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Everybody sit back, relax, and take a deep breath. We've reached the All-Star break and it's time to take a quick breather and gear up for the stretch run of the 2023 fantasy baseball season.
So, how are your teams looking? Still in the hunt? Do you need a boost at one position or category down the stretch to help you make the playoffs or finish in a money spot? Well, some of the names below can assist with that.
In this article, we will focus on MLB prospects, rookies, and call-ups who could make impacts for the 2023 fantasy baseball season. Stashing fantasy baseball prospects should be done strategically, not haphazardly. You need to be cognizant of which prospects will be up sooner and can make the biggest short-term impact on your teams – even if that means stashing a prospect that might be ranked lower than another in long-term dynasty prospect rankings.
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Top 25 Prospects to Stash for Fantasy Baseball
Notes on plenty of prospects can be found below the rankings table. And remember, these rankings are for 2023 redraft value only. These are MLB prospects to potentially make a rest-of-season fantasy baseball impact in 2023. As prospects are called up, they are removed from the rankings. You can also see our top fantasy baseball dynasty prospects for long-term outlooks.
Called Up Last Week: Colton Cowser (BAL), Dominic Canzone (ARI), Nick Gonzales (PIT)
Honorable Mentions: Joey Ortiz (BAL), Moises Gomez (STL), Curtis Mead (TBR), Zach DeLoach (SEA), Justin Dirden (HOU), Heston Kjerstad (BAL), Ben Brown (CHC), Jake Alu (WAS), Davis Schneider (TOR), Jorge Barrosa (ARI), Chase Hampton (NYY), Robert Gasser (MIL), Quinn Priester (PIT), Xavier Edwards (MIA).
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | ETA | Last Wk |
| 1 | Christian Encarnacion-Strand | 1B/3B | CIN | July | 1 |
| 2 | Grayson Rodriguez | SP | BAL | July | 3 |
| 3 | Colt Keith | 3B | DET | August | 5 |
| 4 | Ronny Mauricio | SS | NYM | August | 4 |
| 5 | Oswald Peraza | SS | NYY | August | 7 |
| 6 | Matt Mervis | 1B | CHC | August | 8 |
| 7 | Kyle Manzardo | 1B | TBR | August | 9 |
| 8 | Tyler Soderstrom | C/1B | OAK | August | 10 |
| 9 | Michael Busch | 2B | LAD | July | NR |
| 10 | Parker Meadows | OF | DET | August | 12 |
| 11 | Aaron Schunk | 3B | COL | July | 19 |
| 12 | Landon Knack | SP | LAD | August | 13 |
| 13 | Ceddanne Rafaela | OF | BOS | August | 14 |
| 14 | Sal Frelick | OF | MIL | August | 11 |
| 15 | Matt Wallner | OF | MIN | August | 15 |
| 16 | Justyn-Henry Malloy | OF | DET | August | 16 |
| 17 | Zack Gelof | 3B | OAK | August | NR |
| 18 | Endy Rodriguez | C | PIT | August | 17 |
| 19 | Heston Kjerstad | OF | BAL | September | NR |
| 20 | Cade Marlowe | OF | SEA | August | 24 |
| 21 | Masyn Winn | SS | STL | August | 18 |
| 22 | Connor Norby | 2B | BAL | August | 20 |
| 23 | Curtis Mead | 2B/3B | TBR | August | 22 |
| 24 | Gavin Stone | P | LAD | August | NR |
| 25 | Lenyn Sosa | 2B/SS | CHW | August | 21 |
Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings Analysis
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Cincinnati Reds
Now that many of the other prospects that occupied the top part of these rankings for the last several weeks are up in the Majors, Christian Encarnacion-Strand is left standing in the middle of an empty room like Will Smith at the end of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. But hopefully, it's not long before Encarnacion-Strand is up on that Major League stage, smacking baseballs out of the park for our fantasy teams.
