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Jarod analyzes three top fantasy baseball prospects - Bubba Chandler, Nick Kurtz, Chase Dollander - who could make big impacts this season. These MLB prospects are potential waiver wire pickups or stashes.
Whether your team has lost starters to injury or you're preparing to replace an underperforming player, sometimes fantasy managers need to look beyond the big league rosters for the next-best addition.
These additions come in the form of high-upside prospects who have the pedigree to hit the ground running once they get to the majors. Optimally, your league would have an NA spot that you could slot these guys into until they are ready to be deployed, so you don't have to use a valuable bench spot.
Either way, managers need to consider stashing these players ahead of time before every team in your league wants them, leaving you to risk losing them to higher bids or waiver priorities. With some top prospects already getting their call-ups, let's take a look at three more who could be here sooner rather than later.
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Bubba Chandler, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Current Level: Triple-A
Availability: 21% rostered
2024 AAA stats: 7 GS, 39 1/3 IP, 1.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 34.0% K%, 9.4% BB%
Bubba Chandler began 2024 at Double-A, pitching to a 3.70 ERA (3.25 FIP), 1.01 WHIP, and a strong 21.2 percent K-BB% over 80 1/3 innings pitched, earning himself a promotion to Triple-A. Instead of struggling in the face of stiffer competition, the righty took his play up a notch.
Over seven starts and 39 1/3 IP, the former third-round draft pick posted a 1.83 ERA (2.78 FIP), 1.04 WHIP, and a 24.5 percent K-BB%.
The 6-foot-3 hurler offers a 70-grade four-seam fastball that can touch 99 mph, but also has a good slider and changeup. That repertoire allowed him to register a 13.6 percent swinging strike rate and an 11.13 K/9 across Double and Triple-A last season.
Bubba Chandler (PIT) made his 2025 debut in AAA and his stuff looked as advertised!
He struggled to find the zone with a poor 28.8 Zone%, but batters couldn't keep up with his elite fastball and low 90s changeup. He should be in MLB soon! pic.twitter.com/Uc5zJeF0Nt
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) April 3, 2025
Pittsburgh's highest-ranked prospect (MLB No. 14) was unable to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster, but it shouldn't be long before the 22-year-old is called up for his major league debut. With starter Jared Jones out for the foreseeable future, the door is open for another pitcher to slot into the rotation.
Fellow pitching prospect Thomas Harrington (Pit. No. 3; MLB No. 78) was already called upon on April 2 for his major league debut, although it didn't go so well (4 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 2 K), so with just eight starts under his belt at Triple-A, Harrington may head back to the minors for some more work.
It may mean Chandler could be very close to getting the call. The Pirates may wait until after April 11 so they can guarantee another year of control, but that is just a week away.
Fantasy managers in deep leagues and competitive 12-teamers should consider stashing him ahead of his call-up to avoid losing out on waivers.
Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics
Current Level: Triple-A
Availability: 5% rostered
2024 AA/AAA stats: 12 G, .368 AVG, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 14 R, 1 SB, .559 wOBA, 230 wRC+
The Athletics selected Nick Kurtz with the fourth-overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, and he's flat-out raked at every turn.
In 2024, the Wake Forest product blasted four home runs and logged a 10:7 BB:K in seven games at Single-A, earning a promotion that skipped him over High-A and straight to Double-A. There, the left-handed slugger went 4-for-13 (.308) with a 2:3 BB:K in five games.
Kurtz was subsequently invited to participate in Cactus League games this spring, where he hit .261 with two home runs and a 7:5 BB:K. Still, with 12 minor league games to his name and none of them being at Triple-A, the Athletics sent him to Triple-A to begin the year.
Triple-A pitchers already wish the A's hadn't done that, as the 6-foot-5 slugger has punished all comers to this point. Through six games, he's hitting .462 (12-for-26), including three doubles and three home runs. The one negative is that he's been somewhat more susceptible to the strikeout, posting a 2:7 BB:K.
Nick Kurtz in his first five Triple-A games...
10/21, 2 2B, 3 HR#Athletics pic.twitter.com/OyoAXd61gi
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) April 3, 2025
Tyler Soderstrom has performed well for the A's to begin the season, and he wouldn't supplant Brent Rooker at DH, so there's no rush to bring him up. However, every team is vulnerable to injuries throughout the year, so Kurtz could be called upon at any time.
If he continues to mash, injury or not, the team will have to find a way to get his bat in the lineup. Perhaps the youngster gets reps at third base to make that a viable path, or Brent Rooker plays the outfield a little more frequently so Kurtz can play first.
Either way, expect the 22-year-old to make an early-season cameo in the big leagues. He's got the potential to be a big-time power producer and is available in most Yahoo! leagues for those interested in his services.
Chase Dollander, SP, Colorado Rockies
Level: MLB
Availability: 11% rostered
2024 AA stats: 9 GS, 2.25 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 29.1% K%, 9.5% BB%
Chase Dollander has made quick work of the minor leagues after being drafted as the ninth-overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. The righty did not appear in any games in 2023, beginning his professional career in 2024 at High-A.
With 70 innings under his belt and producing a 2.83 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.26 WHIP, and a ridiculous 37.0 percent strikeout rate, the Rockies decided he was ready for a more difficult test at Double-A.
The University of Tennessee product passed with flying colors, recording a 2.25 ERA (2.73 FIP), 1.10 WHIP, and a 29.1 percent strikeout rate. Command was slightly below average but not bad, with the walk rate coming in at 9.5 percent.
The 6-foot-2 hurler's ERA, WHIP, and walk rate were not great during six starts in the Cactus League, but one positive was that he still showed strong strikeout stuff, producing 24 K in 17 2/3 IP (12.23 K/9).
Dollander was assigned to Triple-A to begin the 2025 season and logged just one start so far, going four innings, allowing one earned run and two walks while striking out five batters. The performance, combined with a depleted rotation, has provided the opportunity to call up their top prospect.
Chase Dollander is making his MLB debut on Sunday!
2024: 118 IP, 2.59 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 9.4% BB, 33.9% K
2025: 4 IP, 6 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 KMy #47 overall prospect and #8 pitching prospect.#Rockiespic.twitter.com/cBmF84HNRr
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) April 4, 2025
DOLLANDER WILL MAKE HIS MLB DEBUT ON SUNDAY, APRIL 6.
Owned in just 11 percent of Yahoo! leagues, his services are still widely available, but fantasy managers had better grab him before it's too late. The Rockies' top prospect (MLB No. 24) will take on the Athletics on Sunday in Colorado, so the home-field crowd will be at his back.
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