The Hitter Edition of the Stash List is back for the 2025 season.
This Stash List highlights the 10 best hitting prospects likely to make an impact during the 2025 season.
Prospects are often thought of as only holding value in dynasty formats. However, knowing which prospects hold value for the current season can help set you apart in redraft leagues. Several have a 2025 ETA, and getting ahead of the curve on rostering these prospects is a key part of roster management. Read to discover the top 10 hitters you should stash in your redraft leagues.
Ground Rules
- The Stash List is for your redraft leagues and does not consider impact beyond 2025.
- 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 will be updated weekly.
- Stats will be updated weekly for all players through Thursday’s games.
The Stash List
Graduates/Call Ups
The Astros have been struck by the injury bug this season, which has given top prospect Brice Matthews a chance to make his major league debut this week. MLB’s #98 prospect has been spectacular so far in 2025, posting a 131 wRC+ in 73 games in AAA so far. He’s one of only 13 players in the minors with at least ten homers and 25 steals, and is fifth among them with a .876 OPS. Those numbers may be inflated by the hitter-friendly league he’s in, because his splits at home vs. away are significantly different (.598 OPS at home, 1.077 on the road). His value is highly dependent on how much playing time he gets with the Astros, but if he locks down a consistent role, he’s worth adding for offensive upside in the infield.
Luisangel Acuña was recalled by the Mets to serve as a utility player in the infield, backing up Ronny Mauricio and Brett Baty. Until Acuna gets a consistent run in the lineup, and steps up his MLB production (.658 career OPS), he’s not a viable option for fantasy managers.
Speaking of lackluster fantasy options, Jorbit Vivas and Kenedy Corona were called up by the Yankees and Astros, respectively. Both players will act as backups for their ballclubs, and neither has a strong track record of MiLB production to warrant getting them into the lineup consistently. Vivas is the more likely of the two to provide value (123 wRC+ in AAA), but unless he gets a run of games in the lineup, he’s not worth adding.
Author’s Note: This article was submitted before Saturday’s All-Star Futures Game. The performances of players who featured in that game and this article will be addressed next week.
Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash
1. Chase DeLauter, OF – Cleveland Guardians
Trade Likelihood: 0/10: The Guardians have a potential 3/4 hitter for the next decade. No reason to trade that away with a struggling offense
There’s no reason that Chase DeLauter is not in the big leagues right now. The Guardians had the perfect opportunity to give DeLauter his debut when Lane Thomas was forced onto the DL, but they opted to promote Will Wilson instead. There were undoubtedly 40-man factors and defensive alignments at the forefront of that decision, but with the offensive production they’re getting in the outfield, something has to change. Since July 1st, Guardians outfielders are hitting .227 with a 77 wRC+. Angel Martínez (.870 OPS) and Nolan Jones (.755) have been solid, but the rest of the group simply has not performed.
Simultaneously, to say DeLauter has been performing would be an understatement. In 33 games with the Columbus Clippers in AAA, DeLauter is yet to finish one without reaching base safely. He hasn’t been as productive as we’ve become accustomed to, hitting just .185 in July, but he’s still showcasing his potential as a heart-of-the-order hitter. DeLauter’s posting a 65% hard-hit rate this month, on top of an average exit velocity over 95 miles an hour. On Wednesday night, DeLauter hit his fifth AAA home run over 410 feet, swatting a fastball 109 miles an hour over the right field fence. The Guardians are in the midst of a homestand until the 24th, and I’d be surprised if DeLauter isn’t on the roster by the time they hit the road again.
2. Samuel Basallo, C – Baltimore Orioles
Trade Likelihood: 0/10 – Trading Basallo would be organizational malpractice.
The results may not have followed, but Basallo’s batted ball data so far in July looks like something out of a video game. His average exit velocity sits just under 100 miles an hour, and his hard-hit rate is approaching 70%. He showcased that power on Tuesday, smashing a fastball 420 feet to center field en route to a 3-4, four RBI performance. Over 20% of Basallo’s fly balls in AAA have left the ballpark this season, although only 26% of his balls in play end up in the air. Basallo’s 54% ground-ball rate could be improved upon, and his whiff rate still sits around 30%. Those are likely the last frontiers that Basallo needs to fix, but after that, he should reach the major leagues.
