Each MLB Team's Most Untouchable Prospect This Offseason
It's risky to call any prospect untouchable, as we've seen too many blockbuster deals in recent years to believe anyone is 100 percent safe from being moved.
Case in point: The Cincinnati Reds traded highly regarded outfield prospect Taylor Trammell to the San Diego Padres in the three-team deal that brought back right-hander Trevor Bauer.
That said, a handful of prospects come awfully close to being untouchable because of their upside and expected long-term role.
Ahead is a look at each MLB club's most untouchable prospect. In some cases, the list stretches beyond one player, but every team has at least one minor leaguer worth clinging tightly to this winter.
Let's get started.
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AL East
Baltimore Orioles: C Adley Rutschman
The rebuilding Orioles won't part with any of their top-tier prospects, so right-hander Grayson Rodriguez and left-hander DL Hall can be filed under untouchable. That said, there's no question who the headliner is in this system.
Rutschman, 21, is a switch-hitter with a 60-grade hit tool and 60-grade power. He also has the skills to be a Gold Glove defender behind the plate. A case can be made that he's already the face of the franchise given the hope he brought when he went No. 1 overall in the 2019 draft.
Boston Red Sox: RHP Bryan Mata
Ideally, the Red Sox would avoid parting with any prospects from a thinned out system that was No. 30 in B/R's final 2019 rankings.
However, if there is one prospect the team would be wise to cling to, it's Mata. The 20-year-old has already reached Double-A, and his polished four-pitch mix and advanced pitchability give him a high floor and a middle-of-the-rotation ceiling. A 2020 debut is not out of the question.
New York Yankees: OF Jasson Dominguez
Undersized right-hander Deivi Garcia (5'9", 163 lbs) and the rest of the Yankees' stable of young pitching prospects could all be made available if it means an immediate upgrade to the pitching staff.
After they shelled out $5.1 million to sign Dominguez in July, he's not going anywhere, and rightfully so given his tremendous upside. MLB.com wrote: "Scouts have been raving about the Dominican's package of tools for years, with some saying it's the best they've ever seen from a teenager on the worldwide market. He's a long ways from reaching his ceiling but has earned comparisons to the likes of Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout. "
Tampa Bay Rays: SS Wander Franco
As much as any organization, the Rays rely on cost-controlled homegrown talent to drive their success, so it's safe to assume most of their upper-echelon prospects will be off-limits in trade talks.
It doesn't get any more upper-echelon than Franco, who is widely regarded as the No. 1 prospect in baseball. Virtually no offer could pry him loose, and he could be the next phenom to arrive in the majors before his 21st birthday.
Toronto Blue Jays: RHP Nate Pearson
The Blue Jays have an exciting young core of position players, but the pitching side is lagging as they continue with rebuilding efforts.
The hard-throwing Pearson is the best of the prospect bunch that also includes Eric Pardinho, Adam Kloffenstein, Anthony Kay, Simeon Woods Richardson and 2019 first-round pick Alek Manoah. Pearson, a 6'6", 245-pound right-hander, racked up 119 strikeouts in in 101.2 innings thanks to a triple-digit fastball and an electric mix of secondary offerings.
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AL Central
Chicago White Sox: OF Luis Robert
The White Sox spent $52 million to sign Robert in 2017, and he's on the cusp of reaching the majors after a brilliant 2019 in which he posted a 1.001 OPS with 74 extra-base hits and 36 steals while reaching Triple-A. He's not going anywhere.
Injury returnee Michael Kopech (Tommy John surgery) and first-round picks Nick Madrigal and Andrew Vaughn also factor into the team's long-term plans, so consider them on the untouchable list as well.
Cleveland Indians: RHP Ethan Hankins
Before shoulder tightness scared teams away, Hankins was in the mix to go No. 1 overall in the 2018 draft. He slipped to No. 35, where the Indians gave him an above-slot bonus of $2.2 million.
He avoided surgery and came out firing on all cylinders in 2019, posting a 2.55 ERA and .206 opponents' batting average with 71 strikeouts in 60 innings. He's still filling out his 6'6", 200-pound frame and refining his secondary stuff, but there's legitimate ace upside here.
Detroit Tigers: RHP Casey Mize
Top pitching prospects Mize, Matt Manning and 2019 breakout performer Tarik Skubal represent the future of the Tigers rotation, and given the team's rebuilding status, all three will stay put this winter.
Mize, 22, cemented his place as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball with a 2.55 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 109.1 innings while reaching Double-A in his first full professional season. With a lethal splitter and a durable 6'3", 220-pound frame, he checks all the boxes of a future ace.
Kansas City Royals: SS Bobby Witt Jr.
Pitching prospects Brady Singer, Daniel Lynch, Jackson Kowar and Kris Bubic are all part of the future in Kansas City, and the team is still building, so don't expect to see any of them moved this offseason.
However, after going No. 2 overall in the 2019 draft, Witt sits atop the team's prospect heap. The 19-year-old has a chance to be a dynamic five-tool threat at shortstop, and he could move faster than most prep prospects, emerging as a cornerstone of the Royals' next contender.
