Cuts have been made, and tears have been shed for the prospects we thought were locks, and we’re sent packing. Not all is lost though, just because some of the games top prospects didn’t break camp, doesn’t mean they won’t be up soon. Here is a list of prospects that you might want to stash right now, and some to keep on your radar as the 2024 season gets underway.
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Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Stash
Jackson Holliday (2B,SS – BAL )
Holliday makes the list after management sent the young infielder down to work things. Important things, like minor things, and stuff. That’s about the level of “sense” it makes, but regardless, he’ll start in the minors. Once he starts up at triple-A, he’ll play his new second base position. If there was one logical decision to send him down, learning second might be it. The other thing noted was learning to hit lefties better. If we see improvements against lefties early, and a mistakeless second base, Holliday could still be back up in April with the big club. Holliday hit over .300 with two home runs and two stolen bases during the spring and has a great shot to carry this back over once he’s called up. He is easily the top stash among all minor leaguers. His wait time will most likely be the shortest among this group.
Junior Caminero (3B – TB )
The Rays decided on Caminero early. The club does not typically get hyper-aggressive with prospect promotions. During the spring, Caminero hit just under .270 with an under 15% strikeout rate. He did fine, just nothing to write home about. Upon being sent down, he started mashing in minor league spring training games (as noted by Geoff Pontes in this video of 114mph max EV triple-a). After hitting 30 home runs in 2023, Caminero will be a premium power bat prospect to chase. If he continues to register low strikeout rates, and big power numbers, it will be hard for the team to keep guys like Curtis Mead and the now-injured Jonathan Aranda ahead of him. My suggestion is, if you can stash him, do it. This is the player, like Holliday, that will command the number one waiver claim or 50% plus FAAB bids.
Victor Scott ll (OF – STL)
Scott had a legit shot to break camp with the Cardinals. It seems as though they chose Mike Siani over him, which is laughable. Scott won an MiLB gold glove, so that part of his game is not in question. The Cardinals, besides manipulation, must feel his bat needs some seasoning in the minors, even after hitting over .300 in spring. Regardless of the excuse, I don’t believe Scott will be in the minors too long. He is the most dangerous man in the minors on the base baths. Think of Scott as a version of Esteury Ruiz, who will hit for more average and possibly get to double-digit home runs. Even though he isn’t making the club on day one, he could still be a league winner once he hits the majors.
Kyle Manzardo (1B – CLE )
The Guardians passed on the chance to have their top two rookies make the team in favor of non-roster invitees. This was after many believed the team would rotate Naylor and Manzardo between first and DH. What that usually says is that player has stuff to work on right up until that extra year of service time locks in (if you get what I’m saying). Manzardo hit .381 this spring but did have a bit of a strikeout problem. Cutting down that, particularly high zone fastballs, is his biggest focal point early on. Once Manzardo gets to the majors, his power bat will be worth chasing. If he were given a full season at the major league level, he could push 30 home runs. I would think of Manzardo like Triston Casas in his rookie year. Keep a close eye on his call-up.
Paul Skenes (SP – PIT )
He’s the top pitching prospect in baseball, which makes this easy. The level at which the Pirates will move him is the trick. He could be up in April or August. What we do know is that when Skenes is up, he will push the limits of FAAB budgets as the top pitching waiver wire option of the year. Skenes’ triple-digit power fastball was on display during the spring, and the continued development of his changeup will give him at least three offerings to dominate with. If you have an N/A spot, he’d be higher on the list. If you can stomach the roster spot, he’s worth holding through the start of April just in case he gets an early call-up.
The Next Wave
Chase DeLauter (OF – CLE )
DeLauter hit over .500 in spring and was cut near the final day of cutdowns. With guys like Will Brennan and Estevan Florial making the roster, it shouldn’t be too long for DeLauter.
Coby Mayo (3B – BAL )
Mayo was electric in spring, showing off his plus bat and maturity. The Orioles said Mayo wouldn’t make the big club if Holliday did. Well, neither of them have. The good news is the guys blocking Mayo are Ramon Urias and Ryan McKenna. When Mayo is up, he’s a must-add.
James Wood (OF – WAS )
Wood did everything he could to prove he was ready in spring. Four homers, three stolen bases, hit over .340, and not only had a low(ish) strikeout rate but an almost 20% walk rate. He’s power/speed combo should elicit Elly De La Cruz upside when he finally gets to the majors. Wood is going to triple-a and looks to be the first man up in Washington.
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