As major league injuries continue to pile up, fantasy baseball managers are feeling the pinch in their pitching staffs. Rising ERAs and WHIPs across the board have made the free-agent wire a dangerous place, pushing savvy owners to look toward the minors for their next ace. This week, we've identified 11 arms worth stashing, headlined by a pair of New York Yankees prospects and a breakout lefty ready to make his mark.
Leading the charge is Robby Snelling, who just got the call from the Marlins—a move that caught many by surprise. Scheduled to pitch Friday night at home, Snelling earned his promotion after a dominant AAA start where he tossed five no-hit, shutout innings with nine strikeouts and just one walk. Overall, he's been electric in three of his six minor league starts this season, posting a 1.86 ERA, 0.897 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts across 16.0 scoreless frames. His track record at AAA is nothing short of elite: over 18 career starts, he's 9-3 with a 1.46 ERA, 0.983 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts in 98.2 innings. While Braxton Garrett was also in the conversation, his recent struggles—six runs and three homers allowed over his last two starts—opened the door for Snelling to seize the opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are carefully managing their pitching pipeline. Carlos Rodón is expected to return Sunday after a three-level rehab assignment. Outside of one rough AAA outing (five runs, two homers in 6.1 innings), Rodón has been sharp, posting a 0.93 ERA and 0.724 WHIP over his first two starts at High-A and AA. His velocity is sitting at 93.5 mph, slightly down from last year's 94.1, but his 85-pitch outing suggests he's building endurance. On the flip side, Gerrit Cole's return to form has hit a snag. Through four minor league appearances, he's allowed 13 runs, 18 hits, and six home runs in 18.2 innings—though his command remains solid with just one walk. His fastball is sitting at 96.1 mph, a promising sign for his long-term recovery.
As the season heats up, these arms could be the difference between a middling rotation and a championship contender. Keep an eye on the waiver wire, because the next big thing might already be on his way.