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Josh highlights the top five hitting and pitching prospects in baseball that can be stashed on your bench in fantasy baseball redraft leagues as of May 13, 2023.
Welcome back to top prospects to stash! This list will highlight the top five hitting and pitching prospects to hold on your bench in re-draft fantasy baseball leagues.
As more teams are incentivized to push their top prospects up the pecking order, the excitement of the game grows. These five fantasy baseball prospects are most worth rostering right now as we continue to see young talent receive promotions to the big leagues.
Check back to see risers and fallers as teams continue to give promotions to their young talented prospects!
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Top Fantasy Baseball Prospect Stashes
Jordan Walker - 3B/OF, St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals sent down their top-hitting prospect Jordan Walker, at the end of April. This came as a huge surprise for the fantasy baseball community, who spent a top 150 pick on him during draft season. The top prospect flashed an elite max exit velocity of 113.9 mph in his short stay, ranking in the 95th percentile, per Statcast.
Before his demotion, he was held out of the lineup three out of four games, reportedly working on elevating his swing. Walker got off to a fast start, hitting .274 with two home runs and 11 RBI through his first major league 20 games, including an impressive 12-game hitting streak. The 20-year-old will have to work through the mental battles that come with a demotion and push through to make the needed changes that the organization wants for him.
It's been 111 years since a rookie 20 years or younger opened their career with a hit in 12 consecutive games.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 12, 2023
Welcome to the history books, Jordan Walker! pic.twitter.com/wl3xMNJvsM
Since moving to Triple-A, Walker has struggled to the tune of a .159 batting average with one home run and two stolen bases. Keep in mind he’s making adjustments to his swing, and his struggles were expected at first. Walker’s upside is too high for a player to be sitting on your waiver wire, even in shallow leagues. Stash Walker now if he was let go while we wait for further updates regarding the young slugger’s timetable.
Taj Bradley - SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Similar to Jordan Walker, Taj Bradley’s demotion at the end of April was confusing for fantasy managers. Bradley looked dominant in his first taste of the majors showcasing an explosive four-seam fastball that averages 96 mph. He also mixed in his cutter and curveball through his first three starts for the major league club.
Taj Bradley, 97mph ⛽️
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 19, 2023
8th K thru 5. pic.twitter.com/DRvG4J8MkM
Bradley has a 3-0 record, 3.52 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 23:2 K: BB through 15.1 IP. His 38.3% strikeout rate ranks in the top three percent in the league, according to Statcast. Again, demotions can be troubling for prospects, as Bradley has struggled to find his confidence since re-joining the Triple-A club. He’s given up 16 earned runs through three starts in just 9.0 innings pitched.
Bradley carries immense upside in re-draft formats, even in shallow fantasy leagues. The 22-year-old is now on a five-day pitching schedule in Triple-A, the sole cited reason for his demotion. Fantasy managers hope they see him back in the Rays rotation soon as the team is still rolling with three true starters as they wait for Tyler Glasnow to return from injury.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand - 1B, Cincinnati Reds
Christian Encarnacion-Strand lit up spring training for the Reds, blasting four home runs in 12 games. He’s now up to eight home runs at Triple-A Louisville in 16 games, including a three-home run game last week. He’s batting .352 but has struggled with strikeouts posting an 18:1 K: BB.
CES = Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Or, Clobbers almost Entirely out of Stadium.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 12, 2023
A 471-ft. tater from the sixth-ranked @Reds prospect ties the @LouisvilleBats slugger for the second longest Triple-A homer this year: pic.twitter.com/TPH7cboqbA
With no return in sight for veteran Joey Votto, Encarnacion-Strand could see a promotion this summer, especially if he continues to swing a hot bat. MLB Park factors have Cincinnati ranked second behind Coors Field in terms of runs scored, another bonus to stashing the prospect on your bench.
David Bell said Joey Votto will be in Louisville this weekend taking live BP. Not technically a rehab assignment but a positive sign as Votto faces live pitching.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 11, 2023
The slugger posted 32 home runs across three minor league stops in 2022, forcing the organization’s hand to keep pushing him forward. Look for Encarnacion-Strand to make an impact for the major league club in the second half of the season.
Matthew Liberatore - SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Matthew Liberatore struggled through his first round in the majors in his limited appearances in 2022. He posted a 5.97 ERA in seven starts last year and had trouble with walks, allowing 18 in 34.2 IP. However, 2023 has been a completely different story for the 23-year-old prospect.
Liberatore has a remarkable 2.77 ERA through seven starts at Triple-A this season, posting a 51:15 K: BB in 39.0 IP. He ranks second in strikeouts behind only Andrew Abbott of the Reds in that department, who spent time at Double-A this season. Liberatore looks ready for the show, and fantasy managers hope it’s not long before he replaces a veteran arm at the back-end of the Cardinals rotation.
Matthew Liberatore, Soul Stealing 76mph Curveball. 😱 pic.twitter.com/00aw2azBrO
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 5, 2022
The Cardinals have struggled to live up to early season projections, especially with their starting rotation. They rank in the bottom half of the league with a team ERA of 4.64. This has been a strength in the past for the organization as they’ve reportedly missed their Hall of Fame catcher, Yadier Molina, among other issues.
Jordan Westburg - SS, Baltimore Orioles
Jordan Westburg has impressed of late after a slow start to the Triple-A season. Through 29 games, he’s hit .306 with nine home runs, 32 RBI, and four stolen bases. He’s also shown his versatility in the field, starting games at shortstop, second base, and third base. Versatility is exactly what the Orioles are looking for.
Jorge Mateo got off to a blistering start but has cooled off in May. Adam Frazier and Gunnar Henderson have struggled to start the year, so Westburg could be in Baltimore sooner than most projected at the start of the year.
Stay hot, Jordan Westburg 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gcgurojqJI
— Orioles Player Development (@OsPlayerDev) May 7, 2023
Westburg carries solid power potential from the shortstop position, as he hit 27 home runs in the minors last season. He could provide a boost for the surging Orioles as they look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Look to stash the 24-year-old in deeper leagues if you need help at the middle-infield position.
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