It Welcome to The Stash List, Hitter Edition!
The Stash List will highlight the top-10 hitter 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, Hitter Edition: Week 14
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 16.
Graduates and Notable Call Ups
Esteury Ruiz, OF, SDP
Ruiz was called up this week after an incredible start to the 2022 season. Over two levels, he hit .333/.467/1.027 with 13 home runs and 60 stolen bases. Count ’em, 60!
The wheels will clearly play anywhere, it’s just a matter of whether Ruiz can translate the hit tool at the next level. He’s worth a speculative add everywhere due to his category winning speed. If he get’s hot he could easily carry your team to a title.
Vintage Esteury
Doubles (first career MLB double) and then steals 3rd (first career MLB steal)!#FearTheEars | #TimeToShine pic.twitter.com/dwDUXHh37S
— El Paso Chihuahuas (@epchihuahuas) July 14, 2022
Nick Pratto, 1B, Royals
Pratto was called up this week by the Royals and made his MLB debut on Thursday. It’s unfortunate his call up was under such unusual circumstances, as the Royals had 10 players ineligible to play in Toronto due to their vaccination status.
Power will be Pratto’s calling card, but he strikes out a ton, too, so it’ll be interesting to see if he sticks in the big leagues and what kind of role gets carved out for him. Expect some serious roster changes for the Royals ahead of the deadline, which could allow Pratto to grab an everyday role. It’s not out of the question he gets sent back to Triple-A either. He’s worth a speculative add if you’re hurting for bats.
Big league hit No. 1⃣ for second-ranked @Royals prospect Nick Pratto! pic.twitter.com/DsSQ16RFue
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 16, 2022
1. Miguel Vargas, 3B, LAD – ETA July
In the last 10 days, Vargas hasn’t struck out once, and that includes Saturday’s Future’s game where he represented the Dodgers. Heading into this weekend, Vargas is in the midst of an eight game hitting streak and continues to get playing time in left field,
The Dodgers don’t seem to be in a hurry to promote Vargas, but he’s one of the last big name prospects yet to be called up. He’s worth stashing across all redraft leagues due to his potential impact in the second half.
2. Alec Burleson, OF, STL – ETA July
Not much more to say about Burleson, he flat out can hit the baseball. Over the last two weeks, he’s slashing .375/.405/.450 and on the year has a 15.1% strikeout rate and 6.2% walk rate.
Burleson is going to have to bide his time in Triple-A until another opportunity arises. Stash him if you have the space, but a call-up is not imminent, and there’s really no room for another bat in St. Louis right now.
3. Francisco Álvarez, C, NYM, ETA – August
The Triple-A hits haven’t started falling yet for Álvarez who was just promoted two weeks ago, though he’s walking at a 20.6% clip, which is a great sign. He also represented the Mets at the Future’s game this past weekend, where he received some attention for his loud batting practice and power to all fields.
Álvarez is still only 20 years old, and a call-up is far from certain, but the first-place Mets could probably use him down the stretch. Keep an eye on him in the second half.
4. Triston Casas, 1B, BOS – ETA August
Casas began a rehab assignment this week after a lengthy absence with an ankle injury. He wasted no time getting back to his old ways, picking up six hits over three games including a home run. Expect him to be promoted back to Triple-A Worcester in the near future.
Casas’ return would be a boon to a Red Sox offense currently platooning Franchy Cordero and Bobby Dalbec at first base. He is still worth a stash due to his upside and proximity, but due to his injury any timing estimate is highly speculative.
5. Oswald Peraza, SS, NYY – ETA August
Peraza continues his hot streak, hitting .294/.368/.706 this past week, with two home runs and a stolen base. He’s improved his plate discipline over this stretch, now sitting at a 23.1% strikeout rate and 7.8% walk rate.
Calls for Peraza’s promotion are slowly getting louder, as Yankee fans frustration with Isiah Kiner-Falefa continue to build. He’s hitting well, but has yet to homer this season while racking up 11 errors in the field.
A changing of the guard at shortstop doesn’t appear imminent, but Peraza is on the 40-man roster already and could very well force his hand. He’s more of a name to know down the stretch but is definitely worth an a speculative add if he is called up.
6. Eguy Rosario, INF, SDP – ETA August
Rosario is still red hot. Over the last two weeks, he’s hitting .395/.473/.744 with three home runs, 16 runs batted in, and a 4:3 K:BB ratio. He continues to get playing time all around the infield this season; second base (40), third base (18), and shortstop (25). All of his starts this past week came at short stop.
Rosario is already on the 40-man roster so a call up is in the cards for the second half. He’s not worth stashing yet, but if an opportunity arises he could be the next one en route to San Diego. His power and speed combination is worth a speculative add if he is called up.
