1. Athletics 1B Nick Kurtz (22, AAA)
I have no idea how or when he’s going to crack the lineup, but I feel more confident in him as an impact hitter during his rookie year than I do about pretty much anyone else left in the minors. Feels like a dominant hitter in search of a level that can challenge him.
2. Red Sox OF Roman Anthony (20, AAA)
He’s been streaky in early going with 15 strikeouts in 11 games, but he’s also got two homers, ten walks and a 149 wRC+ as one of the youngest players at the level. I’m hesitant to put him first here because it’s hard to see where he’ll fit, and I’m not sure he’ll hit the ground running, but he’s a big time talent who’ll get it figured out and provide power and speed at some point.
3. Pirates RHP Bubba Chandler (22, AAA)
Chandler hasn’t allowed an earned run through two starts covering 6.2 innings, allowing just two hits alongside 12 strikeouts and five walks. I think Carmen Mlodzinski is good enough to stick in that rotation. Andrew Heaney and Mitch Keller are locked into spots. So it comes down to how many starts the team is willing to give Bailey Falter and his 7.20 ERA, and even if/when they bump him, Thomas Harrington is right there and deserving of his own opportunity. Lotta convenient factors lining up to keep Chandler in Indianapolis for a few weeks.
4. Twins 2B Luke Keaschall (22, AAA)
Minnesota has been playing Edouard Julien at second base, and he’s been fine so far, but Keaschall gives them a right-handed option who strikes out quite a bit less than Julien. He’s typically been under 20 percent throughout his pro career, whereas Julien lives in the 30 percent neighborhood. Keaschall is slashing .291/.415/.419 with a 19.5 percent strikeout rate through ten games. Brooks Lee and Royce Lewis are complicating factors, but Keaschall’s bat can clear its own path.
5. Orioles C Samuel Basallo (20, AAA)
Like everyone else on this list, Basallo faces a complicated path to playing time. Unlike anyone else on this list, he’ll be catcher-eligible with a topside something like Yordan Alvarez.
6. Twins RHP Zebby Matthews (24, AAA)
David Festa got the first call from the minors this year and pitched well enough to ring the bell for round two. Here’s what I wrote this week in Prospect news: Feel The Peña Everyone or Take Zac Veen:
“Matthews (24, AAA) is throwing harder than ever, sitting in the high 90’s as he dispatches with minor league hitters. Through two starts covering ten innings, he’s got 13 strikeouts alongside a 1.30 ERA and 0.60 WHIP. Chris Paddack has looked helpless both times he’s taken the mound this year. Maybe he’d be okay in relief, but I think Minnesota is throwing good money after bad here in letting Paddack make starts that should be going to one of the team’s many minor league options (Matthews, Andrew Morris, Marco Raya, David Festa).”
7. Diamondbacks SS Jordan Lawlar (22, AAA)
I’ve been pumping the brakes on doing this first stash list because I feel like a broken record: this player is good and waiting for his opportunity. Lawlar’s striking quite a bit in the early going but has been heating up since we turned the page on March, slashing .286/.362/.452 with a home run and two steals over his last ten games.
8. Brewers RHP Jacob Misiorowski (23, AAA)
He’s surrendered just three hits in three starts covering 13.2 innings, so while he’s allowed ten walks among his 16 strikeouts. That’s not likely to fly in the majors, but the crew needs all the pitchers it can get, and Misiorowski is a pitcher they can get.
9. Guardians 2B Travis Bazzana (22, AA)
Cleveland hasn’t had a rocketship prospect in long enough that it’s unclear how they’ll handle Bazzana. They’ve had a million good prospects, of course, but you develop the first overall pick out of college a bit differently than you do a standard dude. Nonetheless, my org-based read on this is Bazzana will spend most of the season in the minors. He’s slashing .320/.414/.560 with one home run and two stolen bases through six games, so he can likely accelerate the timeline with these kinds of outcomes.
10. Royals 1B Jac Caglianone (22, AA)
He should probably graduate Double-A any day now, slashing .333/.389/.600 with two home runs and a 19.4 percent strikeout rate through seven games.
Thanks for reading!
Hi Itch, what do you think about Tommy Troy in light of his recent performance? Are you buying him in a keeper?
What do you think is his upside?
