For as shocking as it was to see the Boston Red Sox trade Yoan Moncada away to the Chicago White Sox in the deal that landed them Chris Sale, the reality is that we don’t often see top prospects traded from one team to another. We decided to look at each of the teams from the National League West to find at least one top prospect that should be considered untouchable. Here is a look at one untouchable prospect from each NL West team.
SP: Yadier Alvarez, Los Angeles Dodgers
Alvarez signed a $16 million bonus as part of the 2015 international class and absolutely dominated in his pro debut with an 81-to-21 K/BB ratio over 59.1 innings. He’s now the top overall prospect in the system and a potential future ace. First basemen Cody Bellinger and starting pitcher Walker Buehler are among the top prospects in the Dodgers system but Alvarez is the one untradeable prospect that heads the team’s minor league class.
IF: Christian Arroyo, San Francisco Giants
Arroyo was the No. 25 pick in the 2013 draft and he is coming off a breakout season in which he hit .304 with 40 extra-base hits in 409 plate appearances with High-A San Jose. He didn’t fare well in his transition to Double-A but he has the raw skills to do it all in the majors if he can take that next step. The Giants already have Joe Panik and Brandon Crawford blocking a potential move to the majors so that should give Arroyo a little more time to develop his elite potential.
SS: Brendan Rodgers, Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have one of the deepest farm systems in the majors with Ryan McMahon, Forest Wall and Raimel Tapia all close to graduating to the next level but their top prospect is their shortstop Rodgers. The No. 3 pick from the 2015 Draft has a chance to be an elite hitter with the type of raw power that is rare from hitters at the shortstop position. With elite athleticism and incredible defensive ability there is no doubt that the 20-year-old is the best prospect in the Colorado system right now. The Rockies finished the year second in runs scored last year and with guys like Rodgers coming up, they should continue to be one of the better offenses in the Major Leagues for years to come.
OF: Brandon Drury, Arizona Diamondbacks
Drury appeared in 134 games for the Diamondbacks last season when he hit .282 in 461 plate appearances with 16 home runs and 53 RBI. The Diamondbacks might not consider him untouchable but they probably should consider him untradeable at this point. Arizona missed big when they traded away a potentially untouchable prospect in Dansby Swanson for veteran pitcher Shelby Miller and they have to regret it looking back at the deal now. It wouldn’t make sense to trade the 24-year-old Drury as he starts to tap in to his immense potential.
The Diamondbacks are clearly a team that’s rebuilding but one area where they are strong already is their batting line. They scored the 10th most runs in the Majors last season and finished 11th in OPS and 16th in home runs. Still, the hope is that guys like Drury help boost this team even more so.
SP: Anderson Espinoza, San Diego Padres
The Padres quickly reversed course on their decision to try to accelerate their rebuild process and they now appear committed to rebuilding from within with outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot at the top of their prospect list. The real star could be top pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza, who was acquired in the trade that sent Drew Pomeranz to the Boston Red Sox. Espinoza has the potential to be a star in the major leagues and at this point San Diego must consider him untouchable.
The Padres need some help in terms of pitching as they were merely 23rd in the league in ERA. Guys like Espinoza are their future and that future could be now as this team is going to be employing a lot of youngsters going forward.
The MLB season is still a couple of months away, but if you’re looking at some early lines and futures, click here to bet on MLB (or any other sports) at BetDSI!
