The world of baseball was fixated on which major leaguers would be switching uniforms prior to yesterday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. After a slow build-up, there was a massive crescendo of activity right at -- and mostly after -- the deadline.
Nearly every relief pitcher on the planet was traded to the National League East in some form or fashion, while the Houston Astros made the biggest splash and landed a third ace in Zack Greinke to go with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. Those already in the majors grab the headlines, but in order to acquire those players, teams had to part with prospects -- a whole lot, in fact.
Let's look at some of the biggest names moved and how they may make an impact for their new organization.
Kolby Allard, SP, Texas Rangers
Allard moves a bit west in a
Allard was the 14th overall pick in 2015. The finesse lefty breezed through the lower levels of the minors and made his debut a year and a day ago, on July 31, 2018. He has pitched entirely at Triple-A this year and the results have not gone his way. He sits in the upper-80s/low-90s with a cutter, changeup and curveball -- the latter two flashing above-average potential. He has good control of his arsenal.
Though Texas has a lot of quality arms in the system, few are as advanced as Allard. Because of that, he could find an easier path back to the majors with his new team.
Logan Allen, SP, Cleveland Indians
Allen was traded as part of a three-team deal involving many moving parts with the biggest one being Trevor Bauer landing in Cincinnati.
The big lefty struggled to find the zone in eight games (four starts) for the San Diego Padres. He will start his career with the Indians in nearby Columbus but has a chance to make it to Cleveland pretty soon. Allen spins a low-90s fastball with a plus changeup and a pair of breaking balls. His control was better in the minors, but obviously a work in progress.
He is likely the Tribe's top pitching prospect after Tristan McKenzie, who has not pitched all season. The Indians need a starter to replace Bauer this weekend. That could be Allen.
Taylor Trammell, OF, San Diego Padres
The Padres parted with two players who played in the majors this season -- Allen, along with Franmil Reyes -- to acquire Trammell, who will not help them this season. That is a testament to the talent.
He has shown flashes of brilliance, as he did in the 2018 Futures Game, and hit well in the lower levels of the minors. He has struggled a bit in 2019, as he reached Double-A; however, the tools remain. He is a plus runner with at least average power from the left side. He has a good feel for the strike zone, which has allowed him to still get on base and swipe bags despite a dip in average. The speed allows him to track balls easily in the outfield, but a subpar arm has him playing a lot of left field -- though I think he could be playable in center.
Keith Law ranked him as the 14th-best prospect on his midseason update, which puts him No. 2 in the system behind his new teammate in Amarillo, Mackenzie Gore.
Mauricio Dubon, IF, San Francisco Giants
Dubon's stock was rising last year before a torn ACL wiped out his summer. He has returned to the field in 2019 and even briefly made his MLB debut earlier this month.
The high-contact batter is hitting nearly .300 on the season with much more power. Environments and a new ball are likely factors, but the ball is the same in Triple-A as it is in the majors. With a game predicated on putting the ball in play, he does not walk much, but he does not strike out much either. He continues to play shortstop with experience at second base and some hot corner as well. I believe he is probably a second baseman long term.
The Giants are in need of some talented youth. Dubon instantly becomes their top option in the minors as far as middle infielders with proximity to the majors.
Zac Gallen, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
A personal favorite of mine, Gallen will now pitch for the Diamondbacks after a swap of prospects with the Marlins. The right-hander will not be a prospect for much longer as he should exceed his rookie status over the next month.
He has been fantastic since being called up, compiling a 2.72 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings. In a bit of a surprise, he has struggled a little with control, but has previously shown enough that he should be able to regain it at some point. Chase Field and Marlins Park have played similarly with regard to home runs, so I don't think a change in venue does much for Gallen.
What does move the needle for me is a much better offensive club and a better one defensively, too. I'd be picking Gallen up in any format I can right now.
J.B. Bukauskas, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Bukauskas joins Gallen as a member of the Arizona organization, though his impact will not likely be felt until next season.
He has gone through some rough patches in 2019 at the Double-A level, but the stuff is still very good and he continues to miss bats at a solid clip. He has recorded 98 strikeouts in 85 1/3 innings. At the same time, he has walked 54 and has not been particularly efficient. Is he a starter or a reliever? He has the plus fastball to go with a power slider that could make him a dominant two-pitch relief ace. But he also has a good changeup and cutter, which gives him a full assortment to attack a lineup.
You know me: I say start until they can't start anymore. I think Bukauskas can start for Arizona as soon as 2020.
Jazz Chisholm, SS, Miami Marlins
The Diamondbacks acquired several prospects but also gave up a big one. Chisholm signed for $200,000 as an international free agent in 2015.
He has tremendous raw power that he is carrying into games with other loud tools around that. He can run. He can field. He can throw. He is a shortstop who should stick at the position with 30-HR potential. Can he hit? That is what separates Chisholm from some of the other top prospects. He is a .253 career hitter and is down to .204 at Double-A this season. He does not have to hit .300 to be an everyday player, but it has to be closer to .250 than .200 for it to work. Striking out once every three plate appearances does not help. He will not turn 22 until next season.
Given the other skills, it is likely a worthwhile risk for a team like Miami that needs up-the-middle talent.
Jesus Sanchez, OF, Miami Marlins
The Marlins did quite well for themselves on deadline day despite not having a ton of high-quality assets. In exchange for Sanchez and Chisholm they gave up a middle-of-the-rotation starter with control -- that stings a little -- a swingman they bounced from their rotation, and a breakout reliever who is already 29 years old with little track record to suggest his performance is actually sustainable. Sanchez is not without flaws. He could stand to walk a little more, as he gets a little aggressive. The hit tool should be average or better. Although the power is more raw than performance right now, it is in there, and I think there's even more than some people project. He is a solid fielder with the arm to play right field.
For a team rebuilding, Chisholm and Sanchez are very good gets.