2016: Ranking The Prospects Traded at the Deadline
From June 30 to Aug. 1, 50 prospects changed teams in trades. Now that the non-waiver deadline has come and gone, we ranked all 50 and included a realistic best-case scenario to try to explain what the team trading for them is hoping to get.
Note that we said “realistic best-case scenario.” That means this is not what all of these players will achieve in their careers. In fact, we can guarantee they won’t all reach these heights.
Assuredly some of the players traded in the past month will be released by the end of next year. But this is an attempt to explain what they could be if they keep improving and stay healthy. When players are listed as comparables, these aren’t meant as body comps but as what the player’s career could look like.
1. Anderson Espinoza, rhp, Padres
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Front-of-the-rotation starter/ace
2. Clint Frazier, of, Yankees
Realistic Best Case Scenario: All-star power-hitting corner outfielder
3. Gleyber Torres, ss, Yankees
Realistic Best Case Scenario: All-Star middle infielder
4. Lewis Brinson, of, Brewers
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Adam Jones-esque power-speed center fielder
5. Phil Bickford, rhp, Brewers
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Mid-rotation starting pitcher
6. Grant Holmes, rhp, Athletics
Realistic Best Case Scenario: No. 2 starter in the mold of Ben Sheets
7. Justus Sheffield, lhp, Yankees
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Scott Kazmir
8. Luis Ortiz, rhp, Brewers
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Strike-throwing fastball/slider No. 3 starter
9. Frankie Montas, rhp, Athletics
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Power reliever pitching the eighth or ninth inning
10. Adalberto Mejia, lhp, Twins
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Reliable fourth starter, eating tons of innings
11. Josh Naylor, 1b, Padres
Realistic Best Case Scenario: First baseman providing 25-plus home runs and solid average
12. Harold Ramirez, of, Blue Jays
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Melky Cabrera-esque high average outfielder
13. Lucius Fox, ss, Rays
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Didi Gregorius-like shortstop
14. Reese McGuire, c, Blue Jays
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Defense-first everyday catcher
15. Brett Eibner, of, Athletics
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Justin Ruggiano-type outfielder
16. Travis Demeritte, 2b, Braves
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Second baseman with 20 home run power
17. Dan Vogelbach, 1b, Mariners
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Productive Billy Butler-esque DH
18. Jharel Cotton, rhp, Athletics
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Fastball/changeup setup man/closer like Ryan Madson
19. Charlie Tilson, of, White Sox
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Second-division regular center fielder
20. Pat Light, rhp, Twins
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Setup man with a blistering fastball but a high number of walks
21. Dillon Tate, rhp, Yankees
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Anywhere from front-of-rotation starter to stalls in Triple-A
22. Ben Heller, rhp, Yankees
Realistic Best Case Scenario: 100 mph high-leverage reliever
23. Michael Santos, rhp, Rays
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Josh Tomlin-type starter
24. Billy McKinney, of, Yankees
Realistic Best Case Scenario: A taller Daniel Nava
25. Chris Paddack, rhp, Padres
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Fourth starter after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery
26. Vicente Campos, rhp, Diamondbacks
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Sam Lecure-esque starter/reliever
27. Jonah Heim, c, Rays
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Defense-first backup catcher
28. Paul Blackburn, rhp, Mariners
Realistic Best Case Scenario: 2015 Kyle Hendricks clone
29. Nick Green, rhp, Yankees
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Fifth/sixth-inning reliever
30. Hansel Rodriguez, rhp, Padres
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Hard-throwing late-inning reliever
31. Taylor Hearn, lhp, Pirates
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Alan Embree-esque power lefty reliever
32. Yordan Alvarez, 1b, Astros
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Extreme risk ranges from low-level minor leaguer to big leaguer
33. Luis Alejandro Basabe, 2b, Diamondbacks
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Above-average defensive second baseman with average bat
34. Wendell Rijo, 2b, Brewers
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Above-average offensive second baseman with average glove
35. Max Wotell, lhp, Reds
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Added strength helps him become mid-rotation starter in 2020 or later
36. Phil Pfeifer, lhp, Braves
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Lefty matchup reliever
37. Aaron Wilkerson, rhp, Brewers
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Up-and-down starter or fifth/sixth-inning reliever
38. J.P. Feyereisen, rhp, Yankees
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Hard-throwing sixth-inning reliever
39. Caleb Dirks, rhp, Braves
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Blake Wood
40. Erik Swanson, rhp, Yankees
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Mike Wright
41. Ariel Miranda, lhp, Mariners
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Andrew Albers
42. Rashad Crawford, of, Yankees
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Fourth outfielder with speed and defensive ability
43. Nathan Lukes, of, Rays
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Fourth outfielder with contact-oriented bat
44. Jose Almonte, rhp, Diamondbacks
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Powerball ticket for a No. 4 starter.
45. Lupe Chavez, rhp, Astros
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Next Astros’ complex-league trade steal
46. Jhonleider Salinas, rhp, Indians
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Jeremy Jeffress-esque reliever
47. Jesus Castillo, rhp, Angels
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Up-and-down starting pitcher
48. Alan Busenitz, rhp, Twins
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Generic low-leverage middle reliever
49. Jordan Pries, rhp, Cubs
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Jeff Manship-type career as middle reliever
50. Dian Toscano, of, Dodgers
Realistic Best Case Scenario: Triple-A outfielder who gets fill-in callups
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