Ranking the top 40 prospects traded ahead of the Deadline
Another Trade Deadline got here and went Tuesday, and whereas it might have lacked final yr’s generational Juan Soto transfer and even any of the rumors involving Shohei Ohtani that had percolated by way of most of July, there have been nonetheless loads of fireworks throughout the baseball panorama from a prospect standpoint.
Start with the Mets and White Sox. Both golf equipment have been heavy in shifting arms earlier than 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 1 with Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, David Robertson and others headed to new environs. In the method, New York and Chicago picked up seven new Top 30 prospects apiece — nearly giving their farm programs model new coats of paint. And that’s earlier than we add 2023 Draft picks later this month.
In whole, 40 prospects have been moved off or on Top 30 lists as they joined new organizations this Trade Deadline season. Below, we’ve ranked all 40. (Note: 4 Top 100 prospects are included, however their spots on this rating are reflective of the place they’ll be within the up to date midseason Top 100. Consider this a sneak peek.)
1. Luisangel Acuña, SS/2B, Mets (No. 2, MLB No. 44)
Acquired from the Rangers within the Max Scherzer commerce
Once it grew to become clear New York was going into promote mode, the Mets weren’t afraid to commerce large names (and respectable quantities of money) to deepen its farm system. In Acuña, the group picked up a possible future double-play accomplice for Francisco Lindor. The 21-year-old has been a constant hitter for common all through his Minor League profession, reveals above-average to plus pace and is a succesful defender up the center. He may very well be even higher at second than quick, which makes for a pleasant match within the Mets’ system. He’ll must be taught to raise balls extra on contact to faucet into his energy, however at simply 21 years outdated in Double-A, he has time to attain that. Ranked No. 2 for now, Acuña would be the Mets’ prime prospect after we rerank this month.
2. Drew Gilbert, OF, Mets (No. 4, MLB No. 68)
Acquired from the Astros within the Justin Verlander commerce
Acuña wasn’t the one Top 100 prospect from the Lone Star State to move to the New York system. The Mets additionally snagged Houston’s solely Top 100 prospect in Gilbert as a part of the Verlander blockbuster. The 2022 first-rounder has 4 above-average abilities in his hit, pace, throwing and fielding instruments, and his energy performs effectively too, particularly for somebody at his 5-foot-9 dimension. Gilbert’s hand-eye coordination on the dish ought to assist him hit at each cease, and as a former pitcher who may contact 93, he has the arm energy to play in middle or proper. When our lists are subsequent absolutely up to date, Gilbert stands to be New York’s No. 2 prospect after rerank, simply behind his new Double-A teammate.
3. Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Guardians (No. 3, MLB No. 37)
Acquired from the Rays within the Aaron Civale commerce
It was no secret that Tampa Bay sought pitching assist on this market and bought some within the type of Civale, shifting considered one of its 4 Top 100 prospects to accumulate him. Manzardo was set to slide a bit in our upcoming Top 100 replace after a tough (by his requirements) begin to his time at Triple-A Durham, however don’t look an excessive amount of into his slash line with the Bulls. The first baseman nonetheless had a 48.3 % hard-hit charge at Triple-A — higher than anybody on Cleveland’s present MLB roster — and his 111.9 mph max exit velocity rivaled José Ramírez’s 111.6 from this season. He additionally doesn’t whiff a lot with an above-average 8.7 swinging-strike charge. A shoulder harm has held him out since July 6, however when wholesome, he received’t be far off serving to Cleveland’s lineup.
4. Edgar Quero, C, White Sox (No. 2, MLB No. 65)
Acquired from the Angels within the Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez commerce
Teetering on the sting of a full rebuild, the White Sox moved free-agents-to-be Giolito and Lopez and did effectively to select up a Top 100 expertise in Quero. The 20-year-old backstop was pushed aggressively from Single-A to Double-A for his age-20 season and confirmed a very good strategy with Rocket City, strolling extra instances (55) than he struck out (53) whereas posting a .386 OBP in 70 video games earlier than the commerce. He slugged simply .332 in that span, calling into query his energy one yr after he slugged 17 homers within the hitter-friendly California League, and he figures to slip a bit within the subsequent up to date Top 100 due to it. Quero can also be a work-in-progress behind the plate, however given his league-relative age and upper-level expertise, he brings some promising discipline-driven ceiling to the South Side.
5. Jake Eder, LHP, White Sox (No. 4)
Acquired from the Marlins within the Jake Burger deal
Eder was a one-time Top 100 prospect who dropped off the checklist after present process Tommy John surgical procedure that compelled him out for the 2022 season. He missed extra time with a fractured foot this spring however has appeared absolutely returned to type of late at Double-A with 36 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings over his final 5 begins. His fastball and slider every obtain plus grades, and his management is slowly bettering as he regains well being. The 24-year-old southpaw must be a rotation possibility on the South Side by subsequent summer time.
6. Ryan Clifford, OF/1B, Mets (No. 6)
Acquired from the Astros within the Justin Verlander deal
You know a commerce involving Verlander needed to damage his buying workforce considerably. With Gilbert out, Clifford would have slotted into the highest Astros spot at rerank. Except he’s sporting a unique model of blue and orange now too. The 2022 Eleventh-rounder already reveals above-average energy as a 20-year-old, and he’s reached base at a very good clip at two A-ball ranges. He has some first-base expertise and will land there as a result of below-average pace, nevertheless it’s the bat the Mets purchased with extra energy prone to come.
7. Nick Nastrini, RHP, White Sox (No. 5)
Acquired from the Dodgers within the Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly commerce
The Double-A Tulsa rotation was arguably probably the most feared in Minor League Baseball this season, and Nastrini performed a job with a deep four-pitch combine, highlighted by a mid-90s fastball with nice carry. His curveball, slider and changeup additionally obtain above-average grades with some management points (37 walks in 73 2/3 innings) standing in the way in which of his personal spot within the Top 100. He companions with Eder to provide the White Sox a formidable pitching pair within the higher Minors.
