The top tier of fantasy baseball prospects has already started to graduate to the majors, but another group is quickly pushing toward relevance for dynasty and redraft managers alike.
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Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Stash Now
This next wave is less about elite, can’t-miss phenoms and more about opportunity meeting performance. For fantasy managers in deeper formats, that matters just as much.
Kaelen Culpepper (SS – MIN)
Kaelen Culpepper continues to build a compelling fantasy profile at Triple-A. The Twins prospect has already posted eight homers and seven steals while playing on a loaded affiliate that also features other high-profile bats.
Several underlying metrics support the production. Culpepper reportedly owns a strong hard-hit profile, including a 51 percent hard-hit rate and impressive exit velocity marks. Just as importantly for fantasy purposes, his batting average has started climbing again after a brief slowdown.
The path to playing time may be opening as well. With Royce Lewis struggling and organizational uncertainty around the infield mix, Culpepper could force Minnesota’s hand sooner rather than later. He was framed as potentially the most fantasy-relevant hitter currently nearing the majors among this next wave of prospects.
For fantasy managers, the appeal is balanced category production. The combination of power, speed, and quality contact gives Culpepper a profile that could matter quickly if he gets the call.
Colt Emerson (SS/3B – SEA)
Colt Emerson may not arrive with the same fantasy ceiling as some recent call-ups, but he still projects as a very stable long-term contributor.
Emerson has six homers and eight steals while hitting around .254 overall, though he has reportedly heated up recently with a .300 average during May.
The biggest fantasy takeaway is positional opportunity. The Mariners appear to have a possible opening at third base, and Emerson could eventually slide into that role while other veterans move into utility spots.
From a fantasy perspective, Emerson was described more as a doubles hitter than a pure power bat. Seattle’s park factors could suppress some of the home run upside, but there’s still potential for useful batting average production with moderate steals.
He may not be the type of prospect managers rush to grab in every format, but deeper leagues should already have him on the radar.
Edwin Arroyo (SS/2B – CIN)
Among the hitters discussed, Edwin Arroyo may have the clearest blend of performance and opportunity.
The Reds infielder has dominated Triple-A pitching with a .338 batting average and .979 OPS through 38 games. There are also signs of growing power production alongside the high-contact profile he has consistently shown throughout the minors.
The likely fit appears to be second base. Cincinnati’s current production at the position has been underwhelming, and the organization seems to be actively searching for answers there.
Fantasy managers should pay attention to the category blend here. Arroyo brings low strikeout rates, developing pop, and stolen base potential. In a favorable offensive environment like Cincinnati, that could translate into immediate mixed-league value if the promotion comes.
There is still some roster uncertainty because the Reds are experimenting with multiple infield alignments, but Arroyo’s production is becoming difficult to ignore.
Jack Wenninger (SP – NYM)
Jack Wenninger was one of the more interesting pitching names mentioned in the discussion. The Mets right-hander owns a 1.27 ERA through six starts at Triple-A with more strikeouts than innings pitched.
The appeal here centers on organizational instability and opportunity. With uncertainty surrounding the Mets rotation and possible future roster changes, Wenninger could eventually work his way into the picture.
His strong performance from last season also stood out, including a sub-3.00 ERA across 26 starts and solid control numbers.
For fantasy purposes, Wenninger looks more like a speculative stash than an immediate priority add. Still, deeper dynasty players should keep tabs on him if the Mets begin reshuffling the rotation later in the season.
Nestor German (SP – BAL)
Nestor German is the definition of a deeper-league pitching stash.
The overall ERA at Triple-A sits at 3.79, but the more notable stat is 47 strikeouts across 35 innings. He has also put together a recent surge that included 16 strikeouts over his last 10 innings and three straight starts allowing one earned run or fewer.
Baltimore’s rotation instability creates at least a possible opening if the Orioles need additional arms during the season.
The outlook stops short of breakout expectations, but German could eventually emerge as a useful streaming option in deeper formats if he reaches the majors and sticks in the rotation.
That’s still enough to matter in AL-only leagues and large roster dynasty setups.
Fantasy Baseball Takeaways
- Kaelen Culpepper (SS – MIN) looks like the best fantasy combination of power and speed among this group and could be nearing a promotion.
- Colt Emerson (SS/3B – SEA) offers a high-contact profile with doubles production and some stolen base upside, especially if Seattle opens third base.
- Edwin Arroyo (SS/2B – CIN) may be the most complete fantasy hitter discussed thanks to his batting average, improving power, and speed combination.
- Jack Wenninger (SP – NYM) is a speculative pitching stash tied to possible Mets rotation changes later this season.
- Nestor German (SP – BAL) is emerging as a deeper-league streaming candidate after a recent strikeout surge at Triple-A.
- Dynasty managers should prioritize hitters from this group first, especially Culpepper and Arroyo.
- Redraft managers in deeper leagues should monitor call-up timelines closely over the next several weeks.
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