2019: Ranking The Prospects Traded at the Deadline
Image credit: Taylor Trammell (Photo by Jason Miller, Getty Images)
After a very, very slow lead up to the July 31 trade deadline, the trades came hard and fast in the final 24 hours.
Zack Greinke, Trevor Bauer, Yasiel Puig, Nicholas Castellanos, Tanner Roark, Shane Greene, Franmil Reyes, Aaron Sanchez, Mike Leake, Sam Dyson, Mark Melancon, Corey Dickerson, Jesus Aguilar and Chris Martin are all headed to new homes, among many, many others.
The dynamic, of course, was different this year. With the elimination of August waiver trades, July 31 represented a hard trade deadline for the first time. With 15 teams—half of MLB—no more than two and a half games out of a playoff spot, many clubs went up to the final hours deciding if they would be buyers or sellers.
Some teams decided they were both. The Giants traded Dyson, Melancon and Drew Pomeranz, but kept Madison Bumgarner and Will Smith and added Scooter Gennett. The D-backs traded the biggest star of the deadline by moving Greinke, but they also added Mike Leake and Zac Gallen who will help them now and in future years. The Indians shipped out one of their best starters in Bauer but also added two power-hitting outfielders who they can insert immediately into the heart of their order and two lefthanded pitching prospects able to help soon.
But there were also the decisive buyers. The Astros were are the forefront, trading four of their top 16 prospects for Greinke and also buying low on Aaron Sanchez, in addition to adding reliever Joe Biagini and outfield prospect Cal Stevenson. Their National League counterpart was the Braves, who used their enviable pitching prospect depth to rebuild the back of their bullpen by adding Martin, Melancon and Greene.
As active as some contenders were, others stood pat. The Yankees did not make any additions to their beleaguered starting rotation. The only addition the Dodgers made to their maligned bullpen was lefthander Adam Kolarek from Tampa Bay.
With so many players on the move, more top prospects were on the move compared to previous years. In 2017 only five Top 100 prospects were traded at the July deadline. Last year there were just two.
This year four top Midseason Top 100 prospects were traded, as well as four others who were previously Top 100 prospects at some point this year.
With the trade deadline come and gone, here is how all the prospects traded in July stack up.
The Top 100 Prospects
1. Taylor Trammell, OF, Padres
(Acquired in trade that sent Trevor Bauer to Reds and Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes to Indians)
Trammell flashes all the tools to be an impact player, but it hasn’t quite come together yet. He is an above-average runner, flashes above-average power, controls the strike zone and is as a high makeup player as they come. Despite that, he has struggled to impact the ball in Double-A and primarily played left field, where he is a below-average defender. Padres general manager A.J. Preller said Trammell will play center field at Double-A Amarillo, and the Padres bet big that they can unlock his offensive potential.
2. Jesus Sanchez, OF, Marlins
(Acquired in trade that sent Trevor Richards and Nick Anderson to Rays)
Sanchez ranked as the No. 48 prospect in baseball on the basis of his youth and potentially impact lefthanded power. His swing gets long at times and he gets beat by fastballs inside, but when he gets his arms extended the ball jumps off his bat. Sanchez gives the Marlins a potential everyday, power-hitting corner outfielder, provided he makes the swing adjustments needed.
3. Zac Gallen, RHP, D-backs
(Acquired in trade that sent Jazz Chisholm to Marlins)
Gallen, the No. 72 prospect on the BA Top 100, is already in the majors after posting a 2.72 ERA through seven starts with the Marlins. He gives the D-backs a promising young righthander who commands his four-pitch mix and should settle into the middle-to-back of the rotation for years to come.
4. Logan Allen, LHP, Indians
(Acquired in trade that sent Trevor Bauer to Reds and Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes to Indians)
Allen’s aggressive bulldog mentality helps his four-pitch mix play up and his “Vulcan”- grip changeup is an out-pitch. His command in the strike zone could still use some ironing out, but he’s already in the majors at 22 and has a potential future as a durable, aggressive back-of-the-rotation starter.
The Nearly Top 100 Prospects
5. Jazz Chisholm, SS, Marlins
(Acquired in trade that sent Zac Gallen to D-backs)
Chisholm could end up the most impactful prospect traded at the 2019 deadline or he could never do much outside the upper minors. With smooth, flashy actions at shortstop and a powerful swing from his athletic, lithe frame, Chisholm looks the part of a potential 20-home run, 20-stolen base shortstop on his best days. But he also swings and misses at an alarming rate with a huge, uppercut swing, and lapses in concentration affect his consistency on defense. Chisholm has the tools to be a standout, but his game needs a lot of polish. He is only 21 years old and has time to add it.
