Orioles Top 30 Prospects going into 2017

[Tony-OH]

Decided to go old school and update our list for the 2017 season:

http://www.orioleshangout.com/2017/04/05/top-30-prospects-heading-2017/

[Frobby]

I posted this in the 2016 top prospects thread over on the MiL board, but will repeat here a list of some of the guys who moved up:

Keegan Akin 4 to 2

Trey Mancini 11 to 6

Chris Lee 15 to 7

Jesus Liranzo 17 to 9

Jayson Aquino unranked to 15

Cedric Mullins 23 to 17

While almost all of these are obvious based on what we saw in major league spring training, I'm curious to know what Tony heard that had Akin jumping ahead of Sisco, who by all accounts had a good spring.    I'm pretty high on Akin myself, but am wondering about the reasons for that advancement.   

[Tony-OH]

6 hours ago, Frobby said:

While almost all of these are obvious based on what we saw in major league spring training, I'm curious to know what Tony heard that had Akin jumping ahead of Sisco, who by all accounts had a good spring.    I'm pretty high on Akin myself, but am wondering about the reasons for that advancement.   

I could have gone either way, but I have some concerns after some conversation I've had about Sisco's "want to" in become a good defensive catcher. Not saying he's not willing to work, but maybe he's not as willing to look and ask for help from veterans and coaches as some would like. Either way, I could flip them and have no problems.

[BohKnowsBmore]

1. Quote

   Ryan Mountcastle – SS: There are lot of things to like about Mountcastle’s bat speed and developing power, but hes not going to play on the left side of the infield and may not be able to stay on the dirt. His plate discipline needs to improve as well.

   If not 2B, where would he play? LF?

[Ripken]

IF... we extend Manny and JJ leaves, can Schoop play 3rd?  

[Tony-OH]

1 hour ago, BohKnowsBmore said:

1. If not 2B, where would he play? LF?

Seems to be the consensus that it would be his best chance at being an average or better defender. Most importantly his bat needs to play. If it does, they'll find a place to play him.

[Tony-OH]

7 minutes ago, Ripken said:

IF... we extend Manny and JJ leaves, can Schoop play 3rd?  

He's got the arm for it, but maybe not the hands which was his problem at third. Manny is so good at 3B, you wonder if it's easier to just go find a good defensive SS who can hit a little rather than move him. I shutter to think about our 3B defense before Manny. We might be 0-2 or 1-1 if not for Manny's defense the first two games of the season. He's been that good.

The Orioles lack of legitimate SS prospects has been an issue for some time now.

[Jammer7]

I wonder if new addition Miguel Castro breaks into this list at season's end.

[Tony-OH]

On 4/16/2017 at 0:20 PM, Jammer7 said:

I wonder if new addition Miguel Castro breaks into this list at season's end.

He certainly has the arm strength to do so. I'm interested in seeing him pitch.

[Ruzious]

I always love reading the lists - looking forward to seeing the players at Frederick and Bowie move up the ladder.  Otherwise, they become formers.  The system gets a lot of criticism, but the hitters we got are exciting.