Posted by Mike Caprio July 31, 2009

Over the last two weeks, leading up to today’s 4pm non-waiver trade deadline, we’ve seen prospects of varying degrees change hands.

Best Upside Traded Before Deadline? (Icon Sports Media)

This will serve as your “Cliffs Notes” to who you should monitor for Fantasy purposes in 2009 and beyond.

Jess Todd (RHP):  PTBNL in Mark DeRosa to St. Louis Cardinals Trade

Todd made one appearance for the St. Louis Cardinals this season, giving up 1 HR in 1 2/3 Innings, but delivered 49 innings of projectable relief at AAA Memphis before joining the Indians.  Opponents hit .214 off of him, with a 4.53 K/BB Ratio, and 24 saves this season in Memphis. Depending on whether Kerry Wood moves today or before August 31st, Todd may see save opportunities for the Tribe this season.

Scott Barnes (LHP): Traded to Cleveland Indians from San Francisco Giants for Ryan Garko

Barnes, an 8th rounder out of St. John’s University in the 2008 draft, was the Giants #9 Prospect according to Baseball America (unranked by Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus), and profiles as a fringy control lefty who sits in the mid 80’s, with a top-end of 92 MPH.  In 98 Innings at Hi-A San Jose before the trade, Barnes had a 2.85 ERA with 99 Strikeouts.   He’s still a year away from a 3-4 starter role with the Tribe.

Jeff Clement (C/1B), Aaron Pribanic (RHP), Brett Lorin (RHP)  and Nathan Adcock (RHP): Traded to Pittsburgh Pirates from Seattle Mariners to complete the Snell/Wilson Trade

Clement is the big prize for the Pirates in this deal.  The remaining guys are all big right handers in Lo-A/Hi-A, with Lorin providing the best peripherals (87K/88 Innings), outside of the Mariners’ top 10 prospects.  Clement, after an administration change that focused on defense (see our article from earlier this season), was left to rot at AAA Tacoma.  His 871 OPS this season will likely be welcomed at 1B for the Pirates in the near future.  He is a Fantasy sleeper with the ability to hit 25-30 HR’s annually for the Bucs.

Carlos Carrasco (RHP), Jason Knapp (RHP), Jason Donald (SS), and Lou Marson (C): Traded to Cleveland Indians from Philadelphia Phillies to complete the Cliff Lee/Ben Francisco Trade

The Phillies traded 4 of their Top 10 pre-season prospects to the Indians for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco.  Carlos Carrasco is a right hander with a full arsenal that includes a devastating changeup to offset his low 90’s heat.  He had 112 K’s in 114 Innings at AAA LHV and has landed at AAA Columbus, a short stop-over before joining the Tribe rotation. Lou Marson profiles as a run producing backstop without significant power—.294 Avg/.382 OBP at AAA LHV this season.  Expect Indians GM Mark Shapiro to move Kelly Shoppach and Victor Martinez to make room for Marson and Carlos Santana next season.   Jason Donald is someone that Kevin Goldstein continually reminds us is “not a top prospect” and based on his 2009 numbers I have to agree.   Jason Knapp may turn out to be the top player in this deal when we look back in 2010.  His 111 K’s in 85 Inn. at Lo-A Lake County are pretty astounding, considering he is just 19-years old.  A hard thrower who needs to work on his secondary offerings, Knapp has the type of arm and solid frame (6′5″/235) that make scouts swoon.

Tim Alderson (RHP): Traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates from the San Francisco Giants to complete the Freddy Sanchez Trade

Entering the season Alderson was regarded as the Giants’ 2nd best arm in their minor league system, however since, some questions about his upside have started to creep into that previously stellar scouting report.  Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein reported via Twitter that a scout indicated to him that Alderson’s velocity was sitting in the 80’s in his last start.  However, the Pirates have a young (21-years old) thrower in AA who could add to their rotation of Duke, Morton, and Ohlendorf next season.   Averaging a little over BB/Game, if he maintains his control, he could be a solid 3 starter on a National League club as soon as 2010.

