Prospects Moved at the 2023 Trade Deadline

Another deadline and another exciting round of trades. Although it will be a few years before we can determine the true winners of these deals, lets take a look at the impact the deals have made on the prospects involved. For more information on these players, check out our recent Midseason Top 50 Prospects rankings. The prospects discussed are listed by the Tiers they are listed on their team’s lists. As you can see, no Tier 1 players were moved, which is not uncommon these days as teams want to hold onto those special players more and more. There were, however, quite a few Tier 2 players traded, which can be expected with some of the big names that were moved this deadline.

Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have a high likelihood of making the majors, but provide minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who have an outside chance of making a team’s 40-man roster.

Tier 1

None

Tier 2

Luisangel Acuna, SS
Age: 21
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Texas Rangers
Traded To: New York Mets
Trade Impact: Per @byrontx – Younger brother of Ronald, Acuna had played himself into a top 5 prospect for the Rangers prior to being jettisoned to New York. The hit tool is real and, while he’ll never be a power hitter like his brother, his combination of solid defense and exceptional baserunning should equate to a solid major league career.

Ryan Bliss, SS
Age: 23
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: Arizona Diamondbacks
Traded To: Seattle Mariners
Trade Impact: Per @blacksox96 – Bliss is having an excellent season in Reno hitting 330 with 13 Hr and 51 rbi he also added 36 steals. With a move to Second base we could see Bliss in Seattle this season.

Ky Bush, LHP
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Los Angeles Angels
Traded To: Chicago White Sox
Trade Impact: Per @A_Rhodes77 – Bush is a solid back end starter for a good team. 92-95 mph with his fastball which he locates pretty well. His slider is his best weapon and it’s plus with its good vertical movement. His change up is above average. Injuries are a concern for him but so far they haven’t been arm related.

Dominic Canzone, OF
Age: 25
Current Level: MLB
Traded From: Arizona Diamondbacks
Traded To: Seattle Mariners
Trade Impact: Per @blacksox96 – Canzone was called up to the Diamondbacks a few weeks prior to the trade. He should fit into the Mariners OF mix right away. Canzone can do a lot on the field with an above average eye at the plate his stat line at Reno was impressive 354 AVG 431 OBP 16 HR and 71 RBI.

Ryan Clifford, OF
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
Traded From: Houston Astros
Traded To: New York Mets
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – 2022 draft pick has done nothing but hit since he was drafted in the 11th round out of high school. He’s a couple years away from the majors but is someone to look into getting for your dynasty teams.

Drew Gilbert, OF
Age: 22
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Houston Astros
Traded To: New York Mets
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Gilbert was Houston’s top prospect and can fill up a box score with his speed, power and hitting ability. He is expected to move up quickly and could see time with the Mets next year.

Korey Lee, C
Age: 25
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: Houston Astros
Traded To: Chicago White Sox
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Lee projects more as a solid catcher who can play good defense with surprising offense to his game. He did hit 25 home runs last season in Triple-A but with a .238 batting average and .307 OBP.

Kyle Manzardo, 1B
Age: 23
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: Tampa Bay Rays
Traded To: Cleveland Guardians
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – With Yandy Diaz having a breakout year, Tampa was able to move from their strength for immediate pitching help. There isn’t a major block to Manzardo in the major leagues so this may accelerate his ascension to the major leagues. Manzardo is expected to hit for both power and average.

Edgar Quero, C
Age: 20
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Los Angeles Angels
Traded To: Chicago White Sox
Trade Impact: Per @A_Rhodes77 – A bat first catcher, Quero is a switch hitter that has the plate discipline as a 10-year major league vet. The swing is almost identical from either side, but has shown more power from the left side. As a catcher he needs more work to be adequate for the Bigs, his arm is below average.

Jackson Wolf, LHP
Age: 24
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: San Diego Padres
Traded To: Pittsburgh Pirates
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Wolf has had success this season in Double-A relying more on control over velocity. He is pretty close to the majors and could get innings in Pittsburgh’s rotation soon.

