The Stash List Week 7: Top 10 Hitter Prospects to Stash in 2023

The Hitter Edition of The Stash List is back and updated for week two.

This stash list highlights the ten 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 owning 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 ownership percentages will be updated weekly.
• Stats will be updated weekly for all players through Friday’s games

The Stash List

Graduates/Call-Ups

For the second week in a row, a member of the StashList was promoted to the Major Leagues. This time, the Giants called up infield prospect Casey Schmitt. All he did in his first big-league game was go yard off Patrick Corbin. Schmitt’s first home run perfectly exemplifies what made him such a great stash. He has tremendous pull-side power that was on full display during a breakout 2022 season. Things in the power department did not get off to the best start for Schmitt in Triple-A, but he is looking to put that behind him in San Francisco and is already up to two home runs. His glove will keep him in the lineup on a regular basis and he should gain universal shortstop eligibility soon. Pick up Schmitt now if he is still sitting on your waiver wire.

Casey Schmitt's first MLB hit is a homer! pic.twitter.com/S302I63w4v

— MLB (@MLB) May 10, 2023

Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash

1. Jordan Westburg, 3B/SS/2B Baltimore Orioles

I thought Jordan Westburg was hot last week…. His performance at the plate has gotten even better as he is now up to nine home runs on the season. There really is nothing left for Westburg to prove at the Minor League level as he has been amongst the best hitters at every level he has touched.

Westburg is a great stash since he has a chance to be a five-category contributor. Anybody concerned that his 27 home runs last year were a fluke can no longer worry. He has power, speed, and a plus-hit tool that should translate well to Major League success. Ramon Urias is on the IL, Gunnar Henderson is still struggling, and Adam Frazier is not a difference-maker. Westburg has plenty of paths to the Major Leagues and should be up any day now.

2. Jordan Walker, OF St. Louis Cardinals

AAA Stats:

Players seem to take demotions one of two ways. The first is that they respond to the demotion by trying to prove to the team they belong in the Major Leagues. The second is that it affects their mental and results in struggles even against weaker competition. The early Triple-A results seem to point to the second for Jordan Walker. He has struggled since being sent to Triple-A although part of that can be attributed to a low BABIP. The biggest concern remains a high ground ball rate which is not showing much improvement in Triple-A. St. Louis will likely want to see Walker elevate the ball more before bringing him back up.

Although he moves from first to second on this list, Walker remains an excellent stash option. He has the power and speed to be a difference-maker at the Major League level and has already gotten his first taste of big-league action. If somebody has decided to move on from Walker, you should be picking him up. He will be back in St. Louis this year and has as much raw talent as any prospect on this list.

3. Endy Rodriguez, C Pittsburgh Pirates

Endy Rodriguez continues to look rather pedestrian at the plate in Triple-A. He has three homers, and two steals, and is hitting under .300. The impressive part has been a walk rate that rivals his strikeout rate. He has excellent bat-to-ball skills and plenty of raw power.

Rodriguez’s consistently high ranking has as much to do with his upside as it does to do with Pittsburgh’s lack of a true Major League catcher. Austin Hedges continues to be one of if not the worst offensive player in baseball and the Pirates will only be able to stick by him for so long. Although Rodriguez’s start has been underwhelming, he should be up soon and hit .323 with 25 home runs last year. Catcher is always a revolving door and Rodriguez needs to be stashed now if you need help at the position.

4. Elly De La Cruz, SS/3B Cincinnati Reds

If you have not been hearing the buzz about Elly De La Cruz over the past week, then you must be living under a rock. Just in case you admire Patrick from Spongebob, I will fill you in. De La Cruz managed to post three batted balls over 116 mph which would rank as the hardest hits at the Major League level. Even more impressive, he did that in the same game. After a hot week, EDLC is now up to six home runs on the year and continues to show off the best raw toolset in Minor League Baseball.

You stash for upside and that is exactly why De La Cruz is moving back up this list. He is unlikely to be the first of the Reds’ prospects to be promoted (more on that to come), but he has the highest chance of becoming an instant fantasy star. He is playing more third base which is currently being occupied by Nick Senzel, but Senzel can shift to the outfield and none of Senzel, Jake Fraley, or Wil Myers are going to prevent De La Cruz from entering the lineup. Stash EDLC now before he continues to generate more hype.

5. Kyle Manzardo, 1B Tampa Bay Rays

Kyle Manzardo is Major League ready. I know it, the Rays know it, and I feel like everybody knows it at this point. He continues to demonstrate a mature approach at the plate with an excellent feel for hitting and big-time raw power. His pull percentage remains north of 50%, which should help his raw power turn into even more game power. This is exactly the kind of development fantasy managers want to see.

