The MLB Trade Deadline is on the horizon and with the White Sox expected to tear it down, many trades could be looming for the Sox. Every team is in a different spot, however, this article does not consider that. Every team will be featured as you never know what could transpire at the deadline. Despite teams like the Rockies and Athletics most likely to be sellers, there will be one prospect featured from their respective systems.
Some notes to know beforehand:
- There are no number-one prospects featured. There are only two players the White Sox could get a number one prospect back for and those players are Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet. This article highlights some under-the-radar prospects and other top-ten prospects.
- Position need was not a focus. We all know that the White Sox system needs bats, however, when putting this article together there was no positional focus.
- There will be prospects with different ETA’s. The White Sox are most likely going to be looking at closer to major league pieces in any trade but I wanted to put a focus on any prospect despite their age.
- All of these rankings come from MLB Pipeline
Arizona Diamondbacks:
SP Caden Grice (ARI #17 Overall)
The name originally slotted in for Arizona was Deyvison de los Santos but he was recently traded to Miami. Taking his place is left-handed pitcher Caden Grice. Grice is 22 years old and stands at 6’6. He has made 11 starts this year for the Diamondbacks Low-A affiliate. Grice has a 3.75 ERA in 12 games with 68 strikeouts and 29 walks. The lefty has three pitches: a fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. He throws all these pitches for strikes and can generate whiffs on all three. His fastball currently sits in the lower 90’s but as he continues to progress the velocity should come with him. Grice was drafted in 2023 and currently has an ETA of 2026, however if he continues to limit the walks, he may see time closer to the end of the 2025 season.
Atlanta Braves:
SP Hurston Waldrep (MLB #68 Overall, ATL #2)
Waldrep is a 22-year-old right-hander who was drafted by the Braves in the first round last year. He had a brief stint in the big leagues this season where he made two starts where he only pitched seven innings and posted a 16.71 ERA. Waldrep then went on the IL with elbow inflammation on June 17th and is set to start a rehab assignment. Across three levels in the minor leagues this year, Waldrep had an ERA of 3.14 in 57.1 IP with 61 punch-outs. Waldrep has a four-pitch mix that features a four-seamer, split-finger, slider, and a curveball. His fastball is a plus pitch receiving a 65 grade from Pipeline that averages around 96 mph. Waldrep at worst projects as a back-end reliever but has the stuff to be a frontline starter.
Baltimore Orioles:
3B Coby Mayo (MLB #15 Overall, BAL #3)
Coby Mayo is one of the most major league-ready prospects on this list. He is 22 and tearing the cover off the baseball in Triple-A. He has played in 70 games and has slashed .295/.372/.582 with an OPS of .954 and 19 home runs. Mayo has nothing left to prove in Triple-A. He plays a solid third base and has even shown the ability to play first when needed or if he eventually outgrows third. With a wRC+ of 142, Mayo is just waiting in the wings to get the call. If the Orioles want Garrett Crochet, Coby Mayo has to be included in any package.
Boston Red Sox:
2B Nick Yorke (BOS #6 Overall)
Nick Yorke was drafted by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2020 draft. Things have been up and down for Yorke since joining the Red Sox system but he seems to have found his stride in Triple-A this year. Yorke started the year in Double-A but was promoted to Triple-A despite a slow start. Through 35 games in Triple-A, Yorke has a slashed .313/.418/.500 with an .918 OPS and six homers. Yorke also has good plate discipline as he has 24 walks to 29 strikeouts. While Yorke is likely limited to only second base in the infield, he could provide solid balance to any lineup looking for an everyday guy to plug in at second.
Chicago Cubs:
C/1B Moises Ballesteros (MLB #59 Overall, CHI #5)
Ballesteros recently earned a promotion to Triple-A from the Cubs and hasn’t slowed down. Ballesteros likely makes the move over to first base eventually due to not being the best defensively behind the plate. However, he does have the hit tools to be an everyday first baseman in the big leagues. Across two levels the 20-year-old, lefty catcher is batting .297/.362/.493 with 13 home runs and a 129 wRC+. Ballesteros has also done a good job of limiting the strikeouts and that has been part of the reason why he’s been a fast riser through the Cubs system.
