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
The Stash List did not send anyone to the Majors this week. Some guys in the “just missed” category returned to the show though. Mark Vientos and Marco Luciano were both recalled this week. They are splitting time in MLB and AAA, so a stash or pickup comes with some risk. Luis Vázquez got the call for the Cubs, but they will likely use him in more of a platoon role. Jonatan Clase was also called up by the Seattle Mariners for his second stint in the Majors.
Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash
1. Junior Caminero, 3B – Tampa Bay Rays
Caminero leads off a true 1A/1B situation. Both Caminero and James Wood deserve the top spot, but alas there can only be one. The Rays’ prospect has the edge because I think he’s slightly closer to the Majors than Wood. There are guys on Tampa’s roster with options, so getting Caminero into the show at the expense of one of them is possible. The Rays remain mired in mediocrity alongside the Red Sox. An offensive boost might give them the edge over their division rivals.
Caminero has had a solid month. In 17 games in May, he’s hitting .275 with three homers. The one concern is his strikeout-to-walk ratio in that span. 17 strikeouts to six walks isn’t stellar, but it’s consistent with what he’s put up in the past. As long as those numbers don’t drastically worsen in the Majors, he will have a huge impact on an exciting Rays team.
2. James Wood, OF – Washington Nationals
Dave Martinez recently said that James Wood will be in the Majors “soon”. That is not soon enough for me. He deserved to be called up weeks ago, and the fact that he’s still in AAA is ridiculous considering his performance. It seems like once a week he’s trending on social media for a no-doubt homer or a sweet defensive play. The numbers speak for themselves, but outside of that, he’s also just really fun to watch. The Nationals have a potential superstar on their hands (again) and it won’t be long before he’s dominating in the Show.
There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to succeed once he gets settled in the Majors. Just look at his numbers in May. In 19 games he’s hit 6 home runs, is hitting .379, and has walked more times than he’s struck out. He’s in or near the top ten in most batting categories in AAA. What more does he have to prove before he gets his chance?
Note: This was written before Wood left Thursday’s game. Depending on how serious his injury is, he may move up or down.
3. Orelvis Martinez, 3B – Toronto Blue Jays
Martinez has cooled off considerably in May, but he’s still showing flashes of what he’s capable of. He’s hit five home runs this month, driving in 14 runs. While the average isn’t up to his usual standard, he’s still proving he can add value to a team. There hasn’t been a drastic increase in strikeouts, and he’s still walking at a decent clip. He projects as a power-hitting third baseman, something that the Blue Jays are absent of at the big league level.
Toronto needs to step up, and fast. Their core is not getting any younger or cheaper. They currently sit at the bottom of the AL East and haven’t shown any aspiration to get back into contention. Time is running out on the current core of the Jays. Bo Bichette’s contract is up after the 2025 season, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s salary will likely increase in arbitration this offseason. Toronto could really use some cost-controlled bats on their big league roster, and Martinez is just that.
4. Jace Jung, 2B – Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are in a tough spot. This was supposed to be the year that they take a step forward and maybe compete for a postseason spot. They added Mark Canha, Gio Urshela, and Jack Flaherty to boost the young core in place and improve on a 78-win 2023. They have the pieces to be competitive. Their pitching has been good and there are some solid young bats emerging. However, they sit 4th in the AL Central, which is turning into one of the most interesting divisions in baseball. It’s time to fully buy into the youth movement, and they can start by calling up Jung.
Jung has been great since being drafted 12th overall in 2022. His 28 home runs in 2023 show that he’s capable of hitting for power, and he’s keeping up that pace with eight dingers already. The lone question mark regarding Jung is where his defensive home is. He’s played third base for most of the AAA season, which makes sense for the Tigers. Colt Keith is starting to turn it around, even if Spencer Torkelson is still struggling. An infield that features three exciting young bats will be something to keep an eye on.
5. Justyn-Henry Malloy, 3B/OF – Detroit Tigers
Hey look, Justyn-Henry Malloy is back on the stash list. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times, Malloy deserves a shot in the big leagues. What isn’t to like? He hits for power, takes plenty of walks, and isn’t a liability in the field or on the basepaths. He’s blocked by some outfield bats that the Tigers want to keep on the roster, but there’s definitely some expendable pieces that could open a spot for Malloy.
His May hasn’t been outstanding, but it’s been solid enough to warrant a call up. In 50 plate appearances, he’s walked 14 times and has eight extra base hits. He’s struck out as often as he’s walked, which is par for the course for Malloy. He’s spent time at both corner outfield spots so far, which is indicative of where Detroit thinks he will end up defensively. The two guys in those spots for the Tigers have arguably been their best bats (Canha and Greene). Malloy may not be able to usurp either one yet, but he’s next in line should something happen in the Majors.
