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Hitting Prospects To Target at the MLB Trade Deadline

By Richard Haake
Second Base Prospect Rankings Connor Norby

The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching and many prospects will be on the move before the next week is done. Though it is impossible to know which prospects will be moved, we can make an educated guess on prospects to target in your dynasty leagues before the trade deadline. In this article, I will highlight the top-performing hitting prospects who could be targets in 10-20 team dynasty leagues with close ETAs to the major leagues.

More great fantasy baseball advice and analysis: Waiver Wire & FAAB Recommendations | Daily MLB Injury Report | MLB DFS Picks | Line-up Analysis | Dynasty Rankings and Strategy | MLB Bullpen Updates | MLB Player Props | Prospect Rankings & Analysis | Fantasy Baseball Risers and Fallers

Hitting Prospects To Target

Ronny Mauricio, SS NYM

Current Level- AAA (87 GP, .297/.344/.508, 16 HR, 56 RBI, 15 SB) 

The New York Mets have been working with Ronny Mauricio in Triple-A Syracuse on expanding his positional flexibility. This is great news for dynasty managers looking for a potential prospect with three-position eligibility. Mauricio has continued to make gains this year, starting in the Dominican winter league where the 22-year-old shortstop won MVP honors.

Mauricio has played the entire regular season in Syracuse and is currently slashing .297/.344/.508 with 16 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases in 87 games played. Something that has stood out this season has been the drop in the strikeouts for Ronny Mauricio as he currently has a 17.1% strikeout rate.

I would suspect we will see Ronny Mauricio up with the Mets after the trade deadline as most of the older players on the team have been openly put on the block. This will potentially open up a spot for top prospects like Mauricio and Mark Vientos to thrive with playing time.

Heston Kjerstad, OF BAL

Current Level-AAA (80 GP, .322/.396/.573, 16 HR, 39 RBI, 4 SB)

Big names have already been added to one of MLB’s most interesting franchises this season. Heston Kjerstad has done everything he can to push the Orioles’ hand and call him up this season. Kjerstad started the season in Double-A Bowie, where in 46 games, the 24-year-old slugger hit .310/.383/.576 with 11 home runs, 23 RBIs, and three stolen bases.

With an excellent eye at the plate, Kjerstad managed to walk 7.3% of the time while only striking out 15%. The promotion to Norfolk did not slow Kjersad down as he has already mirrored his numbers almost completely. In 34 games, Kjerstad is hitting .338/.413/.569 with five home runs, 28 runs, 16 RBIs, and one stolen base.

There is little left for Kjerstad to prove in Norfolk and the Orioles have played him in the outfield as well as first base this season, making him versatile, not only the major league club but dynasty managers alike.

Noelvi Marte, SS CIN

Current Level-AAA (71 GP, .289/.357/.466, 9 HR, 36 RBI, 13 SB)

Fans in Cincinnati have to be happy with the big-name prospects coming up and producing on the game’s biggest stage. The young core players are going to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. The next one to join them might be Noelvi Marte, the 21-year-old shortstop who has crushed the ball in Double-A and Triple-A. In 50 games with the Chattanooga Lookouts Marte slashed .281/.356/.464 after a rough start to the season and earning a promotion to Triple-A Louisville in July.

Since the promotion, Marte has just kept hitting slashing .319/.366/.500 with one home run, 11 RBIs, and three stolen bases in 18 games played. Marte has been solid at the plate and the 19.5% strikeout rate and 8.5% walk rate in Louisville confirm how advanced this young bat truly is.

In my opinion, there is a chance we could see Marte in a Reds uniform before the season is over, making him a must-target in leagues where you have missed out on the Reds prospects already in the majors.

Ceddanne Rafaela, OF BOS

Current Level- AAA (79 GP, .297/.337/.492, 12 HR, 55 RBI, 31 SB)

Boston has done a great job developing their prospects in the minor leagues. With big names like Marcelo Mayer and Nick Yorke, you can’t ignore the fantastic season Ceddanne Rafaela is having in Triple-A Worcester. Before the promotion to Worcester Rafaela tore up Double-A Portland. In 60 games, Rafaela was slashing .294/.332/.441 with six home runs, 40 runs, 37 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases. Walks have never really been a big part of Rafaela’s game but the 20.7% strikeout rate was great to see. Since the promotion to Triple-A, Rafaela has picked up where he left off, crushing six home runs in 19 games while slashing .305/.352/.646.

With the Red Sox moving Hernandez to the Dodgers, there might be some openings coming after the trade deadline. Ceddane Rafaela is profiling as an impact bat that could produce 20-plus home runs and 30-plus stolen bases while roaming around Fenway’s vast center field.

Curtis Mead, 3B TBR

Current Level-AAA (39 GP, .301/.365/.481, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 2 SB)

This season might not have gone the way the Rays or Curtis Mead wanted it to go. Make no mistake the bat has been solid in Triple-A Durham this season but the lack of counting stats and power has been a bit concerning.