Tier 3

Mason Albright, LHP
Age: 20
Current Level: Single-A
Traded From: Los Angeles Angels
Traded To: Colorado Rockies
Trade Impact: Per @A_Rhodes77 – 6’0” starter in Low-A that has been developing, was 90-92 and now 92-95 he has a decent curve but it’s more average than plus. Will need a good 3rd pitch to stay as a starter but due to that and size has more likely he ends up as a reliever.

Jake Eder, LHP
Age: 24
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Miami Marlins
Traded To: Chicago White Sox
Trade Impact: Per @stoffer81 – Eder was a 4th round pick in the 2020 MLB draft but quickly out played his draft spot in his first taste of pro ball in 2021. He started at AA and set the league on fire with his wipeout slider and pitch control. In 71 innings (15 starts) he had 99 strikeouts with a .98 WHIP, 1.77 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .169 average. Unfortunately, the former Vanderbilt star needed TJS and missed the 2022 season. He is again pitching this season and still working his way back but I would bet on him returning to form as each start in the 23 season seems to be better than the last. Still a slight concern that his fastball velo is not where it was pre TJS but trending the right direction.

DJ Herz, LHP
Age: 22
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Chicago Cubs
Traded To: Washington Nationals
Trade Impact: Per @ATXRainDog – Herz, an 8th round pick in 2019, is a tantalizing 6’2 lefty who has consistently posted dominant strikeout numbers by way of a highly deceptive delivery and plus to double-plus changeup. The fastball is a bit light, sitting in the low 90s, and he’s battled command and control issues his entire pro career. He has bounced back this year after a rough 2022, but even with improvements he’s still posted a 14% BB%. There are a number of red flags here that point to a future in the bullpen, but if he can add a couple ticks of velo to the fastball or just throw strikes more consistently (two pretty significant ifs, no doubt), the unorthodox delivery and wicked changeup give him a chance at the back end of the Nationals rotation.

Jeremiah Jackson, SS
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Los Angeles Angels
Traded To: New York Mets
Trade Impact: Per @A_Rhodes77 – Has played 5 positions (SS, 2B, 3B, LF, CF) and he likely can play 2 of the others if asked. Jackson has been inconsistent at the plate, and had tried various swing changes. One thing has stayed the same he has big pop. If his bat can become consistent he’s a 20-20 threat.

Eddys Leonard, SS
Age: 22
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Los Angeles Dodgers
Traded To: Detroit Tigers
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Leonard was designated for assignment earlier this week then moved to Detroit for cash. Doesn’t profile to be more than a utility player if he makes the majors.

Kevin Made, SS
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
Traded From: Chicago Cubs
Traded To: Washington Nationals
Trade Impact: Per @ATXRainDog – Made was a high profile international signing who’s likely to stick at SS and makes a lot of contact at the plate. He’s also running a 10% BB% in High-A as a 20 year old. These are solid foundational skills, but he’s really struggled with swing decisions and hasn’t shown much impact as a result. Until that changes, it’s more of a glove-first utility profile, but it’s easy to see why the Nationals would make this bet.

Nick Nastrini, RHP
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Los Angeles Dodgers
Traded To: Chicago White Sox
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Nastrini has some nasty stuff with a mid-90s fastball and good secondary pitches. If he can work on his command, he could be a frontline starting pitcher in a couple of years.

Cesar Prieto, 2B
Age: 24
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: Baltimore Orioles
Traded To: St. Louis Cardinals
Trade Impact: Per @RyanJames5 – Could likely find himself on the big club by September. Incredible bat to ball skills. Almost never walks, but almost never strikes out either. Can play all over the infield, but doesn’t really have a home defensively.

Sean Reynolds, RHP
Age: 24
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Miami Marlins
Traded To: San Diego Padres
Trade Impact: Per @stoffer81 – A massive man standing 6’8” at 250, Reynolds was originally drafted as 1B/OF prospect but hitting just didn’t work out. In 2021 he switched his focus to the mound and the results have been outstanding. Since the position switch he has 133 innings (all relief) he has 157 strikeouts with a 1.28 WHIP while amassing 24 saves (30 opportunities). Look for him to get the call real soon and be in the mix for high leverage situations, his stuff will play at the next level.

