RADIO
Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Braden Montgomery, Hagen Smith, Thomas White - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.
Finding high-impact prospects on the waiver wire can provide your fantasy team with a massive boost. Even though it is early, players like A.J. Ewing and Henry Bolte have already flashed must-start potential.
In this piece, we will spotlight two top prospects from the White Sox system and a budding ace from the Miami Marlins.
Should fantasy managers stash these high-end prospects? Let's dive in!
Featured Promo: Save 50% off the regular price with discount code CHAMP, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW
Braden Montgomery, OF, Chicago White Sox
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2026 AAA Stats: 18 G, .243/.321/.400, 5 2B, 2 HR, 1 SB
Braden Montgomery bangs a double off the CF wall at 103MPH. #Knights pic.twitter.com/pWzGFKCQZI
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) May 21, 2026
Montgomery is slashing .283/.348/.467 with two home runs and one stolen base in 66 plate appearances since being promoted to Triple-A. This comes after Montgomery slashed .313/.429/.606 with six homers and two steals in 126 plate appearances at Double-A. It's clear that the White Sox prospect is soaring through the ranks.
Chicago is a rebuilding team, but they're exceeding expectations at 25-24. Perhaps this team is closer to a playoff spot than we initially thought. To that end, it's a good idea for them to see what they have in Montgomery sooner rather than later.
This is a polished prospect with not much left to prove in the minors at 23 years old. You have to like the plate discipline he's shown so far, as highlighted by a 13.5% walk rate across all minor-league levels.
The White Sox currently have Jarred Kelenic as a strong-side platoon in right field right now. This is a journeyman player who doesn't fit into the team's future plans.
This organization is likely waiting for Montgomery to get a bit more reps at Triple-A before bringing him up. But, mark my words, it's going to happen soon. When it does, you'll have an outfielder with 20+ home run upside who can provide a decent batting average.
Make sure to add Montgomery to your watch list.
-Written by Frank Ammirante
Hagen Smith, SP, Chicago White Sox
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2026 AAA Stats: 33 2/3 IP, 4.54 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 47 SO, 27 BB
With Noah Schultz earning the call early this season, Hagen Smith now stands as the next best option in the team's pipeline. While Smith has had minimal experience in the upper minors, the team was not shy about turning to Schultz early in his Triple-A career, which suggests Smith may be given a similar opportunity before the end of the first half.
Smith joined the White Sox with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and is already knocking on the big league door. He made his debut shortly after the draft but enjoyed his first full campaign in 2025 with Double-A. At Birmingham, the southpaw posted a solid 3.57 ERA over 75 2/3 innings and flashed a strikeout upside, totaling 108 punchouts.
However, the lone knock on his production this season was his command as he walked 56 hitters and held a modest 1.30 WHIP. Despite his occasional growing pains, the White Sox believed their budding ace was ready to move up to the top level in the system to open the 2026 campaign.
Smith wasted little time making an impact at Triple-A, holding an impressive 2.82 ERA over his first 22 1/3 innings of action at Charlotte. During this early stint, Smith continued to generate a high total of whiffs, striking out 32 hitters. But once again, his command remained his Achilles' heel, as he served up 16 free passes.
Then, on May 9, he had his worst outing of the young season, allowing a season-worst five earned runs (six total) against Jacksonville. Fortunately, Smith quickly put this outing behind him, as he is coming off a much stronger showing.
On May 15, Smith struck out six hitters over 3 2/3 innings of one-run ball. However, as in many games, his command continued to limit his upside as he walked five hitters.
While his strikeout upside is among the same class as Anderson and White, his command keeps him lower on our list. The White Sox will not call his name until he can significantly lower his walk rate. He remains on the radar but is significantly behind the top names on this list.
With Schultz recently moving to the 15-day injured list, a weak starting rotation now had another clear opening for the young southpaw.
Hagen Smith's Strikeout Potential Warrants Stash Consideration https://t.co/GB1BokNNfS
— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) May 19, 2026
- Written by Andy Smith
Thomas White, SP, Miami Marlins
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2026 AAA Stats: 18 2/3 IP, 4.34 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 25 SO, 9 BB
Before White's recent shoulder injury, he appeared poised to join the MLB roster, as Robby Snelling was quickly shifted to the 15-day injured list after making his MLB debut, and Braxton Garrett was demoted to Triple-A.
Garrett was expected to be the solution for the No. 5 role in the rotation, but did not find any success in his return to Miami.
In his season debut, Garrett stumbled, serving up five runs and four hits to the Minnesota Twins over just 1 1/3 innings. On Tuesday, it did not get much better for the lefty as he allowed two runs and three hits over a short three-inning outing against the Braves. Following this showing, the team announced it would be sending Garrett back to Triple-A.
