While I don’t believe ‘untouchable’ is a thing, I think a large handful of the game’s best prospects are about as off-limits as it gets this summer.
Jackson Holliday is going nowhere. Junior Caminero is staying put. The Nationals aren’t parting with James Wood, the Tigers aren’t moving Jackson Jobe, and so on.
But there are contending clubs with highly-rated prospects that may very well be on the table if the right significant piece is dangled in front of them this summer.
Brooks Lee, IF — Minnesota Twins
Lee just got his season underway a few weeks ago thanks to a herniated disc suffered in spring training, but he’s off to the races in Triple-A, including four doubles and four homers in 13 games through Friday.
SCOUT: The key for me there is where he plays on the field. We’re watching him play a lot of short, but that’s tough to see, and I’m not sure we’re looking at a corner bat. But he puts bat to ball pretty well, and should make a lot of solid contact, and I think he’ll find the swing from both sides.
Lee isn’t likely to be a headliner for Tarik Skubal or Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but if the Twins go out looking for an impact player Lee can serve as a major part of a trade package.
The Twins’ best prospect, however, is Emmanuel Rodriguez, a 21-year-old who was taking in Double-A Wichita until a sprained thumb put him on the IL early in June.
Coby Mayo, 1B | Heston Kjerstad, 1B/OF — Baltimore Orioles
At some point relatively soon, the Orioles’ first base and corner outfield situation will clear up and that could include trading one or more of Mayo, Kjerstad, or Ryan Mountcastle, and considering the club’s strong postseason situation the former pair seems more likely to go this summer.
Neither are elite prospects, but they’re near-ready hitters with power and a chance to help a club this season and certainly become part of the plan for 2025.
The Orioles’ needs include center field where Cedric Mullins has cratered into an out, and perhaps in the middle of the rotation behind Corbins Burned and Kyle Bradish.
Jack Flaherty and Erick Fedde could fit the need.
SCOUT: Mayo is the better hitter for me. He’s more direct to the ball and the swing is cleaner with easier power. They are both first basemen for me at the end of it all, both will swing and miss, and both will hit 30 homers. Mayo may hit 40 and has a shot to hit .260 with more contact. Neither hitter is immune to the chase big, though, which will make the difference in either direction for them against the pitching up there.
DOYLE’S PRESEASON TOP 100 RANK
| RANK | PLAYER | POS | TEAM | ROLE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Heston Kjerstad | RF/1B | Orioles | 55 |
| 32 | Brooks Lee | SS | Twins | 55 |
| 33 | Coby Mayo | 1B | Orioles | 55 |
| 39 | Spencer Jones | RF | Yankees | 55 |
| 51 | Dalton Rushing | C | Dodgers | 55 |
| 53 | Justin Crawford | CF | Phillies | 55 |
| 56 | Harry Ford | C | Mariners | 55 |
| 90 | Tyler Black | 2B/LF | Brewers | 50 |
Harry Ford, C — Seattle Mariners
Ford has had another solid year at the plate despite a horrendous 5-for-56 starts, and at times has looked like the best player in the Texas League at age 21.
His catching continues to move forward, and though he doesn’t appear ready to handle the job in the majors just yet, he possesses the kind of athleticism and tools that tend to develop well into a player’s mid-20s.
The Mariners need offense and neither Ford, Tyler Locklear nor Cole Young are ready to provide it. The club will have to go out and add via trade. It’s a big summer for Jerry Dipoto in Seattle, and Ford is among the prospects near the top of the organization that figure to move if a considerable bat is the subject of transaction.
SCOUT: If you go in looking to be impressed by the defense with this kid you won’t like what you see, but you’re probably not going to $#1! on it, either. I came in optimistic, having not had Seattle last year, and I think he’s getting there. The footwork is where to start. I’d like to slow-walk him to the majors, though. I think he needs that time (behind the plate), and I’m not sure he makes noise at the plate until ’26, either, which lets me take my time with everything.
Spencer Jones, OF — New York Yankees
Jones hasn’t taken the step forward the org would have preferred, starting the season on the IL and then scuffling to the tune of a .242/.329/.377 slash in 56 games in Double-A at age 23, but the upside remains and he’s flashed the huge raw power.
He’s a solid athlete who can handle right field to above-average levels, but the bat may be a year or two away. Having said that, many clubs trading big pieces in July are punting not just for 2024, but 2025 too, lending a lot of runway for Jones to play a big role in helping the Yankees acquire the final piece of the puzzle next month.
SCOUT: This is going to be Ryan Howard at the plate and Joey Gallo in the field. He’ll hit and hit for power, but you’re going to have to be patient, more than you’d like to be. With that kind of athleticism, though … it tells me a lot about what’s possible with the swing.
Dalton Rushing, C/1B — Los Angeles Dodgers
He may or may not be able to catch regularly, but he looks like another above-average hitter with above-average power, and no one seems to want to give up on his shot to stick behind the plate, a terrific sign for his trade value, among other things.
The Dodgers’ pitching situation isn’t exactly in great shape thanks to injury and Walker Buelher’s slow battle back to form, so one might expect pitching to be on the menu, and Rushing at the top of a trade package could open some doors.
SCOUT: I think they’ll go out of their way to make sure they don’t shoot themselves in the foot with Rushing. I understand they just gave (Will) Smith all that money, but if and when they deal away Rushing it’s probably going to be a pretty big trade. Can they get (Bo) Bichette to play shortstop in return?
Tyler Black, OF — Milwaukee Brewers
Black has spent nine games in the majors with, at best, mixed results, but he’s hit at every stop and should have around average power to go with his ability to get on base and provide defensive value.
Black being big-league ready could go a long way if the Brewers look to add a proven veteran to their rotation, such as Fedde, who is controlled through 2025 and not a two-month rental, the variety of which Milwaukee isn’t likely to be too keen on in return for six-plus seasons of Black.
SCOUT: Yeah, he doesn’t throw well so first base is a possibility, but let him be a left fielder who covers a lot of ground and hits .280 with a big box of walks and maybe 15 homers.
Justin Crawford, OF — Philadelphia Phillies
I considered Phillies top prospect Aidan Miller here, but for two reasons stayed away. One, he just reached High-A and turned 20 earlier this month, suggesting his abilities may not be fully recognized in the form of trade value at this stage of his career. Two, the Phillies aren’t necessarily in a spot where Miller is required in any reasonable trade scenario.
Crawford, 20, is a 70-grade runner with plus centerfield defense, and he’s hitting for average in High-A. There’s projectable power on the way, perhaps more based on bat speed, and he’s a weapon on the bases. He’s probably a late 2025 arrival, possibly 2026, but he’s performed each step of the way since Philadelphia selected him with the No. 17 overall pick in 2022.
Considering what appears to be the Phillies’ greatest areas of need. Crawford should be plenty good enough to headline such a deal, and I’m not entirely convinced they’ll need to include him to accomplish their deadline goals.
SCOUT: It’s at least 7 speed with 6 defense but he’s what, 20 years old, and handling things in High-A? Let him develop some more before you trade him away. He could be your next CF and leadoff hitter.
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