Fansided

10 best prospects moved at the MLB Trade Deadline

By Nathaniel Reeves

Aug 2, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Daniel Norris (44) pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Daniel Norris (44) pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 4, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Finnegan (27) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. The Twins won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 4, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Finnegan (27) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. The Twins won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Finnegan, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

While Finnegan has less upside than many other prospects moved at the deadline, he gets a boost for already showing he can succeed at the major-league level.

Many will remember Finnegan for accomplishing the seemingly impossible feat of pitching in the College World Series and MLB World Series in the same year. After blasting through the minors in 2014, Finnegan pitched a number of high-stress innings for the Royals, including 2.1 innings of one-run ball in the crazy AL Wild Card Game.

Finnegan has been shuttled between Triple-A and the Majors this season, posting a respectable 2.96 ERA with a strikeout rate of 21.2 percent with Kansas City per FanGraphs. As Finnegan is just barely a year removed from being drafted, it seems like he should be able to have a very good career his a reliever.

Now the question is if Finnegan can hang in the majors as a starter. The Reds are going to answer that over the next year and are currently stretching Finnegan out in Triple-A.

Finnegan has a nice fastball that can touch the high-90s plus a very good slider, which should be enough to succeed as a reliever. Developing a third pitch, right now a changeup for Finnegan, will be key. In addition, Finnegan must improve his command after posting a walk rate of 13.1 percent with the Royals this season.

Whether the Reds got a mid-rotation starter or effective reliever to compliment Aroldis Chapman, Finnegan is ready to contribute at the major-league level.

Next: Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Colorado Rockies

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