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2015 Orioles Top Prospect list 1-30


Tony-OH

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After talking with scouts, baseball executives and minor league coaches and managers in and out of the Orioles organization, we put together our top prospect list for the 2015 season.

Overall, the system lacks sure fire impact players at the upper level and when your top two prospects spent most or all of the 2015 season on the disabled list and still remain at the top, you can guess that the early look at the 2015 amateur draft was unimpressive.

A full bio on each of the top 20 prospect is available in the plus members forum by following the link on their name!

1. Dylan Bundy (RHP) - Still the number one prospect by default due to his upside, but injuries have really sapped the luster from this once can't miss top of the rotation starter. If healthy, and that's still a big if since he was pulled before his last start in the AFL with forearm tightness, he will have to spend 2016 on the major league roster thanks to signing a major league deal as an 18-year old. He'll most likely need to pitch in relief due to build up innings.

2. Hunter Harvey (RHP) - Again, probably could be further down the list due to injury concerns that saw him miss all of 2015 with various ailments, but still has immense upside if he can get and stay healthy. Gets one more year to prove he can ge on the mound before his prospect status take a nose dive.

3. Mychal Givens (RHP) - Still defined as a rookie despite pitching in 22 games for the Orioles in 2015. Low side arm slinger should take Darren O'Day role in the Orioles relief corps in 2016 and could be a closer candidate if Zach Britton is traded or moved to the rotation.

4. Jomar Reyes (3B) - For giggles we'll still call him a 3B but the big Baby Huey will most likely head to first base before he heads to the big leagues. Easily has the highest upside potential of any offensive prospect in the system. Big time raw power did not show up in home runs last year, but many think those doubles will start to go out next year and beyond. Think Jonathan Schoop type of bat, with possibly more power.

5. Ryan Mountcastle (SS) - For giggles we'll call him a SS, but with a 35 arm on the scouting scale, he's heading somewhere else defensively, possibly to LF or 1B. Luckily, everyone who saw him thinks his bat plays even at a premium offensive position. Makes adjustments and hits the ball hard to all fields. Hard worker who has advanced baseball instincts on the field and at bat.

6. Chance Sisco* © - Not everyone loves him behind the dish, but they can't deny he laces hits all over the diamond. Not much power projection in the bat limits his overall ceiling, but if he improve enough to not hurt a major league team behind the dish, he's going to have a long major league career.

7. Trey Mancini - 1B - Pretty easy to just call him another Christian Walker, but Mancini has the bat speed to hit premium fastballs and can make adjustments from at bat to at bat. Improved defensively and now is not a liability over at first base, but he wont be a plus defender.

8. Dariel Alvarez(RF) - He's going to swing at just about anything close, but his good plate coverage and well above average hand to eye coordination allows him to hit balls hard that others can't. Good defensive RFer with a plus arm, he'll get the opportunity to compete for a regular outfield spot next year.

9. Christopher Lee* (LHP) - Left-handed starter who's stuff improved the second half of the season. The Orioles got him for nothing more than international slot money and he might end up a piece one day. A ground ball machine makes up for his lack K/9.

10. David Hess (RHP) - Made strides last year. Though some view him a reliever, there are others that think he's got enough stuff to make as a back of the rotation starter.

11. Mike Wright (RHP) - Big tall right-hander was a exposed a bit as a starter after a few amazing starts with the Orioles. His stuff plays up in relief and could be a bullpen option if he doesn't land the 5th starter's role.

12. Gray Fenter (RHP) - The Orioles spent a $1 million to land this high school right-hander who's fastball can get into the mid-90s. Secondary stuff remains a work in progress and word on the street is the Orioles are higher on him than most other clubs were. He'll be 20-years old next season despite coming out of high school.

13. Tyler Wilson (RHP) - Pitched well in his five starts and four relief appearances with the Orioles and should be in the running as the 5th starter though he might be better off a long reliever swingman overall.