After an ever-so-slight slump in June, Encarnacion-Strand has gone on a tear once again, slashing .313/.377/.583 over his last 11 games with six extra-base hits and a trio of home runs. Unfortunately, there's no open spot for him in Cincinnati currently with Joey Votto back in the lineup and players like Spencer Steer, Jake Fraley, T.J. Freidl, and Will Benson all hitting well to pair with Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Jonathan India. Maybe Encarnacion-Strand can learn how to play catcher in a hurry.
Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles
It wouldn't shock me at all if Grayson Rodriguez was back up with Baltimore shortly after the All-Star break. While his last outing only lasted three innings with three walks, Rodriguez has really impressed overall since being sent back down to Triple-A. In seven starts since being optioned to Norfolk, Rodriguez has posted a stellar 1.69 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, and 36.5% strikeout rate. The walk rate has been a tick high at 10.1%, but that's nothing I'm overly concerned about right now. If Rodriguez is available in your league, now is an ideal time to stash him.
Michael Busch, Los Angeles Dodgers
Is the third time going to be the charm with Michael Busch? The former first-round pick has already had two separate stints with the Dodgers this season, but couldn't secure regular playing time in either of them. With the Dodgers recently sending Miguel Vargas down to Triple-A after struggling basically all season, it wouldn't be surprising to see Busch get recalled to take over at second base coming out of the All-Star break.
Busch has been hitting well all season in Triple-A, especially since the beginning of June. In his eight June games before his promotion to the Dodgers, Busch racked up 16 hits including 10 extra-base hits and four home runs. In 10 games since he was sent back down in late June, Busch is hitting .290 with a .711 SLG, four home runs, and more walks (11) than strikeouts (6). His blend of power and OBP would be enticing for fantasy purposes if he's given a shot to start regularly for the Dodgers.
Heston Kjerstad, Baltimore Orioles
Over the last 30 days, Heston Kjerstad has been one of the hottest hitters in the minors with a .330/.425/.625 slash line to go along with five home runs and a solid 18.5% strikeout rate. Given his upside, performance, and proximity to Baltimore, one might wonder why Kjerstad isn't higher in these rankings. Well, look how long it took Colton Cowser to get the call. There's just simply no spot for Kjerstad in Baltimore right now outside of an injury happening. If/when he does get the call this season, Kjerstad could certainly make an impact with his big raw power and ability to provide a decent AVG and OBP.
Xavier Edwards, Miami Marlins
Remember him? While Edwards didn't make the top-25 this week, I do believe he's someone to keep on your radar at least. Despite having a trio of home runs over the last month, Edwards doesn't provide much in the way of power, but he could provide a solid AVG/SB combination if he finds playing time in Miami. Edwards is hitting a ridiculous .417 in 111 plate appearances over the last month along with 10 stolen bases while only striking out three times. It's probably going to take an injury for Edwards to find regular playing time with Miami though.
Quick Hits:
Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox: In 11 games since being promoted up to Triple-A Worcester, Rafaela has swatted four home runs, pushing his season total to 10 in 66 games with 31 steals and a .289 AVG.
Parker Meadows, Detroit Tigers: Meadows has been on fire over the last month, slashing .308/.372/.589 in 121 plate appearances with five home runs and four steals. It's hard to imagine him not getting a shot in Detroit down the stretch.
Cade Marlowe, Seattle Mariners: Marlowe has also hit incredibly well of late after an early-season funk. In 115 plate appearances over the last month, Marlowe has racked up seven home runs and 10 steals with a .293/.383/.586 slash line.
Zack Gelof, Oakland Athletics: A recent addition to these rankings, Gelof has been tearing the cover off the ball in Triple-A with a .330/.384/.621 slash line, seven home runs, and five steals over the last month. It would be downright foolish if Oakland didn't give both Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom a look at some point over the second half of the season.
Gavin Stone, Los Angeles Dodgers: Stone pitched much better in his last Triple-A outing, tossing six shutout innings with zero walks and eight strikeouts. He also posted an impressive 38% whiff rate and 41% CSW rate in the outing.
If you enjoyed these rankings and want to see additional rankings, analysis, and more, check out Eric's Toolshed Fantasy Patreon.
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