Report: Phillies want top prospect for Hellickson

The Philadelphia Phillies appear to be taking full advantage of this deadline season's weak pitching market.

Philadelphia is reportedly demanding a top-five prospect for coveted starter Jeremy Hellickson, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.

If that price is not met, the Phillies are apparently content to hold onto the right-hander and give him a qualifying offer at season's end, enabling them to get a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere as a free agent.

Though perhaps not the sexiest name on the block, Hellickson's excellent first season in Philadelphia has made him one of the most sought-after pitchers ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline. The Orioles, Red Sox, and Marlins have all been linked to the 29-year-old at various times this month.

Hellickson, the 2011 AL Rookie of the Year, owns a 3.65 ERA and is averaging 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings this season. He threw six shutout innings in his most recent start Monday against Miami.