The All-Star break has come and gone, which means all eyes now shift to the MLB trade market.
At this point in the season, it's starting to look clearer which teams will be buyers and which will be sellers, though there is still plenty of uncertainty. The expanded playoffs have grown the list of potential buyers and drastically shrunk the list of guaranteed sellers — there's likely only four such teams this year — as more teams have hope of competing to the end of the season.
But while some teams will look outside for help, some will look within. Specifically, they will look at their farm systems, where, instead of trade chips, some players represent internal upgrades. There is always risk with calling up players and expecting rookies to make a difference during playoff runs, but it is also the most inexpensive way to try to improve the team, and it can be a way for certain teams to toe the line between buying and selling without giving up hope.
The Sporting News takes a look at 10 prospects who could find themselves thrust into big league action this season, and who could help power their team to the playoffs. We are looking only at players who are in the minors now and would still be considered rookies at the start of next season. And while plenty of teams will likely promote promising prospects, we are looking exclusively at potential contenders.
MORE: Post-draft MLB prospect rankings
10 MLB prospects who can help teams in the second half
Michael Busch, 2B, Dodgers
Stats (Triple-A): 316 PA, .290/.411/.517, 11 HR, 3 SB, 15.5% BB rate, 21.2% K rate
Busch received a 15-game cup of coffee earlier in the season before he was sent back down to Triple-A. The decision by Los Angeles to option Miguel Vargas appeared to help pave the way for Busch to get playing time again, but it moved Chris Taylor back into a starting role instead. Busch posted pedestrian numbers in the majors, but he has mashed at Triple-A a year after launching 32 homers between Double- and Triple-A. Most impressively, he's brought his strikeout rate down from around 26 percent a season ago to 19.2 percent in Triple-A this year, while his walk rate is up at 16.2 percent. The Dodgers could see him as trade bait, and watching him crush Triple-A pitchers will keep his trade stock higher than if he were to struggle in the big leagues, but a post-deadline promotion could be in the cards if he's still in the Dodgers' organization.
Christian Encarncion-Strand, 1B/3B, Reds
Stats (Triple-A): 306 PA, .321/.392/.620, 20 HR, 2 SB, 9.8% BB rate, 22.5% K rate
There's a possibility Encarnacion-Strand is in the same position as Busch. It's easier for the Reds to keep him crushing at Triple-A where he'll look more appealing as trade bait rather than call him up and potentially risk him struggling in the majors. Encarnacion-Strand is also not on the Reds' 40-man roster, which complicates a promotion. But one thing's for sure: he has little left to prove in Louisville. Encarnacion-Strand has showed off elite power in Triple-A and has made major strides in walking more and striking out less (13.1 percent walk rate, 20.7 percent strikeout rate since May 14). Adding him to the Reds' young, deep lineup could take the NL Central contender to another level.
MORE: When will the Reds call up Encarnacion-Strand?
Sal Frelick, OF, Brewers
Stats (Rookie/Triple-A): 161 PA, .237/.329/.324, 1 HR, 6 SB, 10.6% BB rate, 11.8% K rate
Frelick missed a lot of time early this season with a thumb injury, and then he fouled a ball off his knee, which also limited his time on the field. If he can get healthy, he would be a major boost to Milwaukee. Frelick slashed .365/.435/.508 last season in 46 games at Triple-A, and he plays an outstanding center field. His hit tool is one of the best in the minors, and he combines it with plus speed and some power. Milwaukee center fielders have combined to post a 91 wRC+, 23rd in the majors, this season. Joey Wiemer has been an exciting power/speed combo, but he also can be streaky with his high strikeout rates and his struggles against right-handers. Frelick could be a spark plug for a Brewers team that is in a heated battle with Cincinnati for the NL Central.
Kyle Harrison, LHP, Giants
Stats (Triple-A): 56 1/3 IP, 4.79 ERA, 36.1% K rate, 17.3% BB rate, 9 HR
There is no doubt that a promotion would be a gamble by the Giants. Harrison has been nearly unhittable throughout his minor league career, with strikeout rates above 35 percent at every level and opponents' batting averages no higher than the .231 he allowed in his first year in the pros. His mid- to upper-90s fastball is filthy, his slider is a challenging pitch to touch, and he works in a solid changeup. But while hitters have a hard time hitting him, they often don't need to. He's walking nearly a fifth of batters he faces this year and he has never had a walk rate in the single digits over a full season. The Giants are in the midst of a playoff battle in the NL West the NL wild-card race and could use some back-end rotation help or another bullpen weapon. The question is whether the Giants want to rush Harrison's development or wait for him to reduce his free passes.
