The Stash List Week 6: Top 10 Pitching Prospects to Stash in 2024

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 were two notable pitcher prospect call-ups this past week as well as one that I missed from the previous week who looks to have some staying power. In one of the more unusual MLB debuts, Anthony Maldonado came up to plug a hole in the injury-decimated Marlins rotation by making his first professional start last Friday. The 6-foot-4 right-hander was supposed to just be an opener, but he pitched so well that he lasted three scoreless innings against the Nationals.

Seen as the organization’s “Closer of the Future,” Maldonado had compiled a 1.87 ERA with 11 saves between last season and this April for Triple-A Jacksonville. After debuting as an opener, Maldonado has turned in three scoreless one-inning outings out of the bullpen, including one save. With closer Tanner Scott struggling to find his control, Maldonado and his 70-grade slider are a serious threat to take the job in Miami and run with it.

That injury-riddled Miami rotation provided another opportunity for a rookie, with Roddery Muñoz stepping in to make his second spot start of the season, a six-inning gem (1 ER, 7 Ks) against Rocky Road. Munoz struggled badly with his control last year, combining for a 15.1% walk rate in the minors for Atlanta and Washington, and again this season in Triple-A for Miami with an 18.2% walk rate. That wildness led to the 6-foot-3 right-hander getting waived twice last year and eventually coming to the Marlins for cash. Yet here he finds himself in the Miami rotation with a 7.3% walk rate in the majors to go with a 34.1% strikeout rate.

Munoz is worth a speculative add in case he’s unlocked something with his command, but it’s certainly a long shot to continue. Lastly, I overlooked Slade Cecconi’s season debut on April 21 (6 IP, 2 ER, 3 Ks at San Francisco) and he had an even more successful follow-up at Seattle (6 IP, 1 ER, 8 Ks). Cecconi has a balanced arsenal of four above-average pitches (four-seam fastball, slider, changeup and curveball) to go with plus command, so he could stick at least until two of Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and Ryne Nelson return off the IL.

 

Top 10 Pitching Prospects to Stash

 

1. Paul Skenes, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

 

Previous Ranking: 1

2024 MiLB (AAA) stat line: 23 IP | 0.39 ERA | 46.6 K% | 6.8 BB%

The glacial ramp-up of Paul Skenes progressed to a season-high six innings on Tuesday, but he only built his pitch count to 75 pitches from 71 in his previous start. The No. 1 pick in last year’s draft posted seven strikeouts while lowering his ERA to a microscopic 0.39 with the scoreless outing. Even though he sure looks ready for a promotion that could line up with my prediction of his MLB debut coming on Monday, it looks like the Pirates want him to show that he can go on four days’ rest in his next start on Sunday for Triple-A Indianapolis. This would seem to set him up to make his MLB debut on May 11 in Pittsburgh against the Cubs, taking Bailey Falter’s turn. It’s to be seen if the Pirates might just try a six-man rotation for a while, but having Skenes start on four days rest seems more like Falter or Quinn Priester will be moving to the bullpen. This all means that we have another week to hype up the most-anticipated pitching debut since Stephen Strasburg on June 8, 2010.

 

2. Christian Scott, RHP, New York Mets

 

Previous Ranking: 2

2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 25.1 IP | 3.20 ERA | 38.3 K% | 6.4 BB%

Christian Scott is getting called up for his MLB debut on Saturday on the road against the Rays, but manager Carlos Mendoza says that he’s going with a six-man rotation and won’t even commit to a second start for the 24-year-old. It boils down to a competition between Scott and Adrian Houser (struggling with an 8.16 ERA) to emerge as the fifth starter going forward. If Scott pitches well enough against the Rays to earn a second start, it would likely come at home against the Braves next weekend. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder has compiled a glittering 36-6 K-BB in 25.1 innings for Triple-A Syracuse after last year’s 107-12 K-BB in a combined 87.2 innings over three levels. Scott has surrendered seven homers in five starts after being taken deep just five times in 19 starts last year, giving some reason for concern. With a 0.67 WHIP this season to go with 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings for Syracuse, Scott should be able to limit damage even if he continues to have a problem keeping the ball in the yard. We’re looking forward to seeing how Scott’s plus fastball/slider combo will play in the majors, so make sure to pick him up if he’s still out there in any leagues.

