Another Trade Deadline came and went Tuesday, and while it may have lacked last year’s generational Juan Soto move or even any of the rumors involving Shohei Ohtani that had percolated through most of July, there were still plenty of fireworks across the baseball landscape from a prospect standpoint.
Start with the Mets and White Sox. Both clubs were heavy in moving arms before 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 1 with Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, David Robertson and others headed to new environs. In the process, New York and Chicago picked up seven new Top 30 prospects apiece — virtually giving their farm systems brand new coats of paint. And that’s before we add 2023 Draft picks later this month.
In total, 40 top prospects changed teams this Trade Deadline season. Below, we’ve ranked all 40. (Note: The top four players here will be in our updated Top 100, to be released next week. Consider this a sneak peek.)
1. Luisangel Acuña, SS/2B, Mets (No. 2)
Acquired from the Rangers in the Max Scherzer trade
Once it became clear New York was going into sell mode, the Mets weren’t afraid to trade big names (and decent amounts of cash) to deepen its farm system. In Acuña, the organization picked up a potential future double-play partner for Francisco Lindor. The 21-year-old has been a consistent hitter for average throughout his Minor League career, shows above-average to plus speed and is a capable defender up the middle. He could be even better at second than short, which makes for a nice fit in the Mets’ system. He’ll need to learn to elevate balls more on contact to tap into his power, but at just 21 years old in Double-A, he has time to achieve that. Ranked No. 2 for now, Acuña will be the Mets’ top prospect when we rerank this month.
2. Drew Gilbert, OF, Mets (No. 4)
Acquired from the Astros in the Justin Verlander trade
Acuña wasn’t the only Top 100 prospect from the Lone Star State to head to the New York system. The Mets also snagged Houston’s only Top 100 prospect in Gilbert as part of the Verlander blockbuster. The 2022 first-rounder has four above-average skills in his hit, speed, throwing and fielding tools, and his power plays well too, especially for someone at his 5-foot-9 size. Gilbert’s hand-eye coordination at the dish should help him hit at every stop, and as a former pitcher who could touch 93, he has the arm strength to play in center or right. When our lists are next fully updated, Gilbert stands to be New York’s No. 2 prospect after rerank, just behind his new Double-A teammate.
3. Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Guardians (No. 3)
Acquired from the Rays in the Aaron Civale trade
It was no secret that Tampa Bay sought pitching help in this market and got some in the form of Civale, moving one of its four Top 100 prospects to acquire him. Manzardo was set to slip a bit in our upcoming Top 100 update after a rough (by his standards) start to his time at Triple-A Durham, but don’t look too much into his slash line with the Bulls. The first baseman still had a 48.3 percent hard-hit rate at Triple-A — better than anyone on Cleveland’s current MLB roster — and his 111.9 mph max exit velocity rivaled José Ramírez’s 111.6 from this season. He also doesn’t whiff much with an above-average 8.7 swinging-strike rate. A shoulder injury has held him out since July 6, but when healthy, he won’t be far off helping Cleveland’s lineup.
4. Edgar Quero, C, White Sox (No. 2)
Acquired from the Angels in the Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez trade
Teetering on the edge of a full rebuild, the White Sox moved free-agents-to-be Giolito and Lopez and did well to pick up a Top 100 talent in Quero. The 20-year-old backstop was pushed aggressively from Single-A to Double-A for his age-20 season and showed a good approach with Rocket City, walking more times (55) than he struck out (53) while posting a .386 OBP in 70 games before the trade. He slugged just .332 in that span, calling into question his power one year after he slugged 17 homers in the hitter-friendly California League, and he figures to slide a bit in the next updated Top 100 because of it. Quero is also a work-in-progress behind the plate, but given his league-relative age and upper-level experience, he brings some promising discipline-driven ceiling to the South Side.
5. Jake Eder, LHP, White Sox (No. 4)
Acquired from the Marlins in the Jake Burger deal
Eder was a one-time Top 100 prospect who dropped off the list after undergoing Tommy John surgery that forced him out for the 2022 season. He missed more time with a fractured foot this spring but has looked fully returned to form of late at Double-A with 36 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings over his last five starts. His fastball and slider each receive plus grades, and his control is slowly improving as he regains health. The 24-year-old southpaw should be a rotation option on the South Side by next summer.
6. Ryan Clifford, OF/1B, Mets (No. 6)
Acquired from the Astros in the Justin Verlander deal
You know a trade involving Verlander had to hurt his acquiring team somewhat. With Gilbert out, Clifford would have slotted into the top Astros spot at rerank. Except he’s wearing a different version of blue and orange now too. The 2022 11th-rounder already shows above-average power as a 20-year-old, and he’s reached base at a good clip at two A-ball levels. He has some first-base experience and may land there due to below-average speed, but it’s the bat the Mets bought with more power likely to come.
7. Nick Nastrini, RHP, White Sox (No. 5)
Acquired from the Dodgers in the Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly trade
The Double-A Tulsa rotation was arguably the most feared in Minor League Baseball this season, and Nastrini played a role with a deep four-pitch mix, highlighted by a mid-90s fastball with great carry. His curveball, slider and changeup also receive above-average grades with some control issues (37 walks in 73 2/3 innings) standing in the way of his own spot in the Top 100. He partners with Eder to give the White Sox a formidable pitching pair in the upper Minors.
