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MLB trade rumors: Top 25 trade assets for deadline

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 24, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) smiles while on deck during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) smiles while on deck during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 22, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black (10) in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black (10) in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Brendan Rodgers

The Colorado Rockies are the undisputed kings of drafting and developing young hitters. You can give more of the credit to Coors Field if you want to, but there is no denying the long line of homegrown talent in Colorado that comes up and immediately hits .300 in the big leagues. Pitching has been a whole other can of worms for the front office in Denver, but as long as they keep popping out hitters from the minor leagues, the Rockies have a chance to be competitive.

One of the reasons the Rockies have done so well at grooming hitters is their willingness to always take the best available athlete with their first-round picks. That was the case with Brendan Rodgers in 2015. Colorado plucked him third overall out of high school and gave him $5.5 million to sign, which was a franchise record.

Rodgers does not necessarily profile as a shortstop whenever he reaches the big leagues and sticks. He has also played second and third base in the minor leagues. Regardless of where he plays in the field, Rodgers has an elite talent with the bat. He just earned a promotion to Double-A after batting .400 in 48 games at High-A with 21 doubles and 12 home runs.

The Rockies do not have to rush into any trades with their top prospect, but he could be used to help them land a more experienced starter to lead their talented rookies. With Trevor Story and D.J. LeMahieu locked in up the middle, Rodgers can be traded without a huge impact on the long-term plan for the franchise.

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