The only issue is that the Rays have no room for him right now. First base is occupied by Yandy Diaz who looks like one of the most improved players in baseball. Harold Ramirez is doing a solid job of holding down the DH job and even bench players like Taylor Walls are contributing. Everything is clicking for Tampa which makes Manzardo more reliant on an injury than some of the other prospects on this list. He remains a great stash based on upside, but his promotion timeline remains uncertain.

6. Justyn-Henry Malloy, 3B/OF Detroit Tigers

After his torrid start, Justyn-Henry Malloy has cooled off a significant amount. Since April 26^th, Malloy is batting just .226 while striking out nearly 40% of the time. I am unsure if pitchers are starting to attack him differently or if this is just a slump, but it is concerning nonetheless. He has started to turn it around with multi-hit games on both Wednesday and Thursday of this past week. Hopefully, Malloy is counter adjusting and will continue to have success.

Malloy’s season slash line is what continues to make him such a valuable stash. He is hitting for power, the batting average remains above .300, and he is providing plenty of walks. His stash priority has taken a hit this week, but the Tigers still do not have many better options clogging the depth chart. JHM should be up with Detroit before the All-Star Break and remains a solid stash option.

7. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B Cincinnati Reds

Christian Encarnacion-Strand remains a strong stash option as he continues to hit at Triple-A. The second Reds player on this list likely would have made his debut already if not for an injury to start the season. He has hit for both average and power throughout the Minor Leagues and the Reds will not waste much more time leaving him in Triple-A. The biggest concern remains poor plate discipline which could get him in trouble at the Major League level. His value is lower in OBP leagues due to low walk rates.

There is really no competition holding CES down. Henry Ramos is getting a consistent run at DH despite currently posting a 79 wRC+. Joey Votto’s return is not imminent and CES is the best option for Cincinnati. Stash him now before his impending promotion to one of the best-hitting parks in baseball.

8. Ronny Mauricio, SS/2B New York Mets

9. Royce Lewis, SS Minnesota Twins

Our first new addition to the StashList is Royce Lewis. If you are wondering if Lewis still technically counts as a prospect, the answer is yes. Despite making his debut in 2022, Lewis only appeared in 12 games for the Twins making him still rookie eligible in 2023. After being sent back to Triple-A last season, Lewis suffered a torn ACL resulting in him missing the early parts of this season. The good news is that he officially started a rehab assignment on Thursday and the reports from the Twins have all been positive. Lewis is on the mend and should be back with the team sometime in early June.

During his brief Major League stint, Lewis smashed two home runs while hitting .300. He has plus speed with enough power to be a big help to your fantasy team. Not only has Lewis flashed his potential already at the Major League level, but there is room for him in the Twins’ lineup. Jose Miranda was recently sent down to Triple-A and the team is currently using Kyle Farmer as their starting third baseman. Lewis should slot right into the lineup once he is ready to return and has the versatility to play all over the diamond. The closer Lewis gets to returning, the more popular he will become. Stash him now and beat the rush.

10. Matt McLain, SS Cincinatti Reds

Matt McLain has given me no choice but to add him to this list. After a down 2022 season, McLain’s value had reached an all-time low. His hit tool had seemingly disappeared from his profile and his long-term value was a serious question mark. The Reds aggressively sent McLain straight to Triple-A this year and he has not disappointed. He is up to 12 home runs on the year including this one off top-prospect Gavin Williams.

After going yard today, @Reds No. 5 prospect Matt McLain …

Now has 4 homers in past 6 games
Is third in @MiLB with 11 homers

Watch him lead the @LouisvilleBats LIVE: https://t.co/6or1LHB03G pic.twitter.com/aiRgjWWNkS

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 10, 2023

McLain’s strikeout rate has come down and his average has rebounded. There are some concerns moving forward about his ability to maintain such a high BABIP due to his fly-ball tendencies. Playing his future home games in Great American Ballpark should help alleviate some of those issues. With teammate and previously mentioned stash candidate Elly De La Cruz moving to third base early on, it is clear the Reds want to give McLain the first chance to play shortstop. Jose Barrero is still getting the chance to play there every day despite his sub-60 wRC+. The longer McLain continues to dominate at Triple-A, the more likely his promotion becomes. Stash him now before it is too late.

On The Bubble

In no particular order, the top five hitters that were in consideration for inclusion to this list were: Edouard Julien (#10 Week 4), Colton Cowser, Curtis Mead (#9 Week 1), Addison Barger (#9 Week 6), and Michael Busch(Recently demoted).