MLB Trade Deadline: The Top 10 Prospects Who Could Be on the Move

The trade deadline is closing in, and while big-name MLB players get the bulk of the attention, the prospects heading the other way often end up being the real story.

Looking back on some of the better known deadline swaps, it is often the prospect from the deal that makes a deal memorable. Perfect examples being Jeff Bagwell and John Smoltz, as they were dealt to sellers at the deadline and turned out to be franchise cornerstones.

So here is a look at the top 10 prospects who could be moved at the deadline, 10 players who could play a huge role in helping turn around some of baseball's struggling franchises.

SP Charlie Furbush, Detroit Tigers

Acquired

Drafted in the fourth round, 2007

Baseball America 2011 Prospect Rank

N/A

2011 Stats

1-3, 3.77 ERA, 1.484 WHIP, 26 Ks, 31 IP with Detroit

The Tigers filled one of their needs last week when they traded for Royals third baseman Wilson Betemit, but the team could still use a left fielder and some pitching if they hope to make a serious run in the AL Central.

While pitchers Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner are likely untouchable, it looks as though Furbush could be had.

He has pitched 15 games with the Tigers so far this season, two of which were starts, and while his ceiling is not as high as some other prospects on the market, he would be a solid pickup for a team looking to fill out their rotation moving forward.

CF Gary Brown, San Francisco Giants

Acquired

Drafted in the first round, 2010

Baseball America 2011 Prospect Rank

N/A

2011 Stats

.313/.385/.467, 122 Hits, 8 HR, 57 RBI, 73 R, 39 SB at High Single-A

While most people accept it as a given that the Giants will win the NL West, if they hope to have a chance to repeat as World Series champs, they will need to add some offense at the deadline to help back their fantastic pitching.

Last year's first round pick Gary Brown may be their biggest trade chip right now, especially if they choose to not make pitcher Zack Wheeler available. He is having a terrific first full season, and projects to be a top of the order table setter.

Look for his name to be involved in any blockbuster deal that the Giants look to pull off, as they are still a team that is built to win now.

SP Trevor May, Philadelphia Phillies

Acquired

Drafted in the fourth round, 2008

Baseball America 2011 Prospect Rank

N/A

2011 Stats

6-6, 3.65 ERA, 1.264 WHIP, 140 Ks, 106 IP at High Single-A

The Phillies are at the head of the class in the National League, but they could stand to upgrade in the outfield and in both the rotation and bullpen.

They currently have a very impressive starting staff at their High Single-A affiliate Clearwater and the group of Jarred Cosart, Brody Colvin, Julio Rodriguez, Jonathan Pettibone and Trevor May could certainly intrigue more than a few teams.

Colvin and Cosart are close to untouchable, and May has the most value of the remaining three, so he could be the centerpiece of any big deal the Phillies pull the trigger on.

With his great size and stuff, as well as his impressive strikeout totals, May could be a front of the rotation starter down the line.

RF Josh Reddick, Boston Red Sox

Acquired

Drafted in the 17th round, 2006

Baseball America 2011 Prospect Rank

N/A

2011 Stats

.356/.408/.622, 32 Hits, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 20 R with Boston

The Red Sox have battled through a bevy of injuries already this season, and while they could use some pitching help at the deadline, an upgrade in right field could be atop the list of the team's needs.

With incumbent right fielder J.D. Drew struggling mightily to a .219 BA, 4 HR, 21 RBI line on the season, and that has led to Reddick getting more at-bats, which he has clearly made the most of as the stats above show.

However, the team may decide to pull the trigger on a deal for someone such as Carlos Beltran as they look to win it all this year, and Reddick will top most team's wish lists when it comes to trade packages.

SP Garret Richards, Los Angeles Angels

Acquired

Drafted in the first round, 2009

Baseball America 2011 Prospect Rank

N/A

2011 Stats

10-1, 3.33 ERA, 1.151 WHIP, 85 Ks, 119 IP at Double-A

While the trendy rumor for a short time was that the Angels may move ace Jered Weaver, it looks as though they will be all in as buyers at the deadline in a wide-open race with the Rangers in the AL West.

