The Stash — Stashable Prospects Week 3
Prospects get em while they’re hot. Or before they’re hot.
Week 3 is underway and I can’t say I expected any of this. It's been wild and beautiful and I can’t wait for the rest of it. (Please let there be a rest of it. Please wear a mask guys. Stop going to casinos and bars. Please.)
In redraft leagues and keeper leagues, being on top of the prospect market is a unique advantage when you make the right moves. Betting on the best and brightest that minor league ball has to send up to the show is a high risk, high reward gamble. I aim to make the decisions easy and help you get a jump on the other dopes in your league.
To be a stashable prospect, a prospect has to meet two of three qualifications to be considered, 1. They are close to a big-league call-up or recently were called up 2. They could provide immediate value once they are on the field, 3. They are less than 50% owned in ESPN leagues.
Before I get into the five guys you need to stash now, let's review previous Stashables. Spencer Howard debuted on Sunday to less than spectacular results, 4.2 IP, 7H, 4 ER, 4 SO. He faces the Mets Friday, one more chance? Jo Adell also made his appearance last week to some applause. Since then he’s struck out in 57% of his AB. Don’t drop him yet, but don’t start him.
Let’s get started!
Luis Patino, SDP SP
Patino is one of the best pitching prospects in the game right now. He’s actually already up with the Padres to help provide some long relief opportunities in case their starters get roughed up. To put it simply, his major league debut is not going well. I think there’s a chance that’s more because he’s being asked to be a reliever while being a starter by trade. Some players just don’t get the rhythm of going from pitching conservatively and grinding innings to being asked to hold down one or two innings and attacking the zone.
Patino has a dangerous arsenal and is likely getting accustomed to his role right now. “But Thomas, he’s a reliever not a starter! I’m not interested in relievers!” Well, that’s an immature approach to the game my friend. But to that point, Patino is one of many arms in the Padres’ system with starting-caliber stuff, if he can calm himself down and pitch in high leverage situations Patino may force his team’s hand and earn the rotation spot Joey Lucchesi just lost. Patino’s proximity to the game and advantage in MLB experience should give him the edge over other prospects like Mackenzie Gore.
Ryan Mountcastle, BAL 1B/3B
The Baltimore lineup doesn’t sport many household names but they have been playing above expectations this season with a few lackluster corner infielders the Orioles may look to take their game up a step. The top prospect in their system may be on his way to help keep the good times rolling. Mountcastle has been by many accounts, “Ready” to come up to the show but the Baltimore Front Office has taken its time giving him a chance to address some swing and miss tendencies.
The slugging utilityman can fit several holes in the lineup including LF, 1B and 3B. When I’m looking for prospects to acquire, I try to find those with power and boy does Mountcastle have it and more, in AAA last year he hit .312/.344/.527 with 23 HR. Mountcastle’s time is coming and I want to be a part of it.
Dylan Carlson, STL OF
Carlson represents one of the two direly needed power bats in the Cardinals system to be excited about. Carlson may have been up for a cup of coffee in September but due to the Cardinals bout of positive COVID cases, when they eventually start playing again they may be in need of some bodies to fill out their lineup.
Carlson has a great set of wheels, an impressive approach at the plate, and the power to go with it. In 2019, across AA and AAA, Carlson batted .292 with 26 HR and 20 stolen bases. Now, I can’t tell you when the Cardinals will start back up again, but keep your ear to the ground about any call-ups once their first game back is announced.
Sixto Sanchez, MIA SP
Similar to Carlson, Sanchez’s timeline for a call up has likely accelerated due to his team’s recent tussle with COVID. Miami has been filling two starting rotation spots with both Jose Urena and Sandy Alcantara on the IL. Unfortunately, they have called up lesser-known prospects to plug the leak instead of calling up their top pitching prospect.
I’m betting that logic will prevail and Sanchez will be in a starting role with the big league club soon. Sanchez sports a big fastball that tops out in the triple digits and sits 97MPH, and while the velocity is incredible, his changeup is his bread and butter and is likely one of the best in the minors. If you have the opportunity to sit on a guy for a bit, do yourself a favor and jump on Sanchez.
Alex Kirilloff, MIN 1B/OF
This is an interesting and risky pick. The Twins are one of a few teams to be really thriving in this new landscape of Baseball. Games mean twice as much and each AB is twice as valuable. Unfortunately, several of their outfielders are slumping and it would make sense to bring up one of the best bats in the minors to provide a spark and give him some seasoning for the following seasons. May I introduce, Alex Kirilloff.
Alex Kiriloff has been one of my favorite bats to watch over the last few years. After losing all of 2017 to Tommy John surgery, Kirilloff came back in 2018 to show why he was selected 15th overall in 2016 by hitting .348/.392/.578 with 101 RBI and 20 HR in 130 games across low and hi A ball. In 2019 Kirilloff started slow and was hampered by wrist injuries which sapped a lot of his power. And even in his diminished state he still put up a .283 BA and 9 HR in 94 games. The hype on Kiriloff is low right now but I employ you take a chance on him. You will be glad you waited.
