Top-5 MLB Pitching Prospects To Stash For Fantasy Baseball Redraft Leagues - Week 18 (2025)

July 28, 2025

Andy's top pitching fantasy baseball prospects to stash for Week 18 (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 18 of the 2025 MLB season. This week, we saw two of our top names take a significant step forward at Triple-A, suggesting their MLB debuts could be right around the corner.

In addition, we will spotlight two budding arms in the Mets system who could be on their way to Queens in the coming weeks.

Below are the top pitching prospects to stash leading up to Week 18 of the 2025 MLB season.

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Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies

Currently At Triple-A
15% rostered

Remaining in the top spot on this list is Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Andrew Painter. Earlier in the campaign, Phillies manager Rob Thomson noted that July was the "targeted" date for Painter's eventual MLB debut. While he may not hit that date, fantasy managers should expect an early August debut to remain in play.

The right-hander is coming off one of his best starts at Triple-A. On Thursday evening, the top-ranked prospect in the Phillies system tossed six innings of two-run ball against the Norfolk Tides. In this start, he allowed just one hit with three walks. He struck out four.

This was a great sign for the former 13th overall pick as he posted a hefty 5.84 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP over his last 24 2/3 innings (five starts). While his overall 4.82 ERA, which he holds through 61 2/3 innings at Triple-A, is not overly impressive, Painter's primary concern is his workload. The right-hander missed the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Seeing Painter log six innings of one-hit ball in his last start suggests that he can not only handle a starter's workload but can also find success over a longer start. Earlier in the campaign, Painter flashed immense upside at Low-A when he posted a 12:1 K:BB through 11 1/3 innings during his rehab stint.

With Mick Abel returned to Triple-A and Aaron Nola (ankle) still on the 60-day injured list, Painter should have a clear path to remain in the majors as soon as he gets the call. He should be viewed as a priority stash in all leagues heading into Week 18.

Andrew Painter may be on his way 👀 https://t.co/Mzv13i6ClX

— Andy Smith (@A_Smith_FS) July 25, 2025

Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates

Currently At Triple-A
20% rostered

Coming in as a close second is the right-hander from Pittsburgh. Bubba Chandler has been on the verge of a promotion throughout the entire first half but has taken several stepbacks throughout the Triple-A regular season, which has pushed back his debut. However, like Painter, Chandler is coming off a dominant outing and may have proved that his development is complete.

On Thursday evening, Chandler tossed 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball en route to picking up the victory over Triple-A Toledo. In this outing, Chandler struck out seven hitters while allowing just four hits and two walks. This was a great sign for Chandler as he allowed five runs and eight hits in his previous start on July 18.

However, he was able to open the month of July by logging 12 straight shutout innings with a 1.17 WHIP.

Despite his inconsistencies this season, Chandler has flashed elite strikeout potential and has been able to bounce back following a rough skid. Before June, Chandler appeared to be the next budding ace in the sport, logging 48 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.03 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 69:21 K:BB.

With several Pittsburgh starters on the trade block, such as Mitch Keller and Andrew Heaney, Chandler should be given an extended look in early August.

Looks like Bubba Chandler may have made his last start in the minor leauges... https://t.co/z3msFk2nn2

— Andy Smith (@A_Smith_FS) July 26, 2025

Logan Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers

Currently At Triple-A
10% rostered

Unlike the first two names on this list, Logan Henderson has already been looked at in the big leagues and was rather impressive. During his first four starts in the majors, the right-hander posted a stellar 1.71 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP across 21 innings. He struck out 29 hitters and served up walks at a solid 7.4% rate.

However, with Brandon Woodruff back in action and Jacob Misiorowski's ascendence, the Brewers opted to send Henderson back to Triple-A to preserve his innings for the stretch run.

Since returning to Triple-A, Henderson has continued to pitch well, tossing 38 2/3 innings with a solid 3.49 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. However, in his most recent outing on July 20, Henderson took a bit of a step back, allowing four runs, four walks, and five hits in just 3 2/3 innings against Indianapolis.

Despite this rough showing, Henderson has continued to flash high strikeout upside at Triple-A, tallying 82 in just 72 1/3 innings of work.

Given his success in the majors, he is worth stashing in deeper leagues. However, Henderson will likely need to wait for an injury to the MLB rotation to return, which makes him difficult to hold in shallower leagues.

Is Logan Henderson nearing a return to the majors? Should he be at the top of our stash list?

Check out the latest update:
(Via: @A_Smith_FS)https://t.co/IbslpG8zc4

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) July 27, 2025

Nolan McLean, New York Mets

Currently At Triple-A
1% rostered

New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean enjoyed a much-needed bounce-back in his most recent outing. After allowing six runs on July 18, McLean returned to form, tossing 7 1/3 innings of two-run ball en route to picking up the victory over Triple-A Omaha. In this start, McLean struck out six hitters and did not allow a walk.

The right-hander opened the season with Double-A, but needed just 37 1/3 innings to prove he was ready to make the jump to Triple-A Syracuse. With Double-A, McLean posted an elite 1.37 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.

Through 71 2/3 total innings at the top level of the minor leagues, the No. 75-ranked prospect on MLB.com has posted a solid 3.01 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. He has struck out 77 hitters while serving up just 29 walks.

However, with Sean Manaea back in action, McLean (and the name below him) may have to wait a bit longer to join the MLB roster. Will Sammon of The Athletic recently reported that the Mets could opt to shift McLean to the bullpen, as there will likely not be room in the rotation. McLean would likely piggyback Clay Holmes on starts, as he has only been able to go five innings deep in most outings.

If a Mets starter were to miss time, McLean would become a must-stash. However, knowing that the Mets have already begun to kick the tires on a potential shift to the bullpen, his fantasy ceiling would be quite limited.

Nolan McLean in his Triple-A outing tonight;

7.1 IP | 4 H | 2 ER | 0 BB | 6 K

WHEN WILL WE SEE HIM ON AN MLB MOUND 🤔⁉️ pic.twitter.com/BFruVOpMQ0

— SleeperMets (@SleeperMets) July 25, 2025

Brandon Sproat, New York Mets

Currently At Triple-A
1% rostered

Rounding out this list will be another New York Met, Brandon Sproat. Unlike McLean, Sproat had a rough start to the Triple-A regular season, which is why he has not found himself in this column in nearly two months. However, the Florida product has even flipped the script and could even get called up to the big leagues before McLean.

Over his last 28 innings of work, the right-hander has posted an elite 0.64 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP. During this stretch, the former second-round pick has struck out 30 hitters and allowed just eight walks. He logged 23 straight shutout innings at the start of this impressive run.

However, before this impressive run, Sproat held a hefty 6.29 ERA through his first 63 innings of the campaign.

Similar to McLean, Sproat could (and will likely) be promoted to the MLB roster as a long relief option as the Mets do not have any openings in the rotation. Given McLean's strikeout production this season, I would give him the slight edge over Sproat. However, if Sproat can continue this impressive run, he could even push the Mets' hand and find a role in the rotation later in August.

Brandon Sproat has not allowed an earned run in his last 4 starts (23 IP), with 27 Ks and 6 walks(3 in his last 17 IP).
It looks to be fueled by a couple of changes. Sproat has moved closer to 1B on the rubber and has changed his mix. FB velo is also up. Fun trends to watch. pic.twitter.com/NxKKKutUu7

— Chris Clegg (@ChrisCleggMiLB) July 21, 2025

Other Prospects To Consider Stashing

• Hunter Barco, PIT
• Noah Schultz, CWS
• Quinn Mathews, STL

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