With the MLB trade deadline approaching, the Dodgers have the prospect depth to make a blockbuster move. One name who could help them land a star is former Florida State standout Cam Leiter, a high-upside pitching prospect whose future could change before the deadline.
The trade deadline is less than five days away, and with the Los Angeles Dodgers chasing a third straight World Series title, could former Florida State standout Cam Leiter become the high-upside trade chip that helps Los Angeles land another star?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be ultra-aggressive come the trade deadline, with the organization fixated on being the first National League team to win three straight World Series. Meaning, for the right player, any prospect may be available.
“Rival executives believe the Dodgers plan to be greedy,” Bob Nightengale wrote. “And are infatuated with the opportunity of becoming the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series championships.”
Leiter, the Dodgers' No. 22-ranked prospect, could be one of the players on the move before the Aug. 3 trade deadline at 6 p.m. ET. This season with Single-A Ontario Tower Buzzers, Leiter has posted a 3.53 ERA while recording 54 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings, issuing 19 walks with a 1.35 WHIP.
Leiter is not projected to make his MLB debut until 2028 and ranks outside the Top 100 MLB prospects, making him more of a secondary asset in a trade package.
However, with a fastball, curveball and slider that all grade above the major league average, his high upside makes him an attractive trade chip. And for the Dodgers including him in a deal could prove pivotal in helping land one of the top players available on the market.
As a prospect, Leiter's pitches grade out as: Fastball (65), Curveball (55), Slider (55), Changeup (50), Control (40), with an overall prospect grade of 40. Those grades would indicate that Leiter is a power-arm prospect with high upside but lacks the command needed to pitch at the major league level.
Prospects are graded on baseball's 20-to-80 scouting scale, where 50 represents major league average.
Leiter's 65-grade fastball, along with 55 grades on both his curveball and slider, gives him three above-average pitches that have the potential to translate to the majors. However, his 40-grade control shows he has command issues that must improve before getting the call-up. Overall, Leiter looks to be a high-risk, high-reward prospect, making him a valuable trade asset the Dodgers could use to help land a top player at the deadline.
"The biggest question with Leiter is whether he can provide enough strikes to remain a starter. More physical than athletic, he operates from an upright delivery that lacks deception and carried a 15 percent walk rate in college. He comes with a lot of risk but also has a huge ceiling and was back throwing in the mid-90s and reaching triple digits during the offseason," MLB.com's scouting report wrote.
When it comes to trading for the biggest names on the market, having a deep farm system filled with elite talent is imperative.
“The Dodgers are so loaded with prized minor-league outfielders they could hand them out for Halloween,” Nightengale wrote.
Los Angeles is one of those teams with nine players ranked among MLB's Top 100 prospects. With the prospects the Dodgers have at the minor league level, they can pursue nearly any available player, while still maintaining one of baseball's top farm systems.
For Leiter, a move away from one of baseball's deepest organizations could ultimately benefit his development. A trade could provide a clearer path to the major leagues while allowing him the opportunity to establish himself sooner than he may be able to in Los Angeles.