Sem Robberse, RHP
Age: 21
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Toronto Blue Jays
Traded To: St. Louis Cardinals
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Appeared in the Futures Game earlier this summer. Robberse has struggled but moving to St. Louis could help his stuff and give him more options.

Tekoah Roby, RHP
Age: 21
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Texas Rangers
Traded To: St. Louis Cardinals
Trade Impact: Per @byrontx – Roby was the Prospects1500 #13 Rangers prospect at the midway point of the season. Drafted out of high school in the 3rd round of the 2020 draft, Roby has struggled somewhat this season at AA Frisco sporting a 5.05 ERA while battling injury. But, there’s a lot to like in his pitch arsenal and his makeup. He projects to be a solid #3 or #4 starting pitcher.

Thomas Saggese, IF
Age: 21
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Texas Rangers
Traded To: St. Louis Cardinals
Trade Impact: Per @byrontx – Yes he was pretty much blocked at the major league level, but Saggese is a tough loss for the Rangers’ farm system. Drafted two rounds after Roby in 2020, Saggese has 20-HR potential and can play all over the infield. Cardinal fans are going to love what this kid brings to the field.

Victor Vodnik, RHP
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Atlanta Braves
Traded To: Colorado Rockies
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Vodnik was one of Atlanta’s top pitching prospects and could pitch of the bullpen as early as next season.

Kahlil Watson, SS
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
Traded From: Miami Marlins
Traded To: Cleveland Guardians
Trade Impact: Per @stoffer81 – Watson was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. Projected to go much higher, scouts loved the raw talent they saw but had concerns with signability and maturity. He ended up signing with the Marlins and he has shown flashes of his raw talent and his immaturity. The tools are there and a change of scenario should benefit Watson. He needs to work on his batting eye to really take the next step but he does have a knack for the art of the steal.

Henry Williams, LHP
Age: 21
Current Level: Single-A
Traded From: San Diego Padres
Traded To: Kansas City Royals
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – In his first year back after Tommy John surgery, Williams is getting back to speed on the mound.

Hao-Yu Lee, 2B/SS
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
Traded From: Philadelphia Phillies
Traded To: Detroit Tigers
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Lee is going to a team where he should get a quicker chance at making the majors rather than being blocked by Trea Turner and Bryson Stott. I expect him to put up numbers similar to Stott when he gets to the majors in about two years.

Tier 4

Joe Boyle, RHP
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Cincinnati Reds
Traded To: Oakland Athletics
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Boyle is a hard thrower with a great fastball but has immense command issues. WIth the lack of talent on Oakland’s roster, there is a good chance that he can make the bullpen this year.

Tanner Gordon, RHP
Age: 25
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: Atlanta Braves
Traded To: Colorado Rockies
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Gordon has struggled this season for the Braves and doesn’t project to be much more than pitching depth.

Justin Jarvis, RHP
Age: 23
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: Milwaukee Brewers
Traded To: New York Mets
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Jarvis was promoted to Triple-A a few weeks before his trade to the Mets. He has spotty command but gets strikeouts. He has a good chance at making the majors this season as New York sees what internal options it has for the rotation next year.

Adam Kloffenstein, RHP
Age: 22
Current Level: Double-A
Traded From: Blue Jays
Traded To: St. Louis Cardinals
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Kloffenstein struggled in his minor league career until this year showing better command and velocity. He’s expected to move up to Triple-A soon and there’s an outside chance he could make the major leagues as a September call-up.

Jake Madden, RHP
Age: 21
Current Level: Single-A
Traded From: Los Angeles Angels
Traded To: Colorado Rockies
Trade Impact: Per @A_Rhodes77 – Big fastball is Madden’s calling card. It’s upper 90s with some sinking movement. His slider and changeup flash being really good pitches but he’s not consistent with them. A development project that could be a star if everything works out.

Devin Mann, 2B
Age: 26
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: Los Angeles Dodgers
Traded To: Kansas City Royals
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Solid hitter but has no speed and no defensive position. Doesn’t hit enough to DH. Projects to be a bench player.

