The Philadelphia Phillies have positioned themselves as contenders this baseball season, making the MLB trade deadline a critical juncture in their push for postseason success. With Dave Dombrowski at the helm, the Phillies' strategy at the deadline could see them as active buyers, though they have shown caution in parting with top-tier prospects. This approach doesn't completely rule out potential moves, as the organization still has promising talent that might attract interest from other teams.
Let's take a closer look at some of those intriguing prospects who could be on the move:
Mick Abel has had his ups and downs in recent seasons, but 2025 seems to be his comeback campaign. The 23-year-old fireballer dazzled in his Major League debut, throwing six scoreless innings with nine punchouts and not a single walk.
Down in Triple-A, Abel has maintained strong numbers with a 2.21 ERA, a 1.228 WHIP, and a strikeout rate of 10.6 K/9. Despite this resurgence, Abel's pathway to the Phillies' rotation is blocked, especially with Andrew Painter waiting in the wings.
This puts Abel in a prime position to be used as valuable trade bait, potentially bringing the Phillies a key piece for their playoff run.
Jhailyn Ortíz might not have seen significant leaps in development since being selected in the third round of the 2022 draft, but he remains a player with untapped potential. His current stats show a .216/.330/.371 slash line with five homers and five stolen bases over 46 games.
At 24, he has the attributes of a solid bat with the potential to contribute more on the bases. His profile makes him an ideal candidate to be packaged in a deal for a short-term asset, especially if the Phillies are looking to bolster their roster for a deep playoff push.
Cristian Cabrera provides another intriguing option. Despite showcasing potential as a dependable back-end starter, his path to regular Major League action appears crowded.
Cabrera, at 23, could find himself Major League-ready within the next year, which makes him a valuable, albeit expendable, asset. What set Cabrera apart was his ability to avoid free passes, though this skill has waned this season with 31 walks across 46.1 innings—a noticeable increase from the 33 walks in 106.2 innings last year.
Nevertheless, his proximity to being Major League-ready could make him attractive to teams needing depth in their rotation.
Jordan Kemp, meanwhile, looks as close to MLB-ready as ever at 25 years old. After taking his time in development, he's now swinging a hot bat with an impressive .318/.421/.596 slash line, hitting 12 homers and swiping 10 bags over 51 games.
With Alec Bohm struggling in the Majors, the timing might be perfect for Kemp to get a shot in the big leagues. If the Phillies opt not to promote him, trading Kemp now could maximize his value, offering a productive return at a crucial time.
As the trade deadline approaches, how Dombrowski and the Phillies' front office handle these decisions will be critical. They'll need to weigh the impact of player movement against their goal of making a postseason splash. With the depth of talent in their pipeline, the Phillies have the potential to make strategic moves that could tilt their fortunes strongly in favor of a successful playoff campaign.
