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8 Prospects you Should Stash (Fantasy Baseball)

8 Prospects you Should Stash (Fantasy Baseball)

Prospects are an integral part of fantasy baseball, so it would only make sense that you become aware of which ones are worth drafting, even if they start the season in the minors. Considering there are already hundreds of players to learn about ahead of drafts, what’s another “X” names?

We reached out to our featured experts below to see if they could lend a hand in naming pitching and hitting prospects worth stashing away. Who knows, the next Trea Turner could be named below.

What pitching prospect should owners target as a draft-day stash even though he may not begin the season in the big leagues?

Luke Weaver (SP – STL)
“The Cardinals were dealt a brutal blow when they lost Alex Reyes to Tommy John surgery, but they have a talented pitcher who could fill his shoes. Michael Wacha will most likely earn a rotation spot out of spring training, but it’s Luke Weaver whom I think owners should be targeting in drafts. Weaver, 23, didn’t fare well in his first taste of the majors last season, sporting a 5.70 ERA in eight starts, but a 3.34 xFIP and 11.15 K/9 — as well as a 1.78 ERA in the minors — tell a different story. You may have to wait a little bit for him to get the call, but he’ll be well worth drafting over guys like Bartolo Colon and C.C. Sabathia, who are currently being drafted before him.”
Seth Klein (The Fantasy Fix)

“Keep an eye on Luke Weaver in St. Louis. Alex Reyes’ season-ending injury has already forced the Cardinals to re-shuffle their rotation and let’s face it – neither Mike Leake nor Lance Lynn nor Michael Wacha is exactly what you would call a “sure thing.” Weaver posted a 5.70 ERA in nine games (eight starts) last season, but he also struck out 45 and walked only 12 in 36 1/3 innings. He needs to cut down on contact (46 H allowed, including seven HRs), but it appears he has swing-and-miss stuff and very likely will get a second chance as a starter.”
Mark Ross (Athlon Sports)

Josh Hader (SP – MIL)
“A hard-throwing, left-handed pitcher with a devastating fastball-slider combination, Josh Hader should finally be ready to contribute to a Major League roster. The use of the word, ‘finally’ is less a knock on Hader’s development and more an acknowledgment of the concern that he has already been traded twice before his 23rd birthday. Thankfully, the competition in front of him in Milwaukee is hardly threatening, and Hader’s strikeout potential is so eye-popping that he will likely force an extended stay with the Brewers before long.”
Mario Mergola (XN Sports)

Jose De Leon (SP – TB)
“With five established veterans in the rotation already, newly acquired Jose De Leon may not have the chance to break camp in Tampa. However, that shouldn’t dissuade you form targeting him late. The bounty for Logan Forsythe, De Leon is a strikeout machine. Seriously. With a K/9 north of 12 across all levels since 2014, he can challenge top closers with that rate. The other Rays starting pitchers have some injury concerns, including Alex Cobb trying to make his full comeback, so at the first sign of trouble, De Leon should get the call. And when he does, you don’t want a FAAB war to claim him. Get him now.”
Matt Hayes (Razzball)

Joe Jimenez (RP – DET)
“Typically, a starting pitcher would be at the top of my list, but this year the honor belongs to Joe Jimenez of the Detroit Tigers. Last season, Jimenez blew through Single-A allowing no runs and just 5 hits in 17 IP while striking out 28, then continued that dominance through both Double-A and Triple-A. He allowed just 26 total hits over 53 IP while striking out 78 with a 1.51 ERA. There is little doubt that he will be able to master the big leagues once he is called up and should be a top-tier closer for many years as soon as he claims the job for himself.”
Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

What hitting prospect should owners target as a draft-day stash even though he may not begin the season in the big leagues?

Yoan Moncada (3B – CWS)
“The obvious ‘stash candidate,’ is Yoan Moncada. He’s the clear-cut top prospect throughout the industry and will almost certainly be absent from Chicago’s Major League roster to start the regular season. At age 21, there is simply not the push necessary to rush his development, however, his brief stint with the Red Sox in 2016 does confirm that Moncada is ready to compete. He has the potential to contribute to every offensive categories and provide multiple position eligibility in the process. One fantasy owner in nearly every draft should be willing to roll the dice on Moncada’s upside.”
Mario Mergola (XN Sports)

“The easy answer is Yoan Moncada, who could steal 40 bases in half of a season while helping your BA and runs categories. In fact, it isn’t out of the question for him to knock double-digit homers in the second half as well, and who knows, maybe he wins a job out of spring training. Another name to look out for is Bradley Zimmer for the Indians.”
Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Mallex Smith (LF/CF – TB)
“Smith has wheels. In 2013, he stole 64 bases for the Padres Single-A club. He topped that in 2014, combining for 92 stolen bases at three minor league stops, and he had 57 more swipes in 2015. Once he was finally called up to the bigs, he continued to light up the base paths, stealing 14 bags in his first 58 games. Unfortunately, a broken thumb sidelined him till September, but his early success had him at a 29-stolen base pace over 400 plate appearances. Though he hit just .238, his knack for drawing walks has been very impressive — he managed a 10.8 BB% in the minors and sported a 9.3 BB% as a rookie in Atlanta. The Rays outfield is set with Steven Souza, Kevin Kiermaier and Colby Rasmus lining up right to left, but Smith has a real chance to push his way into the lineup. Rasmus is 30 and playing on a one-year deal, and Souza has largely unimpressed in Tampa, striking out 34 percent of the time he’s come to the plate. At some point the Rays will try to get younger and Smith will be a big part of that. He’s worth drafting in deeper leagues if you don’t want to pay up for speed in the earlier rounds.”
Seth Klein (The Fantasy Fix)

Austin Meadows (CF – PIT)
“Give me all the Austin Meadows stock available. I don’t know how he’ll crack the squad given the Pirates trio of OF studs, but he’s proven to be, arguably, the best fantasy prospect that could make an impact this year. He has the power Raimel Tapia doesn’t (12 HR in 82 G at AA/AAA last year) and the speed to match (17 SB). A move would need to happen in Pittsburgh to create space, but if he begins the season at his same trajectory (.300 hitter with power/speed combo) the Pirates will have to do something. Maybe Josh Bell doesn’t hit for any power? Andrew McCutchen continues to drop? Whatever the scenario, he has to make an appearance this year, and I want him on my team when he does.”
Matt Hayes (Razzball)

Mitch Haniger (LF/CF – SEA)
“Seattle has several intriguing OF prospects, but the one I’m watching most closely is Mitch Haniger. Acquired from Arizona in the Jean Segura trade, Haniger was the Diamondbacks’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2016 after tearing up Double- and Triple-A. He didn’t seem overwhelmed (.229-5-17 in 109 AB) after getting called up in August and with Seth Smith now in Baltimore, presumably two OF spots are open for the Mariners. He’s not a burner on the base paths, but 20-10 potential is there with the upside for more if he plays every day.”
Mark Ross (Athlon Sports)

We appreciate the experts lending their thoughts. Please give them a follow on Twitter for more fantasy baseball advice. Also, be sure to subscribe and listen to our latest podcasts below.


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