MLB Pipeline Top 30 list released

[MurphDogg]

MLB Pipeline's top 30 lists are out for all teams and the website has also been updated and made snazzy.

The Orioles list can be found here.

There are scouting grades and write-ups for all 30 players, so click on through. 

Unclear why Brandon Bailey's picture doesn't show up on this post.

RANK	PLAYER	POSITION	TEAM	LEVEL	ETA	AGE	HEIGHT / WEIGHT	BATS	THROWS
1	Adley Rutschman	C	Baltimore Orioles	A (Full)	2021	22	6' 2" / 216 lbs	S	R
2	Grayson Rodriguez	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	A (Full)	2022	20	6' 5" / 220 lbs	L	R
3	DL Hall	LHP	Baltimore Orioles	A (Adv)	2021	21	6' 2" / 195 lbs	L	L
4	Ryan Mountcastle	1B	Baltimore Orioles	MLB	2020	23	6' 3" / 195 lbs	R	R
5	Austin Hays	OF	Baltimore Orioles	MLB	2020	24	6' 1" / 195 lbs	R	R
6	Gunnar Henderson	SS	Baltimore Orioles	ROK	2023	18	6' 3" / 195 lbs	L	R
7	Yusniel Diaz	OF	Baltimore Orioles	AA	2021	23	6' 1" / 195 lbs	R	R
8	Michael Baumann	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	AA	2020	24	6' 4" / 225 lbs	R	R
9	Dean Kremer	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	MLB	2020	24	6' 3" / 180 lbs	R	R
10	Zac Lowther	LHP	Baltimore Orioles	AA	2020	23	6' 2" / 235 lbs	L	L
11	Keegan Akin	LHP	Baltimore Orioles	MLB	2020	24	6' 0" / 225 lbs	L	L
12	Hunter Harvey	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	MLB	2020	25	6' 3" / 175 lbs	R	R
13	Adam Hall	SS/2B	Baltimore Orioles	A (Full)	2022	20	6' 0" / 170 lbs	R	R
14	Kyle Stowers	OF	Baltimore Orioles	A (Short)	2022	22	6' 3" / 200 lbs	L	L
15	Alex Wells	LHP	Baltimore Orioles	AA	2021	22	6' 1" / 190 lbs	L	L
16	Ryan McKenna	OF	Baltimore Orioles	MLB	2020	23	5' 11" / 185 lbs	R	R
17	Drew Rom	LHP	Baltimore Orioles	A (Full)	2023	20	6' 2" / 170 lbs	L	L
18	Rylan Bannon	2B/3B	Baltimore Orioles	AAA	2020	23	5' 7" / 180 lbs	R	R
19	Cody Sedlock	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	AA	2021	24	6' 3" / 190 lbs	R	R
20	Brandon Bailey	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	MLB	2020	25	5' 10" / 175 lbs	R	R
21	Brenan Hanifee	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	A (Adv)	2021	21	6' 5" / 215 lbs	R	R
22	Kyle Bradish	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	A (Adv)	2022	23	6' 4" / 190 lbs	R	R
23	Zach Watson	OF	Baltimore Orioles	A (Full)	2022	22	6' 0" / 160 lbs	R	R
24	Cadyn Grenier	SS/2B	Baltimore Orioles	A (Adv)	2021	23	5' 11" / 188 lbs	R	R
25	Mason McCoy	SS/2B	Baltimore Orioles	AA	2020	24	6' 0" / 175 lbs	R	R
26	Blaine Knight	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	A (Adv)	2022	23	6' 3" / 165 lbs	R	R
27	Darell Hernaiz	SS	Baltimore Orioles	ROK	2024	18	6' 1" / 170 lbs	R	R
28	Dillon Tate	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	MLB	2020	25	6' 2" / 195 lbs	R	R
29	Bruce Zimmermann	LHP	Baltimore Orioles	AAA	2020	25	6' 2" / 215 lbs	L	L
30	Gray Fenter	RHP	Baltimore Orioles	A (Full)	2021	24	6' 0" / 200 lbs	R	R

 

[hoosiers]

Not a bad list.  For me, while I like most everyone on the list, I think there is a noticeable drop-off in upside at 17 after Rom who is in front of Bannon and Sedlock.  

It seems likely or possible that we will lose Mountcastle, Hays, Diaz, Baumann, Kremer, Lowther, Akin and Harvey off the top of this list - seven of our top 12 unless the FO really slow-plays the promotions (or the guys don't produce and lose prospect luster).  If our FO slow-promotes, it would be the clearest indication to me that we are likely in tanking mode again next season.  Perhaps not full tanking, but more of a "we are promoting guys to the majors, but not supplementing them with quality free agents".  Assuming the guys are doing fine or well in the minors, I sure would like to see Baumann, Lowther, Akin and Kremer tested in the majors this season.  I think it is important for their development that they start their major league experience sooner than later if they deserve it and to see what we have in them entering 2021.  

If our 2020 draft has the same impact on the top 15 of the above list (see AR, Henderson and Stowers), then it seems likely that next year's list would be of comparable strength, but perhaps not a much stronger one without existing prospects (most likely candidates for that step up to include IMO Henderson, Adam Hall, Darell Hernaiz, Toby Welk, Drew Rom, Stowers and then perhaps a drop-off to Watson, Janvrin, Dashbach and a couple others) stepping up or some international prospects starting to impact the list or quality prospects received in trade (Mancini).

[survivedc]

Is a potential all star closer (Harvey) not more valuable than a potential back of rotation starter (Akin/Kremer)? I guess both of those guys could end up as #3’s but it just seems that Harvey at this point is closer to reaching that ceiling. 

[Frobby]

3 hours ago, survivedc said:

Is a potential all star closer (Harvey) not more valuable than a potential back of rotation starter (Akin/Kremer)? I guess both of those guys could end up as #3’s but it just seems that Harvey at this point is closer to reaching that ceiling. 

It’s assuming a lot to say Harvey is a potential all star closer.     He throws 99 — so do a lot of other relievers who are not all star closers.    The guy has thrown about 27 professional innings as a reliever, none of which were as a closer.    Plus, he got shut down at the end of last year with a tired arm, and you have to consider his long injury history.    I’m not saying you can’t make a case to put him above Akin and Kremer (the OH list did), but there’s a lot to consider in making that judgment.   

[survivedc]

4 hours ago, Frobby said:

It’s assuming a lot to say Harvey is a potential all star closer.     He throws 99 — so do a lot of other relievers who are not all star closers.    The guy has thrown about 27 professional innings as a reliever, none of which were as a closer.    Plus, he got shut down at the end of last year with a tired arm, and you have to consider his long injury history.    I’m not saying you can’t make a case to put him above Akin and Kremer (the OH list did), but there’s a lot to consider in making that judgment.   

No doubt about it, his injury history knocks him down a few pegs. His stuff was electric last year, though I think it was such a long time coming many fans (myself included) were thrilled to see anything from him.

I look at all star closer as a realistic, though difficult to attain ceiling, as we have already seen ML hitters overmatched by him.

[Enjoy Terror]

This post is terrible on mobile and twice as bad when the first reply quotes the entire OP for no reason.

[Frobby]

6 hours ago, Enjoy Terror said:

This post is terrible on mobile and twice as bad when the first reply quotes the entire OP for no reason.

Very generally, I’d prefer that posters not quote the entirety of very long posts when responding.