June 2, 2017

The Stash List

Ninth Edition

by Greg Wellemeyer

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The Graduate: Jharel Cotton (Previous Rank: 14)

Cotton returned from a brief trip to Triple A when Kendall Graveman and Jesse Hahn hit the disabled list this past week. He no-hit the Yankees into the sixth inning before the wheels came off, and got beat around a bit yesterday, though Oakland’s defense was at least as culpable as Cotton.

The Dropout: Archie Bradley (10)

This is a blatant attempt to reverse jinx Fernando Rodney, who is up to 34 days without giving up an earned run.

1. Yoan Moncada (2B)—Chicago White Sox (Previous Rank: 1)

2. Julio Urias (LHP)—Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 2)

Moncada is just 3 for 18 in six games since returning from a short trip to the disabled list. That brings his triple-slash all the way down to .312/.401/.484. Urias went six innings in his return to Triple-A Oklahoma City, fanning four and walking two. These guys will remain at the top of the list for as long as they’re eligible.

3. Manuel Margot (OF)—San Diego Padres (Previous: Unranked)

Margot makes his 2017 Stash List debut by virtue of a calf injury that will shut him down for a bit. I couldn’t find much reporting on a timetable for his return yet, but you figure the Padres will be cautious with their young center fielder and leadoff hitter. He was just about exactly who we thought he was before to the injury, hitting for an acceptable average with occasional pop and demonstrating a little speed. Margot has been caught stealing as many times as he’s been successful. He should have the green light hitting atop a non-competitive lineup, and he’ll need to improve his efficiency to maximize his fantasy value.

4. Hunter Pence (OF)—San Francisco Giants (Previous: 3)

Pence played in a rehab game at High-A San Jose on Wednesday and it should only be a matter of days before he’s back in the middle of the Giants’ batting order.

5. Lewis Brinson (OF)—Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 4)

I thought it was going to be Keon Broxton’s strikeout rate that eventually gave Brinson his shot. Turns out it could be an injury to Ryan Braun, who’s going to miss several weeks with a calf injury. Despite all of the Brewers’ 25-man positional flexibility, they’re currently stuck with Jesus Aguilar as a near-everyday player. Outfield depth would help.

6. Blake Snell (LHP)—Tampa Bay Rays (Previous: 5)

Three starts, 18 1/3 innings, 29 strikeouts for Snell at Triple-A Durham. The eight walks aren’t great, but Snell isn’t going to suddenly turn into a command artist. He just needs to throw enough strikes to get ahead of major-league hitters and let his stuff play.

7. Carlos Rodon (LHP)—Chicago White Sox (Previous: 6)

Rodon is set to throw four innings in a simulated game Friday. It’ll take a couple turns on the farm before he’s ready to throw in the big leagues. The upside is still significant assuming he returns to full health.

8. Wilson Ramos (C)—Tampa Bay Rays (Previous: 7)

9. Tom Murphy (C)—Colorado Rockies (Previous: 8)

My two-month-long nightmare of updating you on Ramos’ and Murphy’s recoveries is drawing to a close. Ramos caught a live bullpen earlier this week and is taking at-bats in extended spring, while Murphy will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

10. Rhys Hoskins (1B)—Philadelphia Phillies (Previous: 9)

Hoskins has gone eight games without a homer, his longest stretch of the season.

11. Amed Rosario (SS)—New York Mets (Previous: 11)

12. Gleyber Torres (3B?)—New York Yankees (Previous: Honorable Mention)

13. Franklin Barreto (SS)—Oakland Athletics (Previous: 12)

Torres makes a big leap on the news that the Yankees are preparing him for a big league call-up to man the hot corner. Makes sense to me. The Yankees are 10 games over .500 and Chase Headley was absolutely brutal in May.

14. Austin Meadows (OF)—Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 13)

15. Derek Fisher (OF)—Houston Astros (Previous: 24)

Meadows racked up 14 hits in an eight-game stretch recently and his batting average in May ended up at a nice, even .300. Fisher is even hotter and looks the part of an impact fantasy baller. He’s homered in three of the past four, bringing his total to 13 on the season to go with nine steals. He’s also running the lowest strikeout rate he’s achieved in full-season ball. Unfortunately for Fisher and his fantasy owners, the Astros are coming off a three-game series in which they scored 40 runs. They hardly need Fisher’s bat.

16. Brandon Finnegan (LHP)—Cincinnati Reds (Previous: 15)

No word on Finnegan’s rehab since he threw a bullpen a week ago.

17. Raul Mondesi (SS)—Kansas City Royals (Previous: 19)

18. A.J. Reed (1B)—Houston Astros (Previous: 16)

19. Dan Vogelbach (1B)—Seattle Mariners (Previous: 17)

20. Ketel Marte (SS)—Arizona Diamondbacks (Previous: 18)

Mondesi is positively raking at Triple-A Omaha, including 12 steals in 25 games. Alcides Escobar is slashing .186/.212/.236. I’m not sure that Mondesi will do much better in his third crack at the majors. I am sure it’s hard to be worse, and that we’ll find out soon.

21. Jose De Leon (RHP)—Tampa Bay Rays (Previous: 21)

22. Jacob Faria (RHP)—Tampa Bay Rays (Previous: 20)

23. Sean Newcomb (LHP)—Atlanta Braves (Previous: 22)

24. Reynaldo Lopez (RHP)—Chicago White Sox (Previous: 23)

De Leon made his 2017 major-league debut on Monday, throwing two-plus innings in a relief role. It wasn’t pretty. De Leon yielded three runs on four hits and three walks. He’ll be back once he builds his arm strength back up, presumably in the rotation.

25. Dustin Fowler (OF)—New York Yankees (Previous Rank: 25)

Said it before, I’ll probably say it again: There is no shortage of outfield prospects knocking on the door of the majors. I like Fowler’s well-roundedness in a vacuum. Make your pick based on your roster construction and risk tolerance.

Honorable Mention: Harrison Bader, Greg Bird, Jeimer Candelario, Rafael Devers, Brett Phillips, Drew Smyly, Raimel Tapia, Luke Weaver, Nick Williams, Jesse Winker

Greg Wellemeyer is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @gregwellemeyer
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