Also, for keeper league value can you please rank Tommy Troy, Chase Delauter, Adael Amador, James Triantos, T. Liranzo.
Thanks!
One more for the list above to include in the keeper league value rankings please – Lazaro Montes. Thanks!
Afraid of owning any Oriole. Not a single call up works out for the Orioles. The O’s = Overrated.
They should of traded most of these guys sitting at AAA to Miami already for Sandy Alcantara already.
As always, good stuff Itch……please rank as your preference long term these young players: Kurtz, Walcott, C.Smith and M.Shaw.Thank you.
Who is the better stash in a keeper league? Zebby or Bubba Chandler?
I am trying to make room for Mervis. I either drop one of them or Wesneski or Amador. You said earlier that you weren’t sure how much Amador will run. He stole 35 last year, 15 the year before and 26 two years ago. I need the SB but I also need Mervis’ power if it is legit.
Yeah I am convinced Caglianone is going to get fast tracked thanks to the team’s god awful splits against righties. Watching the daily lineups like a hawk for him to start playing OF. Calling first dibs in the team name Castle of Caglianonestro
Lots of people starting to jump ship on Shaw, Cam Smith and Crews already…what is your thought? I remain bullish on the first two, skeptical of Crews
I have three issues with Cam Smith. In fantasy, he is gonna lose that 3B which hurts his value. I feel like he only got promoted out of desperation. He had 115 AB in minors. He had 19 in AA, everything else below that. He Ks and whiffs too much right now. I know he is young and I like patience, but I think he is simply overmatched and could use another 250 AB at minimum in minors.
Shaw Ive never been high on but he is stinking.
Crews I thought had a safe hit tool and was worried his power wouldnt translate. Apparently none of it has. Oops!
I am in love with Jac. Love his hit tool. I think overshadowed by Langford. The Royals have an OF of incompetent hitters. Love your take.
What has intrigued me about Smith is the out of nowhere *96 percentile sprint speed* when absolutely no one was selling him as a base stealer. That could raise his fantasy ceiling significantly if he uses it
That is intriguing. The thing is, he has been a bad base stealer. 10 steals 6 CS at all levels. Maybe it is some technique issue or he gets a bad jump? 96% is definitely interesting.
I’m in a similar spot as you: still think Cam Smith is good.
Shaw has a lot going on in the batter’s box. I’m not sure it’s gonna work.
Crews, well, he’s not my jam. Gotta better than this though.
Yeah agreed, Cam has had such a meteoric rise, can’t give up on him after two weeks
Is Ian Seymour going to be 30 before he gets a shot? Im not deep in on him but he had a good year last year and is also a lefty. Im liking the surface numbers and am curious by the lack of hype inside and outside his org on him. Boyle got the call today, which may have been more of a scheduling thing than I want to admit.
When Gelof comes back, is he going to have to fight for PT? OAK infield looks pretty decent suddenly.
In a dynasty 18 team 6×6 60 man rosters, would you throw Soderstrom+Mayo+Paris at the KCampbell owner? I think this is a heavy overpay, but I have way too many 1B (Naylor, Toglia, Rice, Mervis and I did a monster trade for Jac Cag) and BLowe is my 2B of present. As someone who has no shares of Campbell and not seen him play, I just know he is “good”. This offer was floated to me by their owner who needs more quantity than quality help.
Sorry for followup, same league as above, someone offered me Riley for Jackson Holliday. 3B is McMahon. 2B depth is Lowe, Paris, Rengifo, Edman.
I also have an offer of Burnes and McMahon for GRodriguez, Neto, and Morel in same dynasty league. Busy Sunday .
I’d do the Riley trade.
I’d pass on the Burnes trade, but it’s interesting. I’d keep it in mind if Burnes keeps struggling.
I think they’ll get around to Seymour this season, mostly through attrition.
Suspect they’ll give Gelof some time to get right, but yeah, clock’s ticking if he doesn’t.
I’d pass on the Campbell trade. So much upside on the Soderstrom, Paris, Mayo side.
Mervis or Mountcastle?
Amador or Kim stash?
How do you feel about Wesneski? Is he going to be something?
Mountcastle
Amador
I like Wesneski enough. I think he’s gonna stick in that rotation.
Any thoughts on Cade Horton’s path to playing time?
