Playing in leagues that roster as many as 500 prospects, my watchlist is a vital tool to keep track of promising players that will be the first to replenish my farm system when current specs graduate or flame out.
Being first to the wire for these guys is vital to maintain your edge over league mates and knowing when to snag them is also critical, because once the cat is fully out of the bag it’ll likely be too late. With Prospect Twitter pumping out constant real-time analysis, promising sleepers are getting tougher to stash for free off the wire, and it can often be a gut-wrenching decision to drop a more well-known prospect for one that is off the mainstream radar.
However, the best of these lesser-known players often will be worthy of supplanting higher-ranked prospects on your current roster that perhaps have lower ceilings or stauncher roadblocks to regular MLB playing time. Thus, it is critical for the dynasty player to keep diligent tabs on players primed to breakout, as these heroes of the waiver wire provide a low (or no) cost way to procure valuable talent and trade capital at minimal cost.
So, what sets a good stash candidate apart? For me, it’s either a plus carrying tool or a blend of above-average tools that fit a profile I think portends fantasy success. Below I’ve identified five of my favorite low-ownership stash options whose skills and potential I want on my deeper rosters.
Most of these prospects haven’t yet made the Prospects Live Top 500, and certainly won’t be found on the shallower mainstream prospect lists despite representing a potential massive gain in future value over the next full season. These are – The Watchlist Men. To make it a little fun, I’ve chosen one player at each ownership percentage level from 10 to 5 (at time of publishing) as my target at their current ownership level. Boldly to the wire we go.
Brayan Buelvas, OF, OAK (10% rostered)
Age: 18
Level: Rookie
Drafted: 2018 – J2
The highest ranked of the Watchlist Men at #238 on the Prospects Live Top 500, Buelvas garnered significant attention after his breakout 2019 rookie ball campaign in which he hit .282/.372/.450 with 3 HR and 16 SB in 238 AB over two levels.
In his 2019 AFL Top 100 list, P-Live alum and current Twins scout Jason Pennini noted Buelvas’ hard contact and ascribed him an advanced hit tool (with no other flashy tools), roughly comping him to Jurickson Profar. Here is some of Jason’s video:
With the hype building going into 2020, last year presented a mixed bag for Buelvas, however, as he was one of three teenagers invited to the A’s alternate training site. But his performance during instructs left much to be desired, as perhaps best summarized by A’s Special Assistant Grady Fuson, who told athleticsfarm.com, “I think he just kind of ran out of gas, and he’s had a rough go at the plate. He’s going to go home with having somewhere between 100 and 125-150 at-bats between the alt site and here, but this camp here hasn’t been his best.”
While he may have been overmatched or under-prepared for a step-up in competition at instructs, Buelvas intrigues me enough to consider acquiring him now on the cheap in the hopes that he isn’t done growing and ultimately evolves in a 55 hit, 45 power, 55 speed centerfielder.
Superhero result: Batting leadoff for the A’s in 2026 and reminding us of the good Ramon Laureano.
Juan Then, SP, SEA (9% rostered)
Age: 18
Level: A
Drafted: 2016 – J2
If you like smallish pitchers who can hit 100 with at least 1 ½ secondary pitches, this Then may be for you. Then has been on a fairly consistent ascent since being signed during the 2016 J-2 period by the Mariners, who at one point traded him to the Yankees, only to reacquire him in 2019 when he posted a 2.98 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 48 K in 48.1 IP over three levels of rookie ball.
In 2020, Then spent time at the Mariners alternate training site and then at instructs, the reports were very positive. MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo reported that during his time in Peoria Then sat 95-99 “with a real slider” according to Mariners Farm Director Andy McKay. Here’s a tasty little morsel of a Then breaking ball courtesy of Trevor Hooth:
His strong showing in 2020 caused Seattle to protect Then from the Rule 5 draft by promoting him to the 40-man roster, and he was recently optioned to Class A Everett. Ranking 10th in our Mariners 2021 List, he has a legitimate shot at a three-pitch mix led by a plus fastball. If you’re looking to buy in dynasty formats, the time for Then is now.
Superhero result: Then is the surprise member of the 2024 Mariner’s rotation, joining Gilbert, Kirby and Hancock and giving you what you are currently buying Deivi Garcia for.
Alex De Jesus, 2B/3B, LAD (8% rostered)
Age: 18
Level: Rookie ball
Drafted: 2018 – J2
Another 2019 rookie ball wizard coming in at #280 on the Prospects Live Top 500, De Jesus put up a nice .281/.340/.392 slash line with 13 doubles, 3 home runs and 5 steals in 217 AB over two levels. Unfortunately, that also came with a 33 K%, so he’ll have to keep that in check as he progresses through the minors.
Pennini scouted De Jesus as well in 2019, ranking him the 13th best player in the AFL that year (ahead of Buelvas at 22) complimenting his “impressive swing” and slapping potential future 55 grades on both his hit and power, but also noting the defensive limitations that will land him at 2B or (more likely) 3B. Pennini also noted his complete lack of speed, which still works if he evolves into a true plus bat. Here are some in-game hacks displaying his plus bat speed:
Already measuring in at 6-foot-2, 170, De Jesus has the frame to fulfill his power potential, and reports from the Dodgers Dominican instructs last year indicate that he is well on his way to do so. Given that De Jesus likely will have a chance to tear up the hitter friendly California league this year, this may be the last time to add this Watchlist Man off of waivers before his perceived value skyrockets. With Busch and Hoese seemingly lined up to cover 2B and 3B, respectively for the Dodgers in the immediate future, if De Jesus sticks in the organization it may end up being at 1B, DH or LF, but the bat may just be good enough to make that work. Or he may become the next big trade piece for the Dodgers to continue sustaining their empire.