Cincinatti Reds:
3B/2B Sal Stewart (MLB #98 Overall, CIN #4)
The Reds have a plethora of infield talent leaving someone blocked. Stewart could be a prospect the Reds view as expendable and someone they move if they become buyers. Stewart is only 20 years old and currently owns a 142 wRC+ through 80 games in High-A. Stewart may not be a big power bat at third but his other skills make up for it. Stewart owns a .391 OBP with 50 walks. Stewart has high exit velocity but hits for more contact with the power slowly starting to come in. Stewart has played some second in the minors but has only played third in 2024. Stewart is someone that teams can stick at either the top of their lineup or the bottom and he will provide an impact.
Cleveland Guardians:
SS/3B Angel Genao (CLE #11 Overall)
Genao is a switch-hitting shortstop who has taken his time finding his swing at each level he’s been at. Genao spent 72 games in Low-A in 2023 and only posted an OPS of .730. He started 2024 in Low-A and mashed. In 44 games, Genao hit .341/.383/.553 with a wRC+ of 167. Genao earned himself a promotion to High-A and has slowed down but has still managed to work himself to a 123 wRC+ in 34 games. Genao is a great defender at short which should allow him to be moved around the diamond if needed. One of the only flaws of Genao is that he may not hit more than 10 home runs in a season but will still be able to be a solid bat in any lineup.
Colorado Rockies:
OF Zac Veen (MLB #82 Overall, COL #5)
The Rockies selected Veen ninth overall in the 2020 draft and he’s been a late bloomer. When Veen made his affiliated debut in 2021, he was proving why the Rockies drafted him as high as they did but Veen started to battle with injuries and was struggling at the plate. Veen has started to get back on track in 2024 as through 36 games he owns a 132 wRC+ with five home runs and 10 stolen bases. He is a plus baserunner and can play good defense at both corner spots. Veen is unlikely to be moved at the deadline but is a prospect fans should be looking forward to.
Detroit Tigers:
2B Hao-Yu Lee (DET #12 Overall)
The Detroit Tigers acquired Lee at the deadline last year when they sent Michael Lorenzen to the Phillies. Lee is only 21 and has already started to show that the Tigers should try and factor him into their future plans. Lee has found his stride at second and plays the position well. Lee also has plus hit tools and has cut down on the ground balls and started pulling the ball more. In 79 games Lee has a wRC+ of 139 with an OPS of .852 and 12 homers. Lee didn’t have an OPS at any level over .800 last season proving this to be a breakout year for the 21-year-old prospect.
Houston Astros:
RHP A.J. Blubaugh (HOU #6 Overall)
The Astros system is pretty bare right now but Blubaugh is one name that stood out. He has four pitches that make him an interesting project for any team looking to add more pitching depth. Blubaugh has a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup that all can be thrown for strikes but struggles with command on his changeup and curveball. Blubaugh has a 4.18 ERA in 15 starts with only 69 strikeouts. Blubaugh’s command and velocity are two of the concerns holding him back but with the White Sox revamping their pitching development, the 24-year-old righty is someone that would be worth taking a chance on. At worst, he is a reliever and at best he is an organization’s next pitching breakout.
Kansas City Royals:
LHP Frank Mozzicato (KCR #3 Overall)
Mozzicato was the Royals’ first-round selection in 2021 and has been someone they are taking their time with. Mozzicato is a lefty who has three pitches with his fastball being his best pitch that can touch the mid 90’s. This year Mozzicato has taken the next step as he has pitched to a 3.24 ERA in 72.1 innings pitched for the Royals High-A affiliate. While he has strikeout potential he needs to work on his command to continue his development. This year the 21-year-old has 57 K’s to 46 walks. Last season he punched out 130 batters to 67 walks. However, Mozzicato does do a great job of limiting the long ball which could make him an effective reliever if he continues to struggle with command.
