The major league season is in full swing and it seems like injuries keep popping up! Every week I highlight more prospects making their major league debuts due to production but also the opportunity presented by injury. In this weekly series of prospects to stash now you will get a leg up on some of the best prospect options that could be available on your waiver wire or players to target in your deeper dynasty leagues. Stashing these players now could have an impact during the injury-heavy dog days of summer! Last time out I brought you 3 Pitching Prospects to Stash. This time out I am highlighting my three hitting prospects to stash right now.
More great fantasy baseball advice and analysis: Waiver Wire & FAAB Recommendations | Daily MLB Injury Report | MLB DFS Picks | Line-up Analysis | Dynasty Rankings and Strategy | MLB Bullpen Updates | MLB Player Props | Prospect Rankings & Analysis | Fantasy Baseball Risers and Fallers
MLB Hitting Prospects to Stash
Triple A Watch
Mark Vientos, OF NYM
After a strong spring training with the Mets, Mark Vientos has done nothing but crush the ball in AAA Syracuse. The 23-year-old right-handed slugger is currently slashing .364/.446/.764 with four doubles, six home runs, and 17 RBIs in 15 games played. Vientos is seeing the ball well in this hot start to the season and one of the major criticisms from years prior has been his strikeout rate. His current 26.2% strikeout rate is down from the 29-30% rates we are accustomed to seeing out of Vientos and the 10.8% walk rate is as strong as in years past.
Vientos seems to be an injury call away from rejoining the Mets and making his case to stay in the majors with fellow top prospects Brett Baty and Francisco Alvarez. In 2022 Vientos hit 25 home runs in 117 total games played between AAA Syracuse and the Mets.
💣 NYM 1B/3B Mark Vientos has been obliterating the ball @SyracuseMets .364/.446/.764 slash with 6 HR and 17 RBI in 15 games. Just a matter time till he will be back in the BIG 🍎. #LGM @MarkVientos_5 @Mets @SNY_Mets @StevenACohen2 https://t.co/ZbgQCCI4m5
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 20, 2023
Justyn-Henry Malloy, 3B/OF DET
The 23-year-old Malloy had a big season in 2022 in the Atlanta Braves organization rising from A+ up to AAA to finish the season. Malloy slashed .289/.408/.454 with 28 doubles, 17 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases in 133 combined games. The plate discipline was strong as he has never had a strikeout rate above 25.2% or a walk rate below 14.7%. Malloy was traded over the off-season to the Detroit Tigers and was assigned to AAA Toledo to start the season.
Already Malloy looks too good for the level as he is slashing .370/.541/.481 with three doubles, one home run, 13 runs, 10 RBIs, and one stolen base in 16 games played. He is walking at a 24.3% rate and his strikeout rate has been solid at 18.9%. If he maintains this hot start a call to Detroit should be coming soon.
👀 Justyn-Henry Malloy with a double in +A Greensboro. ⚾️ #BaseBall #mustbethehawk #Braves @Braves @TheRomeBraves @WeeklyStreamer pic.twitter.com/S0bGYMRNUo
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 9, 2022
Christopher Morel, INF CHC
No doubt some of the more shocking news for dynasty managers this spring was the Cubs sending Christopher Morel down to AAA Iowa to start the season. Morel busted on the scene last season for the Cubbies, slashing .235/.308/.433 but don’t let that slash line fool you. Every week it seemed Morel was getting a walk-off home run or clutch hit to win the game for the Cubs. In his 113 games in the majors last season he smacked 16 home runs, was driven in 55 times, and had 10 stolen bases. Alas, the Cubs needed to see more from Morel in 2023 before giving him another shot and sent him to AAA Iowa to start the campaign. Well, Morel must have taken this personally as he has been tearing the cover off the ball.
Morel is slashing .367/.483/.776 with six doubles, a triple, four home runs, 14 RBIs, and two stolen bases in 13 games played. With the Cubs surging holding an 11-6 record to start the season, it’s only a matter of time before Morel gets inserted back into the lineup making him a good stash candidate.
Double A Watch
Heston Kjerstad, OF BAL
One of the most exciting clubs to watch this season as well as in 2022 has been the Baltimore Orioles. The youth movement is in full swing and of the countless exciting names to watch I can’t help but feel the push to get Heston Kjerstad to the majors in 2023. It seems Kjerstad feels the same as he has done nothing but crush the ball to start the season in AA Bowie.
Currently, Kjerstad is slashing .282/.391/.718 with five home runs, 11 runs, seven RBIs, and three stolen bases in 46 at-bats. With a strong 10.9% walk rate and a lowered 21.7% strikeout rate Kjerstad is looking locked in at the plate.
With this strong start to the 2023 campaign, Kjerstad could be getting a call to join Norby, Westburg, Cowser and company up in AAA Norfolk. No doubt fast-tracking the future of the Orioles to be fully up in the majors by season’s end.
💣😱Look at this!! Big power from the left side for BAL OF Heston Kjerstad. Currently slashing .282/.391/.718 with 5 HR in 46 AB! 10.9% BB and a 21.7% K/9. I think it’s time for AAA Norfolk. #Birdland @BowieBaysox @NorfolkTides @Orioles @hestonkjerstad https://t.co/VRD7fORBxk
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 20, 2023
Who are your favorite hitting prospects to stash? Drop some names in the comments below.