The trade deadline is almost upon us, which means we should expect some significant prospect movement. This week's article will not only take a look at some surging (or floundering) phenoms, but also highlight some who could either be on the move or have their future path affected by a deadline deal.
Check out where future major league baseball stars slot into RotoWire's MLB Top Prospects & Rankings for 2025!
UPGRADE
Owen Caissie, OF, CHC – Caissie's name has frequently been brought up in trade rumors given the Cubs' many stellar outfield options coupled with their playoff aspirations. And he's been scorching of late at Triple-A hitting .391 with four extra-base hits the last week, including his 20th homer of the campaign to put him tied for second in the International League. Given their mediocre pitching numbers, the organization could choose to move Caissie for an arm (or two). If he moves to a team out of the postseason chase, he could immediately get everyday big-league at-bats. If not, Chicago may opt to retain Caissie as Kyle Tucker is a free agent this offseason.
Spencer Jones, OF, NYY – Jones has been simply spectacular since being promoted to Triple-A as he's racked up 13 home runs - with three in one game - 25 RBI and a crisp .400 batting average through 19 contests. It certainly appears he's quieted some of the doubters who claimed his long swing would be exploited at the higher levels. The Yankees have already made two smaller moves in
The trade deadline is almost upon us, which means we should expect some significant prospect movement. This week's article will not only take a look at some surging (or floundering) phenoms, but also highlight some who could either be on the move or have their future path affected by a deadline deal.
Check out where future major league baseball stars slot into RotoWire's MLB Top Prospects & Rankings for 2025!
UPGRADE
Owen Caissie, OF, CHC – Caissie's name has frequently been brought up in trade rumors given the Cubs' many stellar outfield options coupled with their playoff aspirations. And he's been scorching of late at Triple-A hitting .391 with four extra-base hits the last week, including his 20th homer of the campaign to put him tied for second in the International League. Given their mediocre pitching numbers, the organization could choose to move Caissie for an arm (or two). If he moves to a team out of the postseason chase, he could immediately get everyday big-league at-bats. If not, Chicago may opt to retain Caissie as Kyle Tucker is a free agent this offseason.
Spencer Jones, OF, NYY – Jones has been simply spectacular since being promoted to Triple-A as he's racked up 13 home runs - with three in one game - 25 RBI and a crisp .400 batting average through 19 contests. It certainly appears he's quieted some of the doubters who claimed his long swing would be exploited at the higher levels. The Yankees have already made two smaller moves in acquiring Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario, but could one last big swing still be in the cards with Jones as the centerpiece? Alternatively, could the injury to Aaron Judge suddenly open up a path for consistent ML action? With the Bronx Bombers currently second in the AL East and barely holding on to a Wild Card, expect extensive coverage on both the club and Jones as the week moves on.
Tanner McDougal, P, CHW – McDougal isn't going anywhere at the trade deadline, though deserves some pub for his breakout campaign. The fifth-round pick from 2021 required Tommy John surgery soon after his debut and largely struggled after returning. Walks were the biggest issue with 58 across 92.1 innings during 2024 while McDougal also allowed 13 homers over 16 High-A starts. He returned to that level to start this season and experienced more success by posting a 3.28 ERA while fanning 73 from 57.2 frames, leading to a promotion to Double-A where he's recorded a 1.93 ERA and 40:10 K:BB in 32.2 innings. The 6-5 righty carries a three-pitch combination (fastball/slider/curveball) and his improved command has been most notable at Double-A. If the sudden advanced control is legitimate, McDougal could work his way into the big-league rotation as soon as next year.
Dylan Beavers, OF, BAL – The Orioles are having a surprisingly dismal season, and have already parted ways with Gregory Soto. Should they decide to sell off some of their veteran outfield bats, Beavers could find his way to the bigs sooner than anticipated. The 23-year-old is enjoying by far his best season with the bat slashing .303/.414/.498 with 13 homers, 41 RBI and 21 steals in 80 outings at Triple-A. The outfield prospect glut in Baltimore has thinned considerably the past year, so Beavers' future path is worth watching given the team's firm position as a seller.
CHECK STATUS
Jonathan Santucci, P, NYM – Santucci has performed well in his first taste of professional ball and has already climbed to Double-A. With the Mets already dealing Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster to the Orioles, the Duke product is another name to watch as the organization attempts to bolster their rotation or centerfield with their sights set on the World Series. A second-round selection from 2024, Santucci is an athletic southpaw with massive strikeout stuff who sits in the second tier of Mets' pitching prospects behind Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat. As such, he could be dangled in a deadline swap.
Khal Stephen, P, TOR – There's perhaps no better story this season than the surprising rise of the Blue Jays. After several disappointing efforts that started with high expectations, Toronto has flipped the script to lead the AL East. Stephen is one of the top pitchers in their system, finding his way to Double-A in his first pro year before a recent trip to the IL. The Jays suddenly boast a decent amount of upper-echelon pitching talent, including Trey Yesavage, Ricky Tiedemann and Johnny King, among others. They could likely afford to part with one or more of them in their quest to return to the World Series for the first time since 1993.
Joshua Baez, OF, STL – Baez looks like a late bloomer in the St. Louis system. Taken directly out of high school in 2021, he finally appears to have found his footing as a top prospect with 12 home runs and 40 steals between High-A and Double-A. Baez has also cut down his strikeout rate while making more consistent contact. The last piece of the puzzle will be turning his raw power into better long-ball numbers. Baez may be the Cardinals' best outfield prospect and the current outfield has struggled. He probably won't see the big leagues in 2025 - even with some trades - yet there's little standing in his way once he's deemed ready for prime time.
Termarr Johnson, 2B, PIT – It doesn't appear Johnson will be able to live up to the lofty expectations of being the 4th overall pick at the 2025 Draft, but he may not end up being a total bust either. He's vastly improved his strikeout numbers at Double-A having only fanned 64 times. It's unlikely Johnson will ever hit for average, though the 21-year-old is still drawing plenty of walks and can claim eight homers and 15 stolen bases as one of the youngest players at that level. He may not ever reach star status, yet he still could end up being an everyday starter for the Pirates at the keystone, perhaps as early as 2026.
DOWNGRADE
Chase DeLauter, OF, CLE – The Guardians find themselves in the unusual position of potentially being a seller at the deadline. There were reports they were considering trading Steven Kwan, though that has died down and the youth movement could be coming soon. Unfortunately, DeLauter won't be included - at least not this year - as the outfield prospect broke his hamate bone, underwent surgery and is expected to be out for at least six weeks. He only logged 42 games this season and continues to struggle to stay on the field. In fact, DeLauter has never played more than 57 during a calendar year. The future remains promising for the 23-year-old as long as he can prove his health, but that will have to wait just a little longer.
Luke Dickerson, SS, WSH – Only a teenager and still finding his way following his second-round selection in 2024, Dickerson has perhaps predictably found it difficult at Low-A as he's only slashing .209/.297/.319 with two home runs and 13 steals over 53 contests. He's struggled to make hard contact while his bat speed will continue to be questioned as he ascends the ranks. Dickerson's strikeout stats are promising while accumulating a decent amount of walks and offering plenty of speed. The sample size is small and he certainly has lotsof time to right the ship, but it's clearly going to take some time for his raw skills to produce substantive on-field results.
