The dust has settled on the 2026 MLB trade deadline, and while the immediate impact of established stars joining pennant races dominates the headlines, the true long-term winners and losers are likely being determined by the prospects who changed hands. These young talents, brimming with potential, represent the future for their new organizations.
Bleacher Report meticulously tracked these movements, compiling a list of the 10 most significant prospects dealt during the deadline period. Their rankings are informed by the most recent B/R Top 100 prospect list, released shortly after this year’s draft, providing a benchmark for their evaluated potential. In total, five players who were already ranked within that prestigious Top 100 found new homes, alongside several other notable prospects from the “Next 100” tier.
Before diving into the top echelon, it’s worth acknowledging several promising players who narrowly missed the top 10 but were still significant pieces in deadline deals. These players, while not cracking the overall top 10, were recognized as being among their former organizations’ most valuable prospects, as indicated by prior Bleacher Report farm system rankings.
Among these honorable mentions, right-handed pitcher **Jack Cebert**, previously ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the New York Yankees system, was traded to the Washington Nationals as part of the package for Luis Garcia Jr. Similarly, right-hander **Daniel Eagen**, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ No. 9 prospect, headed to the St. Louis Cardinals in the deal for Lars Nootbaar. Outfielder **Alexander Frias**, the Milwaukee Brewers’ No. 10 prospect, also landed in St. Louis, acquired in the trade involving Dustin May and JoJo Romero. Shortstop **Joniel Hernandez**, who was the San Diego Padres’ No. 5 prospect, was sent to the San Francisco Giants in the Robbie Ray trade. Left-handed pitcher **Dasan Hill**, rated as Minnesota’s No. 9 prospect, joined the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Jeff Hoffman. Another left-handed pitcher, **Henry Lalane**, ranked as the New York Yankees’ No. 8 prospect, was part of the Heliot Ramos trade, also going to San Francisco. Finally, right-handed pitcher **Miguel Mendez**, the Padres’ No. 7 prospect, was another piece heading to the Giants in the Robbie Ray deal.
### 10. RHP River Ryan, Detroit Tigers
While prospect evaluation typically focuses on long-term development, **River Ryan**, now with the Detroit Tigers, technically still qualifies at 27 years old. He was acquired by the Tigers in the trade that sent left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Ryan, outfielder Zyhir Hope, and right-handed pitcher Brady Smith heading to Detroit. Ryan’s journey is unique; he was a two-way player in college, spending more time on the infield than the mound, and has accumulated just 212.2 professional innings since being drafted in the 11th round of the 2021 draft. Although time is a factor with his 28th birthday approaching, his “electric stuff” suggests he could make an immediate impact in some capacity. His Triple-A numbers this season included a 4.46 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 8 starts, with 43 strikeouts in 36.1 innings.
### 9. OF Enddy Azocar, Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles welcomed outfielder **Enddy Azocar**, a 19-year-old who arrived from the Boston Red Sox as part of a larger deal that sent catcher Adley Rutschman and catcher Jake Rogers to Baltimore. Azocar, signed for a modest $40,000 in 2024, has shown significant offensive strides this season after a .657 OPS in his stateside debut last year. He has added considerable muscle and is now seen as a dynamic outfielder with 55-grade power and 55-grade speed, possessing the athleticism to play center field and the arm strength for right field. Despite striking out 95 times in 85 games, his raw tools point toward future Top 100 prospect consideration. His Class A and Class A+ stats showcase his power, with a .286/.341/.540 slash line, 51 extra-base hits including 18 home runs, and 11 stolen bases.
### 8. RHP Michael Forret, Baltimore Orioles
Right-handed pitcher **Michael Forret** returns to the organization that originally drafted him, acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handed pitcher Tyler Wells. Forret, 22, was previously traded by the Orioles to the Rays in December as part of the package for Shane Baz. He has impressed at every minor league level, boasting a 3.04 ERA and 317 strikeouts in 266.2 innings over three professional seasons, though he has yet to pitch more than 100 innings in a single year. If he can handle a starter’s workload, his “three plus offerings and deceptive crossfire delivery” give him middle-of-the-rotation upside. His Double-A and Triple-A numbers this season reflect this potential, with a 3.29 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, striking out 102 batters in 93.0 innings. He was ranked among Bleacher Report’s “Next 100″ prospects.
### 7. RHP Ramon Marquez, San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants acquired right-handed pitcher **Ramon Marquez**, a 20-year-old who has emerged as one of the most significant breakout pitching prospects in baseball. Marquez was part of the package sent to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Luis Arraez and right-handed pitcher Caleb Kilian. Signed for just $10,000 out of Mexico a year ago, Marquez now touches 98 mph with his fastball and throws a potent cutter, but his changeup is considered his best pitch—”one of the best in all of the minors” and a primary driver of his impressive 41.9 percent strikeout rate. While there are some concerns about the effort in his delivery potentially impacting his ability to start, he immediately becomes the top pitching prospect in the Giants’ system. His Class A and Class A+ stats are stellar: an 1.68 ERA and 0.81 WHIP with 93 strikeouts in just 59.0 innings. Marquez also appears on Bleacher Report’s “Next 100” list.