14. Christian Walker (1B) - Hit better the second half of last year but questions about his bat speed and ability to catch up to premium velocity up in the zone dog him. Below average defensively at 1B does not help his cause and have some considering him a AAAA guy though others see him as a platoon lower division starter eventually.

15. DJ Stewart* (LF) - I'm not sure you can have a worse professional debut as a first round pick who was going to need his stick to be premium in order to have value. Would have been buried on this list if not for the fact he has such an impressive college resume that we'll give him a bit of pass for his Aberdeen debacle.

16. Ofelky Peralta (RHP) - Big right-hander may have as much upside as any pitcher in the system though he's still learning to repeat his windup. Fastball can reach into the upper 90s and was unhittable in instructional league when he threw strikes.

17. Tanner Scott* (LHP) - Left-handed pitcher who can reach triple digits on his fastball. Still learning to command the baseball but if he's getting his pitches over he's plain nasty.

18. Ariel Miranda* (LHP) - Cuban import knows how to pitch but his average offerings limit his upside. Still, he can command three pitches and has some potential as a back end starter.

19. Lazaro Leyva (RHP) - Pure upside here as Leyva's fastball can sit in the 94-98 MPH range with life. Maturity issues and off field behavior are concerns but if he can harness the talent, he could be something.

20. Irving Ortega (SS) - This 18-year old toolsy Dominican can play a legitimate shortstop and has a frame that make some believe he's going to put on weight and add power. Obviously still raw and didn't get a ticket over to the GCL until August, but there is some upside here.

21. Joe Gunkel - (RHP) - Acquired this past June from the red Sox for Alejandro De Aza, This 6-foot-5 right-hander doesn't overwhelm with stuff but rather with outstanding command and feel for pitching. His fastball can range from 88-93 MPH with some occasional sink when he's on. Change up can be an average offering with fade and drop but is still inconsistent which is the same that can be said about his slider. When he's on, he's a three pitch guy with command so there's a chance he could end up a back of the rotation guy. Some think there may be more in the arm if moved to the pen and he could end up a solid 7th inning reliever.

22. Andrew Triggs (RHP) - Interesting arm that was acquired for cash from the Royals last April. Despite the lack of resume, Triggs uses a quirky low 3/4 delivery that held Easter League batters to just a .196 BAVG. His 91-94 MPH sinking fastball gets ground balls and he's been surprisingly effective against lefties holding them to a .218 average vice a .184 AVG against righties. His slider flatters out on him a little too

often but he commands it well enough t lessen the damage. Chance at being a decent 7th inning guy.

23. Oliver Drake (RHP) - Made his major league debut last year and pitched pretty well in 15.2 major league innings last year holding major league batters to a .262 BAVG while striking out more than a batter an inning. Uses a low 90's fastball with an above average split finger pitch to get batters guessing, but his fastball tends to be straight and can be hittable when he doesn't get the split-finger pitch over. Nibbles a lot and tries to get batters to chase the split-finger out of the strike zone. It remains to be seen whether that will be good enough on a game in game out basis.

24. Parker Bridwell (RHP) - Seems like he's been in this list forever and unfortunately he's moving in the wrong direction on the list as his lack of pitchability continues to be a problem. Most scouts believe a move to the bullpen will allow his plus fastball (91-96) and changeup combination to play in the big leagues. Had a forearm strain that ended his season prematurely but the hope is he'll be ready for 2016.Tthe Orioles would be wise to move him to the pen, put him in Norfolk, and see if he can help the team out some time next year.

25. Tim Berry (LHP) - Nobody on this list had a worse season last year than Berry, but the good news is the Orioles finally moved him to the pen where he started to have some success before his season ended due to an injury. When at his best he can throw 91-94 MPH with a solid average breaking ball and even flash a decent change. He gets a mulligan for last year but could be a replacement for Brian Matusz one day in the Orioles bullpen.