6. Coby Mayo, 3B – Baltimore Orioles
This feels harsh. Coby Mayo has been one of the brightest stars in the minor leagues this season. However, a fractured rib suffered towards the end of last week puts a halt in his progress. There were already concerns that his playing time would be limited because of how loaded the Orioles’ MLB roster is, but now the focus is on how and when he will return from injury.
Don’t confuse my decision to drop him two spots for a lack of faith. I still believe Mayo is one of, if not the best hitting prospect yet to debut. However, it’s hard to not move up two guys on the fringes of the Majors. Especially when Mayo cannot do anything to bolster his case at the moment. It’s time to play the waiting game with Mayo. Let’s just hope we don’t have to wait too long.
7. Owen Caissie, INF – Chicago Cubs
Owen Caissie replaces Matt Shaw as the only Cub on this list. Shaw’s rough stretch in early May combined with other prospects’ emergence sees him miss out this week. Owen Caissie, however, does not, and he returns to the list due to his stellar performances in AAA alongside some rough stretches by Cubs hitters in the Show. Ian Happ has been bad. Since May 10th he’s hitting just .143 and has a 50 wRC+. He’s been slightly unlucky though, as suggested by a 16.7% barrel rate and an average exit velocity of 92.
The Cubs have no time for luck though. They need reinforcements fast. Craig Counsell has won some close games this year, but he needs bats to step up. Look no further than Owen Caissie. I’ve written about his impressive power and sneaky speed. What’s impressed me though has been his improvements regarding patience at the plate. He’s steadily improved throughout his career. In a lineup that includes some free swingers (looking at you Morel), Caissie’s patience may prove vital. Expect to see Caissie manning an outfield spot at Wrigley soon.
8. Niko Kavadas, 1B – Boston Red Sox
Niko Kavadas jumps a couple of spots due to injuries and some solid performances over the past week. His May performance has landed him in promotion conversations, and the Red Sox could use a jolt in their lineup to jump back into contention in their division. His 1.074 OPS is the best throughout the entire Red Sox organization, and his nine home runs are tied for the lead alongside Matthew Lugo in AA. Kavadas’ walk rate also crept up to above 20%, a sign that pitchers are starting to fear him at the dish.
The current platoon at first base for the Red Sox is less than inspiring. Garrett Cooper and Dominic Smith are both okay options, but neither should be getting significant time on a team that’s looking to compete. The bottom half of Boston’s lineup as things stand is not to the organization’s usual standard. It may be time to start looking to the minor leagues to provide some improvement from within.
9. Jacob Wilson, SS – Oakland Athletics
| AVG | HR | SB | BB% | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.439 | 3 | 2 | 2.9 | 9.6 |
The injury bug is starting to hit. First Mayo fractures his rib, then Jung misses time with soreness. Now Jacob Wilson hits the injured list with a knee issue. He had started his time in AAA so well too. He had gone 9-24 and only struck out twice. Wilson was on the fast track to the A’s major league roster before the injury, now his timeline is unclear. There isn’t an estimation of a return date for Wilson yet. Once that is released we will have a much clearer picture. Wilson retains his spot on the list in the hope that it’s just a minor issue and he’s back after a short DL stint. Should he miss significant time, some players on the outside looking in may find themselves in this spot.
The A’s have some depth at the shortstop position. Max Schuemann has been quietly putting together a decent season at the spot right now. Logan Davidson and Nick Allen will see increased time in AAA with Wilson out. Make no mistake, the A’s have their future shortstop in Jacob Wilson. This injury is a bump in the road, but the road will still end with Wilson manning the middle of the infield for Oakland for the foreseeable future.
10. Carson Williams, SS – Tampa Bay Rays
I’ve been debating putting Williams on the list for a couple of weeks. I kept telling myself “he’s going to cool off” but he just kept hitting. He’s dominated AA. After a six-game audition last year where he hit .429, he returned this season and is having one of the best seasons in the minors. His 215 wRC+ is the highest in the minor leagues among hitters at levels higher than Single-A. His .477 wOBA ranks second, just behind Deyvison De Los Santos, and higher than other stash list contenders: Emmanuel Rodriguez and Tyler Locklear.
Williams is behind Junior Caminero on the organizational depth chart as things stand, but Williams might have the tools to stick at shortstop, while Caminero goes to third. Rays fans should start to get very excited about an infield that features both of them alongside Isaac Paredes and Randy Arozarena. It may be a challenge to get everyone in the lineup every day, but if they can figure out a way to, that team would be really fun to watch.
On The Bubble
Here are the next five hitters that were in consideration for inclusion on this week’s list in no particular order.
Stash List