MLB Trade Rumors: 7 Top Prospects Who Could Be on the Move

As we enter the month of July the trade rumors are heating up and top prospects start to wonder if they will be playing for a new organization in August.

Last season we saw top prospects like Zack Wheeler, Jonathan Singleton and Drew Pomeranz all dealt in big deadline deals for key veterans.

This year, playoff contenders like the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees will be looking to add impact players to their roster and could be willing to sacrifice some young stars in the process.

Here is a look at seven top young prospects that could be on the move as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.

SS Jurickson Profar, Texas Rangers

The top prospect in the Texas Rangers organization and fourth best in baseball according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo, Jurickson Profar could be the top minor leaguer traded this July.

The 19-year-old shortstop was recently selected to his second consecutive Futures Game after putting up a .291/.369/.482 line with nine home runs and nine stolen bases in Double-A.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, the Rangers have been scouting the Phillies' Cole Hamels and the Brewers' Zack Greinke as options to bolster their rotation.

The Brewers are in desperate need of a shortstop of the future and would undoubtedly ask for Profar in a deal for their ace.

The Rangers already have an All-Star shortstop in Elvis Andrus and while there is speculation that Profar could push him to the outfield in a few years, GM Jon Daniels might be willing to part with the coveted prospect in an effort to get the Rangers back to the World Series for the third consecutive year.

3B Mike Olt, Texas Rangers

Another Texas Rangers prospect who was selected to the 2012 Futures Game, Mike Olt is one of the best third-base prospects in baseball.

The 23-year old University of Connecticut product has dominated Double-A pitching in 2012, posting a .300/.408/.593 line with a league-leading 21 home runs to go with 60 runs batted in.

In the same article about the Rangers' interest in Cole Hamels and Zack Greinke, Jon Paul Morosi even mentions Olt's name in connection with the Philadelphia Phillies who are looking for a young third-baseman to replace Placido Polanco.

With Adrian Beltre standing in his way at third-base in Texas, Mike Olt could be one of the top prospects traded before the July 31 trade deadline.

OF Mason Williams, New York Yankees

A fourth-round draft pick in 2010, Mason Williams entered the 2012 season as the No. 4 prospect in the New York Yankees system according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo.

The toolsy Williams has not disappointed this season, as he has hit for a .307/.355/.493 line with eight home runs to go along with 19 stolen bases.

The power has been especially impressive for the 20-year-old Williams who is listed at just 6'0" and 150 lbs.

While GM Brian Cashman has made it clear he would not like to make a big deal at the deadline, the Yankees have been linked to starting pitchers Wandy Rodriguez (from Jon Paul Morosi, h/t MLB Trade Rumors), Matt Garza (per CBS Sports) and Zack Greinke (via Morosi).

The Yankees currently have All-Star Curtis Granderson in center field and Williams is low enough in the organization that it would not be a big hit to the team if he were to be traded. 

RHP Zach Lee, Los Angeles Dodgers

The No. 1 prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization according to Jonathan Mayo, Zach Lee received a $5.25 million signing bonus when he was drafted in the first round in 2010.

The 20-year-old former LSU football recruit put up solid numbers in the hitter-friendly California League where he struck out 52 batters and walked just 10 in 55.1 innings. He recently earned a promotion to Double-A Chattanooga and allowed just one run in his debut.

The Dodgers offense has been absolutely horrendous without Matt Kemp as they were shutout five times in a six game span between June 25-30.

While the Carlos Lee deal fell through, a potential deal for Houston Astros teammate Jed Lowrie was tweeted by Buster Olney with Zach Lee as a part of it.

If the Dodgers plan on acquiring an impact bat to help their anemic lineup, they can bet that teams will be asking about top prospect Zach Lee in return.

RHP Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays

Rated by Mayo as the No. 2 prospect in a deep Tampa Bay Rays farm system, right-hander Chris Archer impressed in two starts after getting called up to the Majors on June 20.

Although he was just recently sent back down, the 23-year-old Archer posted a 3.09 ERA with 14 strikeouts and just two walks in 11.2 innings.

With injuries to All-Stars Evan Longoria and Matt Joyce the Rays have struggled to score runs this season.

As a result the team has been involved in rumors for top hitters, including Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.

The Rays are definite candidates to make a move before the trade deadline and Chris Archer could provide another team with a major league-ready pitcher in a deal.

RHP Daniel Corcino, Cincinnati Reds

Rated by Mayo as the Reds' No. 2 prospect, Daniel Corcino has uncanny similarities to current starter Johnny Cueto.

The 21-year-old Corcino has a similar build to Cueto, has a similar delivery, also throws a mid-90s fastball and put up nearly identical numbers last year in comparison to Cueto when he was 20.

The Reds are currently in first place, but they also have some holes in their lineup that need fixing.

Cincinnati is one of several teams involved in rumors about Phillies' outfielder Shane Victorino according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The switch-hitting Victorino would be an excellent addition next to Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce in the outfield.

If the Reds want to pick up an big piece for the playoff run by the July trade deadline, Daniel Corcino might be one of their top prospects that they will have to part ways with. 

Lansing Lugnuts Rotation, Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are in contention for a playoff spot in 2012 and they could be looking to add a starter to their rotation.

They have perhaps the deepest farm system in baseball and several pieces that they could part with are all pitching in the Low-A Lansing Lugnuts rotation.

The No. 4, 6, and 7 prospects in the Blue Jays system, Noah Syndergaard, Justin Nicolino, and Aaron Sanchez are dominating the Midwest League and would all be attractive prospects for teams to acquire.

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Jays are looking to upgrade their rotation and Wandy Rodriguez is a name that has popped up.

The Astros could certainly use an influx of young pitching and one or more of the Lansing trio could be on the move before the July trade deadline.