1 prospect each team could deal at the Deadline

July 24th, 2024

This year’s Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching (July 30, 6 p.m. ET) and as of Tuesday's games, there are 17 teams in or within four games of a playoff spot.

That makes predicting which teams will be buyers trying to bring in Major League help and which will be sellers looking to add prospects in return for that big league assistance a little more challenging. Below is one prospect for every organization who could generate some trade interest should each team decide to put them on the market over the next several days.

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AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Blue Jays: Hagen Danner, RHP (Not ranked among Top 30)
Ten games under .500 headed into Wednesday, Toronto is in clear seller territory at this year’s Deadline, so don’t expect any prominent prospects to be headed out of the system. Instead, Danner could be a candidate to move clubs as a 25-year-old member of the 40-man who is oft injured and may need to be waived or DFA’d for younger high-ceiling prospect pickups on the 40-man. Even that is unlikely as the Jays could use Danner’s upper-90s fastball and above-average slider in future Major League bullpens.

Orioles: Coby Mayo, 3B/1B (No. 3/MLB No. 15)
The Orioles sit atop the AL East and after reaching the postseason last year, they’re looking to stick around longer this time around. And while GM Mike Elias has stated both Mayo and Jackson Holliday could figure prominently into their own lineup plans down the stretch, including an impact bat that’s pretty much big league-ready for, say, Tarik Skubal, could get a deal of that magnitude done.

Rays: Kameron Misner, OF (No. 25)
Tampa Bay is still within shouting distance of a Wild Card spot and could be in buy-and-sell mode if it can find a way to improve the team for the next two seasons and still prop up the farm system. Misner, 26, is in his second straight Triple-A season, could put together back-to-back 20/20 campaigns and hasn’t broken through to the Majors yet. He still has significant contact concerns, but his above-average power, plus speed and solid defense could be useful for any clubs looking for immediate outfield help.

Red Sox: Yoeilin Cespedes, SS/2B (No. 7)
Boston's big three (shortstop Marcelo Mayer, catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Roman Anthony) are pretty much off limits, making Cespedes the highest-ceiling prospect they might part with. Signed for $1.4 million out of the Dominican Republic as one of the most advanced bats in the 2023 international crop, he's equipped to hit for average and power. He slashed .319/.400/.615 with five homers in 25 games in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League before breaking the hamate bone in his left hand.

Yankees: Spencer Jones, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 73)
Jasson Domínguez may be close to untouchable for the Yankees, but their No. 2 prospect could be more touchable than he was entering the year. A 2022 first-rounder from Vanderbilt, Jones features more athleticism than most 6-foot-6, 235-pounders and possesses more raw power than most Minor Leaguers. He's batting .241/.317/.412 with 11 homers and 19 steals in 77 Double-A games, with his strikeout rate (37 percent) a concern.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

Guardians: Ralphy Velazquez, 1B (No. 4/MLB No. 86)
The Guardians aren't looking to trade Velazquez, a 2023 first-rounder who had one of the best bats in last year's prep class and is hitting .253/.365/.427 with nine homers in 74 games as a teenager in Single-A. But Cleveland has an excess of first-base prospects, headlined by Kyle Manzardo and C.J. Kayfus, and could part with Velazquez in a deal that would improve its first-place club.

Royals: Carter Jensen, C (No. 9)
Kansas City displayed its intentions by picking up Hunter Harvey for Cayden Wallace and the 39th overall pick earlier this month. It could be aggressive again, and the club has especially good depth at the catching position with Blake Mitchell atop its prospect rankings and Ramon Ramirez and Hyungchan Um also in the lower levels. Jensen, who was recently promoted to Double-A, holds value as a high-OBP bat with average pop and a good throwing arm, and he could be moved for a decent return while only denting that catcher depth.

Tigers: Lael Lockhart, LHP (No. 21)
Tigers fans will keep close eyes on Tarik Skubal rumors before Tuesday, and such a blockbuster would bring significant additions to the farm system. But if there’s a prospect who could be moved as part of a larger overall deal, it might be Lockhart, a 26-year-old southpaw who (despite his numbers) is knocking on the door of Major League readiness thanks to a plus-plus splitter. He’s 40-man eligible in the offseason, and moving him – one year after picking him up from the Dodgers in a minor trade – to a more competitive club before the Rule 5 decision could be beneficial for all sides.

Twins: Zebby Matthews, RHP (No. 19)
Pay no attention to his current ranking, Matthews is poised to make a huge jump up the Twins’ list in short order. The stuff has continued to tick up and the results have been equally impressive as he’s gone from High-A to Triple-A. The Twins do have some pitching depth, and if Matthews isn’t called upon to help in Minnesota, his upward trajectory could be very intriguing to other teams looking to the future.