Given all of that information, with the fact that DeLauter is in a mini-slump, why does Basallo not take top spot? Simply put, Cleveland needs DeLauter more than Baltimore needs Basallo. The Guardians, despite their rollercoaster season, are 4.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. To their credit, Baltimore has fought their way back to within seven games, but time is not on their side. Additionally, unless there are major moves at the trade deadline, there’s no clear pathway for consistent playing time for Basallo. Adley Rutschman isn’t going anywhere behind the dish, and the rest of Baltimore’s young core needs to find at-bats. DeLauter’s closer to the majors than Basallo, but it won’t be long until Basallo is the clear #1 on this list.
3. Kristian Campbell, 2B – Boston Red Sox
Trade Likelihood: 0/10 – Trading Campbell would be organizational malpractice.
Red Sox fans will be hoping that Campbell’s three-run shot on Thursday night will be the beginning of a prolonged streak of productivity for him. Boston’s top prospect in AAA launched a go-ahead home run on an 0-2 fastball, which caught too much of the zone. That was just his second extra-base hit since the 4th of July, and his first home run since returning to Worcester. Campbell hasn’t performed to the expectations that were thrust upon him after a dominant 2024, but there’s still plenty of time to turn it around. In the small sample size of games he’s played in AAA, his average exit velocity (85.8) is down by three ticks, and his hard-hit rate plummeted from 41% in the majors to 31% in the minors.
That doesn’t tell the whole story, though. Campbell has been remarkably, arguably overly, selective at the plate in AAA. He’s swinging at just 35.6% of pitches he sees, and just 55% of pitches over the plate. His whiff rate (28.7%) is higher than expected, but when you see a 3% drop in his zone contact rate between his MLB and AAA numbers, it makes sense. The Red Sox can afford to be patient with Campbell now that Alex Bregman is back. Boston is also riding a seven-game win streak at the time of writing, so there isn’t a dire need to make a change. Campbell will be back in the majors sometime this season, and it’ll likely be when he shows his 2024 form again in AAA.
4. CJ Kayfus, 1B/OF – Cleveland Guardians
Trade Likelihood: 1/10 – Still more likely than DeLauter, but unless the Guardians go all in, Kayfus should be a part of the team’s long-term plans.
If C.J Kayfus wasn’t in the same organization as Chase DeLauter, he’d arguably be approaching the “Basallo-tier” of must-stash prospects. He’s been outstanding in 2025, and the Guardians need all the help they can get in their lineup. Kayfus is one of 16 players in the entire MiLB system with 10+ homers and 150+ wRC+, and one of four to reach AAA this year (Otto Kemp, Basall0, Nathan Church). He possesses a combination of plus power (25 HR in 134 AAA games) and bat-to-ball ability (86.6% Z-Con) that should land him in the middle of the batting order in the majors. There’s a hint of strikeout issues (30.6% O-Swing, 56% whiff) as he’s sat between 25-29% so far in AAA, but more exposure to high-level pitching could bring those numbers down.
Kayfus has slightly more defensive versatility than DeLauter, which could accelerate his path to the majors. The former has spent time at first base and both corner outfield spots so far this year. Displacing a young slugger (Kyle Manzardo) and an ageless wonder (Carlos Santana) will be no easy feat, which makes the outfield the most likely route for Kayfus. DeLauter has him beat in terms of proximity to playing time in those spots, but there is a path to get both into the lineup. If the Guardians want to maximize their offensive output, at the expense of defense, they could move Steven Kwan to center field, and put Kayfus and DeLauter in the corners. That move is not imminent, but if the Guardians remain in the race, they may be forced to take drastic action.
5. Justin Crawford, OF – Philadelphia Phillies
Trade Likelihood: 6/10 – The Phillies need offense and bullpen help. Crawford would be a major bargaining chip in acquiring a big name.
Full disclosure, I was very close to moving Crawford above Campbell this week. The former’s performance has been staggering in 2025, and the gap between him and the major leagues has closed significantly over the past few weeks. At the time of writing, Crawford is in the midst of a ten-game hitting streak. Six of his 17 hits in that period went for extra bases, including his second home run of the season. He continues to show impressive and consistent pop (110 max. EV, 41.8% hard hit) for a player whose main attribute is his speed. That speed, in combination with an 84% contact rate and 61.2% ground-ball rate, will also be something for infielders to worry about when he’s on the bases.