Josh Bell (3B) and Steve Johnson (RHP): Traded to the Baltimore Orioles from Los Angeles Dodgers to complete the George Sherrill Trade

I’ve always been a Josh Bell fan and this year he has had a bit of a Renaissance, elevating his pre-season rank of #8 (BA & BP) in the Dodgers organization and sliding over to the O’s in the Sherrill deal.  He profiles as a power switch-hitting 3B with limited defensive value.  His 883 OPS this season show an improvement in both approach and pitch recognition with AA Charlotte.  He’s joined AA Bowie to begin his Orioles career.   Steve Johnson (22-years old), a 13th rounder from the 2005, popped up on scouts’ radars this season with a combined 117 K’s in 107 Innings.   He needs to work on his control (1.37 WHIP), but could be another valuable piece for the Baltimore “arm factory” in Bowie.

Luke French (LHP) and Mauricio Robles (LHP): Traded to the Seattle Mariners from Detroit Tigers to complete the Jarrod Washburn Trade

Many of you may have seen the crafty lefty, Luke French, up with the big club over the last few weeks, but who is Mauricio Robles and should you care?  Maybe.  The 20-year old lefty has pitched reasonably well for Hi-A Lakeland with 40 K’s in 35.1 Innings.  At 5′11” he lacks the desired size for a pitching prospect, but with lefties if they can miss bats, who cares.  The Tigers made a nice deal here.  French may jump right into the Mariners’ rotation, but Robles won’t have any impact, if ever, until 2010-11.

Tyler Ladendorf (SS): Traded to the Oakland A’s from Minnesota Twins to complete the Orlando Cabrera Trade

Ladendorf is a 21-year old 2nd rounder from the 2008 draft who hit extremely well in Rookie Ball at Elizabeth Town this season, with 4 HR’s in 17 games (1.221 OPS), before being promoted to Lo-A Beloit.  He has not enjoyed much success at Beloit hitting just .233 Avg/559 OPS in 15 games.  He is not a fantasy prospect at this point.

Nick Hagadone (LHP), and  Bryan Price (RHP): Traded to the Cleveland Indians from Boston Red Sox to complete the Victor Martinez Trade

You guys know Justin Masterson, who is the key component of this deal, but here are the two others who you may not be familiar with.  A sandwich pick in 2007,  Nick Hagadone had Tommy John surgery three starts into last season, returning to the mound at Lo-A Greenville in 2009 to a spectacular start.  With 32 K in 25 Innings and a 1.08 WHIP, Hagadone is blowing through Sally league batters with his overpowering 95-97 MPH fastball and devastating slider.  If he can develop a changeup that rivals his slider and maintain his control, he could be the real difference-maker in this deal.   He won’t be on the Fantasy Baseball radar until late 2010 or early 2011.   Bryan Price has not fared well since joining the Carolina league with AA Salem, allowing a .288 BAA, and a 6.54 ERA; however he is missing bats (57 K’s in 52 Innings), so keep an eye on him.

Josh Roenicke (RHP) and Zach Stewart (RHP): Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays from Cincinnati Reds to complete the Scott Rolen Trade

The Alonso portion of this deal seemed a little silly and we learn that Ken Rosenthal reported incorrectly as the Reds have sent Roenicke and Zach Stewart to the Blue Jays.  Roenicke (27-years old) has been solid at AAA Louisville as their closer with 12 saves, 32 K’s and 1.28 WHIP in 27 appearances.  He should join the back-end of the Blue Jays bullpen immediately.  Stewart is the big-win in the deal for JP Ricciardi.  The 23-year old 3rd round draftee from the 2008 draft has been lights-out this season across three levels with a 1.67 ERA at 70 K’s in 91 Innings.  He should join the Blue Jays rotation to open the 2010 season.

Aaron Thompson (LHP): Traded to the Washington Nationals from the Florida Marlins to complete the Nick Johnson Trade

Thompson (22-years old) has a 4.11 ERA at AA Jacksonville with 75 K’s in 114 Innings, and a bloated 1.43 WHIP.  He will not figure in any Fantasy baseball leagues, and may not end up making a big league roster…though we are talking about the Nationals, so who knows.

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