Note: Anyone promoted during the current season is ineligible for the stash list.
1. Orioles C Samuel Basallo (20, AAA)
I’ve given Baltimore a lot of guff in this space over the last few years for how they manage their roster, but this delayed promotion is easy to understand. Basallo turns 21 on August 13, so even though the bat was ready, and the roster had a clear need behind the plate, they had every incentive to hold Basallo back and give him a shot at rookie of the year in 2026. He’s got 23 home runs in just 72 Triple-A games and would be my pick for best fantasy rookie if selecting today.
2. Cardinals SS JJ Wetherholt (22, AAA)
We’re nearing the fuzzy cut-off date for promoting a player this season while retaining his rookie eligibility for 2026, so I don’t think any of the elite guys will get the call until their organization is certain they’re in the clear to compete for awards and draft picks in the future. No matter what the league tries to do to incentivize teams to promote and play their best guys, front office types will always find a way to drag their feet looking for an angle. Just today, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch published a story saying JJ Wetherholt needs to stay in Triple-A, and I suppose that’s true for today, but the truer truth is that he should’ve been in the majors back when the Cardinals were still in contention for 2025. In his 19 AAA games, he is slashing .319/.400/.667 with six home runs, two stolen bases, ten walks and 11 strikeouts. They drafted a ready-soon college hitter and slow-rolled him despite him knocking down every obstacle in his path.
3. Orioles OF Dylan Beavers (23, AAA)
Turns 24 on August 11. Has nothing left to prove in the minors after slashing .309/.425/.536 with 18 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 88 Triple-A games. He’s also controlling the zone and walking almost as much (16.5%) as he’s striking out (17.2%). Baltimore needs to bring in a consultant to help them manage their timelines. But hey at least Coby Mayo is playing now.
4. Red Sox OF Jhostynxon Garcia (22, AAA)
The password has been practicing at first base and will get some in-game reps over the next few weeks. At this dish, he’s been eating all season, slashing .307/.372/.589 with 15 home runs in 58 Triple-A games. The bat seems ready. Just waiting for an open spot at the right moment.
5. Giants 1B Bryce Eldridge (20, AAA)
I see some intriguing sliding doors here. If Boston communicates better with Rafael Devers, does Bryce Eldridge spend the second half in San Francisco. Probably not considering he’s striking out 30.9 percent of the time through 35 Triple-A games, but it’s fun to think about. He’s been on fire since July 22, slashing .311/.394/.721 with eight home runs in those 16 games. Doesn’t turn 21 until October and might not get a look this season.
6. Pirates RHP Bubba Chandler (22, AAA)
Judging by the outcomes, he’s been up and down all summer, but it’s hard to know how much of that is related to his confusing timeline. He ripped off back-to-back, six-inning shutouts at the beginning of July. Probably thought he’d be a Pirate by May. Instead he remains an Indianapolis Indian, Donald Trump’s favorite minor league club.
7. Yankees OF Spencer Jones (24, AAA)
Has 13 home runs and 14 stolen bases in just 30 Triple-A games. Strikeout rate is down from 33.7 percent in Double-A to 24.1 percent in this 30-game stretch. The team doesn’t have a spot for him with Giancarlo Stanton healthy and Aaron Judge at designated hitter, but Jones looks ripe on the vine. He could still be exposed by big league pitching, but it’s time to find out.
8. Marlins LHP Robby Snelling (21, AAA)
Triple-A agrees with Snelling, who has a 1.63 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 27.2 innings across five starts at the level. Miami’s rotation has plenty of serviceable options for the back end in Cal Quantrill, Jansen Junk, Adam Mazur and newly acquired Ryan Gusto, but none of these guys is especially crucial for the Marlins’ long-term plans, while Snelling should be part of the rotation for most of the 2026 season.
9. Mets RHP Nolan McLean (24, AAA)
Has adjusted beautifully to Triple-A, posting a 1.04 WHIP and 2.89 ERA over his last eight starts with 62 strikeouts in 56 innings. Perhaps the command isn’t quite perfect, but McLean’s stuff is major league ready, and Frankie Montas does not look good right now. It’s a little confusing to me that they’re so committed to him during a tight NL East pennant race. He’s got a player option for next year at $17 million, so maybe there’s some sunk cost fallacy in play, but that doesn’t make a ton of sense either given the way this organization operates. They could at least send him to the bullpen for a while.
10. Pirates SS Cam Devanney (28, AAA)
Mostly a playing time flier. I figured they’d bring Devanney up right after trading Ke’Brayan Hayes to the Reds, but that’s just not how this team operates. Devanney has 19 home runs in 88 games this year and makes for a decent speculation add if you need some at bats.
Thanks for reading!
