3 Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects To Stash - Bubba Chandler, Zebby Matthews, Jordan Lawlar

Zach analyzes three top fantasy baseball prospects - Bubba Chandler, Zebby Matthews, Jordan Lawlar - who could make big impacts this season. These MLB prospects are potential waiver wire pick-ups or stashes.

If your fantasy baseball team is in need of reinforcements as we head into May, there are some exciting young players on the verge of making an impact as soon as they get the call to the majors. Whether you're looking to replace a struggling starting pitcher or an under-performing infielder, there are three prospects who should be on your radar and possibly on your roster if you can find the space to stash them.

In this post, we'll look at the latest news on Pirates' starting pitcher Bubba Chandler, Twins' starting pitcher Zebby Matthews, and Diamondbacks' infielder Jordan Lawlar. All three of these players could have a huge impact when they arrive in the MLB, and they could be arriving soon.

So, let's dive in and check out the situation and upside of these three top prospects.

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Bubba Chandler, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Current Level: Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A)
Availability: 25% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 5 G, 1-0, 1.33 ERA, 2.63 FIP, 20 1/3 IP, 27 K

Chandler was ranked as the No. 17 prospect in all of baseball by FanGraphs coming into the season, and the No. 1 prospect in the Pirates' system. He has gotten off to an outstanding start to the season in Triple-A, and he has stretched out to the point where a promotion could come at any time.

Last year, Chandler had a breakout season, going a combined 10-7 with a 3.08 ERA, 3.10 FIP, 1.02 WHIP, and 148 strikeouts in 119 2/3 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A. His strikeout numbers spiked after his promotion to Triple-A, when he went 4-0 with a 1.83 ERA in seven starts.

He picked up right where he left off this season, giving up only three runs on seven hits in 20 1/3 innings. His punchout potential continues to be elite with a 12.0 K/9 after racking up 27 strikeouts in those 20 1/3 innings.

Last Friday, Chandler made his longest start of the minor-league season, spinning five scoreless innings and giving up just a single hit. He had four strikeouts and hit 100 mph seven times in his final inning of work.

Since he's been virtually unhittable at Triple-A, he could be ready for his MLB debut very soon. Last year, the Pirates followed a similar schedule with top prospect Paul Skenes, who ultimately made his MLB debut May 11, 2024.

Skenes tossed 27 IP innings in the minors last year (35% K-BB in Triple-A) before his callup. Bubba Chandler is at 20 IP (28% K-BB). Skenes jumped from 129 total innings in 2023 to 160 in 2025. Chandler tossed 120 IP last year ... Have to think the call is very soon.

— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) April 28, 2025

Things worked out well for both Skenes and the Pirates last year, so a similar plan makes sense for Chandler this year. Long-term, he could develop into the team's No. 2 starting pitcher behind Skenes, forming an elite top of the rotation for many years to come.

Even if it takes an adjustment period before he's dominant, Chandler's plus strikeout stuff should play up right away, resulting in great strikeout numbers. He should definitely be added if you have roster space since his promotion seems just around the corner, and his impact could be huge.

Zebby Matthews, SP, Minnesota Twins

Current Level: St. Paul Saints (Triple-A)
Availability: 17% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 5 G, 2-1, 1.93 ERA, 1.88 FIP, 23 1/3 IP, 29 K

Matthews' numbers stack up nicely next to Chandler's, and he could also have a huge impact once he arrives in the MLB rotation. If you only have room for one, I'd give Chandler a slight edge only because he seems closer to his promotion.

Unlike Chandler, Matthews did reach the MLB last year. He skyrocketed through the system last year, and the Twins called on him to make nine starts in the majors even though he began the year in Low-A. Matthews didn't fare well, going 1-4 with a 6.69 ERA and 5.72 FIP.

However, this past offseason, Matthews worked to refine his mechanics and tweak his pitch mix, and the results have been excellent. In nine 1/3 innings in the Grapefruit League, he allowed four hits and no runs with 12 strikeouts. The Twins had options in the rotation, though, so they still started him in Triple-A.