6. Corbin Martin, RHP, D-backs
(Acquired in trade that sent Zack Greinke to Astros)
Martin ranked in the Top 100 Prospects until requiring Tommy John surgery that will likely keep him out until 2021. He showed flashes of three above-average or better pitches before the injury along with above-average control, although that control left him in his brief stint in the majors. As long as he fully recovers from surgery, Martin has a chance to be a No. 3 or 4 starter.
7. Anthony Kay, LHP, Blue Jays
(Acquired in trade that sent Marcus Stroman to Mets)
Kay brings a potent arsenal from the left side with a fastball that reaches the mid-90s, a top-to-bottom curveball he lands to both sides of the plate and flashes of an effective changeup against righties. Inconsistent command and control make him more of a back-end starter than a mid-rotation one for most evaluators, but he has a starter future and should reach Toronto soon.
8. Simeon Woods-Richardson, RHP, Blue Jays
(Acquired in trade that sent Marcus Stroman to Mets)
Woods-Richardson has all the traits you could want in an 18-year-old pitcher with a power fastball, the makings of a solid four-pitch mix and an aggressive, strike-throwing mentality. He has yet to pitch above the Class A levels and needs to fine-tune his command, but there is a potentially a high reward at the end if he develops and stays healthy.
9. J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, D-backs
(Acquired in trade that sent Zack Greinke to Astros)
Bukauskas has struggled mightily with his control as a starter, but his upper 90s fastball and devastating slider give him a chance to be an impact reliever, potentially a setup man or closer. The quicker he moves to the bullpen, the quicker he will reach the majors.
The Potential Solid Starters
10. Lewin Diaz, 1B, Marlins
(Acquired in trade that sent Sergio Romo to Twins)
Diaz’s big body turns some off at first glance, but a closer look reveals a decent hitter with above-average to plus power potential and a slick glove defensively at first base. Scouts give him a chance to hit .240 with 25 or more home runs while playing solid defense, perfectly acceptable performance for a second-division starter.
11. Seth Beer, OF, D-backs
(Acquired in trade that sent Zack Greinke to Astros)
Beer eliminated any concerns he could hit with wood this season, hitting for both average and power while rising to Double-A. Beer has the bat of an everyday power hitter but is well below average defensively at both left field and first base, complicating how he’ll fit on a National League team—unless the DH is instituted.
12. Kolby Allard, LHP, Rangers
(Acquired in trade that sent Chris Martin to Braves)
Allard’s prospect star has dimmed as his velocity backed up and his secondaries revealed themselves to be closer to average than plus. He added a cutter to his arsenal and is throwing a tick harder this season compared to last year, but he still has little margin for error. Allard just turned 22 and still has a chance to grow into a back-of-the-rotation lefthander who commands a four-pitch mix. Adding another tick of velocity would help him get there.
13. Joey Wentz, LHP, Tigers
(Acquired in trade that sent Shane Greene to Braves)
Wentz has been an enigma for evaluators throughout the season, with most seeing him settling in as a No. 5 starter. He flashes hints of a 92-94 mph fastball with above-average secondaries, but more often sits 90-92 with fringy-to-average breaking ball and an average changeup. Wentz can look like a minor league depth starter one day and a rotation piece the next, so finding consistency will be key once he enters the Tigers system.
14. Mauricio Dubon, SS/2B, Giants
(Acquired in trade that sent Drew Pomeranz to Brewers)
Dubon became expendable to the Brewers with the rise of Keston Hiura and now has a chance to settle in as one of the Giants’ middle infielders of the future. His bat-to-ball skills and growing power fit nicely with a Giants team in need of young hitters, and he has he versatility to play either second base or shortstop as needed.
15. Nick Solak, 2B/OF, Rangers
(Acquired in trade that sent Peter Fairbanks to Rays)
Solak has enough bat to profile at either left field or second base, the only question is if he can improve enough defensively to stick at either spot. He’ll have a chance to prove he can with the Rangers, especially with Rougned Odor’s continued struggles as their second baseman.
16. Jameson Hannah, OF, Reds
(Acquired in trade that sent Tanner Roark to Athletics)
Hannah was gaining traction as one of the better prospects in the high Class A California League this summer. He is an above-average hitter who sprays line drives from gap-to-gap and flies around the bases with his plus speed. He is a natural defender in center field and has a chance to develop into a leadoff type with his speed and contact ability.
