The 2025 trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and international prospects are going to be moving around left and right. Here are the top 10 international prospects that could change organizations by July 31.
Disclaimer: All prospects listed are in the farms of organizations that are likely to buy at the deadline.
1. Ethan Salas, C, SDP, VEN, MLB No. 23
After being ranked MLB’s No. 6 overall prospect last year, Salas has dropped down to 23 this year. The 19-year-old catcher is still supremely talented but hasn’t been exactly tearing up the minor leagues. Salas has a career MiLB OPS of .652, and in 10 games for Double-A San Antonio in 2025, Salas has gone six-for-32 at the plate with only one extra-base hit. The Padres are 54-45, good for three and a half games behind the Dodgers for first place in the National League West. Padres’ General Manager A.J. Preller has a history of buying big and going for it all at the deadline, so moving Salas to acquire an outfielder, a starting pitcher or bullpen help is not out of the question.
Possible Landing Spots: Rays, Marlins, Orioles
2. Luis Pena, SS/3B, MIL, DR, MLB No. 31
The Brewers have had winning seasons in eight of the last nine years, with their only losing season coming in the COVID-shortened, 60-game 2020 season, and they have done that in one of the smallest markets in MLB with one of the most limited payrolls. Two of the reasons they have been able to do so have been good homegrown talent development and crafty trades. Luis Pena could find himself helping the organization check both boxes this deadline. Pena, 18, was the Brewers’ No. 3 prospect coming into the year, behind only MLB No. 7 overall prospect Jesús Made and 2025 All-Star Jacob Misiorowski. The Brewers won’t part with Made or Miz, but they could move Pena. The Brewers are tied with the Cubs for first place in the NL Central and could move Pena, given both their farm depth, for veteran infield talent.
Possible Landing Spots: Rockies, Twins, Orioles
3. Felnin Celesten, SS, SEA, DR, MLB No. 51
The Mariners have an argument as MLB’s best farm system, and Celesten is a big reason why. The 19-year-old shortstop from Guaymate, Dominican Republic, is Seattle’s No. 3 prospect and is currently playing in Single-A. The Mariners have five total prospects in the top 62, with Harry Ford and Michael Arroyo ranked below Celesten. Arroyo, a shortstop as well, is closer to making his MLB debut, and with the Mariners thick in the playoff hunt, Celesten could be a trade chip for the Mariners this summer.
Possible Landing Spots: Braves, Diamondbacks, Cardinals
4. Josue Briceno, C/1B, DET, VEN, MLB No. 55
Not often do you see a team with the MLB’s best record also being named the best farm system in MLB. That’s exactly what the Tigers have done, as they are 60-40 and were named MLB.com’s No. 1 farm system coming into the year. Briceno is a left-handed hitting catcher and has had an excellent offensive season in 2025 in High-A before being promoted to Double-A Lake Erie two weeks ago.
Possible Landing Spots: Cardinals, Rangers, Angels
5. Jonah Tong, RHP, NYM, CAN, MLB No. 56
The Mets’ No. 2 prospect, Jonah Tong, has been incredible in 2025. For Double-A Birmingham, he is 7-4 with a 1.71 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 84 innings. A Chinese Canadian, Tong uses his 6-foot-1 frame and his fastball-curveball combo to puzzle hitters. The Mets have the third-best ERA in all of baseball, and with a 56-44 record, Tong is a prospect who could be expendable to acquire a star.
Possible Landing Spots: Nationals, White Sox, Guardians
6. Eduardo Tait, C, PHI, PAN, MLB No. 60
Dave Dombrowski has made his career by making big trades. Moving top prospects like Mick Abel, Andrew Painter, Justin Crawford and Eduardo Tait is not out of the question. Tait, currently in Single-A, signed for $90,000 out of Panama in 2023. He has climbed the ranks and is now one of Philadelphia’s top trade pieces at a deadline where Dombrowski has said that the Phillies will be “aggressive.”
Possible Landing Spots: White Sox, Pirates, Twins
https://twitter.com/PhilsPlayerDev/status/1939716620521271472
7. Jefferson Rojas, 2B/SS, CHC, DR, MLB No. 61
The Chicago Cubs are one of the most improved teams in all of baseball this season. The Cubs finished 83-79 last year, and on July 21, 2024, they were 48-53. This year, they are 59-40 and tied with the Brewers for first place in the NL Central. Their lineup has been one of the best in the league but could use an upgrade at third base or in the back end of their starting rotation. Rojas is currently with the Knoxville Smokies in Double-A, and the Dominican infielder could help sweeten the pot for a big target in the upcoming weeks.
Possible Landing Spots: Diamondbacks, Athletics, Guardians
8. Eduardo Quintero, OF, LAD, VEN, MLB No. 87
The Dodgers don’t really have a glaring need, but the fact that they are 2-8 in their last 10 may prompt a bigger move at the deadline. Team president Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes are routinely ranked as one of the best front offices in baseball, so a move this deadline could involve one of their top five prospects. Quintero has a .960 OPS in Single-A, and with the Dodgers’ starting outfield consisting of Andy Pages, Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernandez, he could be moved for some MLB-ready talent. The Dodgers have dealt with a ton of injuries, so look for them to make a move involving some international talent.
Possible Landing Spots: Royals, Cardinals, Nationals
9. Jhostynxon Garcia, OF, BOS, VEN, MLB No. 97
Aptly nicknamed “The Password” due to his long first name, Garcia is currently lighting it up in Triple-A Worcester. He has an .880 OPS in 43 games and is touted as a very athletic outfielder with above-average power. The Red Sox have one of the best farm systems in MLB, so trading away an outfielder in Triple-A, when they already have a crowded and talented outfield, could be a likely move for a team that has been red hot in July.
Possible Landing Spots: Marlins, Orioles, Guardians
10. Roderick Arias, SS/2B, NYY, DR, Yankee No. 5
The only non-top-100 prospect on this list, Arias is the highest-ranked international prospect for the Yankees. The Yankees have made it clear that they will be buyers and are looking to address their holes at both third base and on the mound. It is highly doubtful that they will choose to part with either George Lombard Jr. or Spencer Jones, but Arias along with multiple top Yankee pitching prospects could be the cost to bring high-level MLB talent to the Bronx.
Possible Landing Spots: Diamondbacks, Athletics, Pirates
WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo: San Diego Padres’ Ethan Salas hits a single during the ninth inning of a spring training baseball game as Cleveland Guardians catcher Michael Berglund looks on, Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