Ronny Mauricio, 2B/SS/OF, Mets
Stats (Triple-A): 345 PA, .302/.348/.505, 12 HR, 14 SB, 4.9% BB rate, 16.2% K rate
This appears to be the year that Mauricio has put it all together. He has cut his strikeout rate down by 7 points from last year, and his on-base percentage is above .310 for the first time in his professional career. And he's doing it all while hitting for his usual power and swiping bases. The presence of Francisco Lindor means the Mets have little need for a shortstop, which is why New York has been playing him almost exclusively at second base and left field of late in Syracuse. He could force the struggling Jeff McNeil to move to a utility role or platoon in left with Tommy Pham. Mauricio might not be much of a burner in the big leagues, but his power could add lineup depth to a New York team that is likely reluctant to buy because of its 42-48 record at the break but could remain in contention if players start to perform better.
MORE: When will the Mets call up Mauricio?
Curtis Mead, 2B/3B, Rays
Stats (Rookie/Triple-A): 147 PA, .252/.327/.417, 3 HR, 2 SB, 10.9% BB rate, 17.7% K rate
Several Rays infield prospects could fit this spot, but Mead is on the 40-man roster (unlike Kyle Manzardo) and has been at Triple-A for parts of three seasons, while Osleivis Basabe has just been in Durham this year. Mead has rapidly climbed prospect lists with a selective approach that has led him to take more walks and sting the ball with authority when he chooses to swing. The right-handed hitter has developed enough power to be a consistent home run threat, and he's such a developed hitter that he should have little problem adjusting to big-league pitching. He has spent most of his time at Triple-A at third base, though he has experience at second. His defensive versatility, even if he's not a particularly great defender, could make him a useful utility bat down the stretch.
Joey Ortiz, 2B/SS, Orioles
Stats (Triple-A/MLB): 229 PA, .314/.362/.502, 5 HR, 7 SB, 7.4% BB rate, 19.2% K rate
As if the Orioles need any more bats. Baltimore boasts a young lineup that is only getting better as Gunnar Henderson continues to develop. But it's looking to be one of the best teams in baseball, and that means making improvements wherever possible. Shortstop Jorge Mateo has cooled to a 66 wRC+ after a red-hot start and second baseman Adam Frazier's 93 wRC+ is slightly below average. Ortiz has a 131 wRC+ in Triple-A this year. He has made 34 plate appearances in the big leagues. He's a slick defender wherever he plays, and his hit tool could make him a valuable super-utility bat to plug and play.
Brandon Pfaadt, RHP, Diamondbacks
Stats (Triple-A/MLB): 80 2/3 IP, 5.91 ERA, 23.3% K rate, 6.8% BB rate, 20 HR
Let's cut to the chase: the stat line isn't pretty. A 5.91 ERA is not a ringing endorsement for more MLB time. But consider that his ERA in the very hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League is just 4.09 and his six big league starts have all come against tough opponents. There's no question about the 6-4, 230-pound right-hander's stuff. He averages 93.6 mph on his fastball, and all three secondary offerings (slider, curveball and changeup) grade as above-average or better. Home runs have been a problem; if he can improve that, he could provide needed stability to the back end of Arizona's rotation.
MORE: 2023 MLB Draft winners and losers
Brayan Rocchio, 2B/SS, Guardians
Stats (Triple-A/MLB): 366 PA, .286/.374/.406, 2 HR, 17 SB, 10.9% BB rate, 12% K rate
It's tempting to rate the massive power bat of Jhonkensy Noel as the Guardians' best call-up option, but his strikeouts (26.9 percent) and modest on-base percentage (.293), combined with his uncertain defensive future, show he likely needs more time in Columbus. Cleveland already has plenty of contact-first, limited-power infielders, but the team still needs more help on offense. Rocchio is more hit over power, but there's still some pop in his bat (he hit 18 home runs in 132 games between Double-A and Triple-A last year). His defensive skills could allow him to play several infield positions and act as a super-utility bat similar to Tyler Freeman's current role. If Cleveland is going to hold off Minnesota in the Central, it needs to keep adding quality bats.
Matt Wallner, OF, Twins
Stats (Triple-A/MLB): 325 PA, .297/.412/.532, 12 HR, 1 SB, 12.6% BB rate, 27.7% K rate
There is probably no more confusing entry on this list than Wallner. How he is still in Triple-A is a mystery. He has knocked the cover off the ball for St. Paul, and he posted a 1.099 OPS in the majors in 11 games earlier this season. Much like Cleveland, Minnesota has the pitching to contend in the AL Central, but the bats haven't been there. Max Kepler has a 90 wRC+, Joey Gallo is at 111 and Michael A. Taylor is at 83. Wallner has as much raw power as anyone short of Gallo in the Minnesota organization, and he has gradually cut down on the strikeouts while maintaining a high walk rate. There are still some overall contact concerns in his profile, but if the Twins want to avoid mortgaging their future by buying at the deadline, then Wallner appears to be a clear solution.
