3 Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects To Stash - Bubba Chandler, Samuel Basallo, Nolan McLean

July 2, 2025

Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Bubba Chandler, Samuel Basallo, Nolan McLean - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.

Every season, fantasy managers see young pitching prospects take the league by storm. Last season, Paul Skenes immediately emerged as a high-end pitcher after making his debut. This season, both Jacob Misiorowski and Chase Burns have flashed elite upside. On the hitting side this season, we have seen Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz emerge as one of the sport's top power hitters.

In this piece, we will look at three prospects, two pitchers, and one hitter, who are currently at Triple-A and determine if they have a path to having value in 2025 fantasy baseball.

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: 61 1/3 IP, 3.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 80 SO, 33 BB

After being viewed as the top pitcher prospect ot stash for nearly the first two months of the season, Chandler saw his stock plummet after a disappointing June. During this month, Reds' star Chase Burns quickly surpassed him and even earned the call before him.

From June 1 through June 22, Chandler has logged just 9 1/3 innings (four starts) and allowed a hefty 12 runs (11 earned) with 5:8 K:BB. On June 22, Chandler had his worst outing of the season, allowing six runs and five hits across 2 2/3 innings.

However, Chandler began to return to form in his most recent outing on Saturday, June 28, tossing 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball. He tallied six strikeouts in this outing but showed weak command once again, allowing four free passes.

While this recent slump has caused many fantasy managers to cut ties with him in shallower formats, fantasy managers in 12+ team leagues should continue to stash the No. 2-ranked prospect in baseball. Prior to June 1, Chandler appeared to be the next budding pitcher in the game, posting an elite 2.03 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 69:21 K:BB.

During these 48 2/3 innings, Chandler allowed just 11 total runs.

During his first taste of Triple-A last season, the right-hander looked just as dominant as he did during the opening months of 2025, holding an elite 1.83 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP across 39 1/3 innings. In this stint, the right-hander struck out 54 batters and allowed just 15 free passes.

While his short-term stock has dropped significantly, this could be an excellent opportunity to scoop up Chandler off the waiver wire if an impatient manager cuts ties.

My personal top 10 pitching prospects!

1. Chase Burns, CIN, AAA, 22 🎦
2. Andrew Painter, PHI, AAA, 22
3. Bubba Chandler, PIT, AAA, 22
4. Travis Sykora, WSN, A+, 21
5. Gage Jump, ATH, AA, 22
6. Noah Schultz, CHW, AAA, 21
7. Jonah Tong, NYM, AA, 22
8. Trey Yesavage, TOR, AA, 21… pic.twitter.com/z6VU4ThR3j

— Ross Jensen (@RossJensen12) June 24, 2025

-Written by Andy Smith

Samuel Basallo, C. Baltimore Orioles

Current Level: AAA
Availability: 15% rostered
2025 MLB stats: 54 G, .264/.390/.579, 8 2B, 16 HR, 47 SO, 36 BB 

At this point, I'm not sure what Baltimore is waiting for regarding Samuel Basallo. The game's top catching prospect continues to mash in Triple-A, cranking seven home runs in June with 16 in 54 games this season overall, along with a .264/.390/.579 slash line.

The quality of contact metrics remains elite, with a 93.9 mph AVG EV, a 57.1% hard-hit rate, and a 19.5% barrel rate. Basallo's 70% contact rate is sufficient, given his massive power.

Samuel Basallo (@Orioles) with an absolute blast for the @NorfolkTides:
444 ft
113.4 mph pic.twitter.com/JCJCMAKqiV

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 29, 2025

Seeing Basallo take such a significant leap in his second season at Triple-A at just 20 years old is very impressive. During his first taste of action with Nroflok last summer, Basallo posted a modest .222/.267/.370 line with just three doubles and three long balls through 21 games.

Baltimore is not contending this season and is currently rolling with a duo of Gary Sanchez and Chadwick Tromp at catcher while Adley Rutschman is on the IL with a strained oblique. One would have thought that Baltimore would have called up Basallo when Rutschman landed on the IL, but that obviously didn't happen.

However, I still can't imagine that Basallo won't be up by the end of July, especially if Baltimore sells off some major league pieces before the trade deadline and if Rutschman's injury continues to linger.

When Basallo gets the call, he will carry elite power upside at the catcher position and would likely be viewed as a must-start option in all standard leagues.

- Written by Eric Cross

Nolan McLean, SP, New York Mets

Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 49 2/3 IP, 2.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 45 SO, 22 BB

The final pitcher we will look at this week is Nolan McLean of the Mets. Griffin Canning suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, which could have opened the door for McLean. While the Mets have several young arms in their rotation, I would suggest stashing McLean over all of them. Brandon Sproat also resides at Triple-A but has not been as consistent as McLean.

In addition, Jonah Tong at Double-A has been more impressive, but he is unlikely to be in the mix to reach the majors this season.

McLean is currently considered the No. 6-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com. The right-handed pitcher opened the season with Double-A but needed just 26 1/3 innings to prove he was ready for Triple-A action. Through this short stint at Double-A, the right-hander posted a stellar 1.37 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP. He tallied 30 strikeouts and allowed only 12 walks.

Through his first 49 2/3 innings with Triple-A Syracuse, the Oklahoma State product has been rather impressive, posting a 2.72 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP. The right-hander has maintained similar strikeout upside, tallying 45, but has shown slightly weaker command, serving up 22 walks.

He has allowed at least two walks in each of his last seven starts. If McLean can show improved control during July, he could earn the call shortly after the All-Star break. While Sean Manaea (elbow) is expected to join the rotation soon, he has faced numerous setbacks and may not be able to take on a sizable workload early on.

Nolan McLean last night for Triple-A Syracuse:

6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K. 85 pitches (53 strikes) with 11 swings & misses

He hasn’t allowed more than 2 runs in an outing since 5/15

In 9 Triple-A outings, he has a 2.72 ERA

— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) June 28, 2025

- Written by Andy Smith

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