8. Marco Vargas, INF, Mets (No. 9)
Acquired from the Marlins in the David Robertson trade
If you want to bandwagon a prospect before they hit the big time, consider following where Vargas goes from here. The Mexico native has enjoyed a meteoric rise in Minor League Baseball, thanks to a stellar approach that features mature swing decisions. Just 18, Vargas has a .460 on-base percentage in the Florida Complex League this summer and has almost twice as many walks (40) as strikeouts (22) through 36 games. He might be a second baseman long-term and will need to be tested against better arms, but his already-present helium could carry him quickly toward Queens.
9. Hao-Yu Lee, 2B, Tigers (No. 6)
Acquired from the Phillies in the Michael Lorenzen trade
If it’s hit tools you’re into, Lee brings a pretty impressive one to the Detroit system. The 20-year-old Taiwan native is a career .285 hitter in the Minors, and he doesn’t strike out a ton by modern standards with an 18.6 percent K rate this season in High-A. Those bat-to-ball skills have translated smoothly to each level he’s played, and there’s a chance for something close to average power by the time he matures. He offers Detroit another promising infield talent alongside Colt Keith, Jace Jung and Justyn-Henry Malloy.
10. Tekoah Roby, RHP, Cardinals (No. 4)
Acquired from the Rangers in the Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton trade
When Roby is actually on the mound, he can downright befuddle hitters with four above-average pitches in his fastball, slider, curveball and change — each of which plays in different parts of the zone. He limits his free passes too with a 6.2 percent walk rate, 10th-best in the Texas League among pitchers with at least 40 innings. That first distinction is an important one though. Roby was shut down with a sprained elbow in 2021 and hasn’t pitched since June 3 this season due to a shoulder injury. If the Cardinals get and keep him healthy, they have a future starter.
11. Ky Bush, LHP, White Sox (No. 7)
Acquired from the Angels in the Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez trade
12. Sem Robberse, RHP, Cardinals (No. 6)
Acquired from the Rangers in the Jordan Hicks trade
13. Thomas Saggese, INF, Cardinals (No. 8)
Acquired from the Rangers in the Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton trade
14. Dominic Canzone, OF/1B, Mariners (No. 13)
Acquired from the D-backs in the Paul Sewald trade
15. Justin Jarvis, RHP, Mets (No. 15)
Acquired from the Brewers in the Mark Canha trade
16. Ryan Bliss, SS/2B, Mariners (No. 14)
Acquired from the D-backs in the Paul Sewald trade
17. César Prieto, INF, Cardinals (No. 9)
Acquired from the Orioles in the Jack Flaherty trade
18. Bradley Blalock, RHP, Brewers (No. 15)
Acquired from the Red Sox in the Luis Urías trade
19. Kahlil Watson, SS/2B, Guardians (No. 15)
Acquired from the Marlins in the Josh Bell trade
20. Jackson Wolf, LHP, Pirates (No. 17)
Acquired from the Padres in the Rich Hill, Ji Man Choi trade
21. Henry Williams, RHP, Royals (No. 9)
Acquired from the Padres in the Scott Barlow trade
22. Korey Lee, C, White Sox (No. 14)
Acquired from the Astros in the Kendall Graveman trade
23. Ronald Hernandez, C, Mets (No. 21)
Acquired from the Marlins in the David Robertson trade
24. Kevin Made, SS, Nationals (No. 16)
Acquired from the Cubs in the Jeimer Candelario trade
25. Jeremiah Jackson, INF/OF, Mets (No. 22)
Acquired from the Angels in the Dominic Leone trade
26. DJ Herz, LHP, Nationals (No. 17)
Acquired from the Cubs in the Jeimer Candelario trade
27. Jake Madden, RHP, Rockies (No. 20)
Acquired from the Angels in the C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk trade
28. Eddys Leonard, SS, Tigers (No. 22)
Acquired from the Dodgers for cash
29. Adam Kloffenstein, RHP, Cardinals (No. 22)
Acquired from the Blue Jays in the Jordan Hicks trade
30. Zack Showalter, RHP, Cardinals (No. 23)
Acquired from the Orioles in the Jack Flaherty trade
31. Sean Reynolds, RHP, Padres (No. 24)
Acquired from the Marlins in the Ryan Weathers trade
32. Devin Mann, INF, Royals (No. 26)
Acquired from the Royals in the Ryan Yarbrough trade
33. Mason Albright, LHP, Rockies (No. 21)
Acquired from the Angels in the C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk trade
34. Drew Rom, LHP, Cardinals (No. 26)
Acquired from the Orioles in the Jack Flaherty trade
35. Joe Boyle, RHP, Athletics (No. 22)
Acquired from the Reds in the Sam Moll trade
36. Jordan Leasure, RHP, White Sox (No. 26)
Acquired from the Dodgers in the Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly trade
37. Victor Vodnik, RHP, Rockies (No. 22)
Acquired from the Braves in the Pierce Johnson trade
38. Juan Carela, RHP, White Sox (NR)
Acquired from the Yankees in the Keynan Middleton trade
39. Nick Robertson, RHP, Red Sox (No. 30)
Acquired from the Dodgers in the Enrique Hernández trade
40. Tanner Gordon, RHP, Rockies (NR)
Acquired from the Braves in the Pierce Johnson trade