As a result, White was not only the next-best option but could also be called upon much sooner than anticipated, given that there is an open spot in the team's starting rotation. However, this recent shoulder injury put a bit of a knock on his short-term upside.
White was considered to break camp with the MLB roster after a strong showing in 2025 in the upper minors, but he was sent to the 7-day injured list to begin the season due to an oblique injury. After a short rehab outing in the lower levels, White made his Triple-A season debut on April 16, and immediately looked like his former self.
Over his first 14 1/3 frames at Triple-A (four starts), White posted a strong 3.07 ERA and a 22:7 K:BB. While the lefty took a bit of a step back in his most recent outing on May 14, allowing a season-high four runs, he is still slowly building up his workload and showing that this should be expected.
In 2025, White soared through the system, beginning the campaign at High-A and finishing it in Triple-A. Across 80 1/3 innings at High-A and Double-A (where he spent the bulk of his campaign), White racked up 128 punchouts while holding a 2.13 ERA.
If his stint on the IL is not overly lengthy, the southpaw could still debut before the end of the first half. He remains a top option to stash in 12+ team leagues but is off the "shallow" league radar for now.
Thomas White an Intriguing High-Strikeout Pitcher to Stash https://t.co/qVdTrttpH4
— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) May 5, 2026
2026 Prospect Fantasy Baseball Redraft Stash Rankings
Who are the top fantasy baseball prospects to know? Check out our latest 2026 prospect fantasy baseball rankings which are updated regularly by Eric Cross:
Promoted Last Week: Colt Emerson (SEA), Jonah Tong (NYM), Jhostynxon Garcia (PIT), Gabriel Gonzalez (MIN), Pedro Ramirez (CHC), Kevin Alcantara (CHC), Esmerlyn Valdez (PIT)
Honorable Mentions (Hitters): Lazaro Montes (SEA), Harry Ford (WAS), Ryan Clifford (NYM), Zac Veen (COL), Deyvison De Los Santos (MIA), Hector Rodriguez (CIN), Blaze Jordan (STL), Jacob Melton (TBR), James Tibbs III (LAD), Michael Arroyo (SEA), Jonathon Long (CHC), Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (ATH)
Honorable Mentions (Pitchers): Hagen Smith (CHW), Brody Hopkins (TBR), Jack Wenninger (NYM), Hunter Barco (PIT)
| Rank | Player | Position | Team | ETA |
| 1 | Kaelen Culpepper | SS | Twins | June |
| 2 | Kade Anderson | SP | Mariners | August |
| 3 | Edwin Arroyo | 2B/SS | Reds | June |
| 4 | River Ryan | SP | Dodgers | June |
| 5 | Jett Williams | SS/OF | Brewers | June |
| 6 | Gage Jump | SP | Athletics | NOW |
| 7 | Max Clark | OF | Tigers | August |
| 8 | Braden Montgomery | OF | White Sox | July |
| 9 | Luis Lara | OF | Brewers | June |
| 10 | Charlie Condon | 1B | Rockies | July |
| 11 | Cooper Pratt | SS | Brewers | July |
| 12 | Joshua Baez | OF | Cardinals | July |
| 13 | Jacob Gonzalez | SS | White Sox | June |
| 14 | Thomas White | SP | Marlins | July |
| 15 | Walker Jenkins | OF | Twins | August |
| 16 | Elmer Rodriguez | SP | Yankees | July |
| 17 | Cole Carrigg | OF | Rockies | June |
| 18 | Yohandy Morales | 1B/3B | Nationals | June |
| 19 | Carlos Lagrange | SP | Yankees | July |
| 20 | Ralphy Velazquez | 1B | Guardians | August |
| 21 | Spencer Jones | OF | Yankees | July |
| 22 | Aidan Miller | SS | Phillies | August |
| 23 | Jaxon Wiggins | SP | Cubs | July |
| 24 | Kemp Alderman | OF | Marlins | July |
| 25 | Jordan Lawlar | INF/OF | Diamondbacks | July |
Who Should I Pickup Fantasy Baseball Tool
Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
2026 Player Decisions. Looking to pick up someone else instead? Today's focus is on specific players like Braden Montgomery, Hagen Smith, Thomas White, River Ryan, Travis Bazzana, Justin Crawford, Owen Caissie, Caleb Kilian, Grant Taylor, Henry Bolte, A.J. Ewing. These are some common searches for 2026 fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four MLB players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy baseball rankings, projections, and more.
Improvements For Who Should I Pickup? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Pickup? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win on the waiver wire in 2026. You'll see MLB player tiles with stats, projections, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Looking to pick up someone else instead? Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2026 for players like Braden Montgomery, Hagen Smith, Thomas White, River Ryan, Travis Bazzana, Justin Crawford, Owen Caissie, Caleb Kilian, Grant Taylor, Henry Bolte, A.J. Ewing:
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
