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Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Bubba Chandler, Quinn Mathews, Cole Young - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.
Fantasy managers who stashed the right prospect have seen their team's production soar many times during the first half. Several high-profile pitchers have emerged as strong options since making their debut, like Chase Burns and Noah Cameron. On the hitting side, Nick Kurtz and Chandler Simpson have shown high power and speed profiles in the big leagues.
In this piece, we will look at two prospects who are still in Triple-A and one infielder who recently earned the call to the big leagues.
Should those players be left on the waiver wire, or should fantasy managers add them before their breakout? Let's dive in!
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Bubba Chandler, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA Stats: 73 1/3 IP, 2.82 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 93 SO, 37 BB
After a rough June, Bubba Chandler has begun to turn the corner and is making a strong case to take the top spot on this list. In his most recent outing on July 10, Chandler logged six shutout innings with five hits and two walks. He struck out seven hitters. On July 4, he posted a quality start as well, logging six shutout frames with five hits, two walks, and six punchouts.
This is a notable sign for the No. 2-ranked prospect, as he had a disappointing June that tanked his short-term value. In June, the right-hander logged just 12 2/3 innings (five starts) and posted an 8.53 ERA with a 2.29 WHIP. He served up 12 walks over this stretch while striking out just 11 hitters.
Before June, Chandler appears to be on the fast track to the majors, logging 48 2/3 innings to the tune of a stellar 2.03 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He tallied an impressive 69 strikeouts over this span while allowing just 21 walks.
During Chandler's first stint in Triple-A last season, he performed at a similar level, holding a 1.83 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP across 39 1/3 innings.
If Chandler continues to turn the corner, he should be in the mix to debut before the end of the month. He could even have an earlier path to the big leagues, especially if the Pirates opt to trade veteran pitchers Andrew Heaney or Bailey Falter at the deadline.
He is a strong stash option and should be viewed as the 1B alongside Painter.
After a rough June, Bubba Chandler has begun to turn the corner 👀
Over his last two starts (July 4 and July 10), Chandler has thrown 12 shutout innings, allowing just four walks while striking out 13 batters.He'll be in Pittsburgh soon!pic.twitter.com/tQIdrejEna
— Andy Smith (@A_Smith_FS) July 12, 2025
-Written by Andy Smith
Quinn Mathews, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA Stats: 40 2/3 IP, 4.42 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 43 SO, 39 BB
After allowing four runs on July 5, Quinn Mathews enjoyed a much-needed bounce-back outing as he tossed four shutout frames with just four hits, two walks, and five strikeouts. This is an excellent sign for his southpaw as control has been his primary issue.
Before his last start, Mathews allowed a hefty 23 free passes over his last 21 2/3 innings of work. During this stretch, the left-hander struck out 27 hitters and held a 5.40 ERA.
The 24-year-old missed over a month of the campaign due to a shoulder injury, which appears to have impacted his production. However, last season, the left-hander was one of the most productive pitchers in the minor leagues and was viewed as a top stash option during the start of the 2025 season.
Last summer, Mathews opened the season with Low-A but was able to finish the season with Triple-A. Through 126 2/3 innings pitched between Low-A, High-A, and Double-A, the No. 60-ranked prospect in the game posted an elite 2.27 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP. He allowed just 35 walks and struck out 180 hitters.
His control was not an issue last season, and his most recent outing is a big step in the right direction. If he can continue to turn the corner, he should debut in August, especially if the Cardinals remain in the Wild Card race or trade their veteran pitchers at the deadline.
Quinn Mathews' final line:
5 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Mathews' stuff looked the liveliest it’s been since returning back to the mound. His heater averaged 95 MPH w/ 17” vert. SL and CH both recorded 4 whiffs a piece. Also mixed in a 77 MPH CB. pic.twitter.com/CQIzjIKVpc
— Kareem (@KareemSSN) June 7, 2025
- Written by Andy Smith
Cole Young, 2B/SS, Seattle Mariners
Current Level: MLB
Availability: 10% rostered
2025 MLB stats: 35 G, .254/.305/.347, 5 2B, 2 HR, 29 SO, 7 BB
Young began his pro career in rookie ball, where he posted a .899 OPS in seven games, allowing for a quick promotion to Low-A, where he finished out the 2022 campaign. There, he put even better numbers, including a .960 OPS with two home runs and nine RBI in 10 games. Young played 78 more games in Low-A in 2023, totaling 130 bases in 376 plate appearances, before he moved up to High-A.
There, he continued to do his thing, belting six homers alongside 23 RBI, 34 walks, 38 strikeouts, and a .883 OPS.
In 2024, as a 20-year-old, he spent the entire season in Double-A, slashing .271/.369/.390 with 36 extra-base hits, 57 RBI, 23 stolen bases, 67 walks, and 87 strikeouts across 552 plate appearances. While his power tool was lacking, it became clear that Young possessed decent speed and plate discipline, certainly something for him to build upon as his baseball career progressed.
Naturally, he started 2025 in Triple-A, where he got into 54 games, logging 23 extra-base hits and an .853 OPS. His performance prompted Seattle to demote infielder Leo Rivas to Triple-A in favor of Young on May 30, and he made his debut the next day against the Minnesota Twins.
In his debut, Young delivered the game-winning hit, a ground ball to first base, resulting in a throwing error that allowed the winning run to score, giving the M's a 5-4 win. Outside of his early heroics, it's been a reasonably quiet rookie campaign for Young. However, he has begun to turn the corner, hitting two home runs with a .389/.476/.776 line over his last five games before the All-Star break.
MLB's No. 34 prospect Cole Young rips his 1st MLB homer for the @Mariners 🔱 pic.twitter.com/oCJrlv7qMR
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 10, 2025
The Pittsburgh native has accrued just -0.2 fWAR, along with a 74 OPS+, 70 wRC+, and .261 wOBA. He's walked only five times and struck out 28. Young hasn't done exceptionally well in his 33 MLB games thus far, but he has shown flashes of being a good contact hitter, logging seven multi-hit games. He'll be only 22 years old on July 29, so it's possible he needs more time in the minors.
For now, he is worth rostering in deeper 14+ team leagues as a depth middle infielder with upside.
- Written by Lauren Amour
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