7. Estevan Florial, OF, NYY – ETA August
Florial should be a familiar name; he’s previously made his MLB debut and played in 15 games with the Yankees dating back to 2020. His MLB stints haven’t gone well and he’s found himself back in Triple-A each time.
He’s been absolutely on fire recently. Since June 1, he’s hitting .321/.394/1.014 with eight home runs, 20 runs batted in, 14 stolen bases, and a 163 wRC+. Strikeouts are still an issue for Florial, though; he sits at a 29.3% strikeout rate on the year.
The Yankees plans are highly uncertain, but Florial has to be on their radar for the second half. Barring injury, it’s likely a question of whether they want to continue running Joey Gallo out to left field. Florial isn’t worth stashing, but he’s another interesting power/speed combo who could make an impact in the second half with regular playing time.
8. JJ Bleday, OF, MIA – ETA August
Not long ago we were talking about Bleday as a top prospect in all of baseball. So far, he’s failed to live up to the extremely high expectations, though, he’s starting to make a case for a big league promotion.
Bleday’s growing power and plate discipline is going to be his calling card. He’s posted a career high 16.8% walk rate this season and just launched his 20th home run of the year this week.
A few members of the Marlins outfield have been struggling, you have to figure their leash is only so long. Bleday makes a fun speculative call up, though he’s not on the 40-man roster, and probably not worth stashing in any redraft leagues.
JJ Bleday just keeps on boppin'.
The @Marlins' No. 4 prospect rips his third homer of the series and 20th of the year for the @JaxShrimp: pic.twitter.com/9VqjWKdQMf
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 16, 2022
9. Jordan Westburg, 2B/3B, BAL – ETA August
Westburg has been making a name for himself this year. Over two levels, he’s hitting .271/.340/.841 with 16 home runs, 60 runs batted in, and five stolen bases. His walk rate has taken a dip during his time in Triple-A, but otherwise he’s been holding his own against advanced pitching.
The Orioles have been playing surprisingly well so they may not be shy about calling on some older prospects during the second half if they think they can help.
Westburg has been moving all around the infield and certainly wouldn’t be a downgrade from Roughned Odor and Ramon Urias. His call up is highly speculative; he’s more of a name to know down the stretch.
This ball got out in a HURRY.
No. 5 @Orioles prospect Jordan Westburg lasers a three-run homer for the @NorfolkTides: pic.twitter.com/aa0Cz46qYy
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 9, 2022
10. Spencer Steer, SS, MIN – ETA August
Steer represented the Twins as the Future’s Game this past Saturday and certainly has been a prospect riser. He’s been a bit cold at the dish recently, hitting just .261/.358/.391 with zero home runs over the last three weeks.
If Steer is called up during the second half, it will likely be in a versatile role as he’s started games at second base (12), third base (22), and shortstop (3). Steer is not worth stashing yet, as he’s not on the 40-man roster and still needs some time in Triple-A. However, he’s a name to know for the second half.
Because you’ll ask:
These are some big-time prospects putting up some big-time numbers in the minor leagues. All are likely top-10 prospects in baseball but were not included in the top-10 hitters to stash in redraft leagues. Right now, it appears unlikely they will make a significant contribution for fantasy purposes in 2022. This does not mean they will not be called up — it’s quite possible, but it’s most likely in September, if at all, and not for a meaningful amount of time.
If you’re stashing purely based on upside and have the roster depth to speculate on a high-upside name like Carroll, Henderson, and Tovar, then absolutely make the add. As of this week, their ETAs all look more like 2023. But, like anything in this speculative article, this certainly can change at a moment’s notice.
Others considered (in no particular order):
Previously debuted, currently in minors: Kyle Stowers (BAL – AAA), Ezequiel Duran (TEX – AAA), Lenyn Sosa (CWS – AAA), Gabriel Moreno (TOR-AAA), Jonathan Aranda (TBR – AAA)
Yet to make their MLB debut: Moises Gomez (STL – AAA), Pedro Leon (HOU – AAA), Gunnar Henderson (BAL – AAA), Ezequiel Tover (COL – AA), Corbin Carroll (ARI – AAA), Mark Vientos (NYM – AAA), Samad Taylor (TOR – AAA), Shea Langeliers (OAK – AAA)
Photos by Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels, Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Drew Wheeler (@drewisokay on Twitter)
Great list as always. Will Benson is another name to keep an eye on. However, he’s not on the 40-man and the Cleveland OF is a bit of a logjam, so it makes sense he’s excluded here.
Thanks, Alex. Cleveland outfield has been a revolving door for what feels like two decades, so definitely will consider him for next week.
Quick update on Benson which you may very well be aware of. He’s been starting at 1B the past 4-5 games. Naylor has an ankle injury and Owen Miller just left the game with a right forearm contusion. Depending on severity of those injuries, Benson may get the call soon. They could also make a trade for a 1B at the deadline or move Nolan Jones over to 1B. Lots of potential outcomes this time of year of course.