Superhero result: A 55 hit/60 power corner piece with a starting role…outside of LA in 2025.
AJ Vukovich, 3B, ARI (7% rostered)
Age: 19
Level: Rookie ball
Drafted: 2020 – 4th Rd.
Currently unranked on the Top 500, Vukovich is a good candidate to be a riser this year if his big power shines through in his first year of professional ball. What power you ask? We assigned him a 55 power grade in our Diamondbacks list (25+ HR) counter-balanced with a 45 future hit.
Vukovich was a fairly well-regarded high school prospect, with Perfect Game ranking him #42 in the nation, and scoring him in the 77th and 83rd percentile in exit velocity and barrel speed respectively. It should be noted that Vukovich was the top ranked prospect in his class from Wisconsin and we like how that’s turned out recently. Here’s a great look at the easy power he generates with his long, lean frame:
He also apparently showed very well at the Diamondbacks instructional league last year, drawing high praise from farm director Josh Barfield, who noted his propensity to barrel the ball and praised his underrated athleticism. With no 3B prospects in his way on the Diamondbacks farm, Vukovich will have a real opportunity to be the master of his own destiny over the next 2-3 years. After having been widely ignored during the recent FYPD season he is probably available on waivers, but don’t expect him to reside on your watchlist for too long once he starts launching Cal League bombs this year.
Superhero result: He is doing his best Bobby Dalbec impression in 2024 spring training en route to winning the Diamondbacks starting 3B role.
Alec Marsh, SP (6% rostered)
Age: 22
Level: Rookie ball
Drafted: 2017 – (CBB - 70th)
Marsh earned his Watchlist Man status when he started peaking at 99 mph last summer at the Royals camp, which is the kind of velocity increase you dream on from a guy in his first year of professional baseball. Royals Director of Pitching Performance Paul Gibson told Baseball America that Marsh sat at 95 with the ability to reach back for more when he needs it. Marsh also worked on distinguishing his slider from his curveball, adding velocity to the former. And believe it or not, Marsh believes that it’s his changeup that is his best pitch, telling MLB.com’s Anne Rogers that he’s throwing it 86-87 mph with movement that will make it “just one other pitch for guys to worry about.”
Royals manager Mike Matheny was reportedly impressed as well, noting that “he’s as strong as an ox.” This is sounding superheroish to me. Marsh won’t be waiver wire fodder for long if he starts shoving in High-A or Double-A this year and the Royals have shown a propensity to give their young guys run when they show they’re ready. It’s possible we see him as soon as this year in a relief role, with a realistic outlook of cracking the 2022 rotation with Singer, Lynch, Kowar and Lacy. Exciting things are afoot in Kansas City.
Superhero result: Marsh stabilizes average control and command this year and is among the minor league leaders in strikeouts, debuting as a reliever in September as a stepping stone to a Robbie Ray-esque career as a starter.
Chris Seise, SS (5% rostered)
Age: 22
Level: A
Drafted: 2017 – 1st Rd.
A former first-round pick in 2017, Seise was a highly regarded prep bat out of Florida, ranked as the number 38 high school prospect in the country by Perfect Game. He ranked in the 98th percentile in exit velocity and 99th percentile in the 60-yard dash, indicating he was a true power speed threat at the shortstop position.
The Rangers took him with the 29th pick and he proceeded to tear up rookie ball to the tune of .336/.395/.509 with 3 HR and 5 SB in 116 AB. He cooled off after his promotion to short season ball, and then the injuries struck. A torn right shoulder labrum kept him out of action in 2018 and after a brief return to A ball in 2019 (where he stole six bags in 21 games), a torn left shoulder labrum shelved him for the remainder of the season. So, why does Seise make the inaugural Watchlist Men roster you ask? Because he’s mad talented, currently healthy and dirt cheap. How talented you ask? Well, Seise put up a .358/.388/.556 line during instructs last year, tying for the team lead in HR and registering the hardest hit ball of any Rangers prospect at 111.1 MPH, prompting club officials to universally laud his loud skillset, and one rival scout to drop a Royce Lewis comp on him. That’ll play.
Given Seise’s age, polish and work ethic, it’s not out of the question that he makes a rapid ascent through the minors, especially given the fact that he will need to be protected in this year’s Rule 5 draft, thus assuring his spot on the 40-man roster if he stays healthy and picks up where he left off at instructs. This surely will be your last chance to add a potential 20/20 shortstop for free before he skyrockets up rankings this year.
Superhero result: Seise stays healthy and puts up a .290/.365/20/30 season across two levels of A ball this year, cementing his status as a top 100 prospect by the end of 2021, and debuting in July 2022 for a dreadful Rangers team. For these reasons, Seise is my 2021 breakout prospect and the unheralded captain of the inaugural Watchlist Men squad.