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Zach analyzes three top fantasy baseball prospects - Zebby Matthews, Chase Dollander, Andrew Painter - who could make big impacts this season. These MLB prospects are potential waiver wire pick-ups or stashes.
As the MLB season approaches a month old, starting rotations are getting stretched thin both in Major League Baseball and fantasy baseball. One way to add reinforcements to your squad is to scoop up some top prospects off the waiver wire. While it's unlikely that any midseason callup matches the impact of Paul Skenes last year, there are some very important arms to keep a close eye on as the season continues.
In this article, we'll look at three excellent pitching prospects that could help your team as the season goes on. Chase Dollander of the Rockies has already arrived in the majors, while Zebby Matthews of the Twins and Andrew Painter of the Phillies are still awaiting the call to the bigs.
Each of these three youngsters has good upside, but each of their situations is very different. We'll review how each one is performing and assess their outlook for the remainder of the season. Let's dive in and see how these prospects can impact your fantasy team in the coming months.
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Zebby Matthews, SP, Minnesota Twins
Current Level: St. Paul Saints (Triple-A)
Availability: 19% rostered
2024 Triple-A stats: 4 G, 1.45 ERA, 1.32 FIP, 24 K, 3 BB, 18 2/3 IP
After zooming through the Twins' minor league system last year, Matthews struggled to a 1-4 record with a 6.69 ERA and 5.72 FIP in nine starts in the majors. He refined his mechanics and adjusted his pitch mix heading into spring training.
He allowed just four hits and no runs over 9 1/3 innings with 12 strikeouts in the Grapefruit League but was still sent to Triple-A to start the season with the St. Paul Saints. In Triple-A this season, he has continued to show dramatic progress. He had a 5.68 ERA in Triple-A last year, but this year, he has dropped that to a 1.45 ERA. Last year, he had a 10.6 K/9 in Triple-A, but this year, he has improved that to 11.6 K/9.
Zebby Matthews dazzled in the @StPaulSaints win yesterday 🌟
5 IP / 4 H / 1 R / 1 BB / 7 K
His two FASTEST pitches of the night were also his two LAST pitches of the night (99.5 mph and 98.9 mph) 🤯⛽️#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/qOjvbn331O
— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) April 16, 2025
Matthews struggled a little in his last start, giving up seven hits but still allowing no earned runs with four strikeouts in 3 2/3 IP.
When Pablo Lopez landed on the 15-day IL, the Twins opted to call up David Festa instead of Matthews, and now that Lopez has returned, both top prospects are back in St. Paul. Matthews' long-term ceiling is higher than Festa's, although both are great options if they're available and in the rotation in the majors.
If any member of the Twins' rotation stumbles or gets injured, Festa and Matthews are waiting in the wings. If you have the space, Matthews is a great stash, but there is no impending plan to promote him, so you can also wait and be ready to pounce when it's time for him to move to MLB. Some managers may be deterred by his numbers from last year, but Matthews has vastly improved since that cameo.
Chase Dollander, SP, Colorado Rockies
Current Level: Colorado Rockies
Availability: 8% rostered
2025 MLB stats: 4 G, 1-3, 7.91 ERA, 7.32 FIP, 21 K, 19 1/3 IP
The Rockies called up Dollander after just one minor league start, but things haven't gone smoothly for the 23-year-old from Tennessee. Dollander was the No. 23 prospect in baseball coming into the season, according to MLB Pipeline, and the top prospect in the Rockies' system.
He had a great year in the minor leagues last season, going 6-2 in 23 starts at Single-A and Double-A, compiling a 2.59 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and a 12.9 K/9. He got hit around a little bit in spring training, but also recorded 24 strikeouts in 17 2/3 IP. He made one start in Triple-A before making his MLB debut on April 6.
In his debut against the A's, he went five innings and was roughed up for four runs but got the win thanks to some good run support and his ability to work out of trouble. His second start was his most impressive of the year to date. He faced the hot Padres in San Diego at the time and went 5 2/3 IP with just three hits and two runs allowed while striking out seven.
