Ranking the 10 best prospects that were moved at 2026 MLB trade deadline from Zyhir Hope to Jefferson Rojas

Every MLB team entered trade season with an objective, but those objectives weren't all the same.

Contenders want to win. Non-contenders generally just want to improve their long-term outlook. Teams in the middle might be trying to do a bit of both.

Names like Tarik Skubal, Adley Rutschman and Luis Arraez dominated the trade deadline, but a number of high-profile prospects changed hands leading up to the buzzer and could soon make an impact at the major league level.

Here are the 10 best prospects traded at the MLB trade deadline, from Zyhir Hope to Enddy Azocar.

MORE: MLB trade deadline winners and losers 

10. Kyson Witherspoon, P, Orioles

The Orioles did well to snag Kyson Witherspoon as the second pitcher in the Adley Rutschman deal, but he's someone who will have to tinker with his approach if he wants to become the player the Red Sox hoped he would. A first-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2025, Witherspoon has a 4.78 ERA across 17 starts at High-A this season and hasn't missed bats at the rate most would expect, with 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

The timeline to the majors might be a bit slower than Witherspoon expected, but he has the velocity to miss more bats and become a major league starter if the right adjustments are made.

MORE: Grading the Adley Rutschman trade

9. Enddy Azocar, OF, Orioles

Already a solid defender with some speed, 19-year-old Enddy Azocar's bat has really come around in 2026. The Venezuelan-born outfielder was quiet in 2025, but he's hitting .286 with 18 home runs and an .881 OPS and actually has a higher OPS since being promoted from Single-A to High-A.

Acquired as part of the Orioles' package for Rutschman, Azocar has two more minor league levels to clear and plenty of development ahead, but his production in the Red Sox' system — particularly from a power standpoint — against older competition has to have Orioles fans excited about what he can become.

8. Ramon Marquez, P, Giants

The Giants tossed Caleb Kilian into the Luis Arraez deal and came away with a pretty intriguing prospect in right-hander Ramon Marquez. Turning 21 next month, Marquez has a 1.68 ERA across 59 innings between Single-A and High-A this season. He only has 114 professional innings under his belt, but a career strikeout rate of 13.0 per nine and a tremendous 4.4 hits per nine allowed this season are both eye-popping. Marquez's changeup is his best asset, and it could carry him into either a starting or relief role with the Giants at a young age.

MORE: Recapping every move at the MLB trade deadline

7. Kash Mayfield, P, Tigers

The Tigers swung a Casey Mize trade at the last minute, dealing the former No. 1 pick to the Padres. They're hoping it won't take long for Kash Mayfield to fill the void at the MLB level. The 21-year-old Mayfield was San Diego's first-round pick in 2024 and has a 3.24 ERA across 114 minor league innings over the last two years, including a 3.54 ERA at High-A this season. Mayfield has a terrific frame at 6-4 and should be in position to pitch at the higher levels of the minors next season as he tries to make his way to Detroit.

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6. River Ryan, P, Tigers

Much has been said about River Ryan's age, and it's true: you don't see many prospects of his caliber still considered prospects as they approach their 28th birthday. There are some unique circumstances at play, as Ryan underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2025. A pitching logjam kept him out of L.A. for all but four starts otherwise, and he's only made eight minor league starts in 2026 due to an unrelated injury.

There is still plenty of potential here. Ryan has allowed just one home run in 36.1 innings this season, and he has the velocity to consistently miss bats even after surgery. The question is whether it will make more sense for Ryan to shift to a relief role, but the Tigers will give him some run as a starter once healthy.

MORE: Grading the Tarik Skubal trade

5. Alexander Frias, OF, Cardinals

Eighteen-year-old Alexander Frias might be the most overlooked prospect traded before the deadline, landing with the Cardinals along with Josiah Ragsdale for Dustin May and JoJo Romero.

Frias has a long way to go, as he started this season in rookie ball, but the tools are all there to be a top-100 prospect in baseball. Frias is hitting .342 with eight home runs and a .980 OPS over 60 games this season, including an otherworldly .441 AVG over 32 games in rookie ball. He hasn't been nearly as dominant in Single-A, but someone who doesn't turn 19 until March carrying a .746 OPS against older competition isn't something to overlook. The Cardinals have a project in Frias, but the deal could pay dividends.

MORE: Updated MLB power rankings after trade deadline

4. Jefferson Rojas, INF, Mets

The biggest prize of the Mets' deadline came in a deal with the Cubs for Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor, as New York received talented infield prospect Jefferson Rojas. The 21-year-old has spent the full season at double-A, batting .270 with 15 home runs and a .799 OPS while possessing enough ability to play second base, third or shortstop. Rojas might not have superstar potential in his bat, but he should be a long-term piece the Mets can count on as A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge emerge as building blocks this year.

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3. Arjun Nimmala, SS, Angels

The Angels landed shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala for Jose Soriano as the centerpiece of their deadline haul. The 20-year-old was a first-round pick in 2023 and started slowly but has come into his own this season, batting .265 with eight home runs and an .817 OPS while primarily playing at double-A and high-A. Still young for his level, Nimmala could grow into the Angels' shortstop of the future by 2028 or even late 2027 as Zach Neto's future already hangs in the balance. 

MORE: Grading the Yankees' trade deadline

2. Anthony Eyanson, P, Orioles

Many Red Sox fans weren't thrilled with the haul the organization sent the Orioles for Rutschman, but Anthony Eyanson is an example of how scouting and drafting well can benefit a team even before players reach the majors. A third-round pick just a year ago, Eyanson developed into a top-50 prospect in baseball and ultimately a valuable trade chip for Boston.

The former LSU standout has a brilliant 1.32 ERA over 68.1 innings of work in his first professional season, with 12.4 strikeouts per nine and just 4.6 hits per nine. Already in double-A, Eyanson will be a quick riser to the majors if he even comes close to sustaining this kind of dominance. 

1. Zyhir Hope, OF, Tigers

Could the Tigers have done better in the Skubal deal? In terms of quality behind the headliner, probably. In terms of finding a better prospect, Zyhir Hope might have been the best they could do for a rental.

The 21-year-old former 11th-round pick does play in a hitter-friendly environment, but he's been productive everywhere he has played and is hitting .293 with 23 home runs and an .899 OPS this season. Speedy as well with strong defensive capabilities, Hope has a chance to reach the majors at some point in 2027 if he stays on his current progression. A young core headlined by Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark and Hope could quickly make Tigers fans feel a bit better about how this all went down with Skubal.