The Stash Week 14: Top 10 Pitcher Prospects to Stash in 2022

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 13

 

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 July 8 (generally, the most recent three appearances and season total)

 

Graduates and Notable Call Ups

Top 10 SP Prospects to Stash

 

1. Max Meyer, RHP, MIA – ETA July

 

Meyer had his best start since returning from a stint on the injured list with ulnar nerve irritation (elbow). He worked six scoreless innings (61P/44S), allowing just two hits and striking out five. Interestingly, it felt as though Meyer was pulled early in this one since he was only at 61 pitches and had reached 70 pitches in his prior outing. Regardless, is it safe to say he’s officially back?

As we get further into July, the Marlins certainly look like they are going to be active at the trade deadline, which could open up an opportunity within the rotation for Meyer. He’s worth stashing across all redraft leagues as one of the last few big names yet to be promoted.

2. DL Hall, LHP, BAL – ETA August

 

Hall posted a lights out performance on Wednesday, easily his best game of the year. He went six stellar innings, allowing just three hits, while striking out 14. Yes – 14. This is the start we’ve been waiting for.

The most important number from his outing though, was two walks. Command and control have been significant issues for Hall over his career, but especially as of late, having posted two five-walk games in June. On the year, Hall has a 4.28 ERA, 37.7% strikeout rate, and a 1.4% walk rate.

Hall’s stuff is Major League ready. The jury is still out, though, as to what Hall’s role will be with the Orioles when he does get called up. His inconsistency week-t0-week might be hard for fantasy managers to stomach, but his upside is too high to ignore. It’s time to stash him in redraft leagues and avoid the rush when he’s promoted.

O's No. 4 prospect DL Hall set a career high with 14 strikeouts (!) today for the @NorfolkTides. pic.twitter.com/sluYikGXu0

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 6, 2022

3. Kyle Muller, LHP, ATL – ETA July

 

Muller was named the International League Pitcher of the Month for June after posting a 1.87 ERA over 33.2 innings, with 43 strikeouts and six walks. Now he’s on the verge of return to the Majors.

Command has been the biggest hurdle to Muller taking that next step (career walk rate of 14.9%), but following his May start in Atlanta, this has been greatly improved. On the year, the lefty now has a 2.95 ERA, 31.5% strikeout rate, and 7.4% walk rate over 13 starts in Triple-A.

Ian Anderson was presumably pitching for his rotation spot this week, with Muller right on his heels. Anderson came through, though, working five innings, allowing just one run, and striking out three. It appears as though he will stick in the rotation for now.

With the exception of Anderson, the Braves rotation has been insane (i.e. see Spencer Strider). Without some reshuffling, it’s looking more like a second half call up for Muller is most likely. He’s worth a speculative add when called up, especially if his hot streak continues.

4. Hunter Brown, RHP, HOU – ETA July

 

Brown won his third straight outing this week, logging five innings, allowing just two runs (one earned), and picking up five more strikeouts. On the year, he has a 2.38 ERA, 33.0% strikeout rate, 10.9% walk rate, and 51.6% ground ball rate.

He’s alternated starts and relief appearances in June as the organization appears to be preparing him for a hybrid role upon his call-up. 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. Either way, it’s very likely we see Brown in Houston by the second half, just with a highly uncertain role and impact for fantasy.

5. Ethan Small, LHP, MIL – ETA July

 

Ethan Small has entered the chat. He could be on the cusp of another call up, due in part to performance, but also considering the state of the Brewers pitching staff. Injuries to Freddie Peralta and Adrian Houser have made the back end rotation a revolving door, so it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Small gets another opportunity.

He’s been helping the cause; over his last four starts he’s won three decisions while posting a 3.27 ERA through 22.0 innings with 23 strikeouts and nine walks. His command is nothing to write home about. It will continue to be his Achilles Heel and limit his upside at the highest level.

Small is not worth stashing outside of the deepest of redraft leagues. Though, his strikeout upside is enticing enough to keep an eye on him in the coming weeks.

6. Cade Cavalli, RHP, WAS – ETA August

 

Cavalli redeemed himself this week, posting his best game over the last month and possibly of the season. The righty worked seven efficient innings (74P/54S), allowed zero runs, zero walks, and struck out seven. On the year, Cavalli has a 4.54 ERA, 24.5% strikeout rate, and 9.7% walk rate.