It’s a lazy comparison, but Crawford could become a Chandler Simpson-esque player with more power. He makes almost the same amount of contact, while possessing exit velocities and hard hit rates much higher than Simpson’s. Crawford also plays a pretty good center field. Given the Phillies’ struggles to get value from that spot (84 wRC+, .293 wOBA), the 21-year-old could prove to be worth the risk of a call-up. There’s also the added factor of the trade deadline. The Phillies need help in their bullpen. If they go all in for an Emmanuel Clase/Jhoan Duran type, then a player of Crawford’s caliber will likely have to go the other way to get the deal over the line. In comparison to DeLauter/Basallo, Crawford’s promotion is far from a sure thing. However, if he’s promoted, he could prove to be an asset for teams in need of OBP or steals.
6. Owen Caissie, OF – Chicago Cubs
Trade Likelihood: 8/10 – If the Cubs make a move, then one (or more) of Caissie/Alcantara/Triantos will be wearing a new jersey next month.
Few players on the planet enjoyed the holiday period more than Owen Caissie. Since the start of the month, the 23-year-old outfielder has six home runs, eight RBI, and a .462 batting average. His 327 wRC+ and .706 wOBA rank 2nd in AAA over the last week, behind four-year MLB player Jack Suwinski (source). Caissie has 2+ hits in his last five games, and has struck out just three times in that span. These are superstar numbers, and the underlying data looks like it could be sustainable. Caissie’s 52% hard-hit rate and 92.0 mph average exit velocity, in tandem with an 81.4% Z-Contact rate and 19.1% whiff rate, indicate that Caissie makes a lot of contact and that contact leads to damage.
Unfortunately for him, he’s playing in an organization with an elite outfield. The Cubs’ outfield ranks second in wRC+ (130), OPS (.827) and fWAR (11.8). Breaking into that unit and getting everyday reps doesn’t look likely. Neither does earning the DH spot, as Seiya Suzuki has already smashed his MLB career high in homers with 25. Caissie’s best chance of playing in the majors this season may come at the trade deadline. If the Cubs are able to land a big-name pitcher, then Caissie may find himself with an organization with an opening in the outfield (looking at you Miami). For now, Caissie is an upside stash due to the lack of path to playing time with the Cubs. If he finds himself with a new team next month, he could shoot into the top three on this list.
7. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF – Minnesota Twins
Trade Likelihood: 2/10 – The Twins shouldn’t sell, but if they decide to aggressively pursue a Wild Card spot, then there’s a chance Rodriguez is included in trade talksC
He’s back! After missing the first few months of the season because of a hip issue, Emmanuel Rodriguez returned to AAA on July 8th for the first time since May, and picked up right where he left off. Rodriguez went 3-5 with a home run and three RBI against the Iowa Cubs, adding a walk in the effort. The box score showcases almost every part of Rodriguez’s game. He has immense power potential and a keen eye for walks. The only part that was missing was the strikeouts, which manifested themselves in each of the previous five games (8 Ks in 21 PAs). The Twins will proceed with caution when it comes to Rodriguez, but they have to be excited to see him back on the field.
The Twins aren’t out of the playoff hunt yet, but they’re days as contenders are numbered. They’re second in the AL Central, but are 15 games back of the Tigers at the time of writing. Minnesota’s offense hasn’t been bad, but it hasn’t been nearly as good as their pitching staff has been (13.0 fWAR, 3rd in MLB). They rank 19th in OPS (.704) and 18th in wOBA (.310) and wRC+ (97). The outfield has generated good offensive production (112 wrC+), but you can never have too many bats in the lineup. If the Twins are able to make a run in the second half, expect Emmanuel Rodriguez to be a big part of it.
8. Dylan Beavers, OF – Baltimore Orioles
Trade Likelihood: 2/10 – Unless a great deal falls into their laps, Baltimore should focus on getting their young core ready for 2026.
