​The MLB Trade Deadline is just a month away, and rumors are already starting to swirl. From potential trades to what contending teams will be seeking, there’s plenty of excitement this time of year. The Phillies sit three games behind the Braves for the NL East lead and half a game back of the Cubs for the top Wild Card spot. They’ve turned their fortunes around significantly since Don Mattingly took over as manager, and this season has included five Phillies named to the All-Star Team, with the possibility of more stepping in as injury replacements.
But despite the depth on the roster, there are holes that still need to be filled as the Trade Deadline approaches. Which prospects could the Phillies look to move? (All prospect rankings are from MLB Pipeline.) Even with Aidan Miller still sidelined, Philadelphia’s farm system features position players who are enjoying productive seasons. In particular, infielder Bryan Rincon (PHI #27) has broken out in Reading and could emerge as one of the club’s strongest trade assets. Rincon is a solid defender with a 60-grade arm and a glove at shortstop, and he also exhibits good plate discipline with surprising power.
An injury was the only thing that slowed Rincon in May. In 20 games, he slashed .301/.400/.630 for a 1.030 OPS, recording 11 extra-base hits, six of which were home runs. His 11.8% walk rate helped offset a 20% strikeout rate. Although his slugging percentage has declined since June 1, he still owns an eye-popping .856 OPS during that span, and his .879 OPS ranks ninth in the Double-A Eastern League.
Another dynamic talent, Griffin Burkholder (PHI #11), the Phillies’ 2024 second-round pick, is finally fulfilling his potential. His 24.1% strikeout rate is on the higher side, but he’s compensated with an 11.4% walk rate. Burkholder is one of four Clearwater Threshers in the top 10 on the Florida State League OPS leaderboard. He’s also among the leaders in other key metrics: OBP is .388 (10th), SLG is .466 (8th), and his wRC+ sits at 128 (8th).
Alirio Ferrebus (PHI #21) is another intriguing piece for teams. Like Burkholder, Ferrebus is enjoying a strong age-19 season and won’t turn 21 until September. He leads the Florida State League in OPS (.891), ranks second in slugging percentage (.516), and sits third in wRC+ (132). The Phillies have seen several of their pitching talents advance or depart in recent years; Andrew Painter reached rookie eligibility this season, and Mick Abel, once a Top 100 prospect, was traded in the Jhoan Duran deal. Yet there remain several compelling pitching prospects the Phillies could use to lure other clubs.
Fast-rising right-hander Ramon Marquez (PHI #9) has drawn major attention this year for good reason. He dominated at the Single-A level, posting a minutely short but eye-catching stint with a 1.86 ERA across six games, striking out an impressive percentage of hitters. His rapid ascent and current performance make him a candidate who could attract strong interest from teams looking for bullpen or rotation depth as the Trade Deadline approaches.