Tony-OH

You keep saying this but you keep forgetting that Mayo is ready as well. He's going to play 3B over Ortiz due to the bat being much better. Ortiz doesn't have the bat for 3B, but does for SS or 2B. I think he will battle Westburg for 2B next spring if they are both here. the "loser" will be in the Urias role. I'm thinking one gets moved though this offseason in a deal for a starter.

Thanks, I'm not seeing any but there should be no pop up ads. I'm changing providers here in a bit anyways so that should be solved.

This is not so much for you but for everyone else who actually looks at the MLB.com scouting scores like they mean anything more than entertainment value. So if you don't want to trust my judgement over the knuckleheads that do the MLB.com scouting scores, then maybe some data will help.

I don't think you can judge him off his SSS at the major league level. He was much better defensively in AAA and even in his OAA numbers, they weren't awful. I think he'll end up a similar outfield profile as Hays.

He was hurt by the unnecessary addition of Adam Frazier though I guess in theory it bought them (or another team if he's traded) another year of Ortiz. He was major league ready and while Camden Yards may not be a great fit for his power profile, he's about as major league ready as there is on both offense and defense.

Who are the 2023 Orioles #3 and #4 prospects?

https://orioleshangout.com/2023/11/15/2023-5-prospect-colton-cowser-of/ After tearing up AAA he got his first taste of the big leagues and struggled pretty badly in all aspects of the game. Went back to AAA and struggled as well, but he still has all the tools to become a solid major league every day outfielder. Colton Cowser Pos: Outfielder Bats: L Throws: R Age (as of Jun 30th) : 23 2023 Level: AAA/Maj Tools (current/future value) Hit: 45/55 Game Power: 45/50 Raw Power: 50/55 Run: 55/55 Defense: 50/55 Most Likely Future Role: Starting corner outfielder Ceiling: Starting center fielder What we know: Started the year off dominating AAA pitching for a .330/.459/.537/.996 in 257 PAs over 56 games before getting a promotion to Baltimore. He made five starts before the All-Star break and then came back and it was like he forgot how to hit. Slashed just .089/.250/.133/.383 over his next 56 PAs before mercifully getting demoted back to Norfolk in mid-August. Unfortunately, Cowser struggled with velocity and major league pitchers went right at him and once they found him cheating, they fooled him with offspeed pitches. He hit just .071 off fastballs and reportedly struggled with velocity in the minors as well. The hope is it's not a bat speed issue, just that he has an overly passive approach as he works counts and gets behind too often in counts, especially at the major league level where you have to prove you can hurt them with some pop. Perhaps due to his confidence getting shaken, he slashed just .233/.318/.459/.777 with an alarming 53 strike outs in 155 PAs upon his return to AAA. While he didn't have a huge platoon difference in 2023, he struggles against left-handed breaking balls at times. Before his major league experience, Cowser showed power to all fields and the ability to work counts and draw walks. When he swings, he makes good hard contact consistently and can drive the ball gap to gap. He had a 109 MPH line drive home run to RF and several 400 foot plus home runs including a few to left center. He seems to feast on sinkers and offspeed pitches and was able to take advantage of the auto strike zone was his plus-plus knowledge of the strike zone. Defensively Cowser has all the tools including a plus-plus arm to be a solid defensive outfielder despite some of his passiveness at the major league level. He doesn't have the top end speed that teams would prefer in center field, so a move to LF in Camden Yards could be a natural fit. He comes in well on balls and made several highlight catches in AAA along with making one 3-star catch at the major league level. He can play center field but probably best suited for a corner outfield position. He's an above average runner when he's on the move but does not have that quick first-step speed that will allow him to steal a lot of bases. What we don't know: For two years now the same concern has reared up, and it's fair to have concerns over his ability to hit upper level velocity at this point. The hope is that he just needs to make some adjustments, be more aggressive early in counts, and learn to use his lower half better and that it's not a bat speed issue. He's a better defensive outfielder than he showed in his major league time, but if he can stick in center and be effective, it puts less strain on his bat. If he can't hit upper level velocity, he could end up a left-handed version of Ryan McKenna. What we think: Cowser is pretty much a finished product and now just needs to show he can hit velocity in order to fulfill his promise of being an everyday o

