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New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Fantasy baseball: Stashing prospects can be solid strategy — but don't bank on it
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. 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. AP When 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 Images Another 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. Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting 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 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 for all your fantasy baseball news and advice.
Newsweek
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Diamondbacks to Promote MLB's No. 4 Prospect, Plan to Play Him Regularly
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. On Monday, MLB updated its top 100 rankings after the graduation off the list by Kristian Campbell of the Boston Red Sox, Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves and Cam Smith of the Houston Astros. Remaining on the list at the No. 4 spot in the rankings was Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar. It was reported late Sunday night by Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic that Lawlar was being promoted to the major leagues and would join the Diamondbacks for their upcoming series against the San Francisco Giants. PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Jordan Lawlar #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks bats in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers during Game Four of the World Series at Chase Field on October 31, 2023... PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Jordan Lawlar #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks bats in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers during Game Four of the World Series at Chase Field on October 31, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. MoreLawlar has actually already spent time in the major leagues. He appeared in 14 regular season games as well as three postseason games during the 2023 season. He had a .129 average with 11 strikeouts in 31 at-bats. Lawlar was sent all the way down to rookie ball to begin last season. Injuries limited him to just 23 games before he was shut down for the year, and his return to the diamond this season has been spectacular to watch. Lawlar has a slash line of .336/.413/.579 in the minors, which comes out to a .992 OPS. He's hit 15 doubles, two triples, six home runs, drove in 31 runs and stolen 13 bases. All of those stats have earned him a re-call to the major league level. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has made it known that when Lawlar was promoted to the major leagues, the team would find a way to get him on the field and get him consistent at-bats. "Based on some of the things I'm telling you -- guys needing days off -- we could, if we need to, we could probably get (Lawlar in the lineup) 3-4 days a week, and that's enough at-bats per week. There's different criteria for different players," said Lovullo, according to It can be expected that he will spend time at shortstop as well as second base. He also may spend time in the outfield if needed. Lawlar, as well as the entire Diamondbacks organization, is hoping his second stint in the major leagues will go much better than the first one did. More MLB: Yankees Get New Bad Break as Rehabbing $18 Million Righty 'Can't Get Over Hump'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Diamondbacks calling up top prospect Jordan Lawlar, though he might not play every day
After splitting a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend and falling to fourth in the National League West at 21-20, the Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up their top prospect to presumably provide a boost to their offense. Infielder Jordan Lawlar is being called up from Triple-A Reno, according to multiple reports. Lawlar, who turns 23 in July, is Arizona's No. 1 prospect, as ranked by (which pegs him as the No. 4 prospect overall) and The Athletic. He's batting .336/.413/.579 with 15 doubles, six home runs, 31 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 173 plate appearances this season. Lawlar, the D-backs' first-round pick in 2021 out of Dallas' Jesuit College Preparatory School, is a natural shortstop. But he has played second base and third base this season, which might be the key to him making an impact in the Diamondbacks' lineup. Jordan Lawlar: 2 HR in 4 GEverything is starting to click for MLB's No. 10 overall prospect (@Dbacks), who has a .993 OPS for the @Aces this month. — MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 13, 2025 At first glance, there might not appear to be a place for Lawlar in Phoenix, with Ketel Marte at second and Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop — both of whom have recently signed long-term extensions. Marte is hitting .283/.406/.528 with three homers, but he has been limited to 17 games due to a hamstring injury suffered the first week of the season. Perdomo has a .292/.395/.458 slash line, with nine doubles, five homers, 30 RBI and nine steals. He's credited with four Defensive Runs Saved and six Outs Above Average, showing excellent defense at shortstop. Third base appears to be the best spot for Lawlar to play, with Eugenio Suárez hitting .205 with a .299 on-base percentage. Yet he leads Arizona with 12 home runs (four of them came in one game). Advanced metrics also say he's one of the worst defensive third basemen in MLB, with -3 DRS and -5 OAA. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that the current plan is to use Lawlar at several positions. He might not play every day, which makes the promotion somewhat curious, but the belief is that it's time for him to be in the major leagues. "I want impact players here," Lovullo said, via the Arizona Republic. "My questions are — I know he's going to impact the game offensively, but you can't totally count on that all the time — what's he going to do defensively?" he added. "Is he able to move around comfortably and play three positions and make his plays? The answer is yes." Arizona wanted to see Lawlar play every day to begin the season after he appeared in only 23 games last season because of thumb and hamstring injuries. But he played 27 games (with 108 PAs) in the Dominican League winter league and hit .294 with an .897 OPS in spring training. Coupled with his early performance in Triple-A, the D-backs decided he's ready.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Diamondbacks calling up top prospect Jordan Lawlar, though he might not play every day
After splitting a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend and falling to fourth in the National League West at 21-20, the Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up their top prospect to presumably provide a boost to their offense. Infielder Jordan Lawlar is being called up from Triple-A Reno, according to multiple reports. Lawlar, who turns 23 in July, is Arizona's No. 1 prospect, as ranked by (which pegs him as the No. 4 prospect overall) and The Athletic. He's batting .336/.413/.579 with 15 doubles, six home runs, 31 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 173 plate appearances this season. Lawlar, the D-backs' first-round pick in 2021 out of Dallas' Jesuit College Preparatory School, is a natural shortstop. But he has played second base and third base this season, which might be the key to him making an impact in the Diamondbacks' lineup. Jordan Lawlar: 2 HR in 4 GEverything is starting to click for MLB's No. 10 overall prospect (@Dbacks), who has a .993 OPS for the @Aces this month. — MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 13, 2025 At first glance, there might not appear to be a place for Lawlar in Phoenix, with Ketel Marte at second and Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop — both of whom have recently signed long-term extensions. Marte is hitting .283/.406/.528 with three homers, but he has been limited to 17 games due to a hamstring injury suffered the first week of the season. Perdomo has a .292/.395/.458 slash line, with nine doubles, five homers, 30 RBI and nine steals. He's credited with four Defensive Runs Saved and six Outs Above Average, showing excellent defense at shortstop. Third base appears to be the best spot for Lawlar to play, with Eugenio Suárez hitting .205 with a .299 on-base percentage. Yet he leads Arizona with 12 home runs (four of them came in one game). Advanced metrics also say he's one of the worst defensive third basemen in MLB, with -3 DRS and -5 OAA. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that the current plan is to use Lawlar at several positions. He might not play every day, which makes the promotion somewhat curious, but the belief is that it's time for him to be in the major leagues. "I want impact players here," Lovullo said, via the Arizona Republic. "My questions are — I know he's going to impact the game offensively, but you can't totally count on that all the time — what's he going to do defensively?" he added. "Is he able to move around comfortably and play three positions and make his plays? The answer is yes." Arizona wanted to see Lawlar play every day to begin the season after he appeared in only 23 games last season because of thumb and hamstring injuries. But he played 27 games (with 108 PAs) in the Dominican League winter league and hit .294 with an .897 OPS in spring training. Coupled with his early performance in Triple-A, the D-backs decided he's ready.
NBC Sports
12-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Diamondbacks promote top prospect Jordan Lawlar after hot start in Triple-A
SAN FRANCISCO — The Arizona Diamondbacks called up top prospect Jordan Lawlar on Monday as they fight for position in the National League West division. The D-backs also reinstated reliever Kendall Graveman to the active roster. The veteran right-hander hasn't pitched this season because of a strained right lumbar. The 22-year-old Lawlar likely will play a variety of positions for Arizona, including second base, shortstop and third. He was hitting .336 with six homers, 31 RBIs and 13 stolen bases at Triple-A Reno. The Diamondbacks had a 21-20 record entering Monday's game in San Francisco, which was fourth in NL West behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Giants. Lawlar played in the big leagues briefly in 2023, helping the Diamondbacks in a limited role during their surprise run to the World Series. He hit .129 in 31 at-bats. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft missed much of last season with injuries. To make room on the roster, the D-backs designated infielder Garrett Hampson and reliever José Castillo for assignment.
