Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Joe Boyle, Jordan Lawlar, Justin Crawford - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.
Stashing the right prospect can save your fantasy baseball season. Last season, fantasy managers saw several high-end prospects make an immediate impact in the major leagues, such as Washington's James Wood and Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes. This season, Nick Kurtz and Jacob Misiorowski are just a few of the names who have become must-start players.
In this piece, we will look at three players who are finding great success at Triple-A and are on the verge of earning a promotion.
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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Joe Boyle, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 73 IP, 1.85 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 96 SO, 31 BB
Even though Tampa Bay's rotation is currently full and without a clear opening for Boyle, he still warrants consideration on this list. After a rough campaign with the Athletics in the season, posting a 6.42 ERA with a 172 WHIP across 47 2/3 innings, the right-hander has looked like a new pitcher in Tampa Bay.
Boyel has spent almost all of his time with Triple-A Durham, outside of a spot start in April. Through 68 innings with the Durham Bulls, Boyle has begun to find his footing in the pros, posting an elite 1.85 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP. During this stretch, Boyle has struck out an impressive 88 batters while allowing only 28 free passes.
In his lone outing in Tampa Bay, Boyle tossed five innings of two-run ball (zero earned runs) with no hits and two walks. He struck out seven.
However, despite his incredible success, without a clear path to the major leagues, Boyle is only worth stashing in deep 12+ team leagues for the time being. However, if one of the Tampa Bay starters were to miss it with an injury, Boyle would be viewed as a priority waiver-wire target. This is an excellent opportunity to get ahead of your league mates, especially in more competitive formats.
If he were to earn several starts down the stretch, he could provide high-end SP4 production.
Joe Boyle, Wicked 91mph Slider. 🤢
6th K pic.twitter.com/ccxqGDFGbz
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 13, 2025
- Written by Andy Smith
Jordan Lawlar, INF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 MLB stats: 8 G, 000/.136/.000, 3 BB, 0 SO
The former sixth overall pick from the 2021 MLB Draft has shown elite potential at Triple-A but has yet to find his footing in the big leagues. Lawlar received his second stint in the majors earlier this season but went hitless in eight games. During his first taste of the majors in 2023, Lawlar held a .129 AVG through 14 games.
He was unable to return to the big league in 2024 due to numerous injuries.
While his success in the majors has been disappointing, Lawlar has produced at an incredible level with Triple-A Reno. Through 53 games this season, the infielder has posted a stellar .319/.410/.583 slash line with 19 doubles, 10 home runs, and 18 stolen bases. He has held a strong 60:30 K:BB and added four triples.
However, Lawlar has suffered another injury that could keep him out for several weeks. Alex Weiner of Arizina Sports reported that the budding star suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain and is expected to remain out for "weeks." He was officially placed on the Triple-A injured list last week.
Jordan Lawlar has a grade 1 hamstring strain, per Torey Lovullo.
Out “weeks.”
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) June 27, 2025
As a result, fantasy managers should not consider stashing Lawlar outside of deeper 15+ teams on an IR spot. This injury could linger for several weeks, which could only give Lawlar the opportunity to return to Arizona during the stretch run, if they remain in the playoff hunt. Instead, fantasy managers should look to stash the next player on this list.
- Written by Andy Smith
Justin Crawford, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 64 G, .335/.409/.442, 16 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 26 SB
The final prospect we will look at in this piece is outfielder Justin Crawford. On MLB.com, Crawford is currently considered the No. 3-best prospect in the system and the No. 56-best overall in the sport.
The 21-year-old spent the 2024 campaign between High-A and Double-A. Through 70 games with Hig-hA, Crawford posted a strong .301/.349/.438 slash line with 14 doubles, six home runs, and 27 stolen bases. This impressive start earned him a promotion to Double-A.
With Reading, Crawford continued to find success, holding a stellar .333/.380/.455 through his first 40 games at the level. During this stint, the outfielder swiped 15 bags, added 11 doubles, and hit three round-trippers.
Even though he had only played 40 career games at Double-A, the Phillies moved him up to Triple-A Lehigh Valley at the start of the 2025 season. The former 17th overall pick from the 2022 MLB Draft has yet to slow down and is on the verge of earning the call to the big leagues.
Through his first 64 games at the top level of the minor leagues, Crawford has posted a stellar .335/.409/.442 line with 16 doubles, two home runs, and 26 stolen bases. He has shown a strong eye at the plate, striking out just 54 times while drawing 34 walks.
With the Phillies in the midst of the NL East race, fantasy managers should expect Crawford to get the call soon.
Currently in the majors, Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas have seen most of the opportunities in center field. Marsh has begun to turn the corner after his slow start but still sits with an underwhelming .257/.332/.365 line. Through 64 games, Marsh has only gone deep twice. Rojas has held a disappointing .219/.217/.297 line through 59 games.
If Marsh continues to struggle, fantasy managers should expect Crawford to get the call shortly after the All-Star break. As a result, he is worth stashing in all 12-team five-outfielder formats. When he gets the call, he should produce an elite batting average with high speed upside. Fantasy managers in shallower formats should leave him on the waiver wire until he receives the official call.
Not going to be surprised if Justin Crawford gets called up when Harper comes back soon
I Expect Kennedy and Rojas to be sent down or possibly a Kepler DFA which would be unlikely pic.twitter.com/XHA6N55Ggc
— Philly Archive (@PhillyArchive) June 29, 2025
- Written by Andy Smith
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