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Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Justin Crawford, Hunter Barco, Andrew Painter - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.
Throughout the opening months of the fantasy baseball season, fantasy managers have seen many high-end prospects not only get the call to the big leagues but also make an immediate impact in the majors. Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz and Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron have both emerged as must-start options.
In this piece, we will look at three top performers at Triple-A and determine if they should be on our bench during Week 17 of the fantasy baseball season.
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: 15% rostered
2025 AAA Stats: 75 G, .325/.405/.424, 18 2B, 2 HR, 29 SB
As I scoured the Phillies' social media over the last few days, I've noticed fans either clamoring for Justin Crawford to be called up or including him in their fake trades for another star player, so I'm hoping one will happen soon.
Crawford is having another productive season in Triple-A at only 21 years old. He has a 131 WRC+ with a solid plate approach and, as you'd expect from the son of Carl Crawford, a lot of speed (28 SBs).
The biggest issue with Crawford is that he hits the ball on the ground way too much. He has a 60+ percent ground-ball rate at almost every stop of his minor league career. If he continues to kill ants with the bat, that will surely limit his upside, both in real life and in fantasy.
While I'm not expecting a lot of power for Crawford, you can expect a solid average and good speed. He is the prospect to stash right now if your team is lacking stolen bases.
However, with the Phillies sitting at the top of the NL East, Crawford could find himself on the trade block at the deadline as the Phillies are looking to strengthen their bullpen. However, a trade for Crawford may be in the best interest as he has yet to earn a look in the big leagues this season, despite stepping up to a level at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
If you are looking to boost your speed production in the second half, Crawford should be viewed as a priority to stash. He should also produce an above-average batting average as well.
I want to give Justin Crawford a shot. It’s time. pic.twitter.com/0kheog7m41
— Jake (@PhilliesJake) June 29, 2025
-Written by Kevin Luo
Hunter Barco, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 MiLB stats: 71 1/3 IP, 2.52 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 87 SO, 34 BB
The next player we will take a look at is from Pittsburgh. Barco opened the season at Double-A and was one of the most dominant pitchers throughout the opening months. The left-hander opted for the season, logging 25 2/3 straight shutout innings. During this stretch, he struck out 34 hitters and allowed only seven walks.
This dominant start at Double-A earned him a call to Triple-A.
Since moving to Triple-A, Barco has remained very productive, tossing 43 innings to the tune of a 3.35 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has continued to slash high strikeout numbers, tallying 51 while allowing only 25 free passes.
Over his first 23 1/3 innings (four starts), the 24-year-old has been even more impressive, holding a stellar 1.54 ERA with a neat 0.81 WHIP.
Similar to his teammate Bubba Chandler, with the Pirates likely to move Mitch Keller, Andrew Heaney, and Bailey Falter at the deadline, Barco could be given the call in the coming weeks. While Chandler carries more upside than Barco, do not be surprised if the Pirates give Barco the call first, given his more recent success.
Barco remains in play to make his MLB debut before the end of July and is worth stashing in all 12+ team formats.
Hunter Barco over his last three starts in Triple-A:
18 IP
1 ER
4 BB
20 KDue to this stretch, his ERA across all levels this season now sits at 1.85🔥 pic.twitter.com/xJTl1ENJuv
— The Call Up | An MLB Prospect Podcast (@The_CallUpPod) July 11, 2025
- Written by Andy Smith
Andrew Painter, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 15% rostered
2025 AAA Stats: 55 2/3 IP, 5.01 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 59 SO, 20 BB
Despite his struggles, Andrew Painter remains in the top spot on our stash list. Earlier in the season, Phillies manager Rob Thomson noted that Painter should be in the mix to make his long-awaited MLB debut in July, meaning his promotion could happen any day.
In his most recent outing, Painter tossed five innings of three-run ball with six hits. In this outing, he allowed no walks and struck out four hitters. Over his last 29 2/3 innings, Painter has held a modest 4.85 ERA. However, during this stretch, he has shown elite command (2.7 BB/9) and logged at least five innings in each start.
Given his extensive injury history, seeing Painter continue to increase his workload without facing setbacks is an excellent sign and suggests he could be a valuable contributor to the Phillies in the second half of the season.
During his first 26 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he held a much higher 5.19 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Earlier in the campaign, Painter tossed 11 innings at Low-A and held a 12:1 K:BB with five runs.
With Aaron Nola (ankle) still on the 60-day injured list and the struggling Mick Abel sent back to the minor leagues, Painter should have a clear path to remain in the big leagues throughout the entire second half when he gets the call. He remains the top pitcher to stash heading into Week 17.
Andrew Painter has fastball working. pic.twitter.com/zhQuhhBx7o
— Amy Fadool Kane (@amyfadoolNBCS) July 4, 2025
- Written by Andy Smith
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