MLB trade rumors: 5 prospects the Tigers should target

1. Brendan Rodgers

The Colorado Rockies should be in full-blown win-now mode for the remainder of the 2017 season. It is impossible to predict whether or not the pitching success stories they have strung together this year will be sustainable for the long haul or merely rookies catching lightning in a bottle. The 2007 Rockies went to the World Series, but the team has made the playoffs only once since.

Brendan Rodgers was the third overall pick in 2015 and has raked in all three of his professional seasons. In 195 games in the minors, the shortstop has batted .311/.361/.527 with 34 home runs and 139 RBI. With just over 200 at-bats under his belt at High-A in 2017, Rodgers is batting .400/.419/.700 with 12 home runs.

Rodgers is the real deal as a hitter. He skipped Low-A entirely and had 50 extra-base hits last year in the Carolina League. When he reaches the majors, Rodgers should still hit for a high average with considerably more power than the average middle infielder. He does have enough overall athleticism to stick as a shortstop, but could be more impactful defensively at second base.

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It will be up to the Rockies to decide if trading Rodgers for J.D. Martinez is worth the high cost. As Carlos Gonzalez continues to struggle in right field, Colorado may be forced to seek a powerful upgrade on the trade market. Martinez would do unspeakable things to the power alleys of Coors Field.