 

3. Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs

 

Previous Ranking: 7

2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 16.1 IP | 1.10 ERA | 29.0 K% | 3.2 BB%

Cade Horton won a pitcher’s duel against the Angels’ Caden Dana and Rocket City, 1-0, last Saturday in his final start for Double-A Tennessee. The 22-year-old right-hander bumped up his pitch count to 72 from his previous outing’s 58 offerings, tossing five scoreless innings with six strikeouts and no walks. The 6-foot-1, 211-pounder dominated Double-A with a 1.10 ERA to go with an 18-2 K-BB in 16.1 innings. After making his Triple-A debut for Iowa this weekend, we can start playing the when-will-he-debut game. It’s worth noting that the last Cubs pitching phenom of Horton’s ilk, Kerry Wood, made his MLB debut on May 22, 2002, after six starts at Double-A and three at Triple-A. With the Cubs serious about contending in the very winnable NL Central, we could see Horton in Chicago by the end of May. With Justin Steele returning soon from a hamstring strain, the Cubs rotation could have a lot of options for the fifth spot from among Ben Brown, Hayden Wesneski and a slew of pitchers working their way from injuries – Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly and Jordan Wicks. Life finds a way, so we expect that once Horton is fully built up and clicking at Iowa, the seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft will be up in the Chicago rotation.

 

4. Jack Leiter, RHP, Texas Rangers

 

Previous Ranking: 9

2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 25.1 IP | 2.84 ERA | 37.0 K% | 8.0 BB%

2024 MLB Stat line: 3.2 IP | 17.18 ERA | 13.6 K% | 13.6 BB%

Jack Leiter could be getting another opportunity in Texas with Nathan Eovaldi hitting the IL with a strained hamstring. Leiter has picked up where he left off for Triple-A Round Rock after laying an egg in his MLB debut on April 18, allowing four hits and two runs over 11 innings in his next two starts. The 24-year-old right-hander had his blemishes though, walking two and allowing two homers on Thursday in the thin air of Albuquerque. With Max Scherzer hitting a road bump on his rehab assignment with thumb soreness, Leiter could even get some runway, first with a start at Oakland and followed by a possible two-start week at home against the Guardians and Angels. Leiter’s issues with walks could lead to some cherry-bomb tendencies like the seven runs he gave up at Detroit, but his 37 strikeouts in 25.1 innings for Round Rock give a glimpse of what the upside could be if he sticks in the Texas rotation.

 

5. Robert Gasser, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers

 

Previous Ranking: 3

2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 8 IP | 5.63 ERA | 30.3 K% | 9.1 BB%

Robert Gasser struggled in his second start for Triple-A Nashville after being shut down late in spring training with a bone spur in his left elbow, but at least he built up to 68 pitches from 49 in his previous outing. The 24-year-old southpaw ran into the buzzsaw that is the Norfolk Tides on Tuesday, giving up three homers including blasts to top Orioles prospects Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers. The 6-foot, 192-pounder is up to 169.2 innings pitched for Nashville since reaching Triple-A late in the 2022 season, so he should be ready for his MLB debut by the end of May. Coming over from the Padres as the centerpiece of the Josh Hader deal at the 2022 trade deadline, Gasser would be a welcome addition to a Brewers rotation that leaves something to be desired. I predicted in this space last week that Gasser would make his Brewers debut on Star Wars Night on May 11 against the Cardinals. That could still be in play if Gasser has a bang-up start on Sunday against Norfolk, but the Brewers could take it easy on him by giving him six days of rest before making his next appearance at Durham on Tuesday. I’ll guess that he gets two more starts for Nashville making his MLB debut on the road against the Marlins on May 22, setting him up for a home debut against the Cubs. The strikeout upside for a lefty on the verge of his MLB debut is enough to be stashing Gasser anywhere you can find him.

 

6. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

 

Previous Ranking: N/R

2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 18.1 IP | 3.44 ERA | 36.8 K% | 17.1 BB%

The 6-foot-7 flamethrower tested our patience with 11 walks in his first 10.1 innings for Double-A Biloxi this season, but Jacob Misiorowski has made an about-face since then. The 22-year-old posted a 13-2 K-BB over eight innings in his last two starts, allowing just one hit and one run. With the likes of Colin Rea, Joe Ross, Bryse Wilson, and the aforementioned Tobias Myers taking up the four spots behind ace Freddy Peralta in the Brewers rotation, there’s plenty of room for Misiorowski to make a splash. Armed with an 80-grade upper-90s fastball that he can run up to 102 mph and a 70-grade high-RPM power slider, there’s no questioning the stuff is ready to get MLB hitters out right now. The only question is whether he can limit the walks enough to stick as a starter or if he’ll wind up in the bullpen. Considering that his control is trending in the right direction, we could see him progress to Triple-A soon as he builds on the 47 pitches he threw in his last start. If all goes right, Misiorowski could be pushing for a call-up to Milwaukee by the end of May or more likely early-June.

