Welcome to The Stash List, Pitcher Edition!
The Stash List will highlight the top-10 starting pitcher prospects who are most likely to make an impact this season.
Effective in-season management will propel your team into contention, and understanding the outlook and ETA for some of baseball’s top prospects will give you an advantage over your league mates. As managers, we are looking forward to reaping the rewards of our offseason research and draft strategies, but for most of us, the fun is only just beginning.
Previous Week’s Stash List: The Stash List, Pitcher Edition: Week 9
GROUND RULES
- The Stash List is for your redraft leagues and does not consider impact beyond 2022
- 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 shown are through June 10 (generally, the most recent three appearances and season total)
TOP-10 SP PROSPECTS TO STASH
1. Shane Baz, RHP, TBR – ETA June
Baz is back! His season was delayed due to arthroscopic surgery on his elbow in late March, but he will be making his 2022 MLB debut Saturday afternoon against the Twins.
In four rehab starts with Triple-A Durham, he posted a 37.7% strikeout rate and 7.5% walk rate, clearly overmatching the minor league competition.
He will likely be on a very strict pitch count during his first few appearances but could be turned loose by July. If Baz is somehow available in your league you need to add him now.
We give Shane Baz's MLB Rehab outing a 🔟
Here's all 10 of his strikeouts from his outing tonight pic.twitter.com/Gdo1m4U9ss
— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) June 5, 2022
2. Caleb Kilian, RHP, CHC – (New) ETA June
Kilian made his MLB debut last Saturday against the Cardinals. He worked five innings, allowing three runs, while striking out six. He touched 97 mph with his fastball/sinker and generated a solid 29% CSW overall, perhaps offering just a glimpse of his upside.
Kilian was returned to Triple-A after his start and has slotted back into the Iowa rotation. The Cubs rotation has been dealing with injuries and has been a bit of a revolving door as of late. It’s unclear when Kilian may get another opportunity but he’s worth a stash due to his upside and proximity.
3. Brayan Bello, RHP, BOS – ETA August
Bello looks like a future stud. The righty continues to dominate in Triple-A, piling up strikeouts, limiting walks, and getting ground balls at absurd rates. Over his five starts, he’s compiled a 35.9% strikeout rate, 10.3% walk rate, and 65.1% walk rate. An insane performance considering his lack of experience in the upper minors.
Bello is already on the 40-man roster but realistically he’s only worth a stash in the deepest of redraft leagues right now due to his upside. Should an immediate opportunity arise in the MLB rotation, there are other in-house options that will likely get a chance first. Either way, keep tabs on Bello he could be a game changer down the stretch.
All 8️⃣ Brayan Bello strikeouts tonight pic.twitter.com/ESu0yQtbnd
— Worcester Red Sox (@WooSox) June 11, 2022
4. Max Meyer, RHP, MIA – ETA July
Meyer is currently on the minor league injured list with ulnar nerve (elbow) irritation. He appears to be inching closer to a return, as he’s been progressing through a throwing program and participated in a simulated game on Saturday morning. It’s unclear when he might return to the mound in a game, but his progress has been promising.
If Meyer can indeed return to form, you’ll look wise for stashing him during this time. Any setbacks and Meyer will be worth dropping in all redraft formats. His upside is worth the risk right now, but even if everything goes right for Meyer, a debut is most likely in the second half.
5. DL Hall, LHP, BAL – ETA July
Hall has progressed to Triple-A and in light of Grayson Rodriguez‘ injury, is now getting all of Orioles fans attention as an impending call-up. He has a long injury history and persistent command issues, but when it all comes together, he is lights out.
The kid gloves might be slowing coming off, as Hall worked his longest outings of the year this past week, earning his first Triple-A win. Over his seven starts in Norfolk, Hall has a stellar 37.7% strikeout rate and subpar 14.0% walk rate.
