
Andy analyzes three top fantasy baseball prospects -- Zac Veen, Roman Anthony, Nick Kurtz -- who could make big impacts in 2025. These MLB prospects are potential waiver wire pickups or stashes.
Even though the MLB regular season has just begun, it is already time to start targeting high-impact prospects on the waiver wire. Every season, we see top prospects get the call to the big leagues and make an immediate impact in the major leagues. Last season, Paul Skenes, Spencer Schwellenbach, and James Wood were among the few who would become must-start players by the end of the season.
In this piece, we will take a look at Colorado's Zac Veen, Boston's Roman Anthony, and the Athletics' Nick Kurtz and determine if they should be must-stash options in standard fantasy baseball leagues.
Should fantasy managers begin to target these prospects in redraft leagues? Are they worth stashing? Let's dive in and find out.
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Zac Veen, OF, Colorado Rockies
Current Level: Colorado Rockies
Availability: 25 percent rostered
2024 MiLB stats: 65 G, .258/.346/.459, 11 HR, 35 RBI, 21 SB
The Colorado Rockies promoted their No. 8-ranked prospect, Zac Veen, to the major leagues ahead of Tuesday's contest against the Milwaukee Brewers. In his MLB debut, Veen went 1-for-4 with a single. The Rockies optioned fellow young outfielder Jordan Beck to Triple-A in a corresponding move that brought Veen to the majors, suggesting that he may have a solid role in the starting nine going forward.
Veen almost made the MLB roster out of spring training when he posted a strong .270/.352/.460 slash line with four doubles and two round-trippers. Across 28 games, he swiped nine bags and held a 7:21 BB:K.
While he did not break camp with the major league roster, Veen earned the call after only eight games at Triple-A. Through the first eight games of the Albuquerque Isotopes' regular season, Veen posted an impressive .387/.472/.677 slash line with four doubles, one triple, and one home run. He stole a base and held a 4:6 BB:K.
Veen had only spent 21 games with Triple-A during the 2024 season but did not need much time at that level to earn the call to the big leagues. Across this 21-game stint last summer, Veen held a modest .220/.281/.476 slash line. He spent most of his campaign with Double-A Hartford, where he held a .268/.359/.457 line with five home runs and 10 stolen bases.
While Veen does not possess the high-power upside that the two other names in this piece do, he carries a high floor in category formats, given his speed potential. Fantasy managers in five-outfielder leagues should look to target Veen on waivers this week. If you lack speed production, do not be afraid to raise your FAAB bid on the former ninth overall pick.
First career hit...Zac Veen style 😎 pic.twitter.com/U9JySdkeNQ
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 9, 2025
Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox
Current Level: Triple-A Worcester
Availability: 28 percent rostered
2024 AA stats: 84 G, .269/.367/.489, 15 HR, 45 RBI, 60 R, 16 SB
2024 AAA stats: 35 G, .344/.463/.519, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 33 R, 5 SB
Roman Anthony was in the conversation to make the Opening Day roster during spring training but was unable to hold his own in the Grapefruit League, which caused the team to have him begin the campaign with Triple-A Worcester. During spring training, Anthony would post an underwhelming .206/.391/.324 slash line across 17 games. He would hit just one round-tripper but would hold a solid 10:12 BB:K.
Last summer, the No. 1-ranked prospect in the Boston system and No. 2 in the sport, according to MLB Pipeline, spent most of his time at Double-A before moving to Triple-A. Anthony performed very well with Double-A Portland, posting a strong .269/.367/.489 slash line across 84 contests.
During this stint, Anthony flashed his power and speed upside, hitting 15 long balls and swiping 16 bags. However, during his first 35 games at the top level of the minor leagues, the 20-year-old saw his production increase as he posted a stellar .344/.463/.519 line. He went deep three times and swiped five bags. He hit 12 doubles and held an impressive 31:31 BB:K.
Through the first seven games of the 2025 Triple-A regular season, Anthony has continued to show his elite eye at the plate and upside power. He has posted a .167/.375/.500 line and has already gone deep twice and swiped a bag.
While the Red Sox do not have any clear openings for Anthony at the moment, he could find a spot if Ceddanne Rafaela continues to struggle early in the season. Rafaela has held a modest .229 AVG with a low .536 OPS through the first 11 games of the regular season. While he does bring value defensively, Anthony's bat carries a much higher upside.
For now, he is worth stashing in all five-outfielder leagues.
Roman Anthony's first home run of the Minor League season was a TANK! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/BQc52Hk6I0
— MLB (@MLB) March 30, 2025
Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics
Level: Triple-A Las Vegas
Availability: 10 percent rostered
2024 AAA stats: 12 G, .368/.520/.763, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 14 R, 1 SB
The final prospect on this list has been the best hitter in the minor leagues. Nick Kurtz has not stopped hitting home runs throughout his first taste of Triple-A ball.
Kurtz has gone deep five times through his first nine games with Triple-A Las Vegas and held a stellar .410/.452/.923 slash line. He has tallied 15 RBI and scored 10 runs. Kurtz has tallied at least one hit in each of these nine contests.
Kurtz showed a similar power upside during the Cactus League, posting a .261/.452/.522 slash line with two long balls across just 14 games.
The Athletics drafted Kurtz out of Wake Forest with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. The 22-year-old was initially projected to be the top player taken on draft day but saw his stock slightly decrease after he battled numerous injuries during his final collegiate campaign. During his first two full seasons in college, the 22-year-old posted a dominant .344/.498/.695 slash line with 39 round-trippers but was limited in his final season.
The infielder wasted little time showing that he should have been the first name called in the draft, as he has yet to slow down with Triple-A Las Vegas.
Kurtz received a brief taste of the minor leagues last season following the draft as he logged 12 games across Low-A and Double-A. During this brief stint, he launched four long balls with three doubles.
While Kurtz has been the most impressive hitter at the Triple-A level, he may have some trouble finding a spot on the MLB roster. Currently, Tyler Soderstrom is in the midst of a breakout season of his own and is the everyday first baseman. In addition, Brent Rooker is always penciled in at the designated hitter spot in the starting nine.
While Soderstrom could see time behind the dish and Rooker could shift back to the outfield, it is hard to see a path where the Athletics call Kurtz's name and give him everyday at-bats. As a result, he should only be stashed in deeper 15+ team formats for the time being.
NICK KURTZ AGAIN!
110.5 MPH, 455 feet.#Athletics pic.twitter.com/52gkiHO1X4
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) April 9, 2025
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