The team has tapped into their minor league system this season with rookies Hank Conger, Mark Trumbo, Tyler Chatwood, and Jordan Walden making significant contributions.

However, they still have a good deal of talent in the minor leagues to pull off a big move. Richards is only 23 years old, but he is close to big league-ready, and while he is not a future ace, he is a solid front of the rotation starter with terrific command.

1B Jonathan Singleton, Philadelphia Phillies

Acquired

Drafted in the eighth round, 2009

Baseball America 2011 Prospect Rank

39th overall

2011 Stats

.281/.385/.405, 84 Hits, 8 HR, 44 RBI, 46 R at High Class-A

While the Phillies have a ton of pitching in their minor league system, their most intriguing trade chip may very well be first baseman Jonathan Singleton, who is coming off of a terrific .290 BA, 14 HR, 77 RBI season last year.

He has been solid again this year, and at just 19 years old, his power should continue to develop as he matures.

With Ryan Howard under contract through 2017. it would certainly make sense for the Phillies to move Singleton, else they will have to consider a position change down the road.

SP Randall Delgado, Atlanta Braves

Acquired

 Signed as amateur free agent in 2006

Baseball America  2011 Prospect Rank

35th overall

2011 Stats

5-4, 3.59 ERA. 1.356 WHIP, 101 Ks, 107.2 IP at Double-A

The Braves have a wealth of young pitching talent, and are looking to acquire an impact bat at the deadline.

With top arms Mike Minor, Arodys Vizcaino, Julio Teheran, and Randall Delgado all waiting in the wings to join Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson, and Brandon Beachy in the rotation sometime soon.

Teheran is the team's top prospect, Minor has a good amount of big league experience already under his belt, and Vizcaino has a higher ceiling and is likely to be held onto.

That makes Delgado the most likely to be moved in a major deal, and he could net a significant return.

1B Yonder Alonso, Cincinnati Reds

Acquired

Drafted in the first round, 2008

Baseball America 2011 Prospect Rank

73rd overall

2011 Stats

.298/.378/.493, 104 Hits, 12 HR, 56 RBI, 46 R at Triple-A

Alonso has seemingly been on the trade block for the past several seasons, as he is one of baseball's top hitting prospects and is as close to big league ready as it gets. However, he is blocked at first base in Cincinnati by reigning NL MVP Joey Votto.

Over the past two seasons, he has logged some time in left field as a way to accommodate both him and Votto if it comes to that, but it seems more and more likely that he will have to be traded in order to get a shot at an everyday job.

The Reds need starting pitching if they want to repeat as NL Central champs, and Alonso could be the piece that lands them a front-line starter.

SP Zack Wheeler, San Francisco Giants

Acquired

Drafted in the first round, 2009

Baseball America 2011 Prospect Rank

55th overall

2011 Stats

7-5, 3.99 ERA, 1.375 WHIP, 98 Ks, 88 IP at High Single-A

The 21-year-old Wheeler is the top prospect in the Giants system, and he was previously viewed as untouchable. However, with the Giants in need of a shot in the arm offensively and set in the rotation for the next several years, he could be moved.

He clearly has a bright future, evidenced by the fact that he was the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, and while Jose Reyes seems to be off the market, the Giants could still pull off a big, unexpected move centered around their talented young right-hander.

C Jesus Montero, New York Yankees

Acquired

Signed as amateur free agent in 2006

Baseball America 2011 Prospect Rank

3rd overall

2011 Stats

.279/.338/.409, 84 Hits, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 31 R at Triple-A

Year in and year out, the Yankees seem to make a big deal at the deadline at the price of draining their farm system. This season, however, pitchers Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances are as untouchable as any prospects in baseball.

That said, catching prospect Jesus Montero could be on the move despite the fact that he was ranked as the third best prospect in baseball and has long been viewed as Jorge Posada's heir.

With fellow catching prospects Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez also with the organization, and the market for a good young catcher always a deep one, Montero could be used to stabilized the Yankees starting rotation in a deadline deal.