This was strong step in the right direction after a tumultuous last couple weeks of inconsistent command, having a start skipped, and showing diminished velocity. Hopefully these are just bumps in the road on his trip to Washington.

Interestingly, Cavalli’s FIP (3.53) is a full run better than his ERA and for the second straight year he’s posting a 61% LOB%, which is pretty low. His peripherals are better than his surface stats.

The Nationals rotation is an abomination, so no one will stand in Cavalli’s way once he’s ready. Their plans are very uncertain, and there is no reason to rush him considering their fifth place spot in the NL East. Stashing Cavalli is highly speculative based on his upside.

7. Ken Waldichuk, LHP, NYY – ETA August

 

Waldichuk is back on track after a July 4 outing where he finished five innings, allowing just one run, while striking out six, and only walking one. Command appeared much better in this one. Over his eight starts in Triple-A, Waldichuk has a 2.52 ERA, 33.1% strikeout rate, and 10.2% walk rate.

The Yankees have a handful of names who could be plugged in here, including Hayden Wesneski and JP Sears. Waldichuk is firmly on the fantasy radar, too, showcasing his potential at each stop along the way. He’s not worth stashing in any redraft leagues at the moment but is a name to know once we get down the stretch.

 

8. Gavin Stone, RHP, LAD – ETA August

 

Stone didn’t have his best stuff on Thursday, walking six batters, but still managed to pick up his third straight win in a scoreless outing while striking out eight. Despite the road bump with command in this one, Stone is making a strong case for a promotion. He’s possibly the Dodgers’ top pitching prospect.

Over his nine starts in Double-A, Stone has a 1.29 ERA, 36.4% strikeout rate, 8.2% walk rate, and 47.7% groundball rate. As impressive as a run that he’s having, an MLB promotion is not likely to be anytime soon. The Dodgers have a lot of options on the 40-man roster that are ahead of Stone in the pecking order.

He’s only worth stashing in the deepest of redraft leagues due to his upside, but if he does get called up, he’s definitely worth a speculative add across most redraft leagues.

9. Mike Burrows, RHP, PIT – ETA August

 

Burrows was outstanding in Double-A to begin this season. In 12 starts, he had a 2.94 ERA, 69 strikeouts, and only 19 walks over 52.0 innings. He earned a promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis in June.

Burrows has yet to find his footing in Triple-A, having posted a 7.31 ERA over four starts. Notably, through 16.0 innings Burrows has only walked a single batter, good for a 1.4% walk rate.

Regardless, Burrows is on the cusp of the big leagues with nothing really standing in his way in Pittsburgh. He’s only made four Triple-A starts and will need to go on a hot run before being considered for a call-up. Burrows is a name to know and not worth stashing in any redraft leagues right now.

10. Tommy Henry, LHP, ARI – ETA July

 

Henry was considered a potential spot starter on July 5, but the Diamondbacks decided to go with Tyler Gilbert instead. Henry certainly has earned a chance in rotation – coming into this week he had a 3.28 ERA over 79.2 innings with 71 strikeouts and 35 walks.

His upside is relatively limited right now; he’s only posted a 10.1% K-BB%, and his 4.93 FIP is less than encouraging. Still, the Diamondbacks could do much worse and they could at least see what they have with Henry by allowing him a chance. They are in fourth place in the NL West and playoff hopes are all but out the window at this point.

Henry is not worth stashing in redraft leagues and even if he is promoted a wait-and-see approach might be best.

 

Because you’ll ask:

Roansy Contreras, RHP, PIT – He was demoted to Triple-A following his start on Thursday. This move feels very much like it’s workload management considering the upcoming All-Star Break, and not performance based. He’s already up to 70.1 innings between two levels this year so to have him at full strength down the stretch the Pirates are likely opting to give him a breather now. Strongly recommend holding Contreras during this time.

Others considered (in no particular order):

Previously debuted, currently in minors: JP Sears (NYY – AAA), Caleb Kilian (CHC – AAA), Roansy Contreras (PIT-AAA)

Yet to make their MLB debut: Hayden Wesneski (NYY – AAA), Ryne Nelson (ARI – AAA), Brandon Williamson (CIN – AAA), Cole Ragans (TEX – AAA), Peyton Battenfield (CLE – AAA), Logan T. Allen (CLE – AAA), Bobby Miller (LAD – AA), Gordon Graceffo (STL – AA), Jay Groome (BOS – AA)

 

Photos by Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels, Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Drew Wheeler (@drewisokay on Twitter)