 

7. Cade Povich, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

 

Previous Ranking: 5

2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 26.1 IP | 1.03 ERA | 41.7 K% | 10.4 BB%

Cade Povich is cruising along with a 1.11 ERA and 0.90 WHIP for Triple-A Norfolk, but he is coming off his second four-walk outing in his past three starts. That’s really the main thing holding back the 24-year-old southpaw at this point. The Orioles welcomed back both John Means and Kyle Bradish off the IL this past week but lost Grayson Rodriguez to shoulder inflammation in what is supposed to be a short absence. Cole Irvin will probably be the one to go from the rotation when Rodriguez returns, although the O’s could go with a six-man rotation for a while. If that happens, then Povich would likely be first in line to jump in the rotation when more injuries inevitably crop up. Baltimore is perfect for lefty fly-ball pitchers with Camden Yards’ spacious left field and being a first-place team, so we’re still stashing Povich for his high ceiling as well as proximity.

 

8. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Detroit Tigers

 

Previous Ranking: 4

2024 MiLB (AA) stat line: 13.2 IP | 2.63 ERA | 32.8 K% | 15.5 BB%

Jackson Jobe was just starting to hit on all cylinders when he came up limping on his second pitch of the fourth inning on Wednesday, landing him on the IL with a left hamstring strain. The 21-year-old right-hander was making his second straight hitless start covering a combined seven innings for Double-A Erie. When he comes back, hopefully by the end of May, he could ramp up in earnest and be ready to get the call to Detroit by the end of June. After starting the season with an uncharacteristic seven walks in his first 5.2 innings, Jobe posted a 16-3 K-BB over his next 11 innings. It was looking like he was ready for a promotion to Triple-A Toledo, so it shouldn’t take long for him to graduate from Erie once he returns. With a possible ETA of late June or early July, it may only be a delay of a few weeks over what we were expecting before the injury, so keep stashing if you can.

 

9. AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP, Atlanta Braves

 

Previous Ranking: 8

2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 17.2 IP | 5.09 ERA | 26.9 K% | 11.5 BB%

AJ Smith-Shawver had an 18.00 ERA and four walks in three innings after his first two starts for Triple-A Gwinnett, but the 21-year-old right-hander is straightening things out. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder tossed five scoreless innings on Wednesday, giving him a 2.46 ERA and a 15-5 K-BB in 14.2 innings since then. AJSS was up to 84 pitches in his last start after 80 in his previous outing, but he’s gone on six days rest in each of his last three starts. With Bryce Elder holding down the fifth spot in the rotation, there isn’t a lot of urgency to get AJSS up to Atlanta. With graybeards Chris Sale and Charlie Morton in the rotation as well as converted reliever Reynaldo López, it’s likely that AJSS will be needed sooner or later in Atlanta. If AJSS gets onto a more traditional schedule and holds the improved results, he could be up by the end of May if an opportunity arises.

 

10. Max Meyer, RHP, Miami Marlins

 

Previous Ranking: 6

2024 MLB Stat line: 17 IP | 2.12 ERA | 21.5 K% | 4.6 BB%

2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 10 IP | 9.90 ERA | 25.0 K% | 6.8 BB%

Max Meyer had a 2.12 ERA in three starts for the Marlins, but the 25-year-old has struggled to a 9.90 ERA in three outings since being sent down to Triple-A Jacksonville. It’s reminiscent of last year when the Rays sent down Taj Bradley after three starts with a 3.52 ERA, then the young righty was obliterated for an 11.25 ERA over three outings in Triple-A. Bradley was called back up after that three-start stint, which is a good sign for Meyer. The Marlins are making do with Sixto Sánchez and Roddery Muñoz in the back of the rotation, but Braxton Garrett is returning from the IL this week. That leaves one spot that Meyer could take while Jesús Luzardo is sidelined with elbow tightness. Patience may be wearing thin for those still stashing Meyer, so hopefully, he can get back on track in his next start and Miami can bring him back to the rotation by next week. If Luzardo makes it back to Miami before Meyer, it may be time to let go and just continue to monitor the situation.

 

On The Bubble

 

Here are the next five pitchers that were in consideration for inclusion on this week’s list: Mason Black, SF; Sem Robberse, SL; Richard Fitts, Bos; Mick Abel, PHI; David Festa, MIN