The Stash List Week 3: Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash in 2024 | Pitcher List (2024)

The Hitter Edition of the Stash List is back for the 2024 season.

This Stash List highlights the ten best-hitting prospects likely to make an impact during the 2024 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 2024 ETA, and getting ahead of the curve on rostering these prospects is a key part of roster management. Last year we saw more prospects make their debut than ever before, and there is no reason we should expect to see anything change in 2024. Read to discover the top ten hitters you should stash in your redraft leagues.

Ground Rules

• The Stash List is for your redraftleagues and does not consider impact beyond 2024.
• 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
• Starting next week, stats will be updated weekly for all players through Thursday’s games.

The Stash List

Graduates/Call-Ups

The time has finally come. Jackson Holliday is a Baltimore Oriole. There isn’t much to say about Holliday that hasn’t already been said. His debut is arguably the most anticipated in recent years. This promotion was only a matter of time and it surprised nobody when he finally got the call. As I said last week, Holliday started the year on fire. He’s the total package. Every aspect of his game is above average, and I can’t wait for him to demonstrate that in the majors. Before his call-up, he had a wRC+ of 180 and scored 18 runs in ten games. It will be interesting to see where Holliday fits into the O’s lineup to start his career, but he will likely be at the top of the order going forward.

Top 10 Hitting Prospects to Stash

1. Heston Kjerstad, OF – Baltimore Orioles

All of the headlines around the Orioles will be about Jackson Holliday, but Kjerstad’s made a few of his own. The lefty hitter has “cooled off” after his incredible start to the year. His batting average dropped more than 150 points, to a measly .388. Yes, you read that right, after a cold streak, Kjerstad is still batting just under .400 on the season. Some of his stats would look crazy if they were in a video game. In his first ten games, he’s driven in 25 runs and has a .500 ISO. His 237 wRC+ ranks second in AAA behind the Yankee’s Caleb Durbin (242 wRC+). Kjerstad’s patience is also coming around. His walk rate is up 6% in the last week.

I say this every week: Baltimore’s lineup is loaded. Kjerstad has proven he’s ready to make an impact, but there just hasn’t been a roster spot for him up until this point. The most obvious spot available would be in left field, replacing Austin Hays. The veteran outfielder hasn’t made an impact offensively and has just two hits in 29 plate appearances. Hays’ glove is much better than Kjerstad’s, meaning the latter will likely spend time as the designated hitter when he gets the call. The O’s have no shortage of bats, and Kjerstad will join the ranks soon.

2. Junior Caminero, 3B – Tampa Bay Rays

There isn’t much to say regarding Caminero this week. He remains on the injured list with a quad strain he suffered at the end of March. CBS Sports reported that he took batting practice and grounders on April 9th. He’s eligible to come off of the IL, and will likely be sent back to AAA before returning to the Rays. Caminero will still make an impact at the major league level this season, but this injury raises questions as to when.

The Rays don’t need to rush their top prospect back. The left side of Tampa Bay’s infield has been very impressive to kick off 2024. Isaac Paredes is mashing baseballs again, and José Caballero has been a solid bat in the latter half of the Rays’ lineup.

3. James Wood, OF – Washington Nationals

If you played MLB The Show 24 in March, you know how dangerous James Wood is at the plate. Well, it’s the same story in real life. The 6’6″ outfielder hits the ball as hard as anybody in professional baseball. One of his hits this week was clocked at over 115 miles per hour. His scorching single would be the fifth hardest ball hit in the majors this season, ahead of Schwarber, Judge, and Yordan Alvarez. His best game of the season came on Thursday. He mashed two home runs and slid across the grass for an excellent catch in center field. He’s shown that he’s talented enough to be called up, but the Nationals may hold him in AAA for a while longer.

The Nationals are running out of reasons not to call this man up. Washington is 21st in run production per game so far. Jesse Winker remains the only outfield bat that has put up solid numbers. Their record isn’t indicative of their offensive struggles though. Sitting at 5-7 in a loaded NL East, the Nationals have been quietly solid so far. They have some intriguing young pieces in CJ Abrams, Keibert Ruiz, and Trey Lipscomb. Adding James Wood to that core would make the Nationals a team to watch.

4. Justyn-Henry Malloy, 3B/OF – Detroit Tigers

Up until Thursday, Malloy held down the No. 3 spot on the list. James Wood’s monster game that day was enough to leapfrog him. His defensive future is looking more clear, as he’s primarily played in both corner outfield spots so far. Despite the change in position, he’s been serviceable as an outfielder. The bat has always been considered to be more advanced than the glove. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles the spacious Comerica Park outfield once he gets the call, but his bat is good enough to earn him a call-up.

Mark Canha was brought in last offseason to be a placeholder in left field for the Tigers, but his days may be numbered. The veteran is struggling to get the bat going, hovering around .200 on the season. It’s too early in the year to suggest the Tigers move on from him. That said, they have a really good option awaiting an MLB debut. Malloy has shown patience and a solid swing so far, even if the power numbers aren’t there yet. If Malloy can tap into the power that allowed him to launch 23 homers last season, he should get his chance soon.

