3 Dodgers prospects entering their final month with team as trade deadline nears
As the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. With the postseason within reach and their sights set firmly on another World Series title, the Dodgers are faced with the challenge of balancing their present championship aspirations with the potential need to fortify their roster. For many organizations, this time of year marks an opportunity to reinforce weak spots and build a more complete team. For the Dodgers, however, there is another layer of complexity—three of their most promising prospects are entering their final month with the team before the trade deadline.
For each of these players, the coming weeks are more than just an opportunity to showcase their abilities to major league scouts and executives from other teams. They represent critical moments that could shape the trajectory of their careers, potentially being moved to new environments as part of a trade deal, or they could be integrated into the Dodgers’ future plans. For the Dodgers’ front office, this is a delicate balancing act: Do they keep these players, holding out hope that they will be key contributors in the future? Or do they leverage the value of their prospects to address immediate needs on a contending team? For these prospects, it is a time of reflection, determination, and, ultimately, uncertainty.
As the deadline looms, all eyes are on these young stars to see how they perform in their final month with the team. What they do in the next few weeks could be the difference between staying with the Dodgers or moving to another organization. It’s a high-pressure situation, but it’s also one that presents immense opportunities for growth and self-discovery. These players are about to face a unique crossroads, and how they handle the final month of their time with the Dodgers could define their professional futures.
Prospect 1: Michael Busch – The Powerful Left-Handed Hitter
Michael Busch, a former first-round pick by the Dodgers in the 2020 MLB Draft, is a player who has been on the radar of scouts for several years. A powerful left-handed hitter with a penchant for getting on base, Busch has proven to be an excellent offensive weapon in the minors. His combination of power, patience at the plate, and ability to drive in runs has made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the Dodgers’ system. However, as the trade deadline approaches, Busch finds himself in a situation that is as much about timing as it is about performance.
Busch’s future with the Dodgers has always been somewhat uncertain. With the team boasting a deep and talented roster, finding a consistent role for Busch has proven difficult. He is a gifted hitter, but his defensive versatility is a question mark. Although he has played second base, first base, and left field in the minors, it’s unclear where he would fit on a team that already has stars locked into key positions. This uncertainty has led many to speculate that Busch could be used as trade bait to bring in an impact player before the deadline.
Over the last few months, Busch’s stock has fluctuated. While he’s still capable of hitting the ball with authority, his performance at the plate has been up and down. Inconsistent stretches have led to doubts about whether he can translate his success in the minors to the majors, where pitchers are far more polished. Despite this, Busch’s ability to hit for power and reach base at a high clip keeps him on the radar of MLB teams looking for an offensive boost. And with the Dodgers continuing to make moves to strengthen their roster, Busch could be a valuable trade asset for a team looking to add some left-handed pop to their lineup.
The final month for Busch will be critical. If he can get hot at the plate and prove that he can perform consistently, it may be enough to convince the Dodgers to keep him in the fold. On the other hand, if he struggles, it could push him closer to being part of a trade package. Given his upside, Busch is a player that many teams would covet—making this final month a defining one for his future.
Prospect 2: Gavin Stone – The Emerging Starting Pitcher
Gavin Stone is a pitcher that many in the Dodgers’ organization have been high on for a long time. Selected in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, Stone quickly turned heads with his advanced pitch mix and the ability to generate strikeouts at every level of the minors. His fastball, sitting comfortably in the low 90s, has been complemented by a sharp slider and a changeup that can keep hitters off balance. Stone’s growth over the past year has been impressive, and he’s now regarded as one of the most promising pitching prospects in the Dodgers’ system.
However, like Busch, Stone faces a dilemma. The Dodgers already have a deep pitching staff, with a mix of experienced arms and emerging stars. While Stone’s stuff is certainly impressive, it remains to be seen whether he can take the next step and become a reliable major league starter. With Clayton Kershaw in the twilight of his career and the future of pitchers like Julio Urías and Dustin May uncertain, the Dodgers’ front office may be looking to acquire a more established ace or solidify their rotation further.
Stone’s final month with the team will be an opportunity for him to show that he belongs at the big league level. He will have the chance to impress the Dodgers’ coaches and decision-makers, as well as scouts from other teams who may be considering him as part of a trade package. If Stone can demonstrate consistency in his starts and show that his stuff can play at the highest level, the Dodgers may decide to keep him for the future. However, if his struggles continue or if he doesn’t show the type of dominance that many believe he’s capable of, it could lead to a scenario where Stone is included in a trade to acquire a proven major league starter.
Stone’s development has been one of the more exciting stories in the Dodgers’ minor league system, and his ability to contribute in the future is a key part of the team’s long-term plans. But with the trade deadline approaching, Stone is entering a critical stretch. Every start he makes in the next few weeks will matter, both for his career and for the Dodgers’ decision on whether to keep him or use him to land an established pitcher for a playoff push.
Prospect 3: Diego Cartaya – The Catcher of the Future
Diego Cartaya is one of the Dodgers’ most highly touted prospects, and for good reason. As a young catcher with a rare combination of defensive prowess and offensive potential, Cartaya has quickly become one of the top catching prospects in all of baseball. His ability to manage a pitching staff, his strong arm behind the plate, and his ability to hit for both average and power make him a potential future star in the MLB.
But like the other two prospects, Cartaya finds himself in a situation where the trade deadline could have a significant impact on his future with the team. The Dodgers’ current catching situation is solid, with Will Smith locked in as the starting backstop and Austin Barnes providing reliable depth. While Cartaya is viewed as the catcher of the future, the team may feel the pressure to move him in a deal that could bolster their chances of winning this season. Given Cartaya’s talent and upside, many teams around the league would be interested in acquiring him, making him an attractive trade chip.
For Cartaya, this final month with the Dodgers could be crucial. While he has continued to impress in the minors, his path to the big leagues is currently blocked. If the Dodgers can get a substantial return for him—a major-league ready player or a significant piece to add to their roster—they might be willing to part ways with their prized catcher. However, if Cartaya can demonstrate further growth in his offensive game and show that he’s close to being ready for the major leagues, the Dodgers may elect to hold on to him as a future cornerstone behind the plate.
Cartaya’s development has been one of the most exciting parts of the Dodgers’ farm system, and there’s no doubt that he has the tools to be an impact player at the major league level. But the decision to move him could come down to a combination of factors, including the team’s needs, the offers they receive, and Cartaya’s development during this final month.
The next month is sure to be an emotional roller coaster for these three prospects. For each of them, the trade deadline represents a significant moment in their careers. The possibility of being traded can be daunting, especially for young players who have poured their heart and soul into the team’s organization. But at the same time, a trade can provide them with the opportunity to showcase their talents in a new environment and potentially accelerate their development. Whether they stay or go, the next few weeks will be defining for these prospects as they seek to prove their worth and secure their place in the future of Major League Baseball.
For the Dodgers, the decision to trade any of these players will not come lightly. Each of these prospects has immense talent, and their potential to contribute to the team’s success in the future is undeniable. But with the trade deadline looming and the Dodgers in contention for a championship, the team’s need for immediate reinforcements may outweigh the potential of holding on to these promising young players. The next month will be critical—not just for the Dodgers’ current roster, but for the future of the franchise and the careers of these young stars.
