Phillies Predicted to Sell High on Aroon Escobar at 2025 Trade Deadline

The Philadelphia Phillies are still sorting out what has been one of the worst bullpens in baseball during the first month of the season, and upgrading the relief corps could end up being the club's top priority at this year's trade deadline.

The team showed a willingness to dip into its prospect pool for bullpen help last summer, acquiring rental closer Carlos Estévez from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for two of their most promising pitching prospects in George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri.

Which prospect pieces could be on the move this summer?

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) makes a pitching change during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park.

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Similar to Klassen and Aldegheri last year, infielder Aroon Escobar is in the midst of a breakout season that has sent his prospect stock soaring in the early stages of the 2025 season, and that could make him a prime candidate for the team to sell high on as part of a July deal.

Escobar, 20, turned in two forgettable seasons in the Dominican Summer League after signing for $450,000 in 2022 before breaking through in stateside rookie ball last year with a .338/.495/.481 line over 104 plate appearances.

He has made the leap to full-season ball this year and is off to a scorching start, hitting .360/.461/.627 with five doubles, five home runs and 18 RBI in 19 games at Single-A Clearwater, but his limited track record and power-over-contact approach could make selling high a shrewd move this summer.

One way or another, the Phillies will need to find a way to improve a relief corps that currently ranks 26th in the majors with a 4.87 ERA and has nailed down just 8-of-16 save opportunities with little in the way of reliable options outside of José Alvarado and Matt Strahm.