Hall’s upside is enticing enough to stash, but outside of the deepest of redraft formats, he is probably just someone to monitor for now. The Orioles will probably want to see him work consistently deeper into games before considering a promotion. If things continue to go right for Hall, a second-half call-up is certainly in the cards, but there is still some work to do.
Nine K's add up to one W.
Fifth-ranked @Orioles prospect DL Hall racked up nine strikeouts on the way to his first Triple-A win for the @NorfolkTides. pic.twitter.com/ldRqUlPZoh
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 5, 2022
6. Ethan Small, LHP, MIL – (New) ETA June
Small made his MLB debut at the end of May and was returned to Triple-A and the Nashville rotation after his start. He had a rough first start back in the minors, working only into the third and allowing seven runs (three earned) while only striking out one.
Considering the injuries in the Brewers rotation (Peralta and Woodruff), Small is on the short list of arms to work in any potential opportunities. He’s posted stellar numbers in Triple-A but had command issues which may limit his upside at the big league level. Stash him only in deeper leagues due to his proximity.
7. Hunter Brown, RHP, HOU – ETA July
Brown continues to add to his PCL leading strikeout total with another nine this week against a stout Oklahoma City lineup. On the year, he has a 34.5% strikeout rate, 11.0% walk rate, and 49.1% ground ball rate.
Brown might be knocking on the big league door, but when he arrives, his role is highly uncertain. His command is still a work-in-progress, and the starting rotation in Houston is awfully crowded, even considering their injuries (McCullers and Odorizzi).
For these reasons, Brown might be destined for a multi-inning reliever role with the occasional spot start when he does receive a promotion. He’s a name to know right now, but he’s not on the 40-man roster, and there is no clear path to a rotation opportunity with the Astros.
8. Cade Cavalli, RHP, WAS – ETA August
Well, we’ve played with fire before but we keep coming back. After plummeting off of redraft radars, it’s time we start monitoring Cavalli again. Over his last four starts, he’s 2-0, with a 2.25 ERA over 24.0 innings with 25 strikeouts and 10 walks.
The last place Nationals will be in no hurry to get Cavalli to the Majors, but it looks like he may have turned a corner and could be a rotation option in the second half. Though, his command is still a work in progress and his prospect shine has worn off a little, his upside is still enticing enough to monitor his progress.
9. Bobby Miller, RHP, LAD – ETA August
Miller dazzled against big league hitters this spring and garnered some attention as a future rotation piece for the Dodgers. Despite his incredible stuff, he had very limited professional experience and was destined for some additional seasoning in the minors.
Though he’s still in Double-A and not on the 40-man roster, the organization appears finally ready to unleash Miller, having allowed him to work into the fifth inning or later in five of his last six starts.
Over his 10 Double-A starts this season, he has a 25.0% strikeout rate, 8.1% walk rate, and 50.0% groundball rate. A potential call up is unlikely before the second half or anytime soon really, but Miller has big stuff and could be a significant contributor down the stretch. Outside of the deepest of leagues, lets just monitor Miller’s progress for now.
10. Hayden Wesneski, RHP, NYY – ETA July
Wesneski had a decent bounce-back outing this week, following his worst outing of the year and a stretch of a couple games he’d like to forget. On the year the righty now sits at 3.71 ERA with a 23.0% strikeout rate and 8.6% walk rate.
Wesneski is clearly behind Sears for big league opportunities in the near term. Though, he may have the higher upside, but Wesneski needs to get back on track and hot before the Yankees consider him for a promotion. He’s only worth a stash in the deepest of leagues right now due to his proximity
Fell out of the Top 10: Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, BAL – Baseball top pitching prospect may miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 lat strain. He’s a safe drop in all redraft leagues, unfortunately.
Others considered (in no particular order): Ryan Pepiot, Cole Winn, Ryne Nelson, Drey Jameson, Jack Leiter, Brandon Williamson, Jay Groome, Tommy Henry, JP Sears, Chase Silseth, Ken Waldichuk
Photos by Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels, Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Drew Wheeler (@drewisokay on Twitter)