https://orioleshangout.com/2023/11/15/2023-6-prospect-joey-ortiz-ss/ Slick fielding infielder who can play a legitimate major league shortstop, followed up a half of a solid offensive 2022 campaign with an outstanding full offensive 2023 campaign and comes in as the #6 prospect. Joey Ortiz Pos: SS/2B/3B Bats: R Throws: R Age (as of Jun 30th) : 24 2023 Level: AAA/MAJ Tools (current/future value) Hit: 45/50 Game Power: 40/45 Raw Power: 50/50 Run: 55/55 Defense: 60/65 Most Likely Future Role: Starting SS or 2B Ceiling: 1st Division Starting SS What we know: Probably the prospect who was most blocked from the major league level despite being ready. The 24-year old slick fielding infielder put together an outstanding season on offense and defense that was only slowed by a few nagging injuries, a oblique injury, and inconsistent playing time during his major league recall. Put up a 121 wRC+ and a .388 wOBA in 389 AAA PAs while hitting the ball hard to all field. For a guy with average raw power, Ortiz hits the ball consistently hard putting up consistent 100 MPH plus EVs with a top EV at 115 MPH in AAA. He mostly has pull power, but will hit the ball gap to gap collecting an impressive 30 doubles and four triples to go along with his nine homeruns. Received three separate promotions to Baltimore but surprisingly was treated as a utility guy versus a legitimate major league prospect but getting uneven playing time. When he did start to get some consistent playing time he started to hit but then was sent back down. Ortiz can hit good fastballs, but struggles at time with good offspeed pitches and hit too many balls on the ground, especially at the major league level. Defensively, he's easily the best defensive shortstop in the system who is major league ready with the glove. He has plus range, very good hands, turns the double play well, has great baseball instincts, and his quick release overcomes his slightly below average major league shortstop arm. When he plays second base he's a plus-plus defender there, and even showed solid range in some 3B time. What we don't know: There are some concerns that Ortiz hits too many good offspeed pitches on the ground and he'll chase occasionally as well. His pull power also may not play in cavernous Camden Yards, but he still should be able to hit for gap power. While he doesn't have the plus arm strength that a team would prefer at shortstop, he does get rid of the ball quick with accurate throws, but is he good enough to push Gunnar Henderson to 3B? What we think: Joey Ortiz was a victim of the Adam Frazier signing and ended up buried in AAA when he was a better player overall than the veteran. Saying that, he did not sulk and played well all season despite being moved up and down three times and missed about three weeks in September with an oblique injury. Ortiz will play 2024 at 25-years old and is ready to be an everyday major league infielder. He could very well end up the Orioles starting SS if the team dec

I think they expect he will drive the ball more, but not necessarily more power. I don't think anyone expects him have Mullins like power. But he should be just as good a defender with even more speed.

Similar to Hays and a step behind Cowser who I also don't think is a long term CF. Remember, if I say they are not a Cfer, it means I don't think they can be average or better defensively out there in a full time capacity, not that they can't play out there sometimes. I don't think Haskins gets the jumps nor does he has the plus footspeed to make up for his below average jumps to be an effective long term CF. He also has a below average arm. Last year he didn't hit lefties very well in a SSS, but historically he's been ok so I do think he could be a 4th/5th outfielder who could fill in out in CF on occasion. I just don't see a carrying tool that makes him an everyday guy.

Young is the only guy I would consider protecting, but honestly, I doubt anyone would take him. Then again, the Twins didn't think anyone would take Tyler Wells and they are similar pitchers with similar backgrounds. But Elias likes to use his last 4-5 spots to move pieces around throughout a offseason and the last 2-3 during the season, so he may not want to have to put him on if he doesn't think they risk losing him.

