Top-5 MLB Pitching Prospects To Stash For Fantasy Baseball Redraft Leagues - Week 1 (2026)

March 30, 2026

Andy's top pitching fantasy baseball prospects to stash for Week 1 (2026). His MLB prospects to pick up and stash on your bench and N/A spots in redraft leagues.

Welcome back to our top starting pitcher fantasy baseball prospects to stash for Week 1 of the 2026 MLB season. Even though we are only a handful of days into the regular season, it is never too early to begin stashing prospects. Just look at how impactful Nick Kurtz was when he reached the majors last summer, or Nolan McLean and Cam Schlittler were on the pitching side.

In this week's edition, we will spotlight several starting pitchers who are knocking on the MLB door and could join their respective MLB rosters much sooner than expected.

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Robby Snelling, Miami Marlins

Currently At Triple-A

Robby Snelling was a popular early-draft target in the winter as it appeared the young southpaw had an elite chance to break camp with the Miami Marlins. However, early in camp, the Marlins announced their rotation, and Snelling was on the outside looking in.

His struggles in spring training did not help his case to start the campaign in the major leagues, as he held a hefty 7.56 ERA with a 1.92 WHIP over just 8 1/3 innings. As expected, Snelling felt short of the organization as Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, and veteran Chris Paddack filled the final spots behind Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez.

Despite this, Snelling flashed elite upside at the Triple-A level last summer and may not have to wait long to make his MLB debut.

Last season, Snelling began the campaign with Double-A and logged 72 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.61 ERA, averaging a 1.22 WHIP. During this stint, the lefty-hander struck out only 85 hitters while allowing 22 walks.

However, once he moved up to Triple-A, he looked even more dominant. During his first 63 2/3 innings at Triple-A, Snelling struck out an impressive 81 hitters (career-best 32.9% K%), while allowing only 17 walks (6.9% BB%). He would hold a 1.27 ERA with a mere 0.99 WHIP.

Over his last eight outings (48 innings), Snelling was even more dominant, carrying a near-perfect 0.94 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP.

Given Meyer's and Garrett's extensive injury history and Paddack's inconsistent performances, Snelling could debut before the end of April. Managers should pay close attention to Paddack's production, as a few rough outings could open the door for Snelling to debut early in the season.

Logan Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers

Currently At Triple-A

Even with Quinn Priester (wrist) having a delayed start to the regular season, Logan Henderson was unable to crack the Opening Day roster, making him a prime stash candidate. Instead, the Brewers turned to newly-acquired right-hander Brandon Sproat to take the final spot in the Opening Day rotation.

Even though Henderson's stock may have dropped slightly in the short-term, he will be a strong fantasy asset once he runs to Milwaukee. Unlike many pitchers on this list, Henderson has already made his MLB debut and was quite effective in the big leagues.

The former 116th overall pick made five starts with the Brewers last summer and posted an elite 1.78 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP across 25 1/3 innings. During this brief taste, Henderson struck out 33 hitters (33.1% K%) while holding an above average 8.1% BB%. He generated a low 32.3% hard-hit rate with a 32.6% chase% and a 27.6% whiff rate, suggesting his strikeout totals could be sustainable over a longer period.

Logan Henderson’s first major league strikeout 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bcMTIlyw5N

— Milb Central (@milb_central) April 20, 2025

At Triple-A last season, Henderson logged 77 2/3 innings with a 3.59 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and an 87:24 K:BB. This was a nice improvement over the 4.56 ERA he posted over his first taste of Triple-A (23 2/3 innings) back in 2024.

In addition to Priester's injury, Henderson could be given an early look in 2026 as Brandon Woodruff has dealt with several injuries and was even slow-played during camp. Additionally, neither Kyle Harrison nor Sproat has the longest track record of success in the big leagues and could open a path for Henderson if either struggles.

The right-hander is a top stash option in all 12-team leagues ahead of Week 2.

Jonah Tong, New York Mets

Currently At Triple-A

Jonah Tong was unlikely to break camp with the Mets, but may not have to wait long to return to Queens. Like Henderson, Tong did receive a taste of the majors but did not enjoy the same success. In his short 18 2/3-inning stint with the Mets, Tong posted a high 7.71 ERA with a 1.77 WHIP. He struck out 22 hitters but carried a high 10.3% BB%.

