Welcome back to some MiLB prospecting. Today, we are looking at the current state of fantasy baseball prospects that are worth stashing. I say with decent certainty that these players are all guys you should look at post all-star break. Not every league is created equal, and some guys will make better sense in different formats, but these are the main guys to put your focus on.
Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Stash Now
It’s crazy we are still here in July without Bubba Chandler. The reason we are here, though, has been his inconsistency. He’d take a step forward and then two steps back. In June alone, he failed to get to the third inning in three of his four starts. He had a really bad four-walk game and a blow-up six-earned-run game. His last outing, though, he seemed to lock back in a bit. His fastball hit 100, averaging around 98, producing a 35% WHIFF rate, while his changeup and slider were both on display. This upcoming all-star weekend might be the perfect time for a break and a reset. Outside of him getting blown up in his next few starts, the only real reason we wouldn’t see him in late July or early August would be the Pirates manipulating his playing time, so he just pitches in September to keep his prospect eligibility for next season.
Welcome back to some MiLB prospecting. Today, we are looking at the current state of fantasy baseball prospects that are worth stashing. I say with decent certainty that these players are all guys you should look at post all-star break. Not every league is created equal, and some guys will make better sense in different formats, but these are the main guys to put your focus on.
Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Stash Now
It’s crazy we are still here in July without Bubba Chandler. The reason we are here, though, has been his inconsistency. He’d take a step forward and then two steps back. In June alone, he failed to get to the third inning in three of his four starts. He had a really bad four-walk game and a blow-up six-earned-run game. His last outing, though, he seemed to lock back in a bit. His fastball hit 100, averaging around 98, producing a 35% WHIFF rate, while his changeup and slider were both on display. This upcoming all-star weekend might be the perfect time for a break and a reset. Outside of him getting blown up in his next few starts, the only real reason we wouldn’t see him in late July or early August would be the Pirates manipulating his playing time, so he just pitches in September to keep his prospect eligibility for next season.
I almost put Painter over Chandler on this, and frankly, it’s razor thin. Painter also hasn’t had incredible results in AAA, but I think once he gets to the majors, he is going to thrive. In his last start, his fastball was touched 100. His cutter, which sits around 90mph, had a 50% outside the zone swing rate, while his curveball and changeup had elite WHIFF rates and CSW%. His arsenal plays at the major league level, and the Phillies know it. He was almost up two years ago before getting hurt. They have him not pitching in the Futures Game, which is very telling; he is close to being up with the majors. He should be stashed now if you don’t want to fight with league mates.
Injuries slowed DeLauter’s progress this season, and sadly, have been his issue for a few years now. Things are starting to click, as he’s hitting over .300 in AAA in 26 games with four homers, 10 total extra base hits, and more walks than strikeouts. In AAA, he is posting a 90 MPH Average EV and a 48 hard-hit rate. The sample size is enough, where I expect the Guardians to give him a look very soon. His bat is going to play very well in the friendly lefty environment. His power could put him in a good RBI spot early on, and he is a threat to steal some bases. We just need him healthy. Please stay healthy. He’s probably not a 10-team option, but 12-teamers and above should give him a hard look either prior to the call-up or make the move the day it happens.
How long can you hit .330 and not receive a callup? Justin Crawford and the Phillies are testing this theory. The last time Crawford’s season average wasn’t at .330 was May 30th. He’s got a .400+ OBP, and though just two home runs, he has 19 other XBH hits to go along with his 26 stolen bases. He’ll never be a power guy, but he may be able to be a better on-base Chandler Simpson. That’s the approach I would have with him in fantasy. His low average and high on-base skills will be good for points league, while his batting average and stolen bases will be a big asset for roto/category. So, the way you ran to pick up Simpson is how I would treat Crawford once he gets a look. It’s tougher to say when that will be with the Phillies, but hopefully we have our .330 average science experiment answer soon.
The Orioles are trying really hard not to bring up Basallo. Adley gets hurt, they say he needs to do more. They lost another catcher, and instead of Basallo, it’s Jacob Stallings. This has to be about defense and consistency. He’s hitting .264, with a .390 OBP and 16 home runs on the year. He also doesn’t strike out. So, what we may need is not just an injury, but for the team to move Ryan O’Hearn or make another move or two. What makes this tough is that he is a big name. People were picking him up in speculation of this most recent injury, and it didn’t work. So, you may have to get a head of this. I think the right time is around the week after the All-Star break. The trade deadline will likely open up a spot or two, and then we can pounce. I believe his power will play early on, and we could see an Agustin Ramirez repeat.
Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Keep an Eye On
He’s hitting .319 with a .414 OBP and 11 home runs between AA and AAA. It’s not crazy to think he gets the look before DeLauter.
It was a rocky start, but his ERA is at 3.89. He has a sandwich of two great starts of nine plus innings and no earned runs, and a blow-up of five earned runs. The Cardinals are in a playoff race, but any injury to Mathews could get the call.
Had Eldridge not gotten hurt, he could be up right now. He was scheduled to miss about a month, which sets him up near the post all-star break. The Giants may want his bat once he’s back.
Freeland is still doing a bit of everything. His average has dipped, but he’s still over .270, has some power/speed combo, and can play across the infield. Kim might keep him down, but we may see Freeland soon with any injury.
I think Alcantara is most interesting because I could see him as a centerpiece of a trade. I would assume that move could get him to the majors. He and Owen Caissie are kind of in the same spot. If given a chance, I’d want both.
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