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Deep League Prospects To Target At The Trade Deadline

By Richard Haake
Deep League fantasy baseball breakout prospects

The trade deadline is one of my favorite times of the baseball season. With the major league players being shipped off to contenders for prospects or the ever-ominous “player to be named later,” there is always something popping up on my Twitter feed.

Most of you know or have determined that I enjoy deeper dynasty formats, primarily 30-team dynasty leagues. In these types of leagues, knowing what prospects are available on the waiver wire or those players that could be the final piece of a “close” deal. In this article, I’m going to share some deep league prospects to target as throw-ins to get your deals over the hump prior to the trade deadline.

Intriguing Hitting Prospects To Target

Chris Newell, OF LAD

(73 GP, .276/.385/.564, 20 HR, 56 RBI, 15 SB)

Taken in the 13th round of the 2022 MLB draft out of the University of Virginia, Chris Newell is only 3% rostered in Fantrax leagues. This means he could be on your waiver wire right now which is crazy to me. This season Newell started in Low-A Rancho Cucamonga where he slashed .312/.426/.662 with 14 home runs, 41 runs, 38 RBIs, and seven stolen bases in 41 games played. With an excellent 17% walk percentage and a propensity to get drive the ball to the gaps and rack up extra-base hits, Newell was promoted to High-A Great Lakes.

Since the promotion to High-A, Newell has continued to hit the ball hard slugging six home runs, five doubles, and one triple in 32 games played. The speed has remained strong for Newell as he has swiped eight bags so far and has managed to keep his walk percentage high at 12.9%. The average has dipped a bit from what it was in Low-A. Currently, Newell is slashing .231/.331/.438 though I should say his average was coming around prior to the All-Star break. The only concern I have, in addition to the low average, has been the strikeouts. Back in Low-A Newell had a 27.7% strikeout rate and it has jumped after the promotion to 31.7%.

Regardless this is a prospect I like taking a chance on as he is on track for a 30+ home run, and 30 stolen base seasons in an organization that develops prospects very well.

Anthony Hall, OF NYY

(52 GP, .271/.387/.452, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 3 SB)

The New York Yankees snagged Anthony Hall in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB draft out of the University of Oregon. Hall missed time to start the season because of wrist surgery he had back in January which delayed him till the end of April. Once the calendar flipped to May, Hall got to work, slashing .338/.477/.471 with one home run, 18 runs, 9 RBIs, and one stolen base in 20 games played. The power started to show in June as the left-hander slugged six home runs, three doubles, and one triple while slashing .284/.373/.545 in 21 games played.

During his time so far with the Low-A Tampa Tarpons, Hall has managed to walk 14.7% of the time while only striking out 23.1%. There is reason to believe that Hall will provide more power as he is hitting the ball in the air and with authority. The 29% line drive rate and 22.2% home run-to-fly ball rate have been solid. Right now Anthony Hall is only 1% owned in Fantrax dynasty leagues making him a solid add off the waiver wire in most leagues.

Jud Fabian, OF BAL

(75 GP, .247/.356/.458, 13 HR, 50 RBI, 23 SB)

One of the “under the radar” Orioles prospects right now in my opinion has to be Jud Fabian. This season in High-A Aberdeen, Fabian slashed .281/.392/.490 with nine home runs, 43 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases in 56 games played. Throughout his time with the Iron Birds Fabian had a 15.6% walk percentage while only striking out 25.7% in 237 plate appearances. The former Florida Gator was hitting the ball hard, smacking 13 doubles, and had a 24.1% line drive rate. Now since the call-up to Double-A Bowie, Fabian has come back down to earth, slashing just .165/.258/.380 in 19 games, but the .220 BABIP indicates he might be due for a bounce-back soon. Regardless of the low batting average, Fabian is still hitting the ball hard as he has four home runs, three doubles, and a triple in 89 plate appearances in Bowie.

It seems that Fabian is still hitting the ball in the air but the line drive rate dropped to 11.4% while the fly ball rate skyrocketed up to 52.3%. This is a strong target in deeper dynasty leagues as the Orioles have started to show success in developing prospects and Fabian seems to be on a fast track up through the system. Currently, Jud Fabian is only 13% rostered in Fantrax Dynasty leagues and would be a solid trade target near the trade deadline that won’t cost a ton.