26. Garrett Cleavinger (LHP) - The Orioles 3rd round pick in last year's draft, this stocky former college reliever put up good numbers in Aberdeen in his first taste of pro ball. Lefties hit just .133 off him and righties just .182. Throws between 90-93 and has command issues at times and his breaking ball is not really considered a true left on left breaking ball despite the good numbers against them. Could make a two level jump to Frederick next year and could be in Bowie by the end of the year if he pitches well.

27. Ryan McKenna (OF) - The Orioles 4th round pick, McKenna didn't play much as he battled some injuries shortly after signing. His hit tool should be his ticket as he showed some ability to hit gap to gap, an ability to take a walk and run a little. Still trying to understand what kind of hitter he's going to be as his swing can get long at times when he's trying to hit for power. Defensively he didn't show a great first step and his arm is below average so it doesn't appear he'll be able to stick in center. The Orioles will have a better idea of what they got after next season.

28. Jonah Heim © - This switch hitting catcher is widely thought of as the best defensive catcher in the system. He'll need to be because his bat is well below average. He's a got one-plane swing, below average bat speed and will need to really improve with his stick to have any chance at the big leagues regardless of his defensive abilities.

29. Henry Urrutia (LF-DH) - Urrutia is what is at this point though he did improve since his first taste of the big leagues a few season ago. He'll occasionally drive a ball the other way but he has below average bat speed, is a below average defender in right, and has just average power at best. Still, if in the right situation, he could prove to be a decent bat off the bench.

30. Chris Jones (LHP) - The Orioles added Jones to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the 40-man roster, but he still doesn't project to more than a swingman/middle reliever in the major leagues. Similar to Troy Patton, he could have some relief value but he's not a left on left specialist.

2014 Prospect List

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After talking with scouts, baseball executives and minor league coaches and managers in and out of the Orioles organization, we put together our top prospect list for the 2015 season.

Overall, the system lacks sure fire impact players at the upper level and when your top two prospects spent most or all of the 2015 season on the disabled list and still remain at the top, you can guess that the early look at the 2015 amateur draft was unimpressive.

Here are the top 20 prospects for the Orioles organization. 21-30 will be named on Wednesday. A full bio on each of the top 20 prospect will be available soon in the plus members forum!

1. Dylan Bundy (RHP) - Still the number one prospect by default due to his upside, but injuries have really sapped the luster from this once can't miss top of the rotation starter. If healthy, and that's still a big if since he was pulled before his last start in the AFL with forearm tightness, he will have to spend 2016 on the major league roster thanks to signing a major league deal as an 18-year old. He'll most likely need to pitch in relief due to build up innings.

2. Hunter Harvey (RHP) - Again, probably could be further down the list due to injury concerns that saw him miss all of 2015 with various ailments, but still has immense upside if he can get and stay healthy. Gets one more year to prove he can ge on the mound before his prospect status take a nose dive.

3. Mychal Givens (RHP) - Still defined as a rookie despite pitching in 22 games for the Orioles in 2015. Low side arm slinger should take Darren O'Day role in the Orioles relief corps in 2016 and could be a closer candidate if Zach Britton is traded or moved to the rotation.

4. Jomar Reyes (3B) - For giggles we'll still call him a 3B but the big Baby Huey will most likely head to first base before he heads to the big leagues. Easily has the highest upside potential of any offensive prospect in the system. Big time raw power did not show up in home runs last year, but many think those doubles will start to go out next year and beyond. Think Jonathan Schoop type of bat, with possibly more power.

5. Ryan Mountcastle (SS) - For giggles we'll call him a SS, but with a 35 arm on the scouting scale, he's heading somewhere else defensively, possibly to LF or 1B. Luckily, everyone who saw him thinks his bat plays even at a premium offensive position. Makes adjustments and hits the ball hard to all fields. Hard worker who has advanced baseball instincts on the field and at bat.

6. Chance Sisco* © - Not everyone loves him behind the dish, but they can't deny he laces hits all over the diamond. Not much power projection in the bat limits his overall ceiling, but if he improve enough to not hurt a major league team behind the dish, he's going to have a long major league career.

