Top-5 MLB Pitching Prospects To Stash For Fantasy Baseball Redraft Leagues - Week 16 (2025)

July 14, 2025

Andy's top pitching fantasy baseball prospects to stash for Week 16 (2025). 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 16 of the 2025 MLB season. This week, we saw Joe Boyle continue to operate as a reliever, Cam Schlittler make his MLB debut, and Chase Burns post his best outing of his budding career.

In this piece, we will examine our two top recurring names. We also have a new No. 3 and No. 5 stash option that have been some of the biggest prospect risers this season.

Below are the top pitching prospects to stash leading up to Week 16 of the 2025 MLB season.

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Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies

Currently At Triple-A
5% rostered

Even though he is coming off a rough outing, the top prospect in Philadelphia will hold the top spot on our list. In his most recent start on July 8, Painter allowed eight hits and five runs across 5 1/3 innings against Triple-A Syracuse. In this start, Painter struck out three hitters and served up one walk.

While his box score leaves much to be desired, this was the first time this season Painter was able to pitch into the sixth inning of a game.

The right-hander was unable to pitch during the entirety of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, and seeing him begin to increase his workload is a very promising sign. While his production could be more consistent, Painter's primary focus is on building up his workload.

Over his last 24 2/3 innings, Painter has posted a 4.74 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP. During this stretch, the right-hander has struck out 26 hitters while allowing just nine walks. During his first 26 innings with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Painter posted a 5.19 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

The former first-round pick opened the campaign with Low-A Clearwater and held a 12:1 K:BB with five earned runs across 10 1/3 innings.

With Aaron Nola (ankle) still on the 60-day IL and not making much progress, and the recent demotion of right-hander Mick Abel, Painter should have a clear path to remain in the rotation when he gets the call.

Earlier this season, Phillies manager Rob Thomson noted that Painter should be in the minors to debut shortly after the All-Star break. The promotion could happen any day. He is a must-stash in all leagues.

Andrew Painter is going to dominate. pic.twitter.com/S8xGk8XaoZ

— The Dynasty Dugout (@DynastyDugoutBB) July 3, 2025

Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates

Currently At Triple-A
30% rostered

After a rough June, Chandler has begun to turn the corner and is making a strong case to take the top spot on this list. In his most recent outing on July 10, Chandler logged six shutout innings with five hits and two walks. He struck out seven hitters. On July 4, he posted a quality start as well, logging six shutout frames with five hits, two walks, and six punchouts.

This is a notable sign for the No. 2-ranked prospect, as he had a disappointing June that tanked his short-term value. In June, the right-hander logged just 12 2/3 innings (five starts) and posted an 8.53 ERA with a 2.29 WHIP. He served up 12 walks over this stretch while striking out just 11 hitters.

Before June, Chandler appears to be on the fast track to the majors, logging 48 2/3 innings to the tune of a stellar 2.03 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He tallied an impressive 69 strikeouts over this span while allowing just 21 walks.

During Chandler's first stint in Triple-A last season, he performed at a similar level, holding a 1.83 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP across 39 1/3 innings.

If Chandler continues to turn the corner, he should be in the mix to debut before the end of the month. He could even have an earlier path to the big leagues, especially if the Pirates opt to trade veteran pitchers Andrew Heaney or Bailey Falter at the deadline.

He is a strong stash option and should be viewed as the 1B alongside Painter.

After a rough June, Bubba Chandler has begun to turn the corner 👀
Over his last two starts (July 4 and July 10), Chandler has thrown 12 shutout innings, allowing just four walks while striking out 13 batters.

He'll be in Pittsburgh soon!pic.twitter.com/tQIdrejEna

— Andy Smith (@A_Smith_FS) July 12, 2025

Nolan McLean, New York Mets

Currently At Triple-A
1% rostered

Moving up to the No. 3 spot is New York right-hander McLean. What a July McLean has been having. After striking out 10 hitters across five innings against Triple-A Worcester on July 3, McLean went on to toss six shutout innings with another 10 strikeouts in his next start on July 9 against Lehigh Valley.

McLean opened the season with Double-A Binghamton but needed just 26 1/3 innings of work to prove he was ready to join Syracuse. At Double-A, McLean held an impressive 1.37 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP.

Since allowing a season-high four runs to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in his second Triple-A outing of his career (on May 15), McLean has held a stellar 2.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, with a 54:20 K:BB over his last 48 2/3 innings.

Even though Sean Manaea (elbow) made his season debut on Sunday, the Mets could still give McLean the call in the near future. He is worth stashing in all 12+ team formats heading into Week 16.

Nolan McLean (NYM) continues to decimate AAA batters!

He racked up 10 K across 6.0 while leaning on his strong breaking balls and generating a ton of whiffs. He is going to be a stud! pic.twitter.com/OD7n1D5L03

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) July 10, 2025

Quinn Mathews, St. Louis Cardinals

Currently At Triple-A
1% rostered

After allowing four runs on July 5, Mathews enjoyed a much-needed bounce-back outing as he tossed four shutout frames with just four hits, two walks, and five strikeouts. This is an excellent sign for his southpaw as control has been his primary issue.

Before his last start, Mathews allowed a hefty 23 free passes over his last 21 2/3 innings of work. During this stretch, the left-hander struck out 27 hitters and held a 5.40 ERA.

The 24-year-old missed over a month of the campaign due to a shoulder injury, which appears to have impacted his production. However, last season, the left-hander was one of the most productive pitchers in the minor leagues and was viewed as a top stash option during the start of the 2025 season.

Last summer, Mathews opened the season with Low-A but was able to finish the season with Triple-A. Through 126 2/3 innings pitched between Low-A, High-A, and Double-A, the No. 60-ranked prospect in the game posted an elite 2.27 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP. He allowed just 35 walks and struck out 180 hitters.

His control was not an issue last season, and his most recent outing is a big step in the right direction. If he can continue to turn the corner, he should debut in August, especially if the Cardinals remain in the Wild Card race or trade their veteran pitchers at the deadline.

Quinn Mathews' final line:

5 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Mathews' stuff looked the liveliest it’s been since returning back to the mound. His heater averaged 95 MPH w/ 17” vert. SL and CH both recorded 4 whiffs a piece. Also mixed in a 77 MPH CB. pic.twitter.com/CQIzjIKVpc

— Kareem (@KareemSSN) June 7, 2025

Hunter Barco, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Currently At Triple-A
1% rostered

Rounding out this week's column is another Pittsburgh Pirate, Barco. Barco is tough to judge, as he has been more productive than Chandler this season, but lacks experience against the upper minor leagues, which is why he sits at the bottom of this list.

The southpaw opened the season with Double-A Altoona and tossed an incredible 25 2/3-striaght shutout innings before earning the promotion to Triple-A. During this stretch, Barco struck out 34 hitters and allowed just seven walks.

Through his first 43 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis, the left-hander has held his own, posting a 3.35 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has continued to flash a high strikeout upside, allowing 51. However, his command has been a bit shaky, as he has served up 25 walks.

Over his last two starts (11 1/3 innings), Barco has allowed seven free passes.

While Chandler remains the priority stash in Pittsburgh, do not be surprised if Barco gets the call shortly after or even before, especially if he can drop his walk rate over his next few starts.

Hunter Barco over his last three starts in Triple-A:

18 IP
1 ER
4 BB
20 K

Due 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

Other Prospects To Consider Stashing

• Logan Henderson, MIL
• Carson Whisenhunt, SF

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