This the 2020 five round draft Rule 5 draft for college players. Most teams don't have a ton to add this year I would imagine.

Potentially, but I think you can find a better option than Haskin in that role. He's not a CFer really.

Just got to click on the dot.. Speeds kills... https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sporty-videos?playId=4f769e7c-66cf-49f0-8a6d-e78ae56429ea

Who has even suggested that anywhere? Way too early to draw those conclusions and I'm positive the Orioles don't see that or they would not have taken him in the 1st round.

Got to wonder if the Orioles see something of value in the Rule 5 draft or they are just opening up spots for expected waive claims and/or offseason acquisitions? Interesting that they signed Davidson to a one-year contract then DFA'd him, perhaps to dissuade anyone from taking him and keeping him in the org.

Doesn't have a real position, he's not fast, doesn't have power, and he's been injury prone over his career. His best skill is bat to ball and ability to work counts, but he doesn't have a carrying tool.

Huh? I'd be shocked of Hudson was added to the 40-man. No one is taking Haskin in the Rule 5 draft and if they did, oh well. Adding Haskin would be a waste of a 40-man spot. Not sure why anyone would think he's a clear cut candidate though if they have space, they may throw him on there if they want 4th/5th outfield depth. Brandon Young is probably the best prospect who is eligible for rule 5 drafting. He's coming off a shortened season due to Tommy John surgery the year before so someone could give him a look in their pen. Realistically, there are no "must keep" players eligible this year. The short 2020 draft and the fact that the Orioles took two high schoolers (Mayo and Baumler) and that Kjerstad and Westburg both are already on it, means there's not a ton needing to be protected. Servideo was a miss and Haskin hasn't shown me enough to be considered anything more than a 4th/5th outfielder option at best.

Rojas made the quite the ascension this year. He put up a .230/.287/.325/.612 last year in 292 High-A PAs before hitting well in AA this year and then getting the call. He's quite the defender according to dWAR and did manage to put up a .771 OPS in 164 PAs with the Phillies so it wasn't all defense related.

I can confirm that you reached out to me, but I don't know if this same "source" is being used by multiple people. A lot of this just doesn't make a ton of sense to me, but it would be a nice offseason present for Orioles fans.

I don't have any inside information, but everything of late has pointed to Peter Angelos not being in any condition to make any decisions.

Brett Phillips has more power and is not as fast as Bradfield. I don't think he's a great comp. Billy Hamilton is decent comp that I can think of when it comes to his skill set even though Hamilton was a converted shortstop who was a high school draft pick so it's hard to comp the stats vs level. Saying that, I don't think Hamilton had the same strike zone awareness as Bradfield so we'll see how that plays. Juan Pierre might be the best comp guy that I can think of overall that has his eye, speed, and defense, but I think Bradfield may be a touch faster. So maybe Juan Pierre's bat with Hamilton's speed is the best case scenario for Bradfield.

That's an interesting concept to follow for sure. Did the Orioles see something else that makes them think Bradfield's bat will play despite the low ISO? He really will be an interesting player to follow when it comes to his development and ultimately how it plays at the major league level. His speed and range (mostly due to his speed) allows his defense to shine despite a 35 arm. He has such extreme tools one way or the other, but he did hit 15 college home runs (not sure if some were inside the park or not) so he can occasionally get into a ball. should be a fascinating follow that hopefully works out because he's fun to watch on the bases and in the field.

Must be a smart source.

I think modern analytics have poo-poo'd the theory that hitting the ball on the ground is good for any hitter, even fast ones. Better athletes and better positioning has kind of eliminated that slap hitting approach. Now, do I want him to be a flyball hitter with his current power, no way, but more solid line drive rates and hard hit balls in that sweet spot angle is the key. He does have special speed which could make him an outlier and why I like him on this part of the list. He also has a pretty high floor due to his speed and defense alone. Having a well above average strike zone judgement will also help get him on base, even if it's at a lower clip then his ridiculous OBP at the lower levels. He could be in the top 5 next year or out of the top ten. Next year will be very interesting to watch him.