3 Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects To Stash - Hunter Barco, Nolan McLean, Zac Veen

July 20, 2025

Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Hunter Barco, Nolan McLean, Zac Veen - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.

Stashing the right prospect can provide a much-needed boost to your fantasy team. Last season, we saw James Wood, Dylan Crews, and Junior Caminero begin to find their footing in the major leagues and were reliable options down the stretch.

In this piece, we will look at two pitchers who are knocking on the MLB door and one hitter who has already had a taste of the big leagues and determine if they are worth stashing during Week 16 of the fantasy baseball season.

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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Hunter Barco, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 MiLB Stats: 68 2/3 IP, 2.10 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 85 SO, 32 BB

Hunter Barco is tough to judge, as he has been more productive than his teammate Bubba Chandler this season, but lacks experience against the upper minor leagues, which is why he may have to wait a bit longer to make his MLB debut.

The southpaw opened the season with Double-A Altoona and tossed an incredible 25 2/3-striaght shutout innings before earning the promotion to Triple-A. During this stretch, Barco struck out 34 hitters and allowed just seven walks.

Through his first 43 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis, the left-hander has held his own, posting a 3.35 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has continued to flash a high strikeout upside, allowing 51. However, his command has been a bit shaky, as he has served up 25 walks.

Over his last two starts (11 1/3 innings), Barco has allowed seven free passes.

While Chandler remains the priority stash in Pittsburgh, do not be surprised if Barco gets the call shortly after or even before, especially if he can drop his walk rate over his next few starts.

For now, fantasy managers in deep 12+ team formats should consider stashing Barco on their bench. If he can continue to strengthen his command, he could find himself in Pittsburgh later in July, especially if the Pirates opt ot trade veteran pitchers at the deadline, such as Bailey Falter, Andrew Heaney, and Mitch Keller.

Hunter Barco over his last three starts in Triple-A:

18 IP
1 ER
4 BB
20 K

Due to this stretch, his ERA across all levels this season now sits at 1.85🔥 pic.twitter.com/xJTl1ENJuv

— The Call Up | An MLB Prospect Podcast (@The_CallUpPod) July 11, 2025

-Written by Andy Smith

Nolan McLean, SP, New York Mets

Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 MilB Stats: 87 IP, 2.17 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 95 SO, 38 BB

- Written by Andy Smith

Zac Veen, OF, Colorado Rockies

Current Level: AAA
Availability: 10% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 48 G, .314/.376/.487, 12 2B, 5 HR, 6 SB, 40 SO, 18 BB

Another hitter heating up in Triple-A is Colorado's Zac Veen. After a stint on the IL in late May and early June, Veen has been red hot since returning to Triple-A. Over his last 18 games, Veen is slashing .417/.463/.625 with eight extra-base hits, three home runs, and three steals while only striking out in 16.3% of his plate appearances.

While Veen's first Major League stint wasn't anything to write home about, this is still a fantasy-friendly offensive profile. Veen is a plus or better runner with solid raw power, which has shown up in his 90.3 mph AVG EV and 48.7% hard-hit rate.

During his first MLB stint, the former ninth overall pick held a .118/.189/.235 slash line across 12 games. During this stretch, Veen hit one double, one home run, and swiped a bag. He did not generate the highest metrics as he carried a low .203 xwOBA.

If Jordan Beck or Tyler Freeman were to play their way out of regular playing time, Veen could be the one recalled to step into the starting lineup for Colorado. For now, fantasy managers should continue to monitor the production at Triple-A.

If he continues to hit for high power, he could possess five-carryo upside during his second stint in the major leagues. He is worth stashing in deeper 12+ team five-category formats for the time being,

Another Zac Veen big fly at Triple-A 💪

The @Rockies' No. 6 prospect prospect is ending the @ABQTopes' series strong after recently being named to the Prospect Team of the Week: https://t.co/Mtne8UNhg6 pic.twitter.com/sInaFisKkm

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 7, 2025

- Written by Eric Cross

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