Two Tool Prospect: Trade Deadline Edition

Two Tool Prospect is a regular feature that takes a trip around the farms of MLB teams, scouring the minors for the minor leaguers soon to make an impact on your MLB team and your fantasy team.  To get an edge in your fantasy league, you've got to know when the top prospects will be hitting the bigtime, and at least once a week during the season, Two Tool Prospect will take a look at those players.  This week, a special trade deadline edition.

With the trade deadline a week away, teams are really examining the value of going out and acquiring a player against the value one of their prospects could provide if called up to the MLB team.  For example, the Braves in 2007 decided that acquiring Mark Teixiera was worth surrendering most of their farm, because they thought they could make a run, and could re-sign him.  That return package for Texas included the likes of:

• Neftali Feliz: 2010 AL Rookie of the Year, current Rangers closer
• Elvis Andrus: 2010 All-Star, current Rangers shortstop
• Matt Harrison: Arguably the Rangers' 2nd best starting pitcher behind C.J. Wilson, Harrison is currently posting a 3.04 ERA in 2011.
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia: Currently hitting for a .780 OPS as the Red Sox starting catcher.

What did the Braves get from that?  One year of Mark Teixeira.  They traded him at the 2008 deadline for Casey Kotchman after realizing they wouldn't be able to afford his hefty pricetag.

This is every team's worst fear that makes a big trade deadline move.  Many of the contenders have an in-house option they could consider in their minor leagues, in the form of a prized prospect.  Today I'll specifically focus on prospects that could have major impacts down the stretch with their teams, and what we should realistically expect from a production standpoint.  I'll also talk about a couple top prospects, who while not with contending organizations, should make their mark on MLB before 2011's end.