Drew Rom, LHP
Age: 23
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: Baltimore Orioles
Traded To: St. Louis Cardinals
Trade Impact: Per @RyanJames5 – Deceptive fastball and potentially plus slider have always struck out a ton of hitters. Walk rate has ballooned to almost 5 this year, but can still be a back end SP if he can find his command again.

Marco Vargas, 2B
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie
Traded From: Miami Marlins
Traded To: New York Mets
Trade Impact: Per @stoffer81 – Vargas was part of the 2022 international class signed by the Marlins on January 15. He won the organizations DSL MVP for his performance during the 2022 season. 2022 DSL stats: .319/.421/.456/.877, 2 HR, 14 SB in 182 AB (53 G) and he has been even better in 2023! 2023 stats: .292/.460/.438/.898, 2 HR, 9 SB in 130 AB (36 G). Lots to like in his profile and one to keep your eye on as he develops through the system.

Tier 5

Roni Cabrera, OF
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie
Traded From: Texas Rangers
Traded To: Kansas City Royals
Trade Impact: Per @byrontx – Just 17 years old, Cabrera is obviously raw. While he hasn’t shown any HR power yet, he does appear to have a solid approach to the plate with loads of potential. He’s a lottery ticket worth taking a chance on.

Ronald Hernandez, C
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie
Traded From: Miami Marlins
Traded To: New York Mets
Trade Impact: Per @stoffer81 – Hernandez is an international signee out of Venezuela, singing for $850,000 in 2021. The now 19 year old catcher seems to feel comfortable behind the dish and a lock to stay in his position. The switch hitting catcher is putting it all together in his second year in the FCL league. He is hitting .299/.479/.449/.928, 3 HR in 107 AB’s (33 G). He is another prospect to keep your eye on but finding defensive catchers that can hit does not become available all the time.

Jhonny Severino, IF
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie
Traded From: Milwaukee Brewers
Traded To: Pittsburgh Pirates
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Severino is young at only 18 years old and is years away from the major leagues but has some speed and power but has to improve his hit-tool as he moves up the ladder.

Zack Showalter, RHP
Age: 19
Current Level: Single-A
Traded From: Baltimore Orioles
Traded To: St. Louis Cardinals
Trade Impact: Per @RyanJames5 – Jumped to A ball incredibly quickly for an 11th round high school pitcher. Great mid 90s fastball and hard slider combo has resulted in a lot of strikeouts, but will have to improve his command to stick as a starter.

Unranked

Bradley Blalock, RHP
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Traded From: Boston Red Sox
Traded To: Milwaukee Brewers
Trade Impact: Per @Scotty Ballgame – No real impact. Not ranked in our most recent Red Sox Top 50.

Juan Carela, RHP
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A
Traded From: New York Yankees
Traded To: Chicago White Sox
Trade Impact: Per @PaulWoodin1 – Carela is an interesting sleeper-type prospect. Carela throws a mid 90s mph fastball to go with a plus curveball with good spin, a plus-slider and a decent changeup. He is a long-range project who has a good body with some projectability and definitely has a shot, but he needs work. His ability to improve his control and command will determine whether he becomes a No. 3-4 starter or a long reliever. The White Sox can take their time with him as it seems they are in rebuild mode.

Jordan Leasure, RHP
Age: 24
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: Los Angeles Dodgers
Traded To: Chicago White Sox
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Future bullpen piece who could get holds and maybe saves if he’s successful in making the majors.

Nick Robertson, RHP
Age: 25
Current Level: Triple-A
Traded From: Los Angeles Dodgers
Traded To: Boston Red Sox
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – Robertson struggled out of the bullpen with the Dodgers this season.

Player to be Named Later
Age: TBD
Current Level: Rookie, Single-A, High-A, Double-A, or Triple-A
Traded From: One Team
Traded To: To Another
Trade Impact: Per @tonybps1 – PTBNL gets traded a lot during his career but perhaps the best player who was moved in a trade like this was David Ortiz, traded from the Seattle Mariners to Minnesota Twins in 1996 for Dave Hollins.