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Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Jordan Lawlar, C.J. Kayfus, Luke Keaschall - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.
Stashing the right prospect can provide a significant boost to your fantasy team, especially in the second half of the campaign. Last season, several high-end prospects got the call and made immediate impacts in the big leagues, such as Washington outfielder Dylan Crews and Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero.
In this piece, we will look at three prospects who are nearing a return to the big leagues. Two of these top hitters have already earned a spot in the majors but have seen mixed results.
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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Jordan Lawlar, INF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 15% rostered
2025 AAA Stats: 53 G, .319/.410/.583, 19 2B, 10 HR, 18 SB
The readers are throwing metaphorical tomatoes at me for this one. I get it - Jordan Lawlar has been awful so far in his two stints in the majors, and he's currently injured.
However, it seems written in the stars that the Diamondbacks will move Eugenio Suarez before the deadline. He is having an amazing season, especially in the power department, and is an impending free agent. Many contenders can utilize that boost to their lineups.
Lawlar should only be out a couple more weeks, and once he returns, he might have a clear runway to playing time at the major league level for the first time in his career if Suarez is dealt.
My thoughts about Lawlar haven't changed too much. I know you can't erase your memory about his brutal major league stints, but a 22-year-old SS with a 135 WRC+, 10 HRs, and 18 SBs in Triple-A would excite most fantasy managers if he were getting called up for the first time.
I think the third time will be the charm for Lawlar. There's something significant about being an everyday player with a bit of job security, and Lawlar will have that when he gets the call, assuming they trade Suarez. Lawlar still has five category upside and could be a serviceable middle infielder (or corner infielder when he gets eligibility).
Despite his struggles during his first two stints in Arizona, Lawlar has flashed immense upside in the minor leagues and is still viewed as one of the top hitting prospects in the sport. He could be poised for a breakout if given every day at-bats.
Good grief, Jordan Lawlar! 🥜📰
The @Dbacks top prospect goes nuts and crushes a 425-foot homer for the @Aces in a Peanuts uniform! pic.twitter.com/xwIOUVwZsO
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 15, 2025
-Written by Kevin Luo
C.J. Kayfus, 1B, Cleveland Guardians
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA stats: 59 G, 289/.377/.546, 12 2B, 12 HR, 2 SB
The Guardians waited too long to call up Chase DeLauter, and he does what he always does- get hurt. DeLauter is dealing with wrist soreness, which is frustrating but hopefully not too serious. At least it's not an issue with one of his chronically injured feet.
However, his injury will keep the focus for Guardians prospects nearing the majors this week on C.J. Kayfus.
Kayfus is one of the most underrated offensive prospects in baseball. The guy just hits. He has a 141 WRC+ this season with 12 HRs in Triple-A after posting a 211 WRC+ for his first 80 PAs of the season in Double-A.
CJ Kayfus still doesn't get enough attention:
58 G (AAA)
.307 BA
.399 OBP
.956 OPS
15 doubles
8 (!) triples
13 HRBat-to-ball metrics are solid:
86.8% Z-Contact%
13.1% SwStr%
30.6% Chase%
46.2% O-Contact%Inside the zone, Kayfus is an absolute killer. Only 23.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/TzVWYiDiDE
— LouisAnalysis (@LouisAnalysis) July 15, 2025
There are some concerns about Kayfus' K-rate increasing to 28.9 percent in Triple-A this season, but he hasn't had major swing and miss issues in the past, so hopefully, he can get that under control once he gets his feet wet in the majors.
Before moving up to Triple-A, Kayfus enjoyed a strong start to the season with Double-A Akron. Through 18 games with Akron, Kayfus posted an elite .364/.475/.591 line with a 1.066 OPS. During this stretch, Kayfus hit four doubles and hit one long ball.
Once he gets the call, he should make for a decent corner infield option with a solid average and power. If the Guardians were to continue falling out of the Wild Card race, they could opt to trade veteran first baseman Carlos Santana. Santana has already been linked to several clubs ahead of the deadline, which would open up an everyday role for the slugging first baseman.
Kayfus is a strong stash option in 12+ team leagues as he should provide a solid batting average with the upside to contribute in the power department once he gets the call to Cleveland.
- Written by Kevin Luo
Luke Keaschall, 1B/2B/OF, Minnesota Twins
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 15% rostered
2025 MLB Stats: 7 G, .268/.538/.526, 3 2B, 5 SB
After playing just seven games with Minnesota in April, Luke Keaschall suffered a fractured forearm, which has kept him out of action for nearly the last three months. However, Keaschall is nearing a return to the Twins and started his rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.
After a handful more games with St. Paul, Keaschall should be ready to rejoin Minnesota's lineup, likely playing regularly or close to it.
Keaschall is coming off an impressive 2024 season in the minors, where he slashed .303/.420/.483 in 102 games with 21 doubles, 15 home runs, and 23 steals. Keaschall is an above-average runner who has always excelled in the contact and approach departments.
That was the case in 2024 with Keashcall posting an 82% contact rate to go along with a 13.4% walk rate and 17.2% strikeout rate. He also has the power to be a 15-18 homer hitter over a full season.
Given his ability to contribute to all five standard categories, and he is worth adding in all standard leagues before he returns to action later in July. When he returns, he should have a clear role to see every opportunity at the keystone.
Great seats thanks to Charles Gazaway tonight to see @LouisvilleBats vs @StPaulSaints . Gotta see my @Twins prospects. Bailey Ober and Luke Keaschall playing tonight on rehab assignments. #mntwins pic.twitter.com/nr8vTsr4eG
— Matt Kummer (@mattkummer) July 18, 2025
- Written by Eric Cross
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