Welcome to the 24th edition of The Stash List for pitchers! New writer for this week’s edition, so plenty of movement inside the Top 10. Make sure to check out the hitter edition of this list which comes out every Sunday and will have a new update tomorrow.
Ground Rules
- The Stash List is for your redraft leagues and does not consider impact beyond 2023
- Only current minor league players who are expected to make an impact this season are included
- Players who have already made their MLB debuts cannot have thrown more than 50 IP in MLB
- 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
Graduates
The most significant call-up this week was Connor Phillips. The Reds’ number four ranked prospect made his major league debut on September 5th, yielding five earned runs over four and two-thirds innings versus the Mariners. Phillips should remain in the Reds’ rotation moving forward due to an injury to Graham Ashcraft.
Top 10 Pitcher Prospects to Stash
1. Robert Gasser, MIL – ETA September (1)
Robert Gasser will forever be atop our Stash List. Gasser continues to dominate in Triple-A, most recently tossing six innings of one-run ball while striking out eight against Durham. That outing improved his overall mark to 9-1 with a 3.73 ERA over 125 1/3 innings. In this outing, Gasser did walk three Bulls’ hitters and threw just 60% strikes, but his walk rate remains below 10% on the season.
Pitcher of the Month: Robert Gasser 🏆
Since the beginning of August, Gasser's ranks among AAA SPs:
• 1st in K-BB% (28%)
• 3rd in K% (35%)
• 5th in FIP (2.78)
• 7th in OPS allowed (.583)#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/irBQ8jqqjv— Brewers Player Development (@BrewersPD) September 4, 2023
In my opinion, Gasser has nothing left to prove at the minor-league level. This situation is either service time manipulation or the Brewers have something developmentally they’d like to see fixed before his promotion. Upon his arrival, Gasser brings another lethal arm to the Brewers’ arsenal, following Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta. I’m optimistic Gasser will debut this season, and he’s a must-roster when he gets the call.
2. Joey Cantillo, CLE – ETA September (2)
Joey Cantillo rebounded from a rough outing to end August (six IP, six ER) with a strong effort on September 2nd at St. Paul (MIN- Triple-A). Cantillo threw six innings, allowing one earned run with three walks to five strikeouts. The lone damage was a solo homer allowed to Twins outfielder Alex Kirilloff, who was rehabbing a shoulder injury. Of his 99 pitches, Cantillo threw 63 of them for strikes, an improvement over previous starts where his control had eluded him. The stuff has never been a concern for Cantillo, rather an inability to throw enough strikes to stay in the rotation.
Gavin Williams was briefly out after a fall last week but has returned to action. Further complicating the path for Cantillo is the Guardians’ recent acquisition of Lucas Giolito off of waivers from the Angels. Giolito struggled mightily in his debut, and the Guardians have now fallen seven games back of the Twins in the AL Central. It’s a matter of when, not if, the Guardians will consider shutting down Williams, Logan T. Allen, and Tanner Bibee to reduce workload. Cantillo should get his shot, and I still anticipate his arrival by mid-September.
3. Will Warren, NYY – ETA September (3)
Will Warren continues to carve up Triple-A lineups, most recently for six innings against Rochester, in which he allowed one hit with six strikeouts. Warren has posted back-to-back quality starts and lowered his ERA to 3.89 on the season. Thus far, Warren has made 17 starts in Triple-A spanning 77 innings, and with the recent run of Yankee prospect promotions, Warren could be looking at a call-up shortly. Warren does not project as a high strikeout arm, but if he continues to improve his command, he could help in ratios and will pitch deep into games.
The Yankees rotation continues to be Gerrit Cole and four inconsistencies. Luis Severino has pitched better of late, and Carlos Rodón continues to work into form, but beyond that, New York needs another starter. The team has not announced a starter for Sunday, September 10th, and Warren would be an option, albeit on extended rest.
4. Allan Winans, ATL- ETA September (NR)
5. Mason Black, SFG – ETA September (5)
Mason Black holds firm at number five on this week’s list. The Giants’ number nine prospect had another quality start this weekend, tossing six solid innings vs. Albuquerque. Most importantly for Black was allowing one walk and throwing 73% strikes in the outing. His single walk outing ends a streak of consecutive starts with four BBs for Black, who has also walked multiple hitters in four of his last five.
The Giants remain in Wild Card contention despite a hodge podge of innings eaters throughout the season. Logan Webb has been the only steady force in the rotation, with newcomer Kyle Harrison making an immediate impact. The Giants have relied on Ryan Walker as an opener, followed by Sean Manaea and Alex Wood, working in the bulk reliever role. Ideally, the Giants should move Black into a starter or bulk relief role.
6. Chayce McDermott, BAL- ETA September (6)
I continue to hold out hope that Chayce McDermott makes his MLB debut this season. The Orioles’ farmhand dominated Worcester this weekend, throwing seven innings and striking out seven WooSox hitters. McDermott’s ERA now sits at 3.16 with a 1.15 WHIP, and McDermott carries a 30.7% strikeout rate on the season. My lone concern about McDermott is that he’s battled numerous injuries and has reached a career-high innings pitched this season (114.0 IP).
