5 Post-Deadline Performances From Prospects Still In The Minor Leagues That Impressed Us
Image credit: Thayron Liranzo (Tracy Proffitt/Four Seam Images)
Before this summer’s trade deadline concluded, teams connected on a flurry of deals that moved established big leaguers to contending clubs in exchange for unproven players to bolster their minor league systems and brighten their futures.
In all, 89 prospects changed hands. At the time, no traded prospect ranked among Baseball America’s Top 100. Since then, catcher Thayron Liranzo, who moved from the Dodgers to the Tigers in the deal that sent righty Jack Flaherty to Los Angeles, has entered the list and currently ranks 88th overall.
Several more of those prospects have made their big league debuts: LHP Samuel Aldegheri (Angels), RHP Seth Johnson (Phillies), RHP Hunter Bigge (Rays), RHP Jack Neely (Cubs), SS Trey Sweeney (Tigers), LHP Luis Peralta (Rockies), 3B Will Wagner (Blue Jays), OF Billy Cook (Pirates) and Andres Chaparro (Nationals).
Now, we’ll take a look at some of the best performances by prospects who moved at the deadline.
Thayron Liranzo, C, Tigers (from Dodgers)
With the Dodgers, Liranzo had struggled somewhat in the Midwest. The switch-hitting backstop finished his time with Great Lakes with a line of .220/.344/.356 and seven home runs in 314 plate appearances. With West Michigan—the same classification in the same league—Liranzo has flipped a switch. In just 26 games as a Tigers prospect, Liranzo went 28-for-89 with seven doubles and five home runs. Those numbers are good for a slash line of .315/.470/.562. As it happens, that slugging percentage is exactly the same figure he produced in 2023 at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga when he led the California League in home runs.
Ranking Every Prospect Traded At The 2024 MLB Trade Deadline
From a catcher headed to South Beach to an infielder headed north of the border, we rated all 89 prospects moved at this year’s deadline
Brody Hopkins, RHP, Rays (from Mariners)
In the spring, scouts identified Hopkins as one of the more intriguing players on the backfields. As it turns out, the Rays felt the same way. They made him part of package they received from Seattle in exchange for outfielder Randy Arozarena. Since arriving in the Tampa Bay system, Hopkins has continued to thrive. He moved up a level from Low-A to High-A and has continued to dominate. In seven starts with Bowling Green, Hopkins has gone 1-3 with a 3.45 era, 38 strikeouts and 13 walks in 31.1 innings. In all, Hopkins finished his first pro season with 133 strikeouts over 115 frames between the levels.
Moises Chace, RHP, Phillies (from Orioles)
At the deadline, the Phillies and Orioles connected on a deal that sent reliever Gregory Soto to the Baltimore for a two-player package that included Chace and righty Seth Johnson, who has since reached the big leagues. Chace had piqued evaluators’ interest earlier in the year on the strength of a repertoire led by a fastball with analytical properties that make it particularly intriguing. He buttresses that fastball with a pair of sliders—a sweeper and a true slider—as well as a new cutter and a developing changeup. The package worked together nicely, and Chace has performed well in his first taste of the upper levels, where he’s struck out 35 and walked just seven in 19.2 innings over four starts.
Mason Barnett, RHP, A’s (from Royals)
Much like Brody Hopkins, Barnett was a player who stuck out during spring training. He accomplished this thanks to a combination of a mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider at the front of a potentially overpowering mix. The righty flashed his potential at Double-A before the trade, but he’s kicked into high gear since moving into the A’s organization. With Midland, Barnett has made seven starts and racked up 52 strikeouts against just 13 walks. He’s also shown the ability to handle to the length needed as a potential big league starter; he’s pitched seven innings in three of his last five starts.
Jackson Baumeister, RHP, Rays (from Orioles)
Baumeister was another piece of the Rays’ farm system overhaul. This time, the deal sent righty Zach Eflin to the Orioles and also saw prospects Matthew Etzel and Mac Horvath enter the Tampa Bay system. With the Orioles, Baumeister was having a solid season. With the Rays, he has kicked things up a gear or two. The righthander stayed within the confines of the South Atlantic League, moving from Aberdeen to Bowling Green and concluded his regular campaign with seven stellar appearances (five starts) before the playoffs began. In that time, Baumeister punched out 44 hitters and walked just five over 29 innings, with just four earned runs in that span.
