3 Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects To Stash - Nick Kurtz, Chandler Simpson, Roman Anthony

Joey analyzes three top fantasy baseball prospects - Nick Kurtz, Chandler Simpson, Roman Anthony - who could make big impacts this season. These MLB prospects are potential waiver wire pick-ups or stashes.

Stashing top prospects is really an underrated part of fantasy baseball. Although many fantasy managers choose to just stick with their guys, stashing the right prospects could be a league-winning move for your fantasy team. Just look at everyone who stashed Paul Skenes, James Wood, and Rhett Lowder last season.

As a result, all fantasy managers should be stashing at least one prospect at this point in the season. In this article, we will determine if first baseman Nick Kurtz, outfielder Chandler Simpson, and outfielder Roman Anthony are players to consider stashing on your bench.

Let's dive in and see if these three prospects should be stashed or grabbed off the waiver wire before it's too late.

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Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

Current Level: Athletics
Availability: 40% rostered
2024 AAA stats: 20 G, .321/.385/.655, 7 HRs, 24 RBI, 18 R, 10 BB

It was only a matter of time until the Athletics called up their top prospect. Since being drafted fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, all Kurtz has done in the minors is rake. He hit .368 with four home runs, three doubles, 13 RBI, and 12 walks in 12 combined games at Single-A and Double-A to end the 2024 season.

He then built on that campaign and got off to a fantastic start at Triple-A Las Vegas this season. In his first 20 games, the slugging first baseman had a .321 batting average with seven home runs, seven doubles, 24 RBI, and a 1.040 OPS. Therefore, it's not a surprise that the Athletics already called up Kurtz.

He has been dominant across his 122 minor league at-bats, and Kurtz has already shown that he is MLB-ready. Given that the 22-year-old has raw power and a great eye at the plate, he should be added in all fantasy leagues.

The Athletics aren't going to call up Kurtz to sit on the bench, which is exactly what general manager David Forst echoed on Tuesday. He said Kurtz should see the majority of starts at either first base or designated hitter moving forward. He also stated that MLB Pipeline's No. 35 overall prospect won't be a part of a platoon, meaning the rookie will start against left-handed pitching as well.

Forst said Nick Kurtz will not be in a platoon. They are comfortable playing him against lefties, noting he's had success against them early on at Triple-A. Not playing him today is more a chance to allow him to acclimate here.

— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) April 22, 2025

That's all great news for Kurtz's fantasy value in Year 1. With the Athletics playing half of their games at a minor league ballpark (Sutter Health Park), the left-handed slugger is a must roster before he makes his major league debut on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers.

Chandler Simpson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Current Level: Tampa Bay Rays
Availability: 32% rostered
2024 MiLB stats: 110 G, .355/.410/.397, 1 HR, 29 RBI, 90 R, 104 SB
2025 AAA stats: 17 G, .301/.325/.329, 8 RBI, 13 R, 8 SB

The fastest player in baseball officially made his MLB debut this past weekend. The Rays called up their No. 7 prospect on Friday afternoon ahead of their game against the New York Yankees. Simpson's promotion to the major league roster was much deserving, considering the outfielder put up solid numbers across his 250 minor league appearances.

Simpson hit .293 with 13 doubles, 31 RBI, 54 walks, and 94 stolen bases in 115 combined games at Single-A and High-A in 2023 and then followed that season up by batting .355 with one home run, 29 RBI, 44 walks, and 104 stolen bases in 110 contests at High-A and Double-A. When looking at his numbers, the two biggest things that stick out are his stolen bases and low strikeout rate.

As a result, Simpson should be added in most fantasy leagues. He hit for a high average (.301) in his 17 games at Triple-A to start the season, and the 24-year-old will always be a threat on the base paths. His 104 stolen bases in the minors last season marked just the fourth time that has happened in a minor league season since 1988.

The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up outfielder Chandler Simpson, the fastest man in baseball, sources tell ESPN. Simpson, 24, stole 104 bases in 110 games last year and has eight steals in 17 games along with a .301 batting average at Triple-A this season.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 18, 2025

Now, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Simpson to produce much in the home run or RBI department. In his 994 career minor league at-bats, he totaled just one home run, 30 doubles, and 71 RBI. However, his stolen base upside makes him almost a must roster in all roto leagues. The Rays prospect stole a combined 198 bases between the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Some of that speed has been on display for the Rays in the early going. He has already stolen one base and even beat out a grounder to first base. With a 50 percent squared-up rate and a 12.5 percent strikeout rate across his first eight major league plate appearances, Simpson could be a nice addition to many fantasy teams in Week 4 and beyond.

Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox

Level: Triple-A Worcester
Availability: 28% rostered
2024 AAA stats: 35 G, .344/.463/.519, 3 HRs, 20 RBI, 33 R, 5 SB
2025 AAA stats: 18 G, .273/.415/.530, 4 HRs, 12 RBI, 14 R, 2 SB

There's no doubt that Anthony will make his debut at some point in 2025. He continues to hit the ball well in the minors, and his promotion to the major league roster could come by the beginning of June. MLB Pipeline's No. 2 overall prospect has a career .283 batting average over his 263 minor league games.

Anthony hit .272 with 14 home runs, 27 doubles, 64 RBI, 89 walks, and 16 stolen bases across 106 games at Single-A, High-A, and Double-A in 2023. He then slashed .291/.396/.498 with 18 home runs, 32 doubles, 65 RBI, 79 walks, and 21 stolen bases in 119 contests at Double-A and Triple-A last year. Although the 20-year-old didn't make the team's Opening Day roster, it won't be long before he gets his shot.

The young outfielder is already off to a solid start this season and just had a two-home run game last week for Triple-A Worcester. If he continues to swing the bat well, the Red Sox will have no choice but to call him up in the next few weeks. Given his potential in that Boston lineup, Anthony should be stashed in all fantasy leagues right now.

He has some pop in his bat, fantastic plate discipline, and can contribute solid stolen base numbers. Anthony combined for 32 home runs and 37 stolen bases during the 2023 and 2024 minor league seasons. He also currently has an impressive 31.9 percent barrel rate this season and leads all Triple-A players with 15 barrels in 2025.

Roman Anthony is LOCKED IN at the plate in Triple-A!

His second home run of the game is a grand slam 😤 pic.twitter.com/bskFx6DRW2

— MLB (@MLB) April 17, 2025

The only problem with Anthony moving forward is that the Red Sox just have too many outfielders on their roster. With Jarren Duran (left field), Ceddanne Rafaela (center field), and Wilyer Abreu (right field) all currently locking down the three outfield spots, there might not be anywhere for him to play right now. Nonetheless, room in the outfielder could open up for him in the coming weeks.

Rafaela has struggled at the plate this season, and Boston's top prospect could easily take over his starting spot in the outfield. The center fielder is batting just .209 with three extra-base hits through the first 21 games.

Although Anthony's promotion might not come until June, the 20-year-old outfielder is certainly worth hanging on to. He'll have immense fantasy upside when he does eventually make his MLB debut.

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