### 6. SS/3B Jefferson Rojas, New York Mets
Infielder **Jefferson Rojas**, a 21-year-old versatile defender who has played shortstop, second base, and settled at third base this season, was traded by the New York Mets to the Chicago Cubs for right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor. The Cubs have aggressively promoted Rojas through their system, and his production is now aligning with his raw tools after years of facing older competition. His OPS has increased by 61 points in his jump to Double-A this year, often the most challenging developmental step, and his 15 home runs represent a new career high. Some analysts make a strong case for him being the Mets’ No. 1 prospect. His Double-A statistics showcase his offensive growth: a .270/.339/.461 line with 35 extra-base hits, including 15 home runs, and 17 stolen bases in 91 games. Rojas is also ranked among Bleacher Report’s “Next 100” prospects.
### 5. RHP Kyson Witherspoon, Baltimore Orioles
Right-handed pitcher **Kyson Witherspoon**, a 21-year-old whose collegiate success at the University of Oklahoma was stellar—going 10-4 with a 2.65 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 95 innings—was acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Baltimore Orioles. Witherspoon, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2025 draft, was part of the return for catcher Adley Rutschman and catcher Jake Rogers. He is described as a “plus athlete on the mound with clean mechanics and electric stuff,” boasting a fastball that reaches the upper 90s and three secondary pitches that flash plus. While his surface-level Double-A stats this season show a 4.78 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 17 starts (75.1 innings), his recent performance has been stronger, with a 3.49 ERA and opponents hitting .237 over his last 10 starts. He was ranked No. 92 on Bleacher Report’s Top 100.
### 4. LHP Kash Mayfield, Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers added left-handed pitcher **Kash Mayfield** as a key piece in the trade that sent rental starter Casey Mize and infielder Gage Workman to the San Diego Padres. Mayfield, 21, was the No. 25 overall pick in the 2024 draft, the second high school pitcher selected in his class. He is praised for his 6’4″, 200-pound frame, “three plus pitches and smooth mechanics,” projecting as a potential No. 2/3 starter if all aspects of his game come together. The next step in his development will be improving his command, as evidenced by his 10.6 percent walk rate over his first two professional seasons. His Class A+ numbers reflect his talent, with a 3.54 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, striking out 62 in 53.1 innings. Mayfield is ranked No. 87 on Bleacher Report’s Top 100.
### 3. SS Arjun Nimmala, Los Angeles Angels
Shortstop **Arjun Nimmala**, a highly touted 20-year-old infielder, was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jose Soriano, outfielder Eddie Micheletti, and right-handed pitcher Angel Rivero. Nimmala, who possesses “loud 60-grade raw power and the athleticism to stick at shortstop,” was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 draft and quickly became the No. 1 prospect in the Toronto system. He made his Double-A debut on July 8 and has performed well as one of the youngest everyday players in the Eastern League, hitting .279/.355/.451 in 138 plate appearances. If his development continues, he has the potential to be a “30-homer shortstop and franchise cornerstone,” and his acquisition could impact future trade discussions regarding Zach Neto. His overall stats across multiple levels this season include a .265/.364/.453 slash line with 8 home runs and 6 stolen bases in 62 games. He is ranked No. 44 on Bleacher Report’s Top 100.
### 2. OF Zyhir Hope, Detroit Tigers
Outfielder **Zyhir Hope**, a 21-year-old with significant potential, was acquired by the Detroit Tigers from the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the package for left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal. Hope, who was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 11th round of the 2023 draft and later traded to the Dodgers for Michael Busch, has blossomed into a consensus top 50 prospect. He is considered a potential “perennial All-Star and offensive cornerstone.” The Tigers envision an outfield of Riley Greene, Max Clark, and Hope forming the core of their future lineup, supported by rising star Kevin McGonigle and catcher Dillon Dingler. Hope’s Double-A stats this season are impressive: a .293/.369/.530 slash line with 23 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 94 games. He is ranked No. 38 on Bleacher Report’s Top 100.
### 1. RHP Anthony Eyanson, Baltimore Orioles
Topping the list is right-handed pitcher **Anthony Eyanson**, a 21-year-old who has rapidly ascended to become the No. 1 prospect in the Baltimore Orioles system. Eyanson was acquired by the Red Sox from the Orioles in a significant deal that sent catcher Adley Rutschman and catcher Jake Rogers to Baltimore. Coming off a stellar collegiate season at LSU, where he was the co-ace alongside Kade Anderson and helped lead the team to a national championship, Eyanson has been virtually unhittable in his professional debut. He has allowed just 35 hits and 10 earned runs in 68.1 innings over 15 starts, showcasing a significant velocity jump from 92-93 mph to 95-96 mph, even touching 98 mph. His slider, curveball, and splitter are all considered viable MLB offerings, transforming him from a potential middle-of-the-rotation starter into a legitimate frontline-caliber arm. His Class A+ and Double-A statistics are remarkable: a 1.32 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 94 strikeouts in 68.1 innings. Eyanson was ranked No. 22 on Bleacher Report’s Top 100.
