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MLB Trade Rumors 2019: Top 25 assets

By Joshua Sadlock

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 20: San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) throws a pitch during a MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 20, 2019 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 20: San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) throws a pitch during a MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 20, 2019 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 11: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros in action during a game against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Mets 6-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 11: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros in action during a game against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Mets 6-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

5. Kyle Tucker

The Houston Astros haven’t been shy about dipping into their farm system as the trade deadline approaches if they are confident in their ability to bring back an impact big leaguer. The Astros have built a deep farm system that is not even close to being depleted of top prospects. With the best record in the American League and everything clicking, Houston may look to get even more aggressive than usual at the deadline in an effort to lock down their second World Series title.

The Astros still have one of the best lineups in the league — even with George Springer, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa on the Injured List. Their outfield is particularly deep, and the arrival of Yordan Alvarez, who was hitting .343/.443/.742 with 23 home runs and 71 RBI in 56 games at Triple-A before being promoted and homering in his first two MLB games, just adds to an embarrassment of riches.

Alvarez isn’t the only top-100 outfield prospect in the Astros system. In fact, Kyle Tucker was ranked slightly higher at the start of the year and isn’t too far off from being ready for his MLB debut. He has also been raking at Triple-A, with 21 home runs of his own. Tucker and Alvarez are both outstanding prospects.

The starting rotation is the only glaring weakness for the Astros, but Tucker could net them an ace to pair with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. Wade Miley has been enjoying one of the best bounce-back seasons in the league so far, but he is not to be trusted in the playoffs.

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