8. Marco Vargas, INF, Mets (No. 9)
Acquired from the Marlins within the David Robertson commerce
If you wish to bandwagon a prospect earlier than they hit the massive time, think about following the place Vargas goes from right here. The Mexico native has loved a meteoric rise in Minor League Baseball, due to a stellar strategy that options mature swing choices. Just 18, Vargas has a .460 on-base proportion within the Florida Complex League this summer time and has nearly twice as many walks (40) as strikeouts (22) by way of 36 video games. He is perhaps a second baseman long-term and can have to be examined towards higher arms, however his already-present helium may carry him shortly towards Queens.
9. Hao-Yu Lee, 2B, Tigers (No. 6)
Acquired from the Phillies within the Michael Lorenzen commerce
If it’s hit instruments you’re into, Lee brings a fairly spectacular one to the Detroit system. The 20-year-old Taiwan native is a profession .285 hitter within the Minors, and he doesn’t strike out a ton by fashionable requirements with an 18.6 % Okay charge this season in High-A. Those bat-to-ball abilities have translated easily to every stage he’s performed, and there’s an opportunity for one thing near common energy by the point he matures. He affords Detroit one other promising infield expertise alongside Colt Keith, Jace Jung and Justyn-Henry Malloy.
10. Tekoah Roby, RHP, Cardinals (No. 4)
Acquired from the Rangers within the Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton commerce
When Roby is definitely on the mound, he can downright befuddle hitters with 4 above-average pitches in his fastball, slider, curveball and alter — every of which performs in numerous components of the zone. He limits his free passes too with a 6.2 % stroll charge, Tenth-best within the Texas League amongst pitchers with no less than 40 innings. That first distinction is a crucial one although. Roby was shut down with a sprained elbow in 2021 and hasn’t pitched since June 3 this season as a result of a shoulder harm. If the Cardinals get and hold him wholesome, they’ve a future starter.
11. Ky Bush, LHP, White Sox (No. 7)
Acquired from the Angels within the Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez commerce
12. Sem Robberse, RHP, Cardinals (No. 6)
Acquired from the Rangers within the Jordan Hicks commerce
13. Thomas Saggese, INF, Cardinals (No. 8)
Acquired from the Rangers within the Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton commerce
14. Dominic Canzone, OF/1B, Mariners (No. 13)
Acquired from the D-backs within the Paul Sewald commerce
15. Justin Jarvis, RHP, Mets (No. 15)
Acquired from the Brewers within the Mark Canha commerce
16. Ryan Bliss, SS/2B, Mariners (No. 14)
Acquired from the D-backs within the Paul Sewald commerce
17. César Prieto, INF, Cardinals (No. 9)
Acquired from the Orioles within the Jack Flaherty commerce
18. Bradley Blalock, RHP, Brewers (No. 15)
Acquired from the Red Sox within the Luis Urías commerce
19. Kahlil Watson, SS/2B, Guardians (No. 15)
Acquired from the Marlins within the Josh Bell commerce
20. Jackson Wolf, LHP, Pirates (No. 17)
Acquired from the Padres within the Rich Hill, Ji Man Choi commerce
21. Henry Williams, RHP, Royals (No. 9)
Acquired from the Padres within the Scott Barlow commerce
22. Korey Lee, C, White Sox (No. 14)
Acquired from the Astros within the Kendall Graveman commerce
23. Ronald Hernandez, C, Mets (No. 21)
Acquired from the Marlins within the David Robertson commerce
24. Kevin Made, SS, Nationals (No. 16)
Acquired from the Cubs within the Jeimer Candelario commerce
25. Jeremiah Jackson, INF/OF, Mets (No. 22)
Acquired from the Angels within the Dominic Leone commerce
26. DJ Herz, LHP, Nationals (No. 17)
Acquired from the Cubs within the Jeimer Candelario commerce
27. Jake Madden, RHP, Rockies (No. 20)
Acquired from the Angels within the C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk commerce
28. Eddys Leonard, SS, Tigers (No. 22)
Acquired from the Dodgers for money
29. Adam Kloffenstein, RHP, Cardinals (No. 22)
Acquired from the Blue Jays within the Jordan Hicks commerce
30. Zack Showalter, RHP, Cardinals (No. 23)
Acquired from the Orioles within the Jack Flaherty commerce
31. Sean Reynolds, RHP, Padres (No. 24)
Acquired from the Marlins within the Ryan Weathers commerce
32. Devin Mann, INF, Royals (No. 26)
Acquired from the Royals within the Ryan Yarbrough commerce
33. Mason Albright, LHP, Rockies (No. 21)
Acquired from the Angels within the C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk commerce
34. Drew Rom, LHP, Cardinals (No. 26)
Acquired from the Orioles within the Jack Flaherty commerce
35. Joe Boyle, RHP, Athletics (No. 22)
Acquired from the Reds within the Sam Moll commerce
36. Jordan Leasure, RHP, White Sox (No. 26)
Acquired from the Dodgers within the Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly commerce
37. Victor Vodnik, RHP, Rockies (No. 22)
Acquired from the Braves within the Pierce Johnson commerce
38. Juan Carela, RHP, White Sox (NR)
Acquired from the Yankees within the Keynan Middleton commerce
39. Nick Robertson, RHP, Red Sox (No. 30)
Acquired from the Dodgers within the Enrique Hernández commerce
40. Tanner Gordon, RHP, Rockies (NR)
Acquired from the Braves within the Pierce Johnson commerce
