MLB Trade Rumors: A's scouting Rutherford, Florial, Park, Perez in Single-A Charleston
As the July 31 trade deadline is near, it’s been reported that A’s scouts have been scouting the Yankees Low-A affiliate, the Charleston RiverDogs. They’re noted to be keeping an eye on top outfield prospect Blake Rutherford, shortstop Hoy Jun Park, outfielder Estevan Florial, and right-hander Freicer Perez.
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| Photo Credit: Martin Griff | Pinstriped Prospects |
Rutherford
is currently ranked as the 30th best propsect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline and is the Yankees’ third
top prospect behind Clint Frazier and Gleyber Torres. Still just 20-years-old,
he would immediately be the top prospect in the system along with shortstop
Franklin Barreto. Rutherford’s yet to provide power in Single-A this season, as
he’s hit just two homers and 30 RBIs while slashing .281/.342/.391 across 71
games. His 20 doubles are currently tied for the team lead.
Florial was recently in the 2017 Futures All-Star Game in Miami and struck out in his lone AB. He’s cooled off lately to a .284 average for the season, but has been a rising prospect in the Yankees system this season. He’s hit 11 homers with 40 RBIs while also providing nice speed with 15 stolen bases in 21 attempts. He is projecting to be a 20-20 plus guy at the big league level. He is currently the Yankees' 15th ranked prospect.
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| Photo Credit: Martin Griff | Pinstriped Prospects |
Shortstop Hoy Jun Park is someone the Yankees would certainly part with, considering their plethora of players at that position already. Park is the 23rd ranked prospect in the Yanks system and currently leads Charleston with 17 SBs and is hitting .274. His defense has been concerning though, as he’s committed 18 errors in 75 games.
Freicer Perez is the biggest unknown name of this group and has enjoyed a breakout season in 2017. He’s made 16 starts so far, accumulating 82.2 innings, striking out 76, and accumulating a low WHIP of 1.17 and ERA of 2.83. He is currently ranked as the club's 26th best prospect.
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| Photo Credit: Ben Margot/AP |
So why are the A’s prospects scouting these four specifically?
Well, the Yankees are said to be interested in All-Star first baseman Yonder Alonso and starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Alonso would be a major upgrade at first base as that’s been the Yankees’ biggest weakness of 2017 after injuries to Tyler Austin and Greg Bird, along with the atrocities of Chris Carter. Alonso has been in the midst of a slump lately, as he’s just four for his last 29. His stats for the season currently include a slash line of .269/.368/.556 with 21 homers and 44 RBIs. The left-handed bat also excelled in the ASG, hitting two singles and also he also picked up a stolen base.
Gray is also a big name and would help the Yanks recover from the Michael Pineda injury. Gray has struggled for the better part of two seasons now, pitching to an ERA in the high 4.00s after three very good seasons to start his career. He is just two years removed from making to his first All-Star Game and finishing third in the AL Cy Young voting. Gray has been dominant in front of scouts lately, pitching to a 1.33 ERA over his last four starts.
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| Photo Credit: Ben Margot/AP |
Who knows what the trade scenario would be, but it seems the outline of a trade may be brewing between the Yankees and the A’s. Gray has also been connected to other teams such as the Cubs and despite the A's being just six games back in the Wild Card race, it seems they’re in total sell mode after selling off relievers Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle to the Nationals.
As for Gray and Alonso, the Yankees are certainly interested in both and this could be a possible package deal. If they acquired both, the Yankees would certainly have to part with a lot, but such a move could put them as the favorites in the AL East. In the end, Alonso makes the most sense for the Yanks as they could surely get him without having to give up Frazier or Torres.
As for Gray and Alonso, the Yankees are certainly interested in both and this could be a possible package deal. If they acquired both, the Yankees would certainly have to part with a lot, but such a move could put them as the favorites in the AL East. In the end, Alonso makes the most sense for the Yanks as they could surely get him without having to give up Frazier or Torres.
Stay tuned to BBB for all the latest trade deadline rumors revolving around the Yanks.
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