-A Norfolk, allowing just seven hits in 21.2 innings this season. The 24-year-old southpaw has racked up 33 strikeouts against nine walks while recording a 0.83 ERA. That the Orioles chose 34-year-old journeyman Albert Suarez to take the spot of injured Tyler Wells in the rotation on Wednesday was jolting. Baltimore has a penchant for being very conservative with its 40-man roster spots, so Povich will continue to percolate in the minors for now. With John Means struggling badly on his rehab assignment with an 18.41 ERA over four starts for Norfolk, that still leaves Cole Irvin and Suarez as vulnerable to a Povich call-up in the very near future. If Means needs to be shut down again with his ailing forearm, Povich could step in for Irvin as the lone lefty in the Orioles rotation as soon as next weekend for a home series against the A’s. Camden Yards is built for southpaw pitchers with its expansive left field, so Povich could turn into a fantasy gem in quick order.
5. Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs
Previous Ranking: 5
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 8 IP/1.13 ERA/32.1 K%/3.6 BB%
Cade Horton should be headed to Triple-A Iowa soon as he now has a combined 1.29 ERA in eight starts for Double-A Tennessee over the past two seasons. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed just one hit in four scoreless innings with five Ks in his start on Tuesday. The seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Oklahoma, Horton tossed just 47 pitches in his last start so he has some building up to do before possibly reaching Chicago in late May. Improving his command is one of the last bits of polish being applied in the minors, so it’s a good sign that he has cut his walk rate from a combined 7.7% over three levels last year to 3.6% this season. With Jameson Taillon having just returned off the IL and Justin Steele working his way back from a hamstring strain, the Cubs rotation could soon be at full strength. That leaves struggling Kyle Hendricks and fast-starting Javier Assad fending off youngsters Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown at the back of the rotation before Horton starts making a serious push. Horton has the upside to slot in behind Steele as the No. 2 starter in the very near future, so keep stashing where you can.
6. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Previous Ranking: 3
2024 MiLB (AA) stat line: 5.2 IP/3.18 ERA/27.6 K%/24.1 BB%
Jackson Jobe’s unexpected control struggles have continued through two starts with seven walks in 5.2 innings for Double-A Erie. The 21-year-old righty has already handed out more free passes than he did all last season when he posted an amazing 84-6 K-BB in 64 innings over four levels. Cold weather in the Eastern League could be a culprit for the Texas native, so the panic level is still low. The ceiling is too high to stop stashing the 6-foot-2, 190-pound hurler just yet. If he can get back on track in the coming weeks, Jobe could still bully his way into the Tigers rotation by late May or early June.
7. AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Previous Ranking: 7
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 7.2 IP/8.22 ERA/24.3 K%/13.5 BB%
After struggling in each of his first two starts this season, AJ Smith-Shawver bounced back on Wednesday with 4.2 solid innings, allowing two hits and one run with three strikeouts. There is still a gaping hole in the Braves rotation since Spencer Strider went down with season-ending elbow surgery. Darius Vines is manning the fifth spot for now with Bryce Elder and Dylan Dodd each possible options. AJSS is the pitcher to own in fantasy from that group. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder has the plus fastball-slider combination that could help the 21-year-old break into the Atlanta rotation by mid-May.
8. Richard Fitts, RHP, Boston Red Sox
Previous Ranking: N/R
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 15.1 IP/2.35 ERA/20.3 K%/3.1 BB%
The Red Sox rotation has been nothing short of phenomenal to start the season, compiling a combined 1.72 ERA over its first 21 starts. After losing Lucas Giolito for the season in spring training to elbow surgery, the injury bug has bitten again with Nick Pivetta (elbow) and Garrett Whitlock (oblique) hitting the IL. Cooper Criswell lasted just 2.1 innings on Thursday in a spot start. The only healthy pitchers in Triple-A that are already on the 40-man roster are Naoyuki Uwasawa (6.30 ERA for Worcester) and Vladimir Gutierrez (acquired from Milwaukee for cash on Thursday). With none of those choices very appealing at all, it may be time for Boston to call up Richard Fitts, acquired in the Alex Verdugo deal from the Yankees in December. Fitts has a 2.35 ERA with a 13-2 K-BB in 13.1 innings for Worcester, so he should get a shot in the rotation if the Red Sox can spare a 40-man spot. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound righty gets plus grades for his mid-90s four-seam fastball, a mid-80s sweeper and command. A sixth-rounder out of Auburn in 2021, Fitts racked up 153 innings in Double-A last year so there should be no workload concerns. Fitts is still working on developing a reliable third pitch from his subpar changeup and cutter. Considering how well Boston starting pitchers are doing this season, fantasy owners should nab Fitts now before it becomes apparent he’s getting the call.