I’m in a dynasty league and wondering if I should drop Thomas Harrington for a closer… I currently punt saves and Holding plenty of minor leaguers waiting for a call up. (Basallo, Xavier Isaac, Jesus made, Sebastian Walcott, Walker Jenkins, Justin Crawford, Luis montes, Cade Horton)
I dropped misiorowski last week just so I could grab a bench bat. Anyone of those minor leaguers above I could live without for awhile? I need to get some more players rostered. I’m also punting the catcher spot (unrostered)
Thanks!
I think they’ll make room for Horton when they think he’s ready. Might not even have to, of course, given they’re already pretty hurt.
I suppose you could cut Isaac. Any chance of a quick trade?
Who do you think is the best investment prospect right now in minors. Someone not to high on radars right now?
Luis Pena. Probably free. Everyone talking about Jesus Made. Fangraphs talked about him in a chat and had him 70-80s if doing ranking today. Itch mentioned him last week I believe. Free investment.
Itch wrote: “Brewers SS Luis Peña (18, A) got an aggressive assignment alongside wunderkind SS Jesus Made and is off to a fun start through four games, slashing .313/.455/.438 with zero strikeouts, zero home runs, four stolen bases and four walks. Made has played just one game because he rolled his ankle on opening night.”
Pena is a great answer.
I like Franklin Arias quite a bit. Not sure how low he in on radars.
Hey Itch, do you think Kim is called up and may be playing CF for LAD. Is he worth a stash in redraft? My MI spots have been decimated. I am looking for some steals in that spot too while I have some guys on the IL. I have no depth there now. I do have kim from tb on the IL too. The FA pool is pretty much picked apart for mi.
I only have 1 NA spot and have kurtz stashed. If I add or stash another prospect it will be at the expense of an active roster spot.
Thanks
Hey toolshed, yeah I think Kim’s part of the plan in LA. Good to stash him now.
Sorry, reposting from the other day: What do you think of Drake Baldwin in NL-only keeper? I need to call up Veen and Baldwin not getting sent down means I have to keep him on my active roster and drop a better performer (prob Burleson or P Smith), drop him or make a trade (2 C, no rsv, 3 MiLB slots).
Tough spot . . . trade route first if possible.
I guess you’d have to drop Baldwin.
Would you rather have Christian Moore or Keaschall in a 12 team dynasty?
More of a toss-up than anything, but I’ll take Keaschall today.
Good morning Itch! Thanks for the intell!
In a 16 team 6×6 dynasty
My bench is dubious at best Pham, Pederson, Candelario, N. Jones
Available: Ty France Jake Meyers, Conine, Stowers and Dingler
Who would you keep/drop or pick up?
Good morning, junior56!
I’d take France over Candy
And the Marlins over Pham. Prefer to wait and see on Jones. Could you trade Joc?
Happy Sunday Itch! Although I rarely comment or ask for your thoughts on a specific player, I look forward to your prospect updates
A) I’m wondering about your thoughts Hyeseong Kim, and if you think he’s promoted in the next couple of weeks should he continue to perform the same as he is now in AAA? I know there’s no rush, but will it take an injury, or do you think LA will want to solidify their defense sooner rather than later?
I’m in an NL-10, H2H, 5×5 (OBP) keeper ($280) and have Kim in one of my 3 bench spots.
B) Masyn Winn’s injury has created a lineup issue as my bench bat is Alex Call and my Utility spot is Scott II. I have Dansby in SS but need an INF. I was hoping to pick up Farmer, but he was scooped up yesterday. Does Amador interest you in this situation? I might have to drop Call though if I want to pick him up today, and not sure that’s a wise thing given how well Call is doing for an NL-Only league.
C)
D) STL is moving to a 6-Man rotation. Does this open the door up sooner for Mathews if there’s an injury? Wondering when a good time to stash him would be.
E) I dropped Mervis ($1) before the season, and he was picked up by another team. Scale of 1 – 10, how much will I regret this by the end of the season assuming he stays healthy?
I appreciate your thoughts.
Just saw that Kim had a double slam last night. Soon, I hope *crosses fingers*
Happy Sunday to you, FinsterGrinster!
A) I think they want him in the majors sooner than later. I don’t think an injury is required.