Let me be clear, Mead has never been a power bat or a threat on the base paths but three home runs in 39 games played has been a bit light. Mead has still shown excellent plate discipline, walking 10.1% of the time while only striking out 14.6%. The Rays are currently in a playoff push battling the Baltimore Orioles and trying to keep the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Red Sox at bay. This makes Mead an interesting prospect to watch leading up to the trade deadline and a solid target before the dynasty trade deadline.

Yonathan Perlaza, OF CHC

Current Level-AAA (74 GP, .294/.396/.545, 13 HR, 51 RBI, 10 SB) 

Full disclosure; before this article, I haven’t looked very deeply into Yonathan Perlaza’s numbers but there might be something here that could help the Cubs and dynasty managers alike. Perlaza has played the entire season at Triple-A Iowa where he has slashed .294/.396/.545 with 13 home runs, 62 runs, 51 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 74 games.

When you look at Perlaza’s numbers from Double-A in 2022 and his numbers this season they are steady and sustainable gains. For example, Perlaza has had a 13% walk rate and at least a 22% strikeout rate for two years straight while showing solid power with 23 home runs in ’22 and 13 so far this season.

With the big prospect names with the Cubs, this could be a sneaky call-up name post-trade deadline or an intriguing trade piece at the deadline.

Connor Norby, 2B BAL

Current Level-AAA (90 GP, .285/.347/.462, 13 HR, 62 RBI, 6 SB) 

Baltimore has already called up some big names this season in Grayson Rodriguez, Jordan Westburg, and Colton Cowser, which begs the question “Can Connor Norby please be next?”

In my opinion, Norby’s solid season has gone largely unnoticed in a way as the big prospects mentioned above have overshadowed Norby’s production.

In 90 games with the Norfolk Tides, Norby is slashing .285/.347/.462 with 13 home runs, 62 RBIs, and six stolen bases. The solid plate discipline has continued for the former ECU Pirate as he is only striking out 23.1% of the time and walking at 8% in 412 plate appearances.

There looks to be very little that Norby still needs to prove in Triple-A and with the Orioles currently leading the AL East you never know when the call for reinforcements will come.

Justyn-Henry Malloy, 3B/OF DET

Current Level-AAA (85 GP, .277/.399/.468, 15 HR, 53 RBI, 3 SB)

There is so much excitement among Tigers fans for Colt Keith (who could have been in this article) and Justyn-Henry Malloy to make their debuts this season or in early 2024.

Malloy has done everything he needs to get that opportunity this season as he has been solid at the plate, walking 15.7% while only striking out 24.9% at age 23 in Triple-A Toldeo. He is currently slashing .277/.399/.468 with 15 home runs, 53 RBIs, and three stolen bases in 85 games with the Mud Hens.

With Malloy’s solid season numbers, he is heating up in the dog days of summer, slashing .324/.444/.541 in 10 games played in July. Keep Justyn-Henry Malloy on your dynasty radars as the trade deadline comes up as he could be getting a call to the majors in short order.

Coby Mayo, 3B BAL

Current Level-AAA (88 GP, .303/.412/.598, 19 HR, 59 RBI, 4 SB)

This might be a bit of a reach for a call-up this season but stranger things have happened. Mayo has brought back the magic we saw at the beginning of 2022 while at High-A Aberdeen.

The big power bat has been on full display this season as we saw Mayo crack 17 home runs in Double-A Bowie. Mayo brought down the strikeout rate in Bowie to 24.8% while increasing his plate discipline to walk at 14.7%.

So far in only 10 games in Triple-A Norfolk, the 21-year-old Mayo is slashing .278/.317/.556 with two home runs, and 15 RBIs. While writing this article, Gunner Henderson was pulled from his game due to lower back stiffness. It only takes one injury to get an opportunity and for Mayo, he might have done enough to be considered.

Ryan Bliss, SS ARI

Current Level-AAA (76 GP, .336/.395/.551, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 33 SB)

Check out former Auburn shortstop Ryan Bliss! This guy has been on fire all season long and several times he has been on my target articles.

In 68 games in Double-A Amarillo, Bliss slashed .358/.414/.594 with 12 home runs, 67 runs scored, 47 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases in 38 attempts.

The Diamondbacks promoted Bliss to Triple-A Reno where he has struggled a bit. In the small sample size of eight games, Bliss has a .147/.237/.176 slash with three stolen bases. I’m not worried about Bliss as he should be able to turn his fortunes around and make that final push for a call-up with the Diamondbacks.

Aaron Schunk, 3B COL

Current Level-AAA (71 GP, .318/.368/.532, 12 HR, 55 RBI, 6 SB)

The Rockies have called up Michael Toglia and Nolan Jones this season with the latter helping them in a big way. Could Aaron Schunk be next? The trade deadline always seems to open up opportunities for top prospects to get work in once a superstar moves or, if the prospect is traded, the new club might have an immediate need for him.

