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Prospect fever is real. Every season, fantasy baseball managers scour minor league boxscores and prospect rankings in hopes of discovering the next big breakout star before anyone else.
Though this strategy can pay off, stashing rookies on your fantasy roster is trickier than it seems — especially when roster spots are limited and immediate playing time isn’t guaranteed. Talent alone isn’t enough, opportunity is just as important.
Take, for instance, top prospect Matt Shaw.
He is loaded with upside, but what makes him an appealing stash is his clear path to at-bats.
An infielder in the Cubs organization, Shaw has surged through the system and is knocking on the door with little in his way at second base or third, depending on team needs.
Matt Shaw hits a single in the ninth inning of the Cubs’ road loss to the Nationals on June 5, 2025. APWhen a rookie’s timeline aligns with organizational need, stashing makes sense — even if the player is not on the roster yet.
Nevertheless, many prospects, even those producing elite numbers in Triple-A, are stuck behind established big leaguers. Case in point: Jordan Lawlar.
Lawlar, one of the most talented young infielders in the game, is raking at Triple-A Reno. His numbers are fantasy gold — .339/.419/.583 with seven home runs, 37 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.
But there is one big problem: There is no room for him in Arizona’s infield. Ketel Marte is an All-Star at second, Geraldo Perdomo is quietly excelling at shortstop, and Eugenio Suárez remains a productive veteran at third.
Lawlar’s recent eight-game MLB call-up underscored the issue — he barely saw the field and was quickly sent back to the minors.
As long as the Diamondbacks remain healthy and competitive, Lawlar’s fantasy impact will remain limited — regardless of how ready he looks in the minors.
Roman Anthony runs to first base during a Red Sox spring training game against Mexico’s Sultanes on March 24, 2025. AFP via Getty ImagesAnother prime example is Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony. The 20-year-old is drawing attention with his high OBP and emerging power — .291/.422/.485 with nine homers and three steals at Triple-A Worcester.
From a raw talent perspective, Anthony looks like a future star. But Boston’s outfield is crowded. Ceddanne Rafaela is a regular in center field, Wilyer Abreu is playing well in right, and Jarren Duran has secured left field.
Unless the Red Sox make a trade, shift Rafael Devers to first base (which opens up the DH spot or third), or move Rafaela to shortstop (pushing Trevor Story off the field), there is no room for Anthony to see regular big league at-bats.
In redraft leagues, wasting a roster spot on a stash with no clear timetable for promotion is dangerous. Roster flexibility is critical, especially during the long grind of the fantasy season, when injuries and slumps require constant adjustments.
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The bottom line: Fantasy managers need to weigh not just talent but opportunity. Stashing a prospect like Matt Shaw? Go for it. But holding onto Jordan Lawlar or Roman Anthony in standard formats may do more harm than good — at least for now.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball news and advice.
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