Abimelec Ortiz, 1B TEX

(64 GP, .330/.402/.670, 19 HR, 59 RBI)

If you are looking to bolster your farm system with a big potential power bat, make sure you check out Abimelec Ortiz with the Texas Rangers. Standing at 6’ and 230 pounds Abimelec Ortiz looks like the power-hitting prospect he is. In his time with the Down East Wood Ducks, Ortiz slashed .307/.392/.604 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs in 29 games. Ortiz had a 13.2% walk percentage while striking out at a high 29.8%.

The Rangers promoted Ortiz to High-A Hickory where he seemed to get even better. In 35 games with the Crawdads, Ortiz is slashing .349/.409/.721 with 12 home runs, 29 runs, and 39 RBIs. Ortiz has brought down the strikeout rate to a manageable 24.8% while maintaining a solid 10.1% walk percentage. The success in Hickory is buoyed by a 23.2% line drive rate, 46.3% fly ball rate, and a solid 27.3% home run to fly ball rate, indicating that Ortiz is keeping the ball up and hitting the ball hard. At only 9% rostered, Abimelec Ortiz is a solid target leading up to the trade deadline that could pay dividends in short order.

Carlos De La Cruz, OF PHI

(79 GP, .287/.361/.503, 17 HR, 45 RBI, 2 SB)

Every year there are prospects that pop up on everyone’s radar and becomes a top-100 prospect and the price goes through the roof. This could be one of those prospects that is a household name by the end of the season so take advantage now! Carlos De La Cruz has been consistently crushing the ball all season long at Double-A Reading. In 79 games, he is slashing .287/.361/.503 with 17 home runs, 55 runs scored, 45 RBIs, and two stolen bases. De La Cruz has shown solid plate discipline walking eight percent while only striking out 25.6% of the time. I have read scouting reports that believe Carlos De La Cruz could develop into 70-grade power, projecting him out as a 30-plus home run bat annually.

If the swing adjustments made at the end of the 2022 season continue going forward we could see De La Cruz making his debut sometime in 2024. At only 4% Rostered in Fantrax dynasty leagues Carlos De La Cruz could be just sitting on your waiver wire, making this a no-cost all-reward pick-up now!

Ryan Bliss, SS ARI

(70 GP, .354/.410/.586, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 33 SB)

Drafted in the second round of the 2021 MLB draft out of the University of Auburn, Ryan Bliss has made his presence known in 2023. The speedy shortstop with quick hands has been one of the best-kept secrets in the Diamondbacks system. In 68 games at Double-A, Bliss has slashed .358/.414/.594 with 12 home runs, 67 runs, 47 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases in 38 attempts. Bliss has shown solid plate discipline and pitch recognition, walking 7.4% while only striking out 17% across 324 plate appearances.

The Diamondbacks have promoted Bliss to Triple-A where he has only played two games as of this writing, so we shall see how he continues to develop. There is no denying the massive impact he had in the first half and with numbers like this he could force the Diamondbacks to call him up if the need arises. Currently, Bliss is only 10% rostered in Fantrax dynasty leagues and he might cost a bit in a trade but with the power and speed mixed with an elite hit tool Bliss might be worth paying up for to bolster your farm system.

Potential Pitching Prospects To Grab

Chase Petty, RHP CIN

(9 GS, 35.1 IP, 39 K, 1.53 ERA)

Cincinnati player development has taken massive leaps forward over the last three seasons, producing arms like Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott, not to mention all the bats leading the Reds’ offense.

Now Chase Petty is rising up as a solid arm, making the future a little bit brighter. Chase Petty has played the entire season in High-A where he has a 9.93 K/9 across 35.1 innings and nine starts. Petty has shown solid command and control limiting the walks to 2.29 per nine. Keeping the ball on the ground has benefited Petty significantly to this point as he has a 55.2% ground ball rate. What has impressed me the most is that Petty has yet to allow a home run this season.

