Quinn Mathews climbs back onto fantasy baseball stash radar

Quinn Mathews is back in the fantasy baseball conversation after a run that has put his control issues in the rearview mirror, at least for now.

CBS Sports fantasy analyst Scott White named the Cardinals left-hander one of his “Five on the Verge,” a group he describes as the prospects most worth stashing in redraft leagues. Mathews joins Mariners starter Kade Anderson, Rockies first baseman Charlie Condon, Cardinals outfielder Joshua Baez and Rockies outfielder Zac Veen on that list.

White noted that Mathews was one of the fastest-rising pitching prospects in 2024, when he piled up 202 strikeouts across 143 1/3 innings and four levels. His stock then slid after his control backed up last season. In 2026, he has gone 4-3 with a 3.39 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 49 walks and 101 strikeouts over 85 innings in the minors, according to the CBS Sports report.

The sharper recent form is the hook. White reported that Mathews has a 1.79 ERA and 0.77 WHIP over his past eight starts, with 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings and at least six innings in five of those outings. His walk rate in that stretch, 3.2 per nine, has helped his ground-ball approach play better.

White wrote that Mathews could be in line if St. Louis needs a starter because of an injury or if the club changes course with Matthew Liberatore.

Kade Anderson still tops the stash list

Anderson remains White’s top redraft stash. The Mariners pitching prospect is 8-1 with a 1.36 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 10 walks and 108 strikeouts in 72 2/3 minor-league innings this season, according to CBS Sports.

White pointed out that Anderson has not pitched in a regular minor-league game since July 3, aside from an inning in the Futures Game, and suggested Seattle could be preserving innings for later in the season. He also noted the Mariners have previously promoted Bryan Woo, George Kirby and Bryce Miller straight from Double-A.

Condon and Veen remain blocked in Colorado, but White cited Troy Johnston’s recent slump as a possible opening. Johnston is batting .213, 13 for 61, with no home runs over his past 25 games, according to the report. Veen may have an edge because he is already on the 40-man roster.

Baez stays in the top five despite a rough patch. White reported that Baez is hitting .114, 8 for 70, over his past 18 games, while STL Sports Central has him in the bottom 10 percent of minor leaguers in several swing-and-miss categories.

Hope and Irish make noise

Dodgers outfielder Zyhir Hope leads White’s “Five on the Periphery” after a heater: .418, 23 for 55, with eight homers and five steals in his past 14 games. Aram Leighton posted on X that one recent Hope homer left the bat at 114 mph.

Orioles prospect Ike Irish also drew attention. White reported that Irish, listed as a catcher in CBS leagues, has mostly played first base and outfield this season. He is hitting .328, 43 for 131, with 10 homers and eight steals over his past 32 games.

White’s other names to watch were Cubs second baseman James Triantos, Royals right-hander Kendry Chourio and Pirates shortstop Sammy Stafura. MLB Pipeline reported that Chourio struck out 10 over five hitless innings for High-A Quad Cities on July 19.

This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.