MLB

Five MLB prospects who won't get traded - but could star in October

Brent Honeywell could follow the path of David Price and serve as late-season relief ace for Tampa Bay.

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.

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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.

Francisco Mejia, C, Cleveland Indians: It’s not common for a contender to call up a catcher from Class AA in the middle of a season, especially not one who won’t turn 22 until October, so chances are the Indians will continue to exercise patience with Mejia.

But it will become increasingly tempting to call him up if their catching tandem of Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez continues to struggle at the plate. Indians catchers rank second from the bottom in the AL in batting average (.206) and OPS (.622) while combining for a mere seven home runs.

The switch-hitting Mejia put together an eye-popping 50-game hitting streak at two Class A levels last season and has adjusted to AA quite well this year, batting .320 with an .893 OPS. His receiving skills haven’t caught up to his hitting yet, but they keep improving. Is the offense/defense split worth the risk to the Indians? We may find out.

Colin Moran, 3B, Houston Astros: Carlos Correa’s thumb injury will provide some opportunities at shortstop for Alex Bregman – manager A.J. Hinch wants Marwin Gonzalez to continue playing in a utility role – and that may open the door for Moran.

The sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft by the Miami Marlins, Moran did not initially show the power expected from his 6-4 frame and was traded to the Astros the next year. This season the pop in his bat has materialized, as Moran was batting .308 with 18 homers and a .916 OPS in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League when he was promoted after Correa went down.

Moran, 24, had 34 extra-base hits in 79 games, and even though he won’t play that many with the Astros, he could make an impact in Correa’s absence. He’s also versatile enough to play first base and some outfield.