Los Angeles Angels:
RHP Ryan Costeiu (LAA #9 Overall)
The Angels are another system that is pretty bare in terms of top prospects. Ryan Costeiu was a name that stood out due to having four solid pitches and being able to control the zone. Costeiu did have elbow surgery which kept him out all of 2023 but since returning he’s picked up right where he left off. The 23-year-old righty has made 10 starts for the Angels High-A affiliate and has an ERA of 2.37 through 38 innings pitched. One issue for Costeiu this year is his command but that hasn’t been a problem for him in the past and is probably just a case of letting the rust wear off. In 2022, he had a K/9 of 10.67 and a BB/9 of 2.50. This year he is at 8.29 K/9 and 4.97 BB/9. Otherwise, Costieu is another arm that could be a solid addition to any organization.
Los Angeles Dodgers:
OF Josue De Paula (MLB #62 Overall, LAD #2)
De Paula recently earned himself a promotion to High-A after having success in Low-A this year. De Paula is only 19 and in Low-A hit .279/.388/.447 with an OPS of .835 through 55 games. De Paula also posted a BB% of 13.5% which helped contribute to his high on-base percentage. De Paula hasn’t been the greatest in the outfield but is athletic with good speed that as he matures should get better. De Paula hasn’t slowed down since earning his promotion, he is batting .255/.433/.392 with a .825 OPS in 16 games. De Paula has a wRC+ of 138 this season across both levels and his hit tools will make him a fast riser in the Dodgers system.
Miami Marlins:
OF/SS/2B Javier Sanoja (MIA #18 Overall)
Sanoja might be overlooked in Miami’s system right now due to his low ranking at only 17. Sanoja has played very well for the Marlins Triple-A affiliate this year. In 75 games he has batted .298/.364/.457 with a .821 OPS. The low slugging may turn some people away, however, he has a great approach at the plate. This year he has 32 walks to 18 strikeouts and he almost has more walks than strikeouts in his entire minor league career. Despite only having six homers in Triple-A this year Sanoja still has a wRC+ of 113. Sanoja can hit the ball to all fields which has played a part in him having a career year.
Milwaukee Brewers:
RHP Jacob Misiorowski (MLB #32 Overall, MIL #2)
Misiorowski is one of the best pitching prospects in the minor leagues. His arsenal features two plus pitches in a fastball and slider with a changeup and curveball also mixed in. While Misiorowski is a right-hander, he is 6’7 which matches the profile of pitchers the White Sox have been targeting lately. He has struck out 102 batters in 18 starts and owns a 3.67 ERA for the Brewers Double-A affiliate. He has touched 100+ mph before on his fastball and has great break on his slider. At only 22 years old Misirowski has no flaws in his game and should continue to fill out and make his major league debut at some point next season.
Minnesota Twins:
OF Emmanuel Rodriguez (MLB #26 Overall, MIN #3)
Rodriguez was signed by the Twins back in 2019 and he is now 21 years old playing in Double-A. The left-handed hitting outfielder might be what some scouts consider a five-tool player. Rodriguez can hit for power and contact, plays solid defense, has great plate discipline, and even steals bases. In his first season in Double-A, Rodriguez has played in 37 games and has batted .298/.479/.621 with eight home runs. He also almost has as many walks as he does strikeouts (42/46). Rodriguez is expected to debut in 2025 and as of now, there is nothing to prove why he can’t. If the White Sox make any trades with the Twins in the near future, they should start every discussion with Emmanuel Rodriguez.
New York Mets:
OF/1B Ryan Clifford (MLB #70 Overall, NYM #3)
The Mets acquired Clifford from the Astros in the deal that sent Justin Verlander back to Houston. Clifford, 21, currently is playing the corner spot for the Mets in Double-A, however, he may not stick and might make the move to first where he can worry less about defense and focus more on the bat. Clifford has great hit tools but sometimes is a three-outcome type of player. This year in Double-A, Clifford has a slash line of .232/.373/.530 with 13 home runs. The low average is where the concerns about being a three-outcome player come in. Clifford does walk at a good rate with 39 walks in 181 at bats. If Clifford can continue to cut down the strikeouts and start hitting the ball to all fields, he should continue to rise up the rankings.