White Sox: Jacob Gonzalez, SS/2B (No. 7)
The worst team in baseball is going to trade for prospects rather than deal them away, but we'll play along with the premise of this story. ... A first-round pick last year after starring in college at Mississippi, Gonzalez is behind Colson Montgomery and the ascendant Brooks Baldwin in the White Sox shortstop pecking order, but he still offers the upside of a solid hitter with 20-homer power and good instincts. He's batting .250/.323/.349 with five homers and 13 steals in 89 games between High-A and Double-A.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

Angels: Dario Laverde, C (No. 5)
While the Angels aren’t in big league buying mode right now, if they wanted to try to add talent that’s closer to big league-ready, they could bundle some intriguing prospects at the lower level with some of their tradeable Major Leaguers to bring in some upper-level quantity. Laverde has been the best of that group, handling the move to full-season ball as a teenager, and teams are always looking for catching.

Astros: Pedro León, OF (No. 25)
Though the Astros believed León would develop quickly after signing the Cuban defector for $4 million in 2021, he has yet to play in the big leagues and doesn't have an obvious opening. He still has plus raw power to go with well-above-average speed and arm strength, and he's having the best season of his pro career. He's slashing .300/.375/.528 with 19 homers and 22 steals in 90 Triple-A games.

A’s: Denzel Clarke, OF (No. 3)
Another team not likely looking to add big leaguers at the deadline, the A’s could combine a prospect or two with any Major Leaguers they are looking to offload to bring in players. Clarke is in his second season at Double-A and is starting to feel a little like a stuck prospect who could use a change of scenery, with his power-speed combination possibly intriguing to other teams.

Mariners: Michael Morales, RHP (No. 11)
The Mariners certainly have young hitters who would be of interest in a deal, but while they are in a tight race in the AL West, it’s hard to see them parting ways with any of the top bats (Cole Young, Harry Ford, Colt Emerson, Lazaro Montes, Felnin Celestin) – though Jerry Dipoto hasn’t hesitated in the past. But with a young rotation in Seattle, trading from some pitching depth and with someone like Morales, who has reached Double-A for the first time, might be a more conservative route to take.

Rangers: Justin Foscue, 2B/1B (No. 2)
Foscue is the Rangers' best position prospect and big league-ready, but he also has no clear path to regular playing time with the defending World Series champions. The 2020 first-rounder from Mississippi State has a disciplined approach and 20-homer potential, and he has batted .271/.431/.469 with four homers in 29 Triple-A games this year while missing time with a left oblique strain. He rejoined Texas on Sunday and has been getting at-bats at DH.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Braves: Nacho Alvarez Jr., SS (No. 5)
Teams who might have interest in Alvarez are getting to see a big league audition from him right now. Could Alvarez eat into some of Orlando Arcia’s time at short? Sure, though he’s only played second base so far, and the Braves wouldn’t hesitate to move him (or anyone, really) to make another run. Sending Alvarez to a team that needs an everyday shortstop could be a good fit.

Marlins: Troy Johnston, 1B (No. 19)
The Marlins are playing for the future but still haven't given a look to the 27-year-old Johnston, who was their 2023 Minor League player of the year and is slashing .283/.347/.406 with six homers and 12 steals in 94 Triple-A games. Though the 2019 17th-rounder out of Gonzaga lacks profile power at first base, he's one of the best pure hitters in the system and has good instincts on the bases.

Mets: Jesus Baez, INF (No. 21)
New York will be closely followed for its Deadline strategy, and considering it holds a Wild Card spot as of Wednesday, it could be at least a minor buyer by Tuesday. Baez is enjoying an ascendant age-19 season both in levels (jumping from Single-A to High-A) and value as he’s continued to show a power bat while keeping strikeouts relatively in check. The infielder’s value has arguably never been higher and could help the Mets net a reliever or left-handed-hitting outfielder.

Nationals: Cole Henry, RHP (No. 21)
Similar story here for many sellers. Washington is in prospect-acquisition mode ahead of a possible return to contention in 2025 and won’t want to lose any ranked prospects ideally. The only way Henry, who was added to the 40-man in the offseason as Rule 5 protection, gets moved is if he needs to be taken off the roster for a 40-man addition. The 2020 second-rounder has shown potential for three above-average pitches but continues to struggle to stay on the mound after dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome in 2023.

