We had a big week for prospect call-ups, and even better, the big three were all on the top 10 of the prospects to stash article from last week. We will say goodbye to Joey Loperfido, Jordan Beck, and Tyler Black while welcoming a few new names. Kyle Manzardo was the one who was on last week, but I jumped him a spot or two. I currently view my list as a “big four.” These four could happen at any moment, and I believe are must-adds. I am not saying the rest aren’t must-adds, but more of an unknown on their timeline. So, without wasting any more time, let’s get to the list of fantasy baseball prospects to stash.
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Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Stash
OFF THE LIST
Joey Loperfido (OF – HOU)
Loperfido kicked off the excitement with his call-up and the demotion of Jose Abreu. This opens up the playing time moving forward. He got a hit in his first game, driving in his first two RBI. He started in the outfield in the first game, so his playing time can continue in multiple spots. His longer-term outlook put him over the other two call-ups of the week. Monitor his strikeouts though.
Jordan Beck (OF – COL )
Coming off of his triple-a season hitting over .300 with five home runs and five stolen bases, Beck started off his pro-debut with two hits. Both Nolan Jones and Kris Bryant are on the IL, but if Beck continues hitting, I don’t see how the team can send him back down. He’s a solid source of power and speed in a hitter-friendly environment.
Tyler Black (3B – MLW )
Black got a shot at DH in his first game, picking up two hits, a run, and an RBI. He was rewarded with this in the next game hitting out of the cleanup spot, where he hit another double. Pat Murphy is going to reward guys like Black. His ability to also move around the infield could give him regular at-bats. He started at first base in his second game. His path is less clear, but the bat has a chance to be special.
PROSPECTS TO STASH
Junior Caminero (3B – TB )
Caminero went 4-5 on April 28th with a double and two home runs. He has hits in eight of ten games after suffering his early injury. I don’t know if the team would push Caminero back to shortstop in place of Caballero, but I’m not sure Austin Shenton can keep him from at least moving Parades to DH for Caminero to start. The Rays can only be comfortable being the 23rd-scoring team in baseball for so long. There isn’t much left for Caminero to prove in the minors.
Paul Skenes (SP – PIT)
Rinse and repeat until he’s in the majors. Skenes’ pitch count hit 75 this past start (I have speculated one he hits 80, the next start could be in the majors). This was also his first start going six innings. He struck out seven, walked one, and gave up only three hard-hit balls all game. Caminero and Skenes are kind of 1A/1B of who to stash. Possibly your need can make the decision. I’m still speculating a mid-May call-up is happening.
James Wood (OF – WAS )
As of writing this on May 1st, Wood has an eight-game hitting streak. This includes two home runs during the stretch and three doubles. He struck out only twice over his last five games and has three stolen bases in his last three. Washington is making their plans clear as they slow-roll him while outfielder after outfielder goes on the IL without bringing him up. He’s on the mount rushmore of prospects waiting to get his call.
Kyle Manzardo (1B – CLE )
The Manzalorian has six home runs since April 19th. His average has pushed over .300, with almost 1.000 OPS to boot. He must have got the Guardians memo as he has a 12% walk rate and a K% right at 17%. Manzardo is ready, it’s just about the Guardians finally cutting the cord on Estevan Florial or Will Brennan. Playing only first base or DH likely isn’t helping his cause, but if May 15th rolls by and Manzardo hasn’t been called up, I’d be extremely surprised.
Christian Scott (SP – NYM )
Scott’s last start wasn’t a crowd-pleaser as he walked two and struck out only two, but over his 4.2 innings, he gave up only one hit. That is back-to-back starts giving up only one hit. For perspective, Scott has struck out 36 batters in the minors this year while giving up just 12 hits total. The Mets say they are sticking with Houser for now, but we know that Scott is coming very soon. I’d pick him up and start him in the first start pending who he is pitching against in most scenarios (The Braves probably being one I wouldn’t).
Coby Mayo (3B – BAL )
On almost any other team, Mayo would be up at this point. The Orioles send Holliday down, yet are still not playing Kjerstad regularly (He seems to be platooning against right-handed pitchers). Mayo is hitting .330, with hits in four straight games and back-to-back games with a home run. Over his last five games, he’s struck out twice and walked five times. The path is still there, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he received a promotion before Jackson Holliday got a second chance. He is one of the premier power/hit combos in the minors.
Orelvis Martinez (SS-TOR )
Orelvis kicked off May by blasting his eighth home run of the year on a three-hit day. After hitting .310 in April, there is little prove on the quality of his bat. The bigger questions will be if strikeout issues creep back up, and attempt to walk more. He’s blocked at the major league level, but it’s an easy move for Biggio to the outfielder for the hot middle infielder. He isn’t a stolen base threat, so we’ll be looking for him to hit around sixth in the order for some prime RBI opportunities. We’re in the final stages before a call-up.
Cade Povich (SP – BAL )
It was looking less likely the chance was going to come for Povich to get a shot at the Orioles rotation. Now, with Grayson back on the IL, and still some uncertainty with John Means, Cade Povich could get a look soon. He’s struck out nine or more in three of his five starts. He’s gone at least five in four of five starts and given up only three total runs. His last start he threw six different pitches, while his cutter put up a 50% WHIFF rate. Walks have been his real issue this season, though they’ve barely affected him and his 1.03 ERA.
Connor Norby (2B/OF – BAL)
We’re all thinking the same thing, really? The Orioles again? Norby would probably be up, like Mayo if he were on half of the other teams in the league. He’s hitting .280 with seven home runs and two stolen bases. He’s been splitting time between second base and the outfield at triple-a. Once the team moves on from the likes of Urias and Mateo, Norby can serve as a utility man. It could possibly look like Spencer Steer when it happens. This is more of a watch when the call happens.
Niko Kavadas (1B – BOS )
As good as Kavadas has been playing, he probably wouldn’t have hit my list if it wasn’t for the Casas injury. Kavadas is currently hitting .290 with five home runs, and a K% sitting at 27%, which is down from last years 30% plus rate. He has a monstrous OBP, which is over .460 with his over 20% walk percentage. If the current options weren’t Bobby Dalbec and Dominic Smith, this might be a reach but don’t be surprised if we see Niko in Boston come mid May.
PUT ON YOUR WATCH LIST
- Carson Whisenhunt (SP – SF )
- Mason Black (SP – SF )
- Drew Thorpe (SP – CHW )
- Owen Caissie (OF – CHC )
- Max Muncy (OAK – SS )
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