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The top Chicago Cubs prospect on the Knoxville Smokies roster did not survive the MLB trade deadline.
When the Smokies return to Covenant Health Park next week, they'll be without standout infielder Jefferson Rojas, a former No. 1 prospect in the Chicago Cubs organization. The 21-year-old was dealt to the New York Mets on Aug. 3 as part of a deal to acquire pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor.
Rojas was the lone Smokies player moved before the 6 p.m. Aug. 3 deadline. Knoxville will retain four of Chiago's Top 30 prospects: Brooks Caple (No. 8), Ariel Armas (No. 19), Luis Martinez-Gomez (No. 21) and Brody McCullough (No. 27).
Chicago made trades earlier this season for pitchers David Peterson and Jayden Murray, giving up former No. 13 prospect Cole Mathis and former Smokies first baseman Cameron Sisneros in separate deals.
Nearing the deadline, the Cubs took further action for a second-half push in the NL Central.
OF Brett Bateman, INF Ty Southisene traded for Toronto Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman: The Cubs opened with back-to-back deals with the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 2. Right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon was dealt for cash considerations or a player to be named later. Hours later, the Cubs made a major deal, bringing in two-time All-Star starter Kevin Gausman in exchange for the Cubs' No. 13 prospect Ty Southisene (a former University of Tennessee signee) and No. 21 prospect Brett Bateman, who spent time in Kodak and Knoxville across 122 games.
INF Jonathon Long, RHP Jace Beck traded for Miami MarlinsLHP Braxton Garrett: Chicago struck a deal with the Miami Marlins hours before the deadline to land left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrettformer, the seventh-overall pick in 2016, in exchange for No. 10 prospect Jonathon Long and No. 28 prospect Jace Beck. Long played 46 games in Kodak and has been stuck in Triple-A for the last two seasons. Beck was recently promoted to Triple-A after winning Southern League Pitcher of the Month for June with the Smokies.
C Moises Ballesteros, RHP Mason McGwire traded for Los Angeles AngelsRHP Ryan Zeferjahn: A fan-favorite with the Smokies, Ballesteros couldn't find a stable home in Chicago and has been sent off to new scenery in Los Angeles. Ballesteros played in 61 games with the Smokies between 2023 and 2024. He made his big-league debut May 13, 2025, and has split his 2026 season between the MLB Cubs and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. The son of legendary Mark McGwire, Mason McGwire appeared in the MLB Futures Game during All-Star weekend and has been with High-A South Bend since late May.
INF Jefferson Rojas traded for New York Mets RHP Clay Holmes, OF Tyrone Taylor: Rojas was the Cubs' No. 1 prospect for a majority of the season until recent rankings pushed him to No. 2 behind Josiah Hartshorn. Now, he is headed to the Mets after spending the past two seasons in Knoxville. Rojas was the youngest player on the Smokies.
The Smokies' roster will be different the next time they take the field at Covenant Health Park on Aug. 11. Rojas is out of the picture, and other players could be sent to Iowa to fill roster holes.
Alex Ramirez, a steady breakout bat with a rocket arm in the outfield, could be due for a call-up to replace Bateman in Triple-A. Ramirez is already 24 years old and has shown the ability to consistently hit Double-A pitching, making him a likely candidate to move up the ladder.
Additional spots in Knoxville also opens the door for South Bend players to earn a promotion, and No. 5 prospect Kane Kepley should be atop the list. The 22-year-old University of North Carolina product has produced a .435 on-base percentage and stolen 50 bases this season.
Hartshorn, who dethroned Rojas for the top spot in the farm system, could also find his way to Knoxville. But at 19 years old, he could stick around High-A for development. Outfielder Kade Snell, a 24-year-old fifth-round pick last season, could also receive the call to Knoxville.
A trip down Interstate 75 is in store for Knoxville this week, as the Smokies travel to take on the Chattanooga Lookouts for the first time since defeating the in-state rivals for a first-half championship and guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
The Smokies fell to second place Aug. 1 for the first time in the second half of the season. Knoxville is now 16-17 in the second half after dropping four of their six home games against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Here are the promotions scheduled at Covenant Health Park when the Smokies are back in town Aug. 11-16 for a six-game series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @TrevorMcGee12
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies lineup changes coming after Cubs trade top Knoxville prospect
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When the Smokies return to Covenant Health Park next week, they'll be without standout infielder Jefferson Rojas, a former No. 1 prospect in the Chicago Cubs organization. The 21-year-old was dealt to the New York Mets on Aug. 3 as part of a deal to acquire pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor.
Rojas was the lone Smokies player moved before the 6 p.m. Aug. 3 deadline. Knoxville will retain four of Chiago's Top 30 prospects: Brooks Caple (No. 8), Ariel Armas (No. 19), Luis Martinez-Gomez (No. 21) and Brody McCullough (No. 27).