The Orioles’ bullpen took a massive hit this week, losing closer Félix Bautista to a UCL injury, thrusting Yennier Cano into the closer role. With all those moving parts, the Orioles may look to Triple-A to fill a bulk relief or spot start role. McDermott is a logical candidate, as is John Means, who is rehabbing from his 2022 Tommy John surgery.
7. Cade Horton, CHC- ETA: September (8)
Cade Horton is another situation where I’m optimistic that a call-up is on the horizon. Horton’s next start was tentatively scheduled for Friday, but Horton’s status is “Development List” on the South Bend Cubs website, which would indicate an end to his season. If that news proves true, Horton will finish his 2023 campaign with a 4-4 record, a 2.77 ERA, and a 34.4% strikeout rate across three levels. That is a dynamic first season for any starter, and Horton has established himself among the game’s elite pitching prospects.
The Cubs are firmly in control of the second wild-card spot in the National League. Their ace, Justin Steele, has become a favorite for the Cy Young award, but they continue to piece together the back end of the rotation. Jameson Taillon has struggled, and Kyle Hendricks is back to Earth after a great start to his season. The Cubs are bound for October, and now is the best time to promote Horton if they’re going to pull the trigger.
8. Patrick Monteverde, MIA ETA: September (NR)
Patrick Monteverde is a newcomer to the Stash List this week. Monteverde is a 25-year-old lefthander in the Marlins’ organization with an intriguing profile. He was an eighth-round selection from Texas Tech in 2021 and debuted in the 2022 season, performing well across High-A and Double-A. That season, Monteverde was 4-4 with a 3.20 ERA over 109 2/3 innings. This season between Double-A and Triple-A, he is 10-5 with a 3.73 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 21 starts. Monteverde features a dynamic changeup/slider combination that keeps hitters from attacking his low-90s fastball. In a small sample at Triple-A Jacksonville, Monteverde has a 50% Whiff% and 32.4% CSW on his changeup alone. While his four-seamer is a non-factor for strikeouts, Monteverde commands the pitch well and effectively uses it to establish the zone.
The Marlins announced that ace Sandy Alcantara is heading to the IL with a flexor strain and have recalled RHP Edward Cabrera from Triple-A. In four separate MLB stints this season, the 25-year-old Cabrera has yet to find his form. Cabrera struggles mightily with his command and consistency, leaving the Marlins frustrated with the talented righty. With the Marlins clinging to life as the third wild card, the loss of Alcantara is devastating. Monteverde has limited Triple-A experience (eight and two-thirds innings) but is the best-suited starter in the upper minors for the Fish. Monteverde is a match-up-dependent add, but with limited streaming options, he is worth a flyer in a deep league playoff week.
9. Ty Madden, DET- ETA: September (NR)
Ty Madden has been on our radar for several weeks, biding his time before his promotion to the Stash List. The Tigers drafted Madden in the compensation round out of the University of Texas in 2021. In his first professional season, Madden was 8-6 at High-A and Double-A in 2022, posting a 3.01 ERA with a 26.5% strikeout rate. As a follow-up, Madden has been good again this season, exclusively at Double-A. His changeup is a work in progress, but Madden features a mid-90s fastball and a mid-80s slider that yields plenty of swing-and-miss. Madden has reliever risk in the long term as a two-pitch pitcher, although his command is a huge plus in his favor efforts to remain a starter.
The Tigers have had a revolving door in their starting rotation this season, with only Eduardo Rodriguez making 20 or more starts. On Wednesday, the Tigers lost Matt Manning to a broken foot, removing another arm from their options. The pitching at Triple-A Toledo is weak, and none of their starters are MLB-ready. Although Madden has yet to pitch above Double-A, keep him on your radar to make a spot start or possibly finish the season in Detroit.
10. Michael McGreevy, STL ETA: September (NR)
As the Cardinals are finishing a disappointing season at the major league level, pitching prospect Michael McGreevy is polishing off a fantastic 2023. McGreevy, a first-round pick in 2021, has shined for Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis this season, going 11-5 with a sub-4.00 ERA in 24 starts. While his velocity is a concern, McGreevy has a heavy, sinking fastball that elicits high groundball rates, including a 53.2% rate this season. McGreevy may not be a traditional fantasy stud as he has low strikeout rates and a slightly elevated WHIP. But McGreevy has above-average command and can pitch deep into games, giving his value a boost in points leagues. While the Cardinals have struggled at times defensively this season, the recent call-up of Masyn Winn is a boost in the middle infield and should help a groundball pitcher like McGreevy immensely.
Veteran pitchers Adam Wainwright and Miles Mikolas have a combined ERA this season of nearly 6.00, and Opening Day rotation pieces Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery are now pitching elsewhere. As it’s currently constructed, the Cardinals’ rotation has no quality starting pitching, and McGreevy should get a look before the season ends. His upside is limited, but McGreevy should provide solid ratios and a chance for a few wins down the stretch upon his arrival.
The Watchlist
In no specific order, here are three players that were closest in consideration for this Stash List article: Cade Povich, Gordon Graceffo, and Evan McKendry.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)