17. Paul Richan, RHP, Tigers
(Acquired in trade that sent Nicholas Castellanos to Cubs)
A supplemental second-round pick of the Cubs last year, Richan is a command and control artist who spots his three pitches precisely. None of his stuff is head-turning, but his fastball, slider and changeup are all potentially average and give him a chance to rise as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
The Possible Role Players/Contributors
18. Peter Fairbanks, RHP, Rays
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Hard-throwing late-inning reliever
19. Andrew Velazquez, SS/OF, Indians
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Versatile defender who can steal bases
20. Taylor Guilbeau, LHP, Mariners
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Middle-to-late innings lefty reliever
21. Scott Moss, LHP, Indians
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Middle-to-late innings lefty reliever
22. Jaylin Davis, OF, Giants
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Power-hitting part-time outfielder
23. Prelander Berroa, RHP, Giants
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Undersized flamethrower who can start or relieve
24. Joshua Rojas, 2B/SS/OF, D-backs
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Bat-first utilityman who plays around the diamond
25. Cody Ponce, RHP, Pirates
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Sixth/seventh inning reliever
26. Cal Stevenson, OF, Astros
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Reserve outfielder with on-base skills
27. Alex Lange, RHP, Tigers
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Sixth/seventh inning reliever
28. Niko Hulsizer, OF, Rays
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Part-time righthanded power bat
29. Travis Demeritte, OF, Tigers
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Low average, moderate power reserve outfielder
30. Chris Vallimont, RHP, Twins
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Swingman/long reliever
31. Aaron Fletcher, LHP, Mariners
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Deceptive lefthanded middle reliever
32. Kyle Johnston, RHP, Blue Jays
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Hard-throwing middle reliever
33. Joe Harvey, RHP, Rockies
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Hard-throwing but wild low-leverage reliever
34. Andre Scrubb, RHP, Astros
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Sixth/seventh inning reliever
35. Ray Black, RHP, Twins
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Hard-throwing but wild low-leverage reliever
36. Joe McCarthy, OF/1B, Giants
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Extra outfielder who gets on-base
37. Jose Caballero, 3B/2B, Mariners
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Speedy, savvy reserve infielder
38. Kai-Wei Teng, RHP, Giants
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Big-bodied, strike-throwing righthander
39. Dairon Blanco, OF, Royals
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Speedy outfielder who fills in as needed
40. Ruben Cardenas, OF, Rays
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Part-time righthanded power bat
41. Kevin Merrell, SS, Royals
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Speedy, light-hitting utilityman
42. Thomas Hatch, RHP, Blue Jays
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Fifth/sixth inning reliever
43. Marcos Diplan, RHP, Twins
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Hard-throwing but wild low-leverage reliever
44. Alfredo Garcia, LHP, Yankees
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Wild lefty who gets swings and misses
45. Tristan Beck, RHP, Giants
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Up-and-down swingman/spot starter
46. Jacob Lopez, LHP, Rays
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Soft-tossing lefthanded reliever
The Low-Level Lottery Tickets
47. Victor Nova, 3B, Indians
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Lefthanded contact hitter who moves to the outfield
48. Elio Prado, OF, Orioles
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Center fielder who controls the strike zone
49. Raider Uceta, OF, Astros
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Power-hitting first baseman/designated hitter
50. Jeffry Abreu, RHP, Cardinals
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Strike-throwing middle reliever
51. Noelberth Romero, SS, Orioles
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Smooth defensive infielder who grows into power
52. Rainier Rivas, OF, Astros
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Power-hitting outfielder/first baseman
53. Ismael Aquino, RHP, Athletics
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Arm strength middle reliever
54. Elvis Alvarado, RHP, Mariners
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Hard-throwing but extremely wild reliever
The Organizational Depth
55. Brian Navarreto, C, Yankees
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Up and down third catcher
56. Jimmy Herron, OF, Rockies
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Speed and defense extra outfielder
57. Austin Bossart, C, Mets
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Up and down third catcher
58. Yeltsin Gudino, 2B, Blue Jays
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Light-hitting backup middle infielder
59. Nathan Witt, RHP, Rays
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Hard-throwing, up-and-down reliever
60. Joe Jarneski, RHP, White Sox
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Minor league reliever who gets a cup of coffee in the majors
61. Ray Castro, RHP, White Sox
Realistic Best-Case Scenario: Minor league reliever who gets a cup of coffee in the majors
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