Minnesota Twins: RHP Brusdar Graterol
With Jorge Polanco penciled in at shortstop and an outfield of Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton and Max Kepler in place, top prospects Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff might not be untouchable if the right opportunity to add a controllable, front-line pitcher presents itself.
Since pitching is the clear need for the Twins, Graterol makes the most sense to be deemed untouchable. The 21-year-old flashed his power stuff with 10 strikeouts in 9.2 innings out of the MLB bullpen in September, and he could snag a rotation spot next spring.
AL West
Houston Astros: RHP Forrest Whitley
After gutting the farm system in the Zack Greinke trade, the Astros likely won't make another major move this winter. On the off chance they do, Whitley will remain untouchable in all trade talks.
The 22-year-old struggled through a brutal 2019 season, posting a 7.99 ERA in 59.2 innings with an 86-to-44 strikeout-to-walk ratio. However, he pitched well in the Arizona Fall League with a 2.88 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 25 innings, and he could be back on track to fulfilling his ace upside.
Los Angeles Angels: OF Jo Adell
Depending on how you feel about Franco, a strong case can be made that Adell is baseball's No. 1 prospect.
The 20-year-old outfielder finished the regular season at Triple-A and then put together a strong run in the Arizona Fall League, so he's close to MLB-ready. It's no coincidence the Angels declined their $14 million option on incumbent right fielder Kole Calhoun at the start of the offseason. The job could be Adell's to lose this spring.
Oakland Athletics: LHP Jesus Luzardo
Pitchers Luzardo and A.J. Puk and catcher Sean Murphy all have a great chance of breaking camp with a prominent role on the Oakland roster next spring.
Luzardo, 22, might already be a staple in the Athletics rotation if not for a shoulder strain last spring that limited him to 55 innings in 2019. He turned heads out of the bullpen in September with a 1.50 ERA and just five hits allowed while striking out 16 in 12 frames. He's not going anywhere.
Seattle Mariners: SS Noelvi Marte
Outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez, right-hander Logan Gilbert and first baseman Evan White are almost certainly all staying put this offseason for a Mariners team that has worked hard to stockpile prospect talent over the past year.
Marte, 18, belongs in that group. After he hit .309/.371/.511 with 31 extra-base hits and 17 steals in 65 games in the Dominican Summer League, his stateside debut will be among 2020's most anticipated.
Texas Rangers: RHP Hans Crouse
When is the last time the Rangers developed an impact arm?
Guys such as Derek Holland, C.J. Wilson, Tommy Hunter and Martin Perez were solid contributors but never front-line options, and the well has run dry in recent seasons.
With a 70-grade fastball and a 60-grade slider, Crouse could have ace-like stuff if his changeup develops into a third viable offering. His violent delivery raises questions, but his upside is undeniable.
NL East
Atlanta Braves: OF Cristian Pache
It will take a ton to pry Ian Anderson or Kyle Wright from a Braves team that is still building the starting staff around breakout rookie Mike Soroka, 2018 All-Star Mike Foltynewicz and 25-year-old lefty Max Fried.
Meanwhile, Pache should be untouchable in trade talks after a breakout offensive performance. The 21-year-old was already viewed as Gold Glove-caliber defender in center field, and after hitting .277/.340/.462 with 57 extra-base hits in the upper levels of the minors, he has reached elite prospect status.
Miami Marlins: RHP Sixto Sanchez
The Marlins shouldn't trade any prospects at this point in their rebuilding process, especially after mortgaging MLB talent to add the likes of Jazz Chisholm and Jesus Sanchez to the system at the 2019 trade deadline.
The cream of Miami's prospect crop is Sanchez, who was the centerpiece of the J.T. Realmuto return last offseason. The 21-year-old is finally healthy and again showing the vast potential that elicited comparisons to Pedro Martinez during his time in Philadelphia.
New York Mets: SS Ronny Mauricio
One of the most exciting teenage prospects in baseball, Mauricio has the combination of hit tool, power and defense to be a star shortstop.
While he didn't turn heads in his full-season debut, he was one of the youngest players in the South Atlantic League, and his ceiling remains as high as any prospect's in the organization. Fellow teenagers Matthew Allan and Francisco Alvarez, along with 2019 first-round pick Brett Baty, should also be unavailable.
Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Spencer Howard
Pitching is the biggest need for the Phillies, and if shoring up the rotation means trading slugging corner infield prospect Alec Bohm for a front-line starter, the front office will at least need to consider it.
Given the need, Howard would seem untouchable as the team's top pitching prospect. The 23-year-old could see the majors in 2020 after he posted a 2.03 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 71 innings while reaching Double-A this past season.
Washington Nationals: 2B/SS Carter Kieboom
With Brian Dozier and Howie Kendrick both hitting free agency, the Nationals have a hole to fill at second base, and Kieboom has been viewed as the long-term solution for some time.
The 22-year-old hit .303/.409/.493 with 43 extra-base hits at Triple-A Fresno and has little left to prove in the minors. Expect to see him featured prominently during the 2020 season and beyond, even after a shaky first taste of MLB action this past year.