In fact, Petty has only allowed seven home runs across 138.2 innings in his professional career. In Fantrax dynasty leagues Chase Petty is 19% rostered and can be a solid prospect to target in a larger trade.

Josh Stephan, RHP TEX

(13 GP, 12 GS, 66.2 IP, 78K, 2.30 ERA)

One of my favorite pitchers to watch this season has got to be Josh Stephan with the Texas Rangers. Stephan has been fantastic in High-A Hickory, striking out 73 batters in 62.1 innings (10.54 K/9) with a .175 AVG and a 2.17 ERA in 11 starts. With a plus slider that has sweeping motion, Stephan racks up strikeouts and locates his fastball and change-up well. After the fantastic first half of the season, the Rangers promoted Josh Stephan to Double-A right before the All-Star break.

Currently, Josh Stephan is in Double-A Frisco where he has only made one start with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. Stephan profiles as a solid SP 3 for dynasty purposes and has been a great addition to trades as a throw-in prospect to get the deal done. Josh Stephan is currently 4% rostered in Fantrax dynasty leagues.

Cory Lewis, RHP MIN

(14 GS, 63 IP, 81 K, 2.29 ERA)

Selected in the 9th round of the 2022 MLB draft by the Twins out of UC Santa Barbara, Cory Lewis has been nothing but fantastic this season. The 22-year-old right-hander started the season in Low-A where he struck out 55 batters in 39.1 innings with a .177 AVG and a 2.75 ERA in nine starts. Lewis dominated batters with a true four-pitch mix in a four-seam fastball, slider, change-up, and splitter. After dominating Low-A the Twins promoted Lewis to High-A Cedar Rapids.

Once in High-A, Lewis picked up where he left off, striking out 26 batters in 23.2 innings (9.89 K/9) with a .198 AVG Against and a 1.52 ERA across five starts. At 6’5” and 220 pounds, Lewis profiles as a starter long-term if he is able to continue striking batters out a batter per inning. Right now he is only rostered in 3% of Fantrax leagues.

Isaac Coffey, RHP BOS

(15 GS, 78.2 IP, 106 K, 3.09 ERA)

Boston might have struck gold by grabbing senior starting pitcher Isaac Coffey out of Oral Roberts in the 10th round of the 2022 MLB draft. In Coffey’s first full professional season, the Red Sox started him out in High-A Greenville. In his 11 starts with the Drive, Coffey struck out 83 batters in 60.1 innings pitched (12.38 K/9) with a .222 AVG and a 2.83 ERA. With numbers like that it was no surprise to see him promoted to Double-A Portland.

In Coffey’s four starts with the Sea Dogs, he has 23 strikeouts in 18.1 innings pitched (11.29 K/9) with a .236 AVG Against and a 3.93 ERA. I got a chance to watch a couple of starts for Coffey and left impressed with how he attacked hitters and induced weak contact when they did get the bat on the ball. If Isaac Coffey interests you he is currently 2% rostered in Fantrax leagues making him a player that can easily be stashed at little to no cost.

Tyler Stuart, RHP NYM

(15 GS, 81.2 IP, 89 K, 1.54 ERA)

Anyone who has followed my work this season has seen me highlight Mike Vasil and Dominic Hamel as two pitchers to target in the Mets organization. Now I want to bring to your attention Tyler Stuart. Standing at an intimidating 6’9” and 250 pounds Stuart is a giant on the mound and he dominates the batters he faces. While in High-A Brooklyn, Stuart struck out 84 batters in 75.2 innings pitched (9.99 K/9) with a .203 AVG Against and a 1.55 ERA across 14 starts.

Tyler Stuart is successful thanks in large part to the plus fastball that sits in the mid 90s with a sharp slider and a change-up that has solid fade. After a solid performance in Brooklyn, the Mets promoted Stuart to Double-A Binghampton. Stuart has only made one start so far in Double-A, striking out five batters in six innings pitch with a 1.50 ERA. You can find Tyler Stuart on most waiver wires as he is currently rostered in only 2% of Fantrax leagues.

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