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.