NL Central
Chicago Cubs: LHP Brailyn Marquez
After a solid showing in September, infielder Nico Hoerner could be ready for a regular role at the MLB level in 2020. As the team looks to trim payroll, he could be a crucial part of its future plans, which means he'll likely stay put.
Given the Cubs' struggles to develop pitching talent, No. 1 on the untouchable list should be Marquez. The hard-throwing lefty took a significant step forward in 2019, posting a 3.13 ERA with 128 strikeouts in 103.2 innings while showing improved secondary stuff.
Cincinnati Reds: RHP Hunter Greene
It's hard to imagine the Reds sell low on Greene, who has a chance to be a generational talent if he fully delivers on his considerable upside. The 20-year-old missed the 2019 season recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in April.
Beyond that, it's hard to call anyone untouchable for a Reds team that is hell-bent on contending in 2020. To that point, they shipped out top prospect Taylor Trammell in the Trevor Bauer deal over the summer when many would have previously guessed he was untouchable.
Milwaukee Brewers: C Mario Feliciano
With Yasmani Grandal headed to free agency, a revolving door at the catcher position in Milwaukee might continue spinning in 2020. It looks like the team might finally have a long-term answer in Feliciano, though.
The 21-year-old hit .270/.323/.473 with 25 doubles, 19 home runs and 81 RBI in 2019. He's also shown solid defensive chops with an above-average throwing arm. Finding a franchise catcher is tough, but it looks like the Brewers might have one in the No. 75 overall pick from the 2016 draft.
Pittsburgh Pirates: RHP Mitch Keller
The Pirates gave up too quickly on Tyler Glasnow, and now he's thriving in Tampa Bay. They won't make the same mistake with Keller.
While the 23-year-old was hit hard in his first MLB action, surrendering a 7.13 ERA in 48 innings over 11 starts, he has the advanced three-pitch mix and polished overall game to succeed. With a 3.56 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 103.2 innings at Triple-A in 2019, he has little left to prove in the minors and should have a chance to win a rotation spot this spring.
St. Louis Cardinals: 3B Nolan Gorman
With some of the best raw power of any prospect, Gorman has the makings of a future middle-of-the-order run producer for the Cardinals. That's something they have consistently lacked since Albert Pujols left town. Even with Paul Goldschmidt signed long-term, Gorman looks like an important piece of the future.
Andrew Knizner is viewed as the catcher of the future, and Yadier Molina is entering the final season of his contract, so he too belongs in the untouchable pile.
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks: OF Kristian Robinson
The Diamondbacks farm system is vastly improved from a few years ago. Guys like Alek Thomas, Daulton Varsho, Seth Beer and several of the club's high-ceiling pitching prospects all belong in the untouchable conversation.
That said, the clear choice here is Robinson, who has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in baseball. He hit .282/.368/.514 with 13 doubles and 14 home runs in 69 games while reaching full-season ball in his age-18 campaign. The sky is the limit for him offensively.
Colorado Rockies: LHP Ryan Rolison
The best pitching prospect in a Rockies system loaded with infield talent, Rolison is the one minor leaguer the Rockies should cling tightly to, ahead of even top prospect Brendan Rodgers.
The No. 22 pick in the 2018 draft, Rolison struggled a bit with the jump to High-A but still finished the 2019 season with a respectable 4.40 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 131 innings. He has a high floor and plenty of ceiling, making him a valuable asset for the pitching-needy franchise.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 2B/SS Gavin Lux
The Dodgers have balked at trading any of their top-tier prospects in recent years. Instead, they've watched Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Walker Buehler, Alex Verdugo, Joc Pederson and Julio Urias develop into key contributors.
It's also extremely unlikely right-hander Dustin May will be available in trade talks, but the easy answer here is Lux. The 21-year-old hit .347/.421/.607 with 25 doubles and 26 home runs before making his MLB debut in September, and he'll get every chance to win the second base job.
San Diego Padres: LHP MacKenzie Gore
With the deepest pool of prospect talent in baseball, the Padres can put together a blockbuster trade package that doesn't feature Gore. That's good since he'll most certainly be unavailable in any and all trade talks.
Still just 20, Gore is extremely polished for his age after going No. 3 overall in the 2017 draft out of high school. He posted a pristine 1.69 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 101 innings while reaching Double-A in 2019 and could be ready for the majors by midseason.
San Francisco Giants: C Joey Bart
Viewed as the heir to Buster Posey the moment he was selected No. 2 overall in the 2018 draft, Bart has done nothing to diminish those expectations since starting his pro career. Despite missing some time to injury, he reached Double-A in his first full pro season before lighting up Arizona Fall League pitching. A 2020 debut looks increasingly likely.
While Bart is the obvious pick, teenage shortstop Marco Luciano is also 100 percent untouchable after a monster pro debut. He could be one of the league's elite prospects by this time next year after hitting .302/.417/.564 with 13 doubles and 10 home runs in 2019 at the age of 17.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted.