3 Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects To Stash - Andrew Painter, Kristian Campbell, Chandler Simpson

Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Andrew Painter, Kristian Campbell, Chandler Simpson - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.

Fantasy managers have seen several budding stars make an immediate impact as soon as they reached the MLB level. This season, Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz and Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski have emerged as high-end fantasy prospects during the first half of the season.

In this piece, we will look at two players who have already made their MLB debuts this season and are closing in on a return to the majors. We will also take a look at one of the top pitching prospects in the sport, who has been sidelined due to numerous injuries over the past two seasons.

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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Andrew Painter, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 36 IP, 4.25 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 40 SO, 17 BB

Unlike the other two players on this list, the budding ace in Philadelphia has a much longer projected timeline to reach the big leagues.

Earlier this month, Phillies manager Rob Thomson noted that Painter will likely make his MLB debut in the second half of the season. However, given his current progress at Triple-A, the top prospect in Philadelphia could be headed to the majors right after the All-Star break.

Painter is coming off a strong outing on June 15, where he tossed five one-hit innings (no runs) with one walk and six punchouts against Triple-A Worcester. Then, on June 21, Painter continued to produce, tossing five innings of two-run ball with five punchouts.

Before this stretch, Painter allowed a combined 14 hits and 10 runs over his last two starts (nine innings).

Since joining Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the former 13th overall pick has struggled at times as he sits with a modest 4.35 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. However, Painter's primary concern was his pitch count after missing all of 2023 and 2024, recovering from Tommy John and numerous setbacks.

Painter began the season with Low-A Clearwater, where he logged 11 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.97 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 12:1 K:BB.

While Painter is not a "must-stash" like the two names above him, he needs to be stashed in all 12+ team leagues. His debut can come quite early in the second half, especially if he can build on his latest start.

Hard to believe the Phillies won’t have the best rotation in baseball once Andrew Painter arrives in Philadelphia!

His stuff is world-class! pic.twitter.com/pKeLPJcfBA

— Pitch Profiler (@pitchprofiler) May 29, 2025

-Written by Andy Smith

Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF, Boston Red Sox

Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 MLB stats: 67 G, .223/.319/.345 10 2B, 6 HR, 2 SB

Even though he is a non-prospect, I wanted to include Kristian Campbell, who was recently optioned to Triple-A Worcester. Campbell was hitting well in April, but a late-April rib injury really derailed his season, and he hasn't been the same since. During his first 29 games with Boston, Campbell posted a strong .301/.407/.495 slash line with eight doubles and two stolen bases.

However, since May 1, the former top prospect took a step back, holding a much lower .159/.243/.222 line with just four extra-base hits.

Hopefully, a few weeks in Triple-A will help the 22-year-old second baseman reset and get back to being the hitter we saw in 2024 and in April this season.

In his first two games back in Triple-A, Campbell has reached base four times via a double, triple, and two walks. Even though the surface stats fell off drastically after April, Campbell was still running a 41.8% hard-hit rate, 11% walk rate, and a 23.4% chase rate in the majors.

The talent is still there, and the long-term outlook is still bright. Assuming the bat awakens down in Triple-A, I'd expect Campbell to be back up shortly after the All-Star break.

When he returns, he should have a clear role to seize every opportunity at the keystone, as David Hamilton has posted an underwhelming .181 AVG through his first 53 games.

- Written by Eric Cross

Chandler Simpson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Current Level: MLB
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 MLB stats: 35 G, .285/.315/.317, 4 2B, 0 HR, 19 SB

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Chandler Simpson performed quite well during his first taste of the majors earlier in the season. However, after his brief stint, the Rays opted to send him back to Triple-A to continue his development.

However, on Monday, the team announced that Simpson was set to be recalled ahead of their series game against the Kansas City Royals.

During his first look in the big leagues, the No. 7-ranked prospect in the Tampa Bay system posted a solid .285/.315/.317 line across 35 contests. During this stretch, Simpson swiped an impressive 19 bags and scored 17 runs.

Since June 1, Simpson has been one of the most dominant hitters at the Triple-A level. During his last 16 games, Simpson has posted a stellar .386/.416/.465 line with three doubles, two triples, 11 stolen bases, and an 8:6 K:BB.

During the 2024 campaign, Simpson stole an incredible 104 bags across 110 games between High-A and Double-A.

Seeing Simpson carry his elite speed upside down into the majors during his first stint is a very positive sign. He should be in a great position to continue to be one of the most dangerous players on the basepaths.

Chandler Simpson is coming back to the big leagues!@RaysBaseball's No. 7 prospect, who stole 19 bases in 35 games in his first big league stint, is being recalled: https://t.co/bq1sfJfrbR pic.twitter.com/VFbWzCuSuY

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 23, 2025

While he may not possess much power upside, he can provide an elite tally of stolen bases with a high amount of runs and a solid batting average.

During his second stint in Tampa Bay, Simpson should be given most of the starting opportunities in left field or center field, as they are set to option Kameron Misner to Triple-A Durham. Simpson will likely see most of his starts in left field over Christopher Morel. However, given his elite speed, he could also be shifted to center field in favor of Jake Mangum.

Fantasy managers looking to improve their power and RBI totals should not look at adding Simpson. Simpson is an elite stolen base contributor with solid upside to produce a strong batting average and run total.

BREAKING: The Tampa Bay Rays have recalled Chandler Simpson. Simpson was hitting .366 with 11 SB since being optioned to Triple-A.

One of the most electric players in baseball returns.pic.twitter.com/73wEXdx7qH

— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) June 23, 2025

- Written by Andy Smith

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