Week 8 in fantasy baseball has seen a surge in prospect promotions, with notable call-ups, including Jordan Lawlar and Zebby Matthews, alongside debuts from Moises Ballesteros, Dalton Rushing, and Mick Abel, who excelled with six shutout innings and nine strikeouts. The excitement continues as more significant prospects are on the brink of joining their MLB teams, offering potential fantasy impact as we approach mid-season.

The top prospects to stash for 2025 redraft leagues feature players like Roman Anthony from the Boston Red Sox, whose impressive stats, including a .322 AVG, make him a coveted asset. Meanwhile, Matt Shaw of the Chicago Cubs is showcasing a strong power/speed combo in Triple-A, indicating he could provide significant value if recalled soon. Other prospects, such as Jac Caglianone and Marcelo Mayer, are also gaining attention, making them attractive options for fantasy managers looking to strengthen their rosters in anticipation of upcoming promotions.

In his season debut, Minnesota Twins pitcher Zebby Matthews showed promise with five strikeouts in three innings, but struggled with walks that led to a 5-2 loss against the Milwaukee Brewers. Matthews faced difficulty in the third inning, allowing three walks that resulted in three runs. Despite the defeat, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli praised the team's recent performance, noting their impressive 13-game win streak had ended. Royce Lewis managed to hit a home run in the fourth, highlighting the Twins’ offensive potential. Still, several missed opportunities, particularly with Jackson Chourio's catch robbing Lewis of another homer, underscored their struggles.

For Week 8 of the 2025 MLB season, several starting pitchers are emerging as promising waiver wire pickups. Clarke Schmidt of the New York Yankees has shown potential with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP across his last two starts, making him a buy-low candidate as he has been overlooked due to early-season struggles. Tomoyuki Sugano of the Baltimore Orioles, while not a strikeout pitcher, boasts a solid 3.08 ERA and four wins, appealing to those looking for reliable arms.

Among deeper league options, Zebby Matthews, recalled by the Minnesota Twins, could be a sleeper with his impressive control, while Logan Henderson of the Milwaukee Brewers has demonstrated strikeout capability and should see more time in the rotation due to injuries. Others like Tyler Anderson and Zack Littell are recommended for those needing filler for their rotations, showcasing varying degrees of success in their recent outings.

As the 2025 MLB season enters Week 8, the waiver wire is buzzing with potential pickups for fantasy baseball enthusiasts. Key additions include Zebby Matthews, who makes his debut for the Minnesota Twins after being called up from the minors. He’s expected to be a significant asset in starting rotations across leagues. Likewise, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing and Chicago Cubs’ Moises Ballesteros have been added in response to injuries, adding depth at catcher. Also worth noting is the resurgence of Wilmer Flores from the San Francisco Giants, who’s hitting an impressive .400 with power in his last five games.

Injuries are shaping the landscape of pickups; the Kansas City Royals placed star pitcher Cole Ragans on the injured list with groin tightness, presenting an opportunity for other pitchers to step up. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on recent performances, particularly from players like Jackson Holliday and Marcelo Mayer, who are generating buzz as valuable assets off the wire. As the week unfolds, prioritizing these players could provide the edge needed to win matchups.

Ryan Fitzgerald, a promising shortstop, has joined the Minnesota Twins' taxi squad as they await updates on injured stars Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton. Fitzgerald, who batted .328 in the minors, may soon make his MLB debut. Both Correa and Buxton are currently in MLB's concussion protocol, with their status uncertain for upcoming games. Fitzgerald's path to the majors has been long, starting from independent leagues to a solid performance in Triple-A.

The Twins are also considering Zebby Matthews for a potential start this weekend after he was scratched from his scheduled AAA start. Matthews boasts a 2-1 record with a 1.93 ERA, showing promise for the major league roster.