Given Baltimore’s roster construction coming into 2025, Dylan Beavers likely wasn’t in the Orioles’ plans for 2025. As we near the halfway point, he’s quickly playing himself into contention for a roster spot for the second half of the season. Beavers is one of six minor leaguers with at least ten homers, 20 steals, and a .300 batting average, and one of two in AAA (Samad Taylor, SEA). Beavers’ batted ball numbers aren’t elite (89.4 mph AVG EV, 39.6% hard-hit rate), but his approach gets him into advantageous situations. Beavers swings at just 21% of pitches outside the zone, and makes contact nearly 70% of the time. He’s also posting a 90.2% Z-Contact rate and 12.3% in-zone whiff rate, meaning he’s not getting beat over the plate either.
Beavers, unfortunately, faces the same problem that Basallo does. There just isn’t a clear path to playing time for him, yet. Ramón Laureano and Cedric Mullins should generate some attention in this deadline cycle, especially now that Baltimore has signalled that they’re selling after trading away Bryan Baker. Should one or both of those players depart, then the pathway for Beavers gets much clearer. He’s played in all three outfield spots, so he can fit in the outfield in a number of different ways depending on how the trade deadline shakes out. Beavers may not have the ceiling that some other players on this list have, but he could find himself getting lots of playing time in the second half of the season.
9. Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B – Miami Marlins
Trade Likelihood: 4/10 – The Marlins haven’t promoted him yet despite almost 50 homers in the last two seasons. Maybe they’re looking for another option at first.
De Los Santos, as things stand, is still the “first-baseman in waiting” for the Marlins, but he’s not doing himself any favors. In July, he’s gone 3-23, and none of those few hits have been for extra bases. The strikeout rate in that time isn’t egregious (3 Ks), but he failed to take a walk, either. De Los Santos has the power potential (91.5 AVG EV, 47.6% hard-hit rate) to make an impact, but he’s taken a step back this year. His fly-ball rate (23.8% in AAA) is down 5% from his 2024 mark, which, in tandem with his 10% decrease in home-run-per-fly-ball rate (23.5%) has resulted in a dramatic decrease in long balls this season. If his numbers don’t improve, De Los Santos is on pace for his worst career season-long OPS (.695) and wRC+ (89).
So why is he still in the top ten? Simply put, the Marlins don’t have any other options. Eric Wagaman is the only first baseman currently on the roster, and he hasn’t cemented his place in that role long-term (81 wRC+, .656 OPS). In theory, there are other options that could hold down first base, but De Los Santos’ 30+ home run power makes him the most intriguing option of the bunch. The Marlins aren’t in last place in the NL East, but at 42-50, there’s a slim chance they’re able to catch up to the Phillies or the Mets. The rest of the season should be aimed at getting their exciting young talent ready for the 2026 season. With that in mind, the time to try out De Los Santos at first base should be coming soon.
10. Carter Jensen, C – Kansas City Royals
Trade Likelihood: 5/10 – Kansas City could be a major player at the deadline. With Salvy/Fermin in the majors, and Blake Mitchell in the pipeline, Jensen could be expendable.
Carter Jensen is taking the term “three-true-outcome-hitter” to the next level over the past two weeks. Since being promoted to AAA on June 24th, 66% of Jensen’s at-bats have resulted in either a strikeout or an extra base hit. Jensen has matched his AA homer (6) tally since joining the Omaha Storm Chasers, in 57 fewer games. Although a small sample size, the batted ball numbers are impressive. Jensen’s posting a 93.4 mph average exit velocity and a 65.2% hard-hit rate. Both of those would be comfortably in the top five among AAA hitters (min. 1000 pitches), with the latter taking the top spot. On the other hand, Jensen’s 39.5% strikeout rate shows that there’s improvements to be made before he can be considered for a call-up.
On paper, Jensen’s 92.3% AAA Z-Contact rate and 27.4% CSW% don’t indicate that he should have crazy strikeout numbers. His O-Contact? That does. He’s currently whiffing on over 88% of pitches outside the strike zone so far in AAA. That’s not going to cut it. He sat between 22-23% between last season and in AAA this year, so there’s reason to believe that his current rate will come down with more exposure to AAA pitching. The Royals can afford to be patient with him, for now. Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin have both registered an 83 wRC+, with the latter mashing eleven home runs. Jensen may not be an upgrade yet, but if they continue to struggle, the Royals will need to find offense somewhere. Kansas City fast-tracked Jac Caglianone to the majors because they needed a bat. They could do it again with Jensen if they need more pop.
On The Bubble
Here are the next five hitters considered for inclusion on this week’s list in no particular order.
Stash List
