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Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Samuel Basallo, Sal Stewart, J.J. Wetherholt - that can make big impacts. These MLB prospects are waiver wire pickups or stashes.
Throughout the first half of the fantasy baseball season, fantasy managers have seen several high-end prospects earn the call to the big leagues and make an immediate impact. Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz has made the highest impact and has established himself as one of the best at his position.
In this piece, we will look at the top catching prospect who was just promoted to the major leagues and two other top hitting prospects at Triple-A and determine if they should be stashed on our bench.
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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Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles
Current Level: MLB
Availability: 15% rostered
2025 AAA Stats: 76 G, .270/.377/.589, 17 2B, 23 HR, 0 SB, 76 SO, 44 BB
This one is a no-brainer. If Basallo is still available in your league, go out and add him immediately. Already have a catcher? It doesn't matter. Basallo is the type of prospect hitter who could make an immediate, immense impact, especially in the power department.
BIG knock Basallo 💪 pic.twitter.com/1xNhiftfmu
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 19, 2025
In 76 games for Triple-A Norfolk this season, Basallo blasted 17 doubles and 23 home runs with a .270/.377/.589 slash line. His quality of contact metrics was even more impressive with a 94.2 mph AVG EV, 57.4% hard-hit rate, and a whopping 21% barrel rate. Basallo should start most games at catcher while Adley Rutschman is on the Injured List with an oblique strain, and that might end up being for the remainder of the season.
It's not very often that I recommend picking up a catcher in a single-catcher format if you already have one, but Basallo's upside warrants it. Basallo has picked up four hits in his first 14 at-bats with the Orioles.
He should be given ample playing time and already possesses some of the highest power upside at his position. He is a must-add in all formats.
-Written by Eric Cross
Sal Stewart, 2B/3B, Cincinnati Reds
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA Stats: 32 G, .317/.396/.650, 13 2B, 9 HR, 4 SB, 23 SO, 16 BB
The Reds are currently a half-game out of a Wild Card spot in the NL, and Sal Stewart CAN HELP THEM NOW! Do I need to say more as to why they should call him up?
Stewart is having an excellent year in the minors between Double-A and Triple-A. The dude just hits. He has a 150 wRC+ between the two levels with a 15.5 percent K rate. He has also improved his BB rate since getting the bump to Triple-A from 8.2 percent to 11.3 percent and his ISO from .167 to .315.
He has 17 HRs and 16 SBs on the season to go along with his very advanced hit tool.
Sal Stewart with HR #7 since joining Louisville. Up to .318 with a 1.034 OPS.
Bring him up. #Reds pic.twitter.com/Af3jdFoLqb
— OnBaseMachine (@RedsFan_Brandon) August 21, 2025
You're going to have to ignore what he's done in Los Angeles with this comp, but Stewart kind of reminds me of early career Anthony Rendon. I also see some Alex Bregman in the non-bouncy ball seasons. Either way, he should provide a solid all-around profile, and his power will get boosted playing half of his games in Cincinnati.
Since joining Triple-A, Stewart has yet to slow down, posting an elite 1.046 OPS through 32 games. During the first half of the season, Stewart enjoyed similar success at Double-A, holding a .306/.377/.473 line with an .850 OPS across 80 games. With the Reds in the heat of the playoff race, expect Stewart to join them in the near future.
For now, Stewart is worth stashing in all 12+ team leagues heading into Week 22 of the fantasy baseball season.
- Written by Kevin Luo
J.J. Wetherholt, SS, St. Louis Cardinals
Current Level: AAA
Availability: 5% rostered
2025 AAA Stats: 30 G, .316/.406/.650, 10 2B, 9 HR, 5 SB, 21 SO, 17 BB
I took Wetherholt off my prospects to stash article last week after Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak poured a bit of cold water on the possibility of Wetherholt getting a call this season.
However, the Cardinals are in a situation right now where they should be looking to call up Wetherholt for a late-season playoff push. They're currently four games out of the final Wild Card spot, and promoting their top prospect might give the team the jolt it needs to sneak into the playoffs.
Wetherholt has been phenomenal in his first full season of professional baseball. After being drafted seventh overall last season, he's made light work of Double-A and Triple-A pitching. Between the two levels, he has a 153 wRC+ with almost as many walks as strikeouts.
One impressive aspect of his game is how he's hitting for more power since getting the bump to Triple-A. He has nine of his 16 HRs on the season in 124 PA at Triple-A.
He made his Double-A debut in the first half and posted a remarkable .300/.425/.466 line with 14 doubles, seven home runs, and a 40:44 K:BB through 62 games. Since moving up to Triple-A, Wetherholt has continued to show an elite eye at the plate, holding a 21L:17 K:BB with a stellar 1.056 OPS.
JJ Wetherholt has hit the ground running in AAA with 9 HR in his first 25 games. His ability to make consistently hard contact while laying off bad pitches makes him a dangerous threat.
He is one of the best prospects in baseball! pic.twitter.com/rRjcJiA9FV
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) August 17, 2025
Wetherholt should provide a very solid all-around fantasy profile if he gets the call to the majors this season.
With Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado both on the injured list, Wetherholt will not find much trouble earning a spot in the current starting nine. Given his ability to hit for power ,showcased upside on the basepaths, and have a strong eye at the plate, he is worth stashing in all 12-team formats in Week 22.
- Written by Kevin Luo
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