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Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Justin Crawford, Quinn Mathews, Nolan McLean - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.
With the All-Star break approaching, many top prospects are on the verge of making their MLB debut. This past week, we saw the White Sox promote former first-round pick Colson Montgomery to the major leagues.
In this piece, we will look at three top prospects at Triple-A and determine if they are worth stashing on our rosters in Week 15.
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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Justin Crawford, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 68 G, .343/.416/.451, 18 2B, 2 HR, 26 SB
Remember Carl Crawford? Of course, you do. Well, his son is just as fast and athletic as his old man was and is on the cusp of his major league debut. In 317 plate appearances in Triple-A this season, Justin Crawford is slashing .343/.416/.451 with 23 extra-base hits, two home runs, and 26 steals.
If you're targeting Crawford either as a stash now or as an add when he's promoted, you're doing so for the combination of average, OBP, and speed that he brings to the table. Crawford is a double-plus runner who has exceeded 40 steals in each of the last two seasons while being on pace to do so again this season. He's also running an 88.4% zone and 81.2% overall contact rate to go along with an 11.4% walk rate and 17.4% strikeout rate.
While he only has two home runs, Crawford isn't a zero in the power department, as he currently has a 90.2 mph AVG EV and a 44.9% hard-hit rate. However, Crawford hits the ball on the ground at an alarming rate, sitting over 60% every season so far, including 60.6% this season.
The Phillies are currently platooning Johan Rojas and Brandon Marsh in center field, so it's not farfetched to say Crawford can leapfrog that platoon duo in the coming weeks.
If Crawford continues to perform at this level at Triple-A, he could reach the majors later in July. His elite contact skills and speed make him a viable stash option in deeper category leagues.
Justin Crawford shoots a double down the third base line. Has picked up a hit in 11 of his last 12 games which includes nearly a week off with his injury.
Hitting .442 during that stretch. #Phillies pic.twitter.com/bKniRWOQA0
— Cory Nidoh (@Cory_Nidoh) June 20, 2025
-Written by Eric Cross
Quinn Mathews, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 10% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 36 2/3 IP, 4.91 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 38 SO, 37 BB
After allowing five runs on June 24, Quinn Mathews enjoyed a much-needed bounce-back on June 29. In this outing against the Durham Bulls, the left-hander tossed 4 2/3 shutout innings with four hits and three walks. He struck out four.
Mathews was in the mix to reach the majors early in the first half of the season but suffered a shoulder injury, which kept him on the shelf for nearly a month of play. Before hitting the IL, this shoulder injury clearly hindered his production as he allowed seven runs over his first 10 2/3 innings of work.
During his first 18 2/3 innings after returning to Triple-A, Mathews posted a strong 2.89 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP. He struck out 25 batters over this stint and allowed 13 free passes.
While his five-inning explosion on June 24 has inflated his Triple-A ratios, Mathews has been performing very well and could join St. Louis before the All-Star break.
Last season, the No. 40-ranked prospect in the sport was one of the most dominant pitchers in the minor leagues. He opened the season with Low-A and was able to finish the campaign with Triple-A. Through 126 2/3 combined innings across Low-A, High-A, and Double-A, Mathews posted a remarkable 2.27 ERA with a near-perfect 0.85 WHIP.
He allowed just 35 total free passes over this stretch while striking out 180 batters.
Mathews is worth stashing in all 12+ team leagues heading into Week 15.
Congratulations to José Fermín & Quinn Mathews on being named International League Player & Pitcher of the Week!
Fermín led the league in AVG, OPS, XBH while Mathews notched his first scoreless Triple-A start of the season. pic.twitter.com/w3xfsydAZV
— Cardinals Player Development (@CardsPlayerDev) June 23, 2025
- Written by Andy Smith
Nolan McLean, SP, New York Mets
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 10% rostered
2025 MiLB stats: 81 IP, 2.33 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 85 SO, 35 BB
While Jonah Tong has stolen much of the pitching spotlight in the Mets' system this season, Nolan McLean is putting together a solid campaign and is inching closer to his MLB debut.
In his most recent outing on July 3, the No. 6-ranked prospect in the system struck out 10 batters across five innings of two-run ball en route to picking up the victory over Triple-A Worcester. In this start, he served up just one free pass and allowed seven hits.
Since moving up to Triple-A in early May, McLean has posted a strong 2.80 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP across 54 2/3 innings. During this stretch, the right-hander has struck out 55 hitters and allowed just 23 walks.
The right-hander began the season with Double-A but needed only 26 1/3 innings to prove he was ready to join the top ranks of the minor leagues. In this stint, he held a stellar 1.37 ERA.
Last season, McLean spent most of his time with Double-A but struggled, holding a high 4.19 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. Seeing McLean take such a significant step forward against tougher competition this season is a great sign.
In addition, McLean has a path to join the Mets in the near future. They recently lost right-hander Griffin Canning to a season-ending Achilles injury. Kodai Senga (hamstring), Sean Manaea (elbow), Tylor Megill (elbow), and Paul Blackburn (shoulder) are also all on the IL, but the first two names are nearing their return.
Even so, the Mets will likely closely monitor their workload, especially Manaea's, as he has yet to pitch this season. With the Mets in the heat of the playoff race, McLean should be in a great position to get the call later in the second half to ease the workload of their current starters.
Nolan McLean (NYM) was outstanding today as he racked up 10 K across 5.0 IP
The stuff is elite and the command continues to improve. He is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball! https://t.co/mTLw3xRn2Y pic.twitter.com/EPpqzjUvkK
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) July 3, 2025
- Written by Andy Smith
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