Who is the Orioles 2021 #7 prospect?

[LookinUp]

14 minutes ago, interloper said:

It might be Westburg, but I don't know how you deny Stowers this selection who absolutely mashed this year and is a similar draft position as Westburg.

Kyle Stowers: 23. .897 OPS across 3 teams. (A+, AA, AAA). Corner Outfield

Jordan Westburg: 22. .868 OPS across 3 teams (A-, A+, AA). SS

I'm not exactly complaining about either of them, but I take Westburg.

[waroriole]

21 minutes ago, interloper said:

It might be Westburg, but I don't know how you deny Stowers this selection who absolutely mashed this year and is a similar draft position as Westburg.

Westburg raked this year too. .868 vs .897 for Stowers across 3 leagues each. Difference is Westburg plays SS. To me, he’s the easy pick at 7. 

[Ruzious]

2 hours ago, waroriole said:

One guy played and led all minor league players in HR. The other guy hasn’t played since March 2020. At this point, there’s not much of a comparison. 

Still, based on all I've read, I'd bet on Kjerstad having at least as much power as Stowers in the majors.  And while Kjerstad might end up with a similar SO problem, it's more clear that Stowers has that problem.  And where they were picked - fairly or not - is going to affect their ratings.  If I'm starting a team that won't play until 2 years, I pick Kjerstad over Stowers.   

[sportsfan8703]

I voted Westburg, but it’s hard to ignore what Stowers did. 

[Jammer7]

I went with Stowers. His consistent hard loud barrels are impressive. He is a very good defensive corner OF, and he thrived in AAA. It was tough to pick between Stowers and Jordan Westburg, but I know Tony really likes Stowers loud contact.

As for Kjerstad, I choose to be optimistic that he can return completely. If he does, I probably rank him 3rd on this list. I think he has a better hit tool and more raw power than Stowers, but I have to say that Stowers has improved his swing decisions tremendously. He is impressive. If Kjerstad does embrace what the Orioles teach, I can see him in AAA by the end of 2022 with similar numbers to Stowers. As his strength and energy comes back over time, he will be the better player of the two, IMHO. 

[ChrisP]

What the hay...I took Baumann. He's been in the top 10 before, has a 2.94 era in 367 Mil innings, and got a cup of coffee this year. 

[Aristotelian]

3 hours ago, waroriole said:

#3

Agreed. Although if we could make believe that DL Hall is healthy I would have Hall 3, Kjerstad 4. 

[NCRaven]

I went with Westburg since I value short more than a corner outfielder.  But, it's close.

Next year will be fascinating to see how Kjerstad and DL Hall return from their health issues.

[interloper]

3 hours ago, LookinUp said:

Kyle Stowers: 23. .897 OPS across 3 teams. (A+, AA, AAA). Corner Outfield

Jordan Westburg: 22. .868 OPS across 3 teams (A-, A+, AA). SS

I'm not exactly complaining about either of them, but I take Westburg.

Fair point re: SS vs COF, but give me the guy with 27 dingers. Also, it's not easy to hit in AAA and Stowers did a reasonable job there. 

Either way, they are the next two in the list whichever way you slice it. 

[Frobby]

3 hours ago, LookinUp said:

Kyle Stowers: 23. .897 OPS across 3 teams. (A+, AA, AAA). Corner Outfield

Jordan Westburg: 22. .868 OPS across 3 teams (A-, A+, AA). SS

I'm not exactly complaining about either of them, but I take Westburg.

That’s where I come out too.   I just think his infield profile makes him more valuable, plus his K rate is less of a problem.  But I like both players.  

[Can_of_corn]

5 hours ago, Just Regular said:

In that daydream, I think he would be a credible #2.   

Kjerstad was in Torkelson's ballpark on pedigree, Stowers was in Torkelson's ballpark on performance.   TINSTAAPP, etc.

Different circumstances, but Kjerstad feels a bit to me like Josh Hamilton did once upon a time...he's just off the baseball map until he isn't.   All we really know is Decision Sciences thought Kjerstad was the man, and the results on other hitters from recent drafts have generally been good.   Kjerstad '22 mostly same thing as Mancini '21 - fingers crossed his year will be as successful as Trey's.

That's a mighty big ballpark you got there.

[Just Regular]

3 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

That's a mighty big ballpark you got there.

If Fanfest returns, someone will have to ask Mike Elias what would he have done in 2020 if he had 1-1 instead of 1-2?

[sportsfan8703]

6 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

I'm not trying elude to who is the next pick, but if Kjerstad had the year Stowers had this year, where would he rank?

Top 50 nationally easily. Probably top 25. I’d be happy if Kjerstad just becomes Kyle Stowers at this point. Plus the saved money went to Mayo. 

[Frobby]

4 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

That's a mighty big ballpark you got there.

Well, I did see Kjerstad described as “the best left handed power hitter in the draft,” with Torkelson filling the slot in the RH power hitter category.    However, I’d have to agree that Tork was way more coveted, and his performance this year has confirmed why.   

[Frobby]

13 minutes ago, Just Regular said:

If Fanfest returns, someone will have to ask Mike Elias what would he have done in 2020 if he had 1-1 instead of 1-2?

I’m sure he’ll answer that one directly.