Five MLB Prospects You Shouldn’t Trade

Written by Jorge L. Ortiz at USA Today.com

The trade deadline generates such hype and expectation every year that it’s easy to forget teams can often get just as big a boost from the midseason promotion of a prospect as they would from a new acquisition.

That was the case last season when Andrew Benintendi came up from Class AA Portland (Maine) and earned a spot as the Boston Red Sox’s starting left fielder in the final two months of the season and the playoffs, and when catcher Willson Contreras became an integral part of the Chicago Cubs’ championship drive.

Two things to note about prospects in this class: They are so advanced and integral to a club’s future that they are more or less untouchable in trade talks. Yet they’re also talented enough that clubs may see fit to spring them on opponents in October to glean an unexpected advantage.

With that in mind, here are a few minor leaguers prospects who could make an impact in the second half of this season and possibly beyond:

Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays’ emergence as contenders for the AL East crown has put them on the market for pitching help, especially in the bullpen.

Tampa Bay has employed young starters in a relief role during playoff races in the past – David Price and Jeremy Hellickson come to mind – so calling up Honeywell to perform in that role would not break new ground.

Honeywell, 22, has been on a roll of late, earning MVP honors in the Futures Game and throwing 11 scoreless innings in two July starts for Class AAA Durham (N.C.). If the Rays wanted to keep him in the rotation, they could consider having him take the spot of lefty Blake Snell, who has a 5.79 ERA over his last three starts and 4.98 for the season.

Walker Buehler, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers: Right, as if the Dodgers needed any more help. Well, get used to it L.A. haters, because there’s plenty of talent in their farm system.

It took Buehler all of 16 games to climb from Class A to AAA, where he was recently promoted after striking out 64 in 49 innings at the AA level. He struggled in his debut Thursday, failing to retire a batter and giving up three runs, though Oklahoma City pitching coach Matt Hergers said Buehler “was throwing 101 mph and just missing.”

It was that fastball that earned the 22-year-old right-hander recognition as the Dodgers’ top prospect in Baseball America’s midseason rankings.

Los Angeles relied on farmhands like Ross Stripling and Brock Stewart last year when injuries hit the starters. The rotation is in better shape this time, but a power arm like Buehler’s could still prove irresistible down the stretch and into October. Provided, of course, his next outings with Oklahoma City go a bit smoother.

Erick Fedde, RHP, Washington Nationals: Edwin Jackson got the call when Joe Ross was lost for the season after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery, and the nomadic veteran responded with seven innings of two-run ball in a victory.

But there’s a reason Jackson has pitched for 12 different major league teams. Consistency is not his calling card, so at one point the Nationals may be looking for a different fifth starter to round out their fine rotation.

Fedde, regarded as their No. 2 prospect, could be their best bet if he returns to the form he flashed last season, when he had a 3.12 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 121 innings at Class A and AA. Fedde, 24, didn’t fare as well when he moved up to Class AAA (5.57 ERA) and is now working his way back to a starter’s workload after spending time in the bullpen.

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