New York Yankees:
LHP Brock Selvidge (NYY #10 Overall)
Selvidge was a third-round pick by the Yankees in 2021 and is another lefty who could be a back-end of the rotation starter. Selvidge was owning an ERA in the mid-threes before giving up a combined 16 earned runs in three out of four of his last starts. Before those starts, his ERA was sitting at 3.25. Selvidge’s best pitch is his changeup but has had trouble locating it for strikes. Sevidge has 84 punch outs to 40 walks which is a big jump compared to last year where he only walked 35 batters. He still has plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments as he is only 21. If Selvidge can find his command, he should be able to become a top pitching prospect.
Oakland Athletics:
OF Henry Bolte (OAK #10 Overall)
Oakland drafted Bolte in the second round of the 2022 draft and he has broken out as a prospect this year. He is currently ranked tenth in the A’s system but should jump up the rankings once the lists get reranked. Bolte is only 20 and in 69 games in High-A, he hit .278/.393/.519 with 11 home runs. Bolte earned himself a promotion to Double-A and has gotten off to a slow start but that shouldn’t turn fans away. Bolte also can steal bases and his speed helps him out in the outfield. He has a great arm which will allow him to stick in center field. One of Bolte’s only flaws is his K rate but if he can cut down the strikeouts, he should be able to become a part of the Athletics future.
Philadelphia Phillies:
SS Starlyn Caba (MLB #87 Overall, PHI #4)
Caba is only 18 years old and is already one of MLB’s top 100 prospects. Caba is a switch-hitting shortstop and will likely stick at short as he has a very good glove. Caba this year has more stolen bases than strikeouts as he has 37 stolen bases and 34 strikeouts. Caba also walks at a very good rate as he has 51 walks through 52 games. Not known for his power, Caba still has managed to hit two home runs in the Florida Complex League this year. While he is a younger prospect, he has already shown that he can hold his own. If Caba can start hitting for more extra-base hits, he will be one the most complete prospects in baseball.
Pittsburgh Pirates:
RHP Thomas Harrington (PIT #5 Overall)
The 23-year-old right-hander was drafted by Pittsburgh in 2022 and has been one of the best pitchers in their system. Harrington features a five-pitch mix that has a fastball that touches 95, a slider that plays more as a sweeper, a changeup, a cutter, and a curveball that he only uses now and then. All five pitches can be thrown for strikes and missed bats. His fastball might not top out as high as some other pitchers but the run on the pitch makes up for it. Harrington has pitched across two levels this year. He started in Low-A but made the jump to Double-A where he currently pitches. He has a 2.33 ERA with a WHIP of 0.97. Harrington has also struck out 72 batters and only walked 9 through 65.2 innings pitched. Harrington has a high floor that could make him a great back-end of the rotation starter.
San Diego Padres:
SS Leodalis De Vries (MLB #79 Overall, SDP #4)
One of the youngest prospects on this list at only 17 years old, De Vries has already started playing affiliated ball as he is currently with the Padres Low-A affiliate. The Padres signed De Vries this year for a whopping $4.2 million. De Vries is a switch hitter who is currently playing shortstop but since he is so athletic and young, he could make a move to a different position eventually. The average hasn’t quite been there yet for De Vries but he does have an on-base percentage of .360 and is slugging .445 with nine home runs through 57 games. The White Sox have been linked to the Padres a lot recently and in any trade with them, De Vries should be the target.
Seattle Mariners:
OF Lazaro Montes (MLB #51 Overall, SEA #4)
Since joining the Mariners organization back in 2022, Montes has done nothing but hit. The 19-year-old outfielder had a 1.007 OPS in his first season with the Mariners Dominican Summer League team. The following season he had a 1.000 OPS across two levels. This season through 65 games in Low-A, Montes had a slash line of .309/.411/.527 with 13 home runs. Montes isn’t the best with the glove in the outfield likely limiting him to left field or potentially a move to first due to his size. However, Montes will provide an impact to any lineup he is in because of his hit tools.