Chicago Cubs roster moves at the MLB trade deadline
Chicago made trades earlier this season for pitchers David Peterson and Jayden Murray, giving up former No. 13 prospect Cole Mathis and former Smokies first baseman Cameron Sisneros in separate deals.
Nearing the deadline, the Cubs took further action for a second-half push in the NL Central.
OF Brett Bateman, INF Ty Southisene traded for Toronto Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman: The Cubs opened with back-to-back deals with the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 2. Right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon was dealt for cash considerations or a player to be named later. Hours later, the Cubs made a major deal, bringing in two-time All-Star starter Kevin Gausman in exchange for the Cubs' No. 13 prospect Ty Southisene (a former University of Tennessee signee) and No. 21 prospect Brett Bateman, who spent time in Kodak and Knoxville across 122 games.
INF Jonathon Long, RHP Jace Beck traded for Miami MarlinsLHP Braxton Garrett: Chicago struck a deal with the Miami Marlins hours before the deadline to land left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrettformer, the seventh-overall pick in 2016, in exchange for No. 10 prospect Jonathon Long and No. 28 prospect Jace Beck. Long played 46 games in Kodak and has been stuck in Triple-A for the last two seasons. Beck was recently promoted to Triple-A after winning Southern League Pitcher of the Month for June with the Smokies.
C Moises Ballesteros, RHP Mason McGwire traded for Los Angeles AngelsRHP Ryan Zeferjahn: A fan-favorite with the Smokies, Ballesteros couldn't find a stable home in Chicago and has been sent off to new scenery in Los Angeles. Ballesteros played in 61 games with the Smokies between 2023 and 2024. He made his big-league debut May 13, 2025, and has split his 2026 season between the MLB Cubs and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. The son of legendary Mark McGwire, Mason McGwire appeared in the MLB Futures Game during All-Star weekend and has been with High-A South Bend since late May.
INF Jefferson Rojas traded for New York Mets RHP Clay Holmes, OF Tyrone Taylor: Rojas was the Cubs' No. 1 prospect for a majority of the season until recent rankings pushed him to No. 2 behind Josiah Hartshorn. Now, he is headed to the Mets after spending the past two seasons in Knoxville. Rojas was the youngest player on the Smokies.
What it means for the Knoxville Smokies roster
The Smokies' roster will be different the next time they take the field at Covenant Health Park on Aug. 11. Rojas is out of the picture, and other players could be sent to Iowa to fill roster holes.
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Alex Ramirez, a steady breakout bat with a rocket arm in the outfield, could be due for a call-up to replace Bateman in Triple-A. Ramirez is already 24 years old and has shown the ability to consistently hit Double-A pitching, making him a likely candidate to move up the ladder.
Additional spots in Knoxville also opens the door for South Bend players to earn a promotion, and No. 5 prospect Kane Kepley should be atop the list. The 22-year-old University of North Carolina product has produced a .435 on-base percentage and stolen 50 bases this season.
Hartshorn, who dethroned Rojas for the top spot in the farm system, could also find his way to Knoxville. But at 19 years old, he could stick around High-A for development. Outfielder Kade Snell, a 24-year-old fifth-round pick last season, could also receive the call to Knoxville.
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
A trip down Interstate 75 is in store for Knoxville this week, as the Smokies travel to take on the Chattanooga Lookouts for the first time since defeating the in-state rivals for a first-half championship and guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
The Smokies fell to second place Aug. 1 for the first time in the second half of the season. Knoxville is now 16-17 in the second half after dropping four of their six home games against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Here are the promotions scheduled at Covenant Health Park when the Smokies are back in town Aug. 11-16 for a six-game series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
- 7 p.m. Aug. 11: Free Hot Dog Night, Taco Tuesday (all-you-can-eat taco buffet for $19.99 presale or $24.99 day of game)
- 7 p.m. Aug. 12: All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday (buffet available for $29 in advance or $34 day of game)
- 7 p.m. Aug. 13: Thirsty Thursday (half-price draft beer), Knox Vegas (themed jerseys), College Night ($10 tickets for college students)
- 7 p.m. Aug. 14: Chick-fil-A Friday (two tickets and two coupons for $48), Feel-Good Friday
- 7 p.m. Aug. 15: Tennessee Night (themed University of Tennessee-style jerseys), Tennessee Night Bobblehead Giveaway (first 1,000 fans receive DeSean Bishop bobblehead), Summer Fireworks Series
- 2 p.m. Aug. 16: Crayola Day (specialty jerseys), Color Your Own Lunch Box Giveaway (first 1,000 kids receive color your own lunch box)
Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: [email protected]; X: @TrevorMcGee12
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Smokies lineup changes coming after Cubs trade top Knoxville prospect
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