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MLB Trade Deadline: Buyers’ Untouchable Prospects

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws the ball in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws the ball in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct. 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Corey Seager plays for the Glendale Desert Dogs against the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Corey Seager plays for the Glendale Desert Dogs against the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Dodgers

Needs: Starting pitching

Targets: Cole Hamels, David Price, Johnny Cueto

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been frequently mentioned with just about every one of the top available arms on the market as they to supplement a top-heavy pitching staff anchored by Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw. While the team has seen some solid contributions from the likes of Brett Anderson, Mike Bolsinger, and Carlos Frias, the team has been on the look-out for upgrades as they are unsure of how consistent those efforts will be as the season moves into grind time. With Frias on the disabled list with a back issue and Anderson leaving his start on Tuesday with an apparent Achilles injury, Los Angeles may become a bit more urgent in their dealings.

However, they will also remain steadfast against making any rash moves with their top two prospects.

We know the Philadelphia Phillies have already been rebuffed in their attempts to pry either shortstop Corey Seager (#4 overall – MLB.com) or left-hander Julio Urias (#5 – MLB.com) in a return package for Cole Hamels. Neither one of the team’s top two prospects are likely to go anywhere during the trade deadline.

Seager is seen as the team’s shortstop of the future, especially with Jimmy Rollins’ contract up at the end of the season. The 21-year-old has split his time between Double and Triple-A in 2015 and owns a cumulative batting line of .305/.351/.512 with 27 doubles, 13 home runs, and 49 RBI between the two levels. Granted, those results come at two hitter-friendly environments in the Texas and Pacific Coast Leagues respectively, but they also show the signs of a mature hitter ready to make the jump to the next level. While he makes the routine plays at shortstop and could stick there, scouts seem to feel his long-term prognosis is an exceptional third baseman due to his size and lack of first-step quickness. Regardless, his bat will play well at either position.

Urias is perhaps the more coveted of the two. Despite being just 18-years-old, he’s been dominant enough to make the jump to Double-A and held his own, amassing a 3.00 ERA with 46 strike-outs and nine walks across 36 innings of work. However, he’s been out since mid-May after having a benign mass removed from his left eye. The eye issue has yet to impact him as a prospect and the removal of the mass is simply cosmetic, and he’s already on a rehab assignment to work his way back. Urias features three plus pitches in a mid-90’s fastball, a big curve, and a change-up. With that mix, he’s made hitters look foolish to date and given his age, the Dodgers are counting on having him in their rotation as soon as mid-2016 if he can build up his innings.

With those two off the blocks, the Dodgers still have an ample system to deal from, including right-handers Grant Holmes, Jose De Leon, and Chris Anderson, as well as catcher Austin Barnes and outfielders Alex Verdugo and Scott Schleber. Needless to say, they’ll find a seller to work with them on their terms and still make everyone happy.

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