5. Coby Mayo, 3B – Baltimore Orioles

Oh hey, look, two more Orioles! I stand by what I said last week: If Mayo played for (almost) any other team in the league, he’d be in the majors already. Mayo hits in the top half of a Norfolk team that has been dominant to start 2024. Mayo’s bat is a big reason why they’ve been so successful. He’s got an 184 wRC+ to go along with 11 runs and eight RBIs. His .583 BABIP suggests that he’s been slightly lucky. His walk and strikeout rates are still less than optimal, but the danger he poses at the plate makes up for it.

Mayo should be on a major league roster, no question about it. The only reason he remains this low on the list is that there’s no room for him on the MLB roster in Baltimore. Henderson remains at shortstop for the O’s, while Holliday has started his career at 2nd. Jordan Westburg is holding down the hot corner right now, and will likely keep his spot in the order for now. Sitting at 8-4, the Orioles aren’t desperate for an offensive boost, but Mayo could provide one should they need one.

6. Connor Norby, 2B – BAL

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times. The Baltimore Orioles are LOADED. I promise Norby is the last Oriole on the list this week. Norby faces the same problem that Mayo does. There are just not enough roster spots for all of the solid bats the Orioles employ. Norby has continued his great start to the AAA season. His strikeout and walk rates are solid, and he’s hitting the ball with a power stroke.

Depending on how this season progresses, Norby’s best chance for an MLB opportunity maybe with a different club. It is far too early to suggest that the Orioles need to rush into a move right now. That said if the O’s are as good as many think they will be, a summer trade to bolster the roster wouldn’t hurt. Should that day come, Norby won’t have to wait long in the minors for his shot.

7. Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF – Chicago Cubs

Crow-Armstrong is playing like he’s sick of being in AAA. His power/speed combination has been on full display in Iowa, and it won’t be long before he’s racing around the bases at Wrigley. The tools are still on full display. He’s stoled four bases and scored eight runs in his first ten games this season. The bat has cooled off a little, but not enough to be a massive concern. He’s put himself firmly in the call-up conversation in Chicago, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s back in the show.

The Cubs offense has been remarkable to start 2024. The Northsiders rank second in the MLB with 6.08 runs per game, trailing only the Braves. Michael Busch (132 wRC+) has been excellent initially, which should keep Bellinger in center field. Crow-Armstrong will force his way onto the Cubs roster and has the tools to make a fantasy impact. The main questions revolve around how the Cubs are going to manage their roster to get him involved.

8. Matt Mervis, 1B – Chicago Cubs

If nothing changes next week, this will likely be Mervis’ last appearance on this list. I’m still a believer in Mervis. I was bullish in my opinion that he’s the Cubs’ long-term option at first base, but the situation has changed. Pete Crow-Armstrong is inevitably going to force his way onto the MLB roster. As a result, Cody Bellinger likely moves to first, pushing Michael Busch onto the bench. Mervis is hitting well at AAA, but there simply isn’t a roster spot in Chicago for him.

Should he find his way onto the MLB roster, he will need to perform. Cubs fans still get shivers about the hype surrounding his 2023 promotion, and the subsequent disappointment. His next shot at the big leagues may be his last, but he has the tools to stick. The power from the left side is palpable. He has 61 career home runs so far, including his first this season on Tuesday for Iowa. He’s able to take walks so far and has cut his strikeout rate by 3%. I still think Mervis will see the majors in 2024, and if he sticks he could be a very solid buy-low bat.

9. Tyler Black, 3B – Milwaukee Brewers

Similar to Mervis, Black’s days on this list may be numbered. He’s been solid so far, but there are bats on the fringes of the list that have higher ceilings. Black has been solid at the top of the Brewers’ AAA lineup. He’s registered eight runs and three RBI so far. His wRC+ leaves some to be desired at 96. His strikeout and walk rates look good, and his batting average has been solid. Should the Brew Crew need infield help, Black should be the first call.

Milwaukee can afford to be patient though. Brice Turang has been excellent at the bottom of the lineup, and Joey Ortiz and Oliver Dunn have been serviceable at the hot corner. The most obvious spot for Black would be at third base, but the Brewers aren’t desperate to make a move in that spot yet. If either of those bats start to slump, Black will be hot on their tail to try and make that spot his.

10. Joey Loperfido, 1B – Houston Astros

All the credit should go to Matt Heckman for this selection. Loperfido wasn’t on my radar before he brought him to my attention. Looking back, I’m not sure how I missed him. I don’t think anyone was expecting José Abreu to start as cold as he has. The veteran has just three hits in 41 plate appearances and is yet to record an extra-base hit. His glove hasn’t been good either. He already has a -2 DRS in 90 innings manning first base. The Astros are on a cold streak, and a breath of fresh air is necessary.

Loperfido provides that breath. He’s started the AAA season on a tear. Six home runs in 11 games speaks for itself. He’s driven in 15 runs and scored 14 of his own. He’s registering a crazy .422 ISO and a 149 wRC+. He made headlines on Friday with a three-homer game, racking up 7 RBIs. Abreu’s past production at the plate has been sorely missed in the ‘Stros lineup. Loperfido has the potential to replicate that production.

On The Bubble

Here are the next five hitters that were in consideration for inclusion on this week’s list in no particular order:

Marco Luciano

Kyle Teel

Jace Jung

Jordan Beck

Chase DeLauter

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