However, while his early struggles hurt his short-term stock, Tong flashed high-end upside in the upper minors earlier in the season and could take a massive step forward in his second look.

Tong was one of the most dominant pitchers throughout the 2025 MiLB season and could quickly find his footing in 2026. He began the 2025 season with Double-A and logged 102 innings to the tune of a 1.59 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. During this stint, Tong struck out 162 batters with 44 free passes. He then moved up to Triple-A, where he needed just 11 2/3 innings (two starts) before joining the Mets.

In this two-game stint, he did not allow a run and held a 17:3 K:BB. Tong clearly needs a little more seasoning at Triple-A, but given the upside he has shown, he is worth stashing in deep 12+ team leagues that have N/A spots, as he could take a massive step forward in his second stint.

JR Ritchie, Atlanta Braves

Currently At Triple-A

Given the injuries to Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Spencer Strider (oblique), and Hurston Waldrep (elbow), the right-hander JR Ritchie was in serious consideration to break camp with the MLB roster. While he ultimately fell short in the competition, he may not have to wait long to make his MLB debut.

In camp, the former 35th overall selection looked quite comfortable and made a strong case to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Through 12 spring innings, Ritchie posted a 2.25 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, with a 14:5 K:BB.

Last summer, the right-hander progressed through the minor leagues very quickly and will begin the 2026 season at the doorstep of Atlanta. He opened the 2025 season in High-A but reached Triple-A in the second half.

Across 80 1/3 innings shared between High-A and Double-A, Ritchie posted a 2.35 ERA with a strong 0.95 WHIP. During this stint, Ritchie struck out 79 hitters while allowing only 27 walks.

During his first 59 2/3 innings at Triple-A, he continued to look quite comfortable, holding a 3.09 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He continued to flash high-end strikeout upside, totalling 61, but his command struggled, as he allowed 27 walks (11.1% BB%), a slight jump from his mark in the lower levels.

Given that he has already had success at Gwinnett, he may only need a short taste like Henderson. Atlanta's current depth chart could present Ritchie with an opportunity to make his MLB debut before the end of April, making him worthy of a stash in all standard leagues.

JR Ritchie against the Phillies:

4.0 IP | 0 H | 0 R | 0 ER | 0 BB | 6 SO

(Via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/HKxIxALaCs

— Milb Central (@milb_central) March 15, 2026

Payton Tolle, Boston Red Sox

Currently At Triple-A

Rounding out our list will be Boston's Payton Tolle. Even though he fell short in the spring competition with fellow prospect Connelly Early, Tolle is worth monitoring in deep draft leagues, as his return to the majors could come in the near future.

Tolle made his MLB debut last season but had limited success. Over a short 16 1/3 innings, Tolle held a high 6.06 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP. He showed high strike upside, totalling 19, but held a high 10.8% BB%.

However, earlier in the season, Tolle flashed immense upside in the minor leagues and clearly needs additional time to develop in the minor leagues. The former 50th overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft actually made his professional debut in 2025 but progressed through the Boston system at an impressive rate.

He opened the season at High-A, but needed only 49 2/3 innings before moving up to Double-A. Over a short 27-inning stint at Double-A Portland, where he held a 1.67 ERA with 37 punchouts, he then moved up to Triple-A Rochester, where he continued to impress.

At the top level of the system, Tolle logged 15 innings to the tune of a 3.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and a 17:2 K:BB ratio before joining the Red Sox in late August.

Seventh strikeout for Boston Red Sox prospect Payton Tolle in Triple-A tonight.

97.18 MPH fastball. pic.twitter.com/ekaaQylxAM

— Hunter Noll (@Hunter_Noll) August 22, 2025

While there is no current placement for Tolle in the rotation to the moment, the 6-foot-6 lefty possesses the highest strikeout upside on this list and could become a must-start option as soon as he returns to Boston. Managers with an open roster spot should target Tolle on the waiver wire before he begins to flash this upside on the Triple-A mound.

Other Prospects To Consider Stashing

• Noah Schultz, CWS
• Thomas White, MIA
• Carlos Lagrange, NYY

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