Trade bait: 4 top prospects Phillies should consider putting on the trade block

Johan Rojas, OF

While not technically a prospect any longer, Johan Rojas is still green enough to find a place on this list.

Rojas earned his spot as the everyday center fielder this season and into the playoffs, mainly because of his stellar defense. Who can forget him tracking down the ball, up against the wall in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves with the game on the line against the NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr.?

Rojas is one of those special defensive talents that make even the hardest of plays seem simple. His speed is a valuable asset in the outfield but also on the base paths, swiping 14 bases in just 59 games at the big league level.

But in order to be a menace on the bases, he has to get hits and get on base. Rojas made the jump from Double-A to the Majors, and it may have been premature from an offensive standpoint. In 13 games during the playoffs, his lack of offense was exposed, slashing .093/.114/.276. Providing just about nothing at the plate proved to be detrimental.

It’s clear the Phillies organization values the young 23-year-old center fielder, but that also means some other teams will as well. He was a top 10 Phillies prospect before losing his status, and with his experience in the Majors, he may be the highest-valued position player prospect in the organization who can garner a lot of trade capital.

There may be an opportunity for the Phillies to have him as a centerpiece of a trade package and flip him for a bonafide starter. He’s one of those young players that trading too early could come back to haunt the Phillies, but that’s exactly why they may want to capitalize on his value today.