Phillies: Mick Abel, RHP (No. 5/MLB No. 92)
This might be a sell-low situation for the Phillies because Abel has really struggled to find the strike zone in 2024. But after his stuff backed up some early, it’s ticked back up lately, albeit with poor command. He won’t turn 23 until next month and a team that thinks they can fix him might have interest in his impressive repertoire and upside as the Phillies look for ways to get back to the World Series.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

Brewers: Logan Henderson, RHP (No. 16)
The Crew could certainly get aggressive in a deal involving one of their four Top 100 prospects, but if they aim for a smaller or medium-sized trade, Henderson could be a valuable piece. The 2021 fourth-rounder has a plus-plus changeup and impressive control that’s helped him post a 3.71 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and only five walks in 34 Double-A innings. After missing time earlier in the season with a left oblique injury, he’s back and healthy now, making him an even better chip.

Cardinals: Jimmy Crooks, C (No. 12)
St. Louis remains in the thick of the Wild Card hunt, and led by Willson Contreras, it has one of the best catching groups in the Majors. Dipping into its lower catching depth (yes, it’s the same tune as with Yadier Molina for years) to help the Major League club could be of interest, and Crooks -- a solid receiver and thrower behind the plate with a .306 average and .876 OPS at Double-A this season -- could be of interest in negotiations with teams thinner at backstop.

Cubs: Kevin Alcántara, OF (No. 6/MLB No. 64)
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer says the Cubs will focus beyond 2024 at the Trade Deadline, but the organization's abundance of outfielders could make Alcántara expendable, perhaps in a deal for catching or pitching. Acquired from the Yankees in the Anthony Rizzo deal three years ago, he has the potential for solid tools across the board and is batting .275/.331/.424 with nine homers in 68 Double-A games.

Pirates: Hunter Barco, LHP (No. 12)
The Pirates need bats in the big leagues and they have arms to trade. It would have to be something really big for someone like Bubba Chandler to be on the move, but there are a number of arms behind their top prospects who could be dangled. Barco has come back from Tommy John surgery to pitch very well in hitting-friendly High-A Greensboro and earned a bump up to Double-A Altoona, so seeing him be ready for the big leagues in 2025 is certainly reasonable.

Reds: Cam Collier, 3B (No. 3/MLB No. 83)
It sounds like the Reds are in selling mode now that they are at the bottom of the NL Central, but a hot streak could jump them right back into the crowded Wild Card picture. If that happens, could they be convinced to part ways with their 2022 first-round pick? The power is legit, with his home run earning him Futures Game MVP honors earlier this month, and he’s only 19, with a ton of offensive upside.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

D-backs: Jorge Barrosa, OF (No. 12)
The defending NL champions should aim to get back to the postseason at the least, and while he’s still only 23, Barrosa hasn’t found a way to crack through Arizona’s outfield depth besides three MLB games earlier this season. He’s still a plus-plus defender who thrives on making contact, especially on pitches in the zone, and that combination of skills could be helpful if the D-backs are negotiating with a team that wants talent ready for The Show in a deal.

Dodgers: Dalton Rushing, C (No. 1/MLB No. 47)
The Dodgers are bullish on Rushing but have All-Star Will Smith in the Majors and as much catching prospect depth as any organization -- and they parted with Keibert Ruiz to get Max Scherzer and Trea Turner three years ago. Los Angeles' top pick (second round) in 2022 out of Louisville, Rushing is an offensive-minded catcher with solid arm strength and improving receiving skills. He's hitting .257/.369/.443 with 10 homers in 66 Double-A games.

Giants: Diego Velasquez, SS (No. 18)
The slumping Giants probably won't make any blockbuster moves, but Velasquez could be a part of a smaller trade. They have other middle infielders with higher ceilings, but he has fared well against older competition while displaying the ability to make contact from both sides of the plate. Signed for $900,000 out of Venezuela in 2021, he's batting .274/.357/.389 with 18 steals in 71 games as a 20-year-old in High-A.

Padres: Robby Snelling, LHP (No. 2/MLB No. 45)
There’s no doubt that Snelling’s stock has dropped this season due to a 6.14 ERA and .305 average-against in 70 1/3 innings at Double-A. However, the Padres seem unlikely to make teenagers Ethan Salas or Leodalis De Vries available in deals. These are still the Padres, however, and they can’t be ruled out from taking big Deadline swings. Moving a 20-year-old pitcher with Double-A experience, even one whose value has taken a tumble, could interest clubs willing to take on Snelling as a reclamation project and potential future midrotation piece.

Rockies: Drew Romo, C (No. 9)
The Rockies almost certainly will not be looking to buy big leaguers at the deadline and it might be a more likely scenario that Romo gets called up if the team trades one of its big league backstops. Romo is having an outstanding year and looks poised to be a big league regular behind the dish, and we all know how hard that is to find, so he could fetch a good return should he be put on the market.