3 Reds top prospects who should be trade candidates and 2 who should be off limits

When it comes to top-level talent, few farm systems in Major League Baseball can hold a candle to the Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds are likely to be buyers at this year's trade deadline, and while most fans want the organization to refrain from trading away some of their top-rated talent, you have to give up something of value in order to get something of value.

With the MLB trade deadline just a couple weeks away, which top prospects should be on the trade block and which players should be off limits. For the purpose of this exercise, only players ranked among the Reds Top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline will be considered.

Reds top prospect who should be trade candidate: Joe Boyle, RHP

Few pitchers in the Cincinnati Reds farm system, or the entire minor leagues for that matter, throw more gas than Joe Boyle. The Notre Dame product continually pumps out fastballs that touch 100-mph.

But oftentimes, Boyle has no idea where the ball is going. In 16 starts at Double-A Chattanooga this season, Boyle has 103 punch outs, but 61 walks as well. According to FanGraphs, that comes out to an impressive 32.5-percent strikeout-rate, but an unsustainable 20.8-percent walk-rate.

Boyle is also doing this in the Southern League, where the baseball being used have an enhanced grip. If Boyle is struggling with locating his pitches in Double-A, how will the right-hander perform once he makes the leap to Triple-A.

Joe Boyle has a terrific arm, but his future is in the bullpen. The Cincinnati Reds are continuing to run him out as a starter, knowing full well that he'll be a reliever if he makes it to The Show. Boyle is, however, the type of high-upside pitcher that rebuilding teams could be interested in at the MLB trade deadline.