Prospects to know as Yankees explore deadline trade opportunities
Prospects to know as Yankees explore deadline trade opportunities originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Next week begins the silly season in baseball. With the MLB trade deadline looming at the end of the month, every lineup decision and dugout handshake or hug will be evaluated for hidden meanings. There will also be names of minor leaguers, players most fans have never seen, floating around.
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We're diving into the New York Yankees' minor league system, not looking for future Yankees stars, but payoff potential. Over the next few days, we'll spotlight the names likely to surface in trade rumors over the next few weeks.
This is the time of year when buzz starts to build. Scouts flock to Double-A games. Triple-A starts suddenly draw execs. And across clubhouses in Somerset, Scranton, and Hudson Valley, players who've never put on a big-league uniform become leverage in front office conversations.
New York Yankees prospect Spencer JonesKim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Yankees are contenders but they have holes then need to patch if they want to finish October with a parade. That means trades. And trades mean prospects on the move.
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This year's system isn't the deepest in baseball, but it's surprisingly functional for deadline dealing. It's top-heavy with a few big names and full of intriguing arms—some polished, some raw, but enough to interest teams in all stages of contention or rebuild.
Over the next few days, we'll break down the players most likely to draw calls:
Spencer Jones, the power-hitting 6-foot-7 outfielder whose recent hot streak has boosted his stock.
George Lombard Jr., the top prospect in the system and arguably the closest thing to untouchable.
Pitching depth, including both injured bounce-backs and live-armed risers who could headline or round out deals.
Near-ready right-handers like Cam Schlittler and Brendan Beck, who are making strong cases in the upper minors.
High-upside arms like Carlos Lagrange and Griffin Herring, drawing quiet but growing attention from scouts.
Blocked bats like Everson Pereira, Roc Riggio, and Rafael Flores, who could thrive elsewhere but are stuck behind big-league depth charts in the Bronx.
Some of these players could headline deals. Others may be sweeteners. But every name we highlight is one you'll want to remember—because if the Yankees do make a big move, odds are it'll start with one of them.
Related: Yankees Prospect Dominates in Minors Amid Trade Rumors
Related: Jazz Chisholm Jr. Answers After Being Burned by Former Teammate
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
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