B) I do want Amador there, and if Call has to be the drop, so it goes, but I agree that it doesn’t feel good. Could you squeeze a pitcher off the club?
D) I considered Mathews for the list but he’s started slowly. I agree that the six-man rotation is good for his timeline.
E) Maybe like an 8 or 9? Is this a head to head league? If so, I’d drop that down a notch or two because I tend to feel the pain more in roto.
B) It’s a H2H league and I needed to stream today for Ks and Ws. He was picked up just now. I have Thairo in IL, so I should be fine long-term.
E) H2H league – I could have used Mervis’s power this week over Call. I’m pissed that I dropped him over Baty, but early I thought that Baty would be better overall for my team given his 2B/3B position flexibility.
I really appreciate your detailed responses. Keep doing the Fantasy Overlord’s work!!
Ah, the satisfaction of seeing almost every one of these guys on my roster! Thanks to you sir!……. I can’t get on board with Miserable-Ow!ski, though. He prolly will be just like Arrighetti, and I will still be scratching my head…
You’re the best Itch!
Kurtz 7 HR in 13 AAA games! I was so worried I messed up, NOT drafting Caglianone!
Lotta right answers in the first-round this year.
Thanks!
Totally reasonable reticence toward the Miz.
Hey Itch!
Hope your Sunday is going well. I’m chilling to a Chi-Lites compilation I bought recently … pretty cool, if that’s your thing (it is mine!)
No Sebastian Walcott on this list – is that because you don’t see him coming up this year, or is he just outside the Top 10 ?
I know you and Grey have differing opinions on Dylan Crews – are you still out on him ? I have him on one 16-Team Dynasty league, and I would cut bait if I could get an offer on him.
All the best from sunny England.
Hey Baggiejohn!
And thanks, good Sunday so far.
I could see coming up this year in September, but I don’t think it’d be before that.
Compared to how the market treats him, yeah I’m still out on Crews. I get it about the college pedigree and such, but his pro outcomes don’t support the hype of a top five, and even number one overall on some lists, prospect.
Happy Sunday! Thanks for the read. Rooker played outfield recently…. Anymore to that… do you think they are figuring out a way Kurtz can be the dh? What is your guess on his eta?
Thanks!
Yeah I saw that, too, RE Rooker. Just one game so far, but hey maybe there’s a path. I remember hearing some talk of that over the winter. They could do a musical chairs kind of thing and create some pretty big problems throughout that lineup. I sort of think if Rooker responds well, Kurtz will be in the majors by May.
Amador called up.
-What do you expect from him?
– Drop Luis García Jr for Amador?
– Please rank best overall return:
– Mervis
– Amador
– Wesneski
If they let him settle in, Amador should be pretty good. Better real life than fantasy player bc plate skills are the carrying tool, and I’m not sure how much he’ll run.
I prefer Garcia
Then I’d keep em in the order you have em: Mervis, Amador, Wesneski
Happy Sunday Itch… Appreciate all you do… 12 teamer … keep 10 stash/farm 12 more… my team stinks this year so I’m collecting as many assets as possible … Drop Brito for Sweeney to stash while I can ?? (I also have Bazzana) … Thank You as always!
Thanks!
Happy Sunday to you!
I like Brito quite a bit as a hitter and would hold him a little while longer.
Great reads as always Itch!
Your boy Matt Mervis and that 25 HR bold prediction both looking pretty good right now.
Who would you rather Zac Veen or Mervis?
Thanks!
I’m really rooting for Mervis! Enjoying this stretch. I’d be okay taking him over Veen where I need corner help or power, but I think Veen is the more valuable piece.
What ETA do you see with Keaschall, midseason or later since he had the TJ?
In May of 2026! Twins are such a crap organization! Good thing they signed Carlos Correa to a $30 million a year contract, after two teams backed out after his physical. 372 games played out of 501. He plays 75% of the time for $30 mil.
Let’s build an outdoor stadium with no roof! It has been snowing and in the 30’s when the World Series is happening. I guess the Pohlad’s weren’t worried about having to play in the WS. TERRIBLE!
Yeah the roof decision was not rational. How does a person live in Minnesota and make that mistake?
I’m thinking midseason bc he’s already played some 2B.
Great call brother. Thank you.