He has been hit hard by the Nationals at Coors Field and the Royals on the road in his two starts since then, causing his ERA and FIP to balloon to 7.91 and 7.32, respectively. He had allowed 20 runs and eight homers in his four starts over just 19 1/3 IP.
Despite giving up all those runs, Dollander has still showcased his potential. He has outstanding stuff and the ability to throw a variety of pitches in different locations and counts.
Chase Dollander, Wicked Breaking Balls. 🤢
2Ks in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/h9D2XLl47Z
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 19, 2025
Dollander still has some major growing pains, but he has the potential to be an Ace once he's fully ready. The problem is that he'll sink your ERA in category leagues while he's figuring it out. He could have some spike starts and deliver incredible strikeouts, but he'll be a high-risk, high-reward play in every matchup, as half of his matchups will be at Coors Field, which raises the risk factor even higher.
It's definitely worth watching Dollander closely, even if you don't feel confident adding him just yet. As he grows and matures, he has the potential to be the Rockies' front-line starter for years to come, but he'll have to keep working through his adjustment to MLB-level hitting, which so far has been a steep learning curve for him.
Andrew Painter, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
Level: Clearwater Threshers
Availability: 15% rostered
2025 A stats: 3 G, 2.45 ERA, 1.63 FIP, 10 K, 1 BB, 7 1/3 IP
Of the three starting pitchers in this post, Painter brings the highest ceiling, but he also could be the furthest from making an impact since Dollander is already in the majors, and Matthews seems relatively close. Painter is still working his way back to full strength in Single-A, but he's widely considered the top pitching prospect in baseball.
The Phillies snagged Painter with the No. 13 pick back in the 2021 MLB Draft, and the big righty has dazzled almost every time he has pitched. He had huge numbers right after the draft in 2021 and in 2022, looking ready to skyrocket through the system to the MLB. However, he didn't pitch at all in the minors in 2023 or 2024 due to Tommy John surgery and his following recovery.
After such a long layoff, the Phillies sent him to the Arizona Fall League to get some work, and he was impressive there as well, earning the AFL’s Pitcher of the Year Award. In 15 2/3 IP in the AFL, he had a 2.30 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP, and a .189 batting average against. He piled up 18 strikeouts and only issued four walks, showing elite control and premium punchout potential.
He was given a two-inning cameo in spring training and sent to continue his build-up in Single-A with Clearwater. He has looked sharp throughout his three starts. He has allowed just two runs in three outings, but both runners scored after he left the game in his first start.
Andrew Painter had another scoreless outing for the Clearwater Threshers!
3.0 IP | 2 H | 0 ER | 0 BB | 3 K | 43 Pitches pic.twitter.com/awHWsAdWTO
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) April 24, 2025
He has built up to 43 pitches and has racked up 10 strikeouts in his 7 1/3 IP, showing no ill effects of his surgery or his extended layoff.
Based on everything we have seen from Painter, he will make an impact when he arrives in Philadelphia, but the question is when to expect him in the majors. Even after the layoff, he's only 22 years old, so the Phillies can afford to take their time and get him back to full strength with plenty of strong years ahead of him.
Even though he has never pitched above Double-A, the Phillies are already planning for his arrival in MLB. Earlier this season, Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski said Painter could arrive in the majors "July-ish." Dombrowski was also very clear that the plan is to use Painter as a starting pitcher and not out of the bullpen.
After the All-Star break, Painter could make a few exciting showcase starts, but it depends on his recovery and how many innings he logs if he'll be able to stick around throughout the stretch run and possibly the playoffs. If there's any way you can stash him, he'll be worth it when he gets to the majors. However, since that's still a few months away, it depends on your league settings and roster construction whether he's worth holding for so long.
As we approach the dog days of summer, though, you'll definitely want to keep a close eye on Painter since, when he does get to Philadelphia, he has the potential to make a huge impact for the Phillies and your fantasy baseball squad.
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