7. Trey Mancini - 1B - Pretty easy to just call him another Christian Walker, but Mancini has the bat speed to hit premium fastballs and can make adjustments from at bat to at bat. Improved defensively and now is not a liability over at first base, but he wont be a plus defender.

8. Dariel Alvarez RF - He's going to swing at just about anything close, but his good plate coverage and well above average hand to eye coordination allows him to hit balls hard that others can't. Good defensive RFer with a plus arm, he'll get the opportunity to compete for a regular outfield spot next year.

9. Christopher Lee* (LHP) - Left-handed starter who's stuff improved the second half of the season. The Orioles got him for nothing more than international slot money and he might end up a piece one day. A ground ball machine makes up for his lack K/9.

10. David Hess (RHP) - Made stride last year. Though some view him a reliever, there are others that think he's got enough stuff to make as a back of the rotation starter.

11. Mike Wright (RHP) - Big tall right-hander was a exposed a bit as a starter after a few amazing starts with the Orioles. His stuff plays up in relief and could be a bullpen option if he doesn't land the 5th starter's role.

12. Gray Fenter (RHP) - The Orioles spent a $1 million to land this high school right-hander who's fastball can get into the mid-90s. Secondary stuff remains a work in progress and word on the street is the Orioles are higher on him than most other clubs were. He'll be 20-years old next season despite coming out of high school.

13. Tyler Wilson (RHP) - Pitched well in his five starts and four relief appearances with the Orioles and should be in the running as the 5th starter though he might be better off a long reliever swingman overall.

14. Christian Walker (1B) - Hit better the second half of last year but questions about his bat speed and ability to catch up to premium velocity up in the zone dog him. Below average defensively at 1B does not help his cause and have some considering him a AAAA guy though others see him as a platoon lower division starter eventually.

15. DJ Stewart* (LF) - I'm not sure you can have a worse professional debut as a first round pick who was going to need his stick to be premium in order to have value. Would have been buried on this list if not for the fact he has such an impressive college resume that we'll give him a bit of pass for his Aberdeen debacle.

16. Ofelky Peralta (RHP) - Big right-hander may have as much upside as any pitcher in the system though he's still learning to repeat his windup. Fastball can reach into the upper 90s and was unhittable in instructional league when he threw strikes.

17. Tanner Scott* (LHP) - Left-handed pitcher who can reach triple digits on his fastball. Still learning to command the baseball but if he's getting his pitches over he's plain nasty.

18. Ariel Miranda* (LHP) - Cuban import knows how to pitch but his average offerings limit his upside. Still, he can command three pitches and has some potential as a back end starter.

19. Lazaro Leyva (RHP) - Pure upside here as Leyva's fastball can sit in the 94-98 MPH range with life. Maturity issues and off field behavior are concerns but if he can harness the talent, he could be something.

20. Irving Ortega (SS) - This 18-year old toolsy Dominican can play a legitimate shortstop and has a frame that make some believe he's going to put on weight and add power. Obviously still raw and didn't get a ticket over to the GCL, but there is some upside here.

Great Stuff. I look forward to the write-ups.

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Would any of Lee, Miranda, Scott get consideration for the Matusz role in 2016 or are they going to remain as starters for the time being?

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Lee could probably step into his role next year since he's had success against lefties, but the Orioles may want to see if they can develop him into a starter. Most believe he's heading for the pen eventually, but i'm intrigued by that ground ball rate and his ability to hold his stuff. Miranda is another possibility but again, I think they may look at him as a starter next year first. Scott is too young and inexperienced. He'll start next year in Delmarva most likely.

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Watch him pitch; he's not what Buck would call a 'baseball player'. Lots of attitude on the mound, seems to think he's better than he is.

His instagram will make your eyes burn. There is a picture of the Ironbirds radar board where he hit 100 though.

https://instagram.com/lazaro_leyva/

He's only 20-years old so there is maturing to do. Watching him break off a hammer curve then come back with 99 MPH heat is why he's on this list though.

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