Last year in Triple-A, he had a 5.68 ERA, but this year he has allowed just a 1.93 ERA with five earned runs allowed over his five starts. He has kept his very high strikeout rate as well.

His last two outings haven't been quite as sharp, although he has managed to limit damage.

Daniel Zebulon Matthews Watch

Eek…4 Walks, 2 WP, Velo down!

4.28 v Columbus
4.2 IP 2ER 2H 4BB 5K

Hopefully nothing injury wise is up but 57% strike rate is real low for Zebby. A few edge strikes didn’t go his way. pic.twitter.com/5CFLY8XHbt

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) April 30, 2025

He hasn't been nearly as lights out in his last few outings as Chandler, and the Twins still have some depth in front of him. In fact, when Pablo Lopez went down earlier in the season, it was Matthews' teammate and fellow prospect David Festa who the Twins tapped to fill in.

Both Festa and Matthews have huge long-term potential, with Matthews' ceiling likely a little higher than Festa's. Both are worth watching when they get opportunities, but there isn't quite a clear path for either of them.

If you have space, he's worth stashing, but without that clear plan, you can also probably afford to wait in most standard-sized leagues. Some managers could be deterred by his stats from last year, but Matthews has vastly improved since that cameo and should make an impact when he arrives in Minneapolis.

Jordan Lawlar, INF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Level: Reno Aces (Triple-A)
Availability: 29% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 28 G, .381/.470/.690, 6 HRs, 30 RBI, 34 R, 12 SB

Lawlar has been a rising fantasy baseball factor for a few seasons. He was actually in the farm system with many of the D-backs' current stars before hitting a detour last season. MLB Pipeline ranked him as the team's No. 3 prospect back all the way back in 2022 and the No. 2 prospect behind Corbin Carroll in 2023.

In each of the last two years, he has been the team's No. 1 prospect, which makes him feel like he's been around a very long time for a player who is only 22 years old. 

The D-backs drafted Lawlar at No. 6 overall in 2021, and he made it to the MLB by the end of 2023. He struggled in his 20-game stint at the end of the season, going 4-for-31 (.129) with four singles, two walks, 11 strikeouts, and one stolen base. In 2024, the team hoped he would push for a starting role, but he was unable to make an MLB appearance while working through thumb and hamstring injuries.

After his disappointing 2024 season, Lawlar returned to form and had an excellent spring training. Rather than push him, though, the team opted to send him to Triple-A Reno and let him get everyday playing time. He has absolutely torn up Triple-A, though, and is making enough noise to show he's ready for a promotion.

Jordan Lawlar (@Dbacks' No. 1 prospect) delivers a four-hit performance for the Triple-A @Aces, his ninth multihit outing over his past 11 games.

More on his potential return to The Show as he carries a .381/.470/.690 slash line in 2025: https://t.co/a2MNsPddM3 pic.twitter.com/j7YqiTnBkP

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 1, 2025

He's hitting .381 after his recent hot streak with a .499 wOBA. He has collected 43 hits in 28 games with 13 doubles, two triples, and six home runs. Lawlar has checked all the boxes and is showing he's fully healthy and ready to resume his rise to the MLB.

The one issue is that he doesn't have a clear spot to fit into the everyday lineup in the majors. The D-backs extended both shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and second baseman Ketel Marte recently, and even with Marte's hamstring injury, the team didn't promote Lawlar. Marte is just about ready to return now, and it looks like that won't be the opportunity that Lawlar uses to get back to the majors.

He has played 2B, SS, and 3B with the Aces, although most of his time has been focused on 2B. He could fill in for Perdomo, Marte, and Eugenio Suarez while getting time at DH as well. The situation could shift suddenly due to injury or trade, and if Lawlar gets the call, he definitely looks ready to make a splash. 

There isn't a clear path to playing time, but Lawlar's outstanding work at Triple-A could force the issue for the D-backs. If you can stash him, he's a great pickup, or you can stay ready to scramble for him on the waiver wire as soon as the team makes the plan for his next step clear.

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