9. Jack Leiter, RHP, Texas Rangers
Previous Ranking: 8
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 14.1 IP/3.77 ERA/43.9 K%/5.3 BB%
2024 MLB Stat line: 3.2 IP/17.18 ERA/13.6 K%/13.6 BB%
Jack Leiter bombed in his MLB debut on Thursday, getting lit up for seven runs in 3.2 innings at Detroit. Since he was optioned back to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, he qualifies as a stash again. Nerves may have got the best of Leiter, who walked three and left too many fat pitches over the plate. The second overall pick in the 2021 draft, Leiter’s fastball average 96 mph, but he needs to locate it up in the zone more. With Michael Lorenzen making his Texas debut on Sunday and Max Scherzer now targeting an early May return from back surgery, the window of opportunity may be closing for Leiter. But Lorenzen could struggle and Andrew Heaney is not locked in the rotation, so there could still be a chance for Leiter to get a start before the end of April. Cody Bradford will return to the rotation when he’s recovered from a strained lower back, but he may have been pitching over his head before landing on the IL. Enjoy the discount on Leiter now that he flopped in his initial turn for Texas.
10. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
Previous Ranking: 10
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 10.1 IP/5.23 ERA/31.3 K%/22.9 BB%
Jacob Misiorowski continued to struggle with his control in his third start for Double-A Biloxi on Wednesday, walking five in three innings. Despite handing out 11 free passes in 10.1 IP, Misiorowski has “just” a 5.23 ERA. That goes to show how electric his stuff is, as does the 15 strikeouts. The Brewers rotation is a collection of No. 5 starters behind ace Freddy Peralta, so it would just take a hot stretch from Misiorowski for him to get a shot in Milwaukee.
On The Bubble
Here are the next five pitchers that were in consideration for inclusion on this week’s list: Carson Whisenhunt, SF; Mick Abel, PHI; Simeon Woods Richardson, MIN; David Festa, MIN; Randy Vasquez, SD
Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
Design by Jackson Wallace
I’d love to stash Christian Scott based on this article, but I can’t even find him on the Yahoo app, is it just me or what? Do I need to try on a PC, says he’s 5% owned?!
he’s available in yahoo 5% owned up 2% in the last day.
i don’t really know what super 2 is. i know the latest date so far has been june 10th. maybe someone can explain. but if it saves the Pirates money i don’t see Skenes up before then. and he may be a god. but how many times have fans wanted a player up early only to see it not work out or not ready. Kelenic, Jordan Walker, Eloy (sort of) it happens a lot. small market team? if that’s how they need to roll so be it. Skenes isn’t even used to playing a professional baseball schedule yet. has some work to do on his changeup. and there’s only been like 4-5 pitchers that almost skipped the minors. if he was called up this early it would be almost unprecedented.
i could be totally wrong but i think ppl are being over exuberant fans instead of sports journalists analyst starting the we want him up now train. and then everyone will pick him up and be left holding the bag for 2 months until he finally is. sure the pirates are winning now, until they aren’t. or maybe we’re creating drama to keep writing about how Skenes is being screwed by PIT or together we think we can put pressure on to get him up early to get him on our teams or watch him pitch. and that train is coming early and hard.
how about an article on the super 2 date and how it saves PIT money and why Skenes won’t be up until june 10th. or an article about the few pitchers that almost skipped the minors and how they performed. or great pitchers and how much time, even them, spent in the minors.
Skenes should be a great player, especially in that big ballpark, even on a mediocre team. but the Pirates are going to pirate, and it’s their team, they have every right to manage it the way they want to, or mismanage it. the only way he’s up before june 10th is if he signs a team friendly long term contract, like ATL. only that’s what perennial winning teams do, not really what struggling teams do.
Good article by the way, didn’t even know about Christian Scott, looks good. even if he does have a HR problem or not the stadium will help. my Skenes rant wasn’t about this article, your more saying pick them up now if you can stash before it’s too late. but oooh that train is coming. wait until they really need a SP and still don’t call him up yet. time to get some popcorn.