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
The Stash List took its biggest haircut yet, losing Paul Skenes from his season-long perch at the top when he made his much-ballyhooed MLB debut last Saturday against the Cubs. The start had its highlights, like two three-pitch strikeouts of a totally overmatched Seiya Suzuki, but the final line was disappointing with six hits and three runs allowed in four-plus innings. Skenes showed signs of what we’ve all been so excited about with seven strikeouts and reaching triple-digits 17 times, but lacking command on that fastball. Then we saw what he really can do with his fastball hitting the spots, striking out the first seven Cubs on his way to 11 Ks in six no-hit innings on Friday. After his “splinker” stole the shot in his debut, it was his fastball on point on Friday, generating 12 whiffs while averaging 99.3 mph. Skenes got his pitch count up to 100, so he could be a full go from here on out. The coming of the next great fantasy ace may have arrived in Pittsburgh, whether it be Skenes or fellow rookie sensation Jared Jones.
Jack Leiter got his third start for the Rangers on Tuesday and it went about as well as the previous two – poorly. Leiter lasted just 1.2 innings, allowing six runs, three walks and a homer to the Guardians. The 24-year-old right-hander was sent back to Triple-A with a disastrous 16.39 ERA and 2.57 WHIP. Leiter could still get another shot with Texas in the near future, but our confidence is shaken (as surely is his).
Top 10 Pitching Prospects to Stash
1. Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs
Previous Ranking: 2
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 16.1 IP | 1.10 ERA | 29.0 K% | 3.2 BB%
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 12 IP | 8.25 ERA | 25.0% | 16.1 BB%
I watched the MiLB game of the day on Thursday featuring Cade Horton’s third start for Triple-A Iowa and came away encouraged if not too impressed. Coming in with a 10.29 ERA and eight walks in seven innings over his first two starts for Iowa, Horton started out with four scoreless innings before running into problems in the fifth when a series of bloops and bleeders led to a three-run inning.
His fastball was as advertised velocity-wise, sitting mostly 94-96 and averaging 94.4 mph, but he only got one whiff on 32 pitches. It was his slider (eight whiffs on 27 pitches) and changeup (five on 14) that looked sharp. At this point, it’s all about progress and Horton showed that by handing out only one free pass to go with three strikeouts.
The Cubs rotation is almost back to full strength with Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Kyle Hendricks back from IL stints. Hendricks may not be long for the majors after his latest debacle, getting smoked for 11 hits and eight runs (seven earned) on Friday against the Pirates to raise his ERA to 10.57.
The next time that the Cubs are inspired to take Hendricks out of the rotation, it could be time for Horton if he can start dominating in Triple-A like he was in Double-A. Of course, there are plenty of other options for the rotation from Hayden Wesneski to Ben Brown to soon-to-be-rehabbing Jordan Wicks. With the Cubs hot on the Brewers’ tail in the NL Central, Horton could provide a jolt sometime in June.
2. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
Previous Ranking: 3
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 27.1 IP | 2.63 ERA | 36.3 K% | 17.7 BB%
After limiting opponents to just one walk in each of his final two starts of April, Jacob Misiorowski has returned to his wild ways with seven walks over his first two outings of May. The 6-foot-7 flamethrower continues to be nearly unhittable, allowing one hit in four innings last Saturday.
Misiorowski has given up just five hits over his past five starts combined, averaging four innings per outing in that time. Opponents are batting a measly .111 against Misiorowski, who has compiled a 2.63 ERA and 1.10 WHIP despite posting a 6.6 BB/9 for Double-A Biloxi.
With former stash lister Robert Gasser having made it to Milwaukee to inject some strikeout stuff into a pedestrian rotation behind ace Freddy Peralta, it’s time for Misiorowski to make his push to join him. Considering how much Misiorowski has improved on his performance last year for Biloxi (5.57 ERA in five starts), he should be on his way to Triple-A soon and possibly to Milwaukee by mid-June.
3. David Festa, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Previous Ranking: N/R
2024 MiLB (AAA) stat line: 34 IP | 3.18 ERA | 36.8 K% | 13.3 BB%
David Festa made it through four innings before the rain hit and suspended Triple-A St. Paul’s game against Omaha. The 6-foot-6 right-hander allowed two runs in four innings coming off his best start of the season, a ten-strikeout gem of six shutout innings against Toledo last Saturday.
Festa had been brought along slowly, averaging under four innings per start before that start. He has been picking up steam with a whopping 42-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last 25.2 innings pitched.
Festa features an explosive mid-90s fastball that averaged 95.5 mph and topped out at 96.9 on Friday. He has two offerings that get whiffs, a plus 84-87 mph slider and an improving changeup at 86-90. The Twins rotation is full at the moment with Chris Paddack having recovered from early-season struggles and Simeon Woods Richardson finding success over his five starts. Festa could jump in if Paddack or SWR tail off or if there are any injuries to the front three.
4. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Detroit Tigers
Previous Ranking: 5
2024 MiLB (AA) stat line: 16.2 IP | 2.16 ERA | 35.3 K% | 14.7 BB%
Jackson Jobe is on the IL with a left hamstring strain suffered during a start for Double-A Erie on May 1. The 21-year-old right-hander didn’t allow a hit over his last two starts and has retired 32 of last 34 batters he’s faced going back to his April 13 outing against Akron. Jobe could be back on the mound by the end of May, then he should soon after get a promotion to Triple-A Toledo before pushing for a spot in the Tigers rotation by the end of June.
5. Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, San Francisco Giants
Previous Ranking: 9
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 30.2 IP | 6.16 ERA | 33.1 K% | 14.1 BB%
The effective version of Carson Whisenhunt again showed up in his last start on Wednesday as the 23-year-old lefty allowed just one walk and one run in five innings against Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 6-foot-3, 209 pounder kept with his Jekyll and Hyde ways with his performance depending on his control on any given day.
Whisenhunt has an 18.00 ERA with 12 walks in 10 innings in his four bad starts. In his five good outings, Whisenhunt has a 0.44 ERA with a 29-8 K-BB in 20.2 innings. With Blake Snell returning to the Giants this coming week, there remains one possible hole in the rotation – Keaton Winn, who has an 18.37 ERA over his last three starts. Winn is also reportedly dealing with mild forearm tightness that could be enough to give Whisenhunt a chance to make his MLB debut. Mason Black was just optioned to Sacramento on Monday, so he could be brought back if Winn lands on the IL.
Black lasted just 4.1 innings in each of his two starts for San Francisco, but would likely be the Giants’ choice since he’s already on the 40-man roster. Whisenhunt went five innings and 74 pitches in his last outing, so the Giants could give the southpaw an opportunity if they want to make room on the 40-man. More likely, Whisenhunt needs to suppress his bad version for a few more starts with Sacramento before getting the call in early-June.
6. Cade Povich, LHP, Baltimore Orioles
Previous Ranking: 7
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 4.12 IP | 2.16 ERA | 33.9 K% | 10.1 BB%
Cade Povich has slowed down after a fast start at Triple-A, giving up three runs in each of his last two starts, including a combined 14 hits in 9.1 innings. The 24-year-old left-hander still has a 2.16 ERA on the season to go with a 57-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 41.2 innings for Norfolk.
With Grayson Rodriguez expected to return off the IL this week, the Orioles rotation will be at full strength. Cole Irvin is moving to long relief despite a 2.90 ERA, so it will continue to be tough for Povich to crack the rotation in Baltimore. There remains plenty of injury concerns in the Orioles rotation, so Povich could still find himself in Baltimore before summer.
7. Chayce McDermott, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Previous Ranking: 8
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 38 IP | 3.55 ERA | 33.3 K% | 15.2 BB%
Chayce McDermott is in the same boat as Povich, biding his time in Triple-A until an opportunity presents itself in Baltimore. The 25-year-old right-hander has been the more dominant pitcher in May, striking out 27 in 16.2 innings with a 3.24 ERA over three starts for Norfolk.
Acquired from the Astros in the three-team Trey Mancini trade in 2022, McDermott is being tasked with ironing out his control issues in Triple-A before getting a shot in Baltimore. In 88.2 innings in Triple-A since arriving in Norfolk last July, McDermott has a 2.94 ERA with 121 strikeouts. That kind of upside makes McDermott worth stashing in case he gets to start for the winning Orioles by the end of June.
8. 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: 16.2 IP | 7.56 ERA | 26.8 K% | 9.8 BB%
Max Meyer finally made an effective start on Friday in Triple-A after struggling badly since being sent down on April 14 despite posting a 2.12 ERA in three starts for Miami to open the season. Meyer struck out five with no walks over four innings against Nashville, allowing one run on a solo homer by just-demoted Oliver Dunn.
The Marlins rotation recently got Jesús Luzardo and Braxton Garrett off the IL, but there’s still a spot in the rotation that’s up for grabs. Sixto Sánchez has made four lackluster starts after moving over from the bullpen amid an avalanche of injuries to the pitching staff. Meyer may still need a start or two to build up to five or six innings, but he should be stashed in case a return to the rotation is finally on deck.
9. AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Previous Ranking: 4
2024 MiLB (AAA) Stat line: 25.2 IP | 5.96 ERA | 23.3 K% | 12.9 BB%
AJ Smith-Shawver is back to sputtering in Triple-A after an encouraging three-start stint that culminated with five scoreless innings on May 1. Over his last two starts, AJSS has a 7.88 ERA with a 6-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in eight innings.
With Bryce Elder having pitched well in three of his four starts at the back of the Atlanta rotation, the Braves can afford to keep AJSS down in Triple-A honing his craft. With his fastball reaching 99 mph this season after averaging 94.6 last season, it may just be a case of AJSS learning how to harness his pumped-up stuff. AJSS just needs to string together a few dominant starts and he could be up in Atlanta by summer.
10. Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Previous Ranking: N/R
2024 MiLB (AA) Stat line: 38 IP | 3.32 ERA | 19.8 K% | 8.4 BB%
The Braves’ first-round selection in last year’s draft, Hurston Waldrep is on a roll for Double-A Mississippi after a slow start to the season. Waldrep is coming off his best start of the season, an eight-inning gem against Biloxi (with a lineup featuring prominent 2023 draftees Mike Boeve and Brock Wilken) allowing one run with eight strikeouts and no walks.
Over his last five starts combined, Waldrep has pitched to a 1.16 ERA with a 26-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 25 innings. The 22-year-old right-hander features a plus-plus splitter to go with a mid-90s fastball and an above-average slider. Shaky command and a high-effort delivery have many analysts pegging Waldrep as a future late-inning reliever, but the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder should soon be in Triple-A and could jump past AJSS into the Atlanta rotation by mid-June.
On The Bubble
Here are the next five pitchers that were in consideration for inclusion on this week’s list: Sem Robberse, STL; Tink Hence, STL; Adam Mazur, SD; Mason Black, SF; Logan Evans, SEA