San Francisco Giants:
LHP Reggie Crawford (SFG #8 Overall)
Reggie Crawford is one of the highest-ceiling prospects on this list which ultimately led to the Giants selecting him in the first round back in 2022. Crawford is a 6’4 lefty that reaches 100 MPH and a plus slider as a second pitch. Crawford also has a changeup but it doesn’t grade nearly as high as his other two pitches. Crawford still has at least a year or two before he reaches the big leagues as he is still getting stretched out. Despite still rehabbing from Tommy John, Crawford has 30 punchouts through 18.1 IP this season. Crawford is currently with the Giants Triple-A affiliate but will most likely see more action next season.
St. Louis Cardinals:
INF Thomas Saggese (STL #4 Overall)
Acquired from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Jordan Montgomery last year, Saggese made an impact right away in the Cardinals system. Saggese was drafted back in 2020 and has hit at almost every level he’s been at so far. Last year in Double-A Saggese had a 1.065 OPS in 33 games. He also belted 10 home runs in that short span. Saggese has struggled to find that same offensive output in Triple-A so far. This year Saggese has a .726 OPS in 87 games with only 12 home runs. He is only 22 years old so he still has time to polish his tools and become an everyday player at the big league level.
Tampa Bay Rays:
OF Brailer Guerrero (TBR #9 Overall)
Brailer Guerrero is one of the most underrated prospects in the game right now. While only 18 years old, he has proved a lot in his first season state side. Guerrero is currently batting .330, has an on-base percentage of .452, and is slugging .466 through 28 games of rookie ball in the Florida Complex League. Guerrero also has 22 walks to only 32 strikeouts showcasing his approach. Most prospects at his age struggle with limiting the K’s. The Rays signed Guerrero in 2023 for $3.7 million and is proving why he was worth that much. Guerrero has dealt with some injuries, however, when healthy he is one of the best prospects in the Rays system.
Texas Rangers:
RHP Alejandro Rosario (TEX #6 Overall)
Alejandro Rosario was drafted in the fifth round by the Rangers last year and in his first season of professional baseball, he is proving why he should’ve been drafted higher. The 22-year-old right-hander currently owns a 2.60 ERA across two levels with 99 strikeouts and only 11 walks through 65.2 IP. Rosario is currently playing for the Hickory Crawdads, the Rangers High-A affiliate. Rosario has a three-pitch mix that features a plus fastball, splitter, and slider. All three of his pitches are effective at missing bats and can all be thrown for strikes. Rosario’s ETA is currently projected at 2026 but don’t be surprised if he finds his way up to a big league club in 2025.
Toronto Blue Jays:
OF/3B/SS Addison Barger (TOR #6 Overall)
Barger is 24 years old and did get some time with Toronto this year. Barger played in 20 games and didn’t do anything special as he only put up an OPS of .360. Despite his rough first go around in the majors, Barger has had a solid year in AAA as he currently has a .391 OBP with nine home runs. Barger has a lot of versatility as he has played all over the diamond this year and spent some time in the outfield. With more playing time, Barger definitely can get more comfortable and find his approach.
Washington Nationals:
OF Robert Hassell III (WSH #9 Overall)
Hassell is a left-handed hitting outfielder who the Nationals acquired in the Juan Soto blockbuster. Hassell has been slowly finding his swing as the 22-year-old has a .738 OPS in Double-A this year. The outfielder suffered an injury back in 2022 and has been battling with it ever since. Washington has multiple outfielders in their system that have surpassed Hassell which is starting to leave him without a spot. However, Hassell has been able to get on base at a great rate as he has a .369 OBP with 25 walks to 46 K’s. The Nationals are unlikely to move Hassell at this point but should he become available the White Sox should take a chance.
Featured image: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