Aaron Schunk has put together a quietly solid season and should be taken seriously. In 71 games at Triple-A Albuquerque, Schunk is slashing .318/.368/.532 with 12 home runs 55 RBIs, and six stolen bases. The strikeout rate has been solid at 24.4% and the walk rate of 7.8% is exactly what Schunk has done his entire minor league career.

Schunk might not be a future all-star for the Rockies but he could be a solid 20-plus homerun bat near the middle of the order that can grind at-bats and hit for a decent average. This is definitely, a prospect to keep on your radar in the second half.

Zach DeLoach, OF SEA

Current Level-AAA (85 GP, .291/.398/.452, 11 HR, 51 RBI, 4 SB)

One of, if not the hottest bats in the Seattle Mariners system this season, has got to be outfield prospect  Zach DeLoach.

The left-handed Deloach has dominated Triple-A Tacoma this season, slashing .291/.398/.452 with 11 HR, 51 RBIs, and four stolen bases in 85 games.

At no point this season has DeLoach struggled with the bat. The month of June was far and away his best as DeLoach slashed .291/.419/.547 with six home runs, 14 RBIs, and one stolen base in 23 games. The 24-year-old DeLoach has had a 13.5% walk rate with a 27.9% strikeout rate in 384 plate appearances. With Jarred Kelenic kicking water coolers (why?) there could be a need for him after the trade deadline and he could be intriguing for dynasty managers.

 

Tyler Fitzgerald, SS SFG

Current Level-AAA (77 GP, .294/.359/.513, 14 HR, 48 RBI, 21 SB)

With the most recent call-up of top prospect Marco Luciano, the question for the Giants is who is the next call-up?

In my opinion, Tyler Fitzgerald should be in consideration. The 25-year-old Fitzgerald is currently in Triple-A Sacramento, slashing .285/.345/.492 in AAA with 12 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in 58 games.

His strikeout rate has been a manageable 24.5% while the walk percentage is solid at 8.2%. If allowed to start at shortstop or second base you can easily dream on a 20 home run, 20-plus stolen base threat with solid bat-to-ball skills. Tyler Fitzgerald is rostered in only 1% of Fantrax dynasty leagues so go scoop him up as a cheap speculative add.

Darell Hernaiz, SS OAK

Current Level- AAA (81 GP, .331/.388/.476, 6 HR, 51 RBI, 7 SB)

One of the hottest bats in the Oakland system this season has been Darell Hernaiz. The 21-year-old has impressed, slashing .338/.393/.486 with five stolen bases, 43 runs, 43 RBIs, and seven stolen bases in 71 games played at Double-A.

These solid numbers encouraged the Athletics to promote him to Triple-A Las Vegas where he has continued to hit for a high average. Hernaiz is slashing .282/.349/.410 with one home run, and eight RBIs in just 10 games. The only surprise has been the lack of speed as this has been a calling card for Hernaiz while in the Baltimore Orioles system. Regardless this could be a solid trade target at the trade deadline as the Athletics continue to call up prospects performing to help the big league club.

 

Dustin Harris, 1B/OF TEX

Current Level-AAA (83 GP, .251/.390/.419, 7 HR, 36 RBI, 31 SB)

The future looks bright for the Texas Rangers as player development has stepped it up over the last few seasons.

Dustin Harris has continued to be a solid fixture in the top 30 rankings of the Rangers system and for good reason. Now at Triple-A Round Rock, Harris has caught fire in his first 23 games. Harris is slashing .270/438/.459 with two home runs, 13 runs scored, 7 RBIs, and seven stolen bases in only 96 plate appearances.

Showing an advanced eye at the plate seems to be a specialty of Harris who has a 20% strikeout rate with an 18.8% walk rate. Long-term, Harris profiles as a 20+ home run bat with 25+ stolen base potential as a first baseman or corner outfielder.

 

Justin Foscue, 2B TEX

Current Level-AAA (75 GP, .268/.387/.472, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 7 SB)

One of the more well-rounded prospects in the Rangers organization right now is second-base prospect Justin Foscue.

Foscue has honed his eye at the plate, striking out 12% of the time while increasing his walk percentage to 14.1%. Don’t let the .268 average deter you from targeting Foscue, as he has struggled in July, hitting just .222, but that came off a blistering June where he slashed .317/.440/.585 in 11 games. The Corey Seager thumb injury or a potential future injury to Semien could open the door for Foscue to make his major league debut.

 

Lawrence Butler, 1B/OF OAK

Current Level-AAA (77 GP, .290/.356/.481, 13 HR, 59 RBI, 19 SB)

In back-to-back seasons Lawrence Butler has made massive improvements, all of which might be propelling him to a late-season call-up.

Recently promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas, Butler has impressed in 10 games with the Aviators, slashing .325/.386/.600 with three home runs, 12 RBIs, and six stolen bases in just 44 plate appearances.

In addition to the big stats, Butler has impressed me with his low 17.4% strikeout rate and 9.25% walk rate across AA and AAA this season. The long-term projection for Butler is as a 20/20 bat with solid OBP coming from the outfield or as a first baseman helping a struggling Athletics club.

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