Who are the 2023 Orioles #1 and #2 prospects?

[Tony-OH]

Who are the 2023 Orioles #1 and #2 prospects?

[Frobby]

I mean, why even do this poll?  I look forward to reading the write-ups.  

[Sports Guy]

Just now, Frobby said:

I mean, why even do this poll?  I look forward to reading the write-ups.  

Holliday is the obvious winner but I will say that there is at least some argument to say Basallo.

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Holliday is the obvious winner but I will say that there is at least some argument to say Basallo.

Has to be a tough one for you.  You tend to downgrade both Catchers and Second Basemen.

[Sports Guy]

6 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

Has to be a tough one for you.  You tend to downgrade both Catchers and Second Basemen.

Holliday isn’t a second baseman and I don’t downgrade catchers as much as I think their defensive role is diminished compared to what it used to be, although the new rules with the bases may end up changing that.

But if you are an elite bat at catcher(and not elite for a catcher but just elite) and you can defend, that’s pretty damn valuable. I wouldn’t take that over an elite bat at SS who can field but that doesn’t mean I don’t think it’s valuable.

[Tony-OH]

28 minutes ago, Frobby said:

I mean, why even do this poll?  I look forward to reading the write-ups.  

Maybe I have a surprise? Or maybe I just needed to finish off the polls?

[Tony-OH]

29 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Holliday is the obvious winner but I will say that there is at least some argument to say Basallo.

I could build a case for both honestly.

[Mooreisbetter27]

I'm finally going to get another one right.  

[Hank Scorpio]

What an awesome position to be in where your #3 prospect would be most teams' #1 prospect hands down.

[RZNJ]

42 minutes ago, Mooreisbetter27 said:

I'm finally going to get another one right.  

I feel the same way.  

[Just Regular]

Just for comparison's sake, MLB.com today has it:

Holliday-Cowser-Kjerstad-Mayo-Basallo

Baseball Prospectus already published their '24 offseason Orioles report - they have it:

Holliday-Basallo-Mayo-Kjerstad-Cowser

That's probably the same as Tony, barring that possible surprise.     Basallo is 9 months younger than Holliday.

The "average" date of birth for the non-college group - Gunnar, Mayo, Basallo, Holliday - is 12.29.2002, an easy round off to 1.1.2003.     Collectively, 2027 will basically be their Age 24 season.     I think the arrow on the teams through Adley's free agency is steadily up for figuring when this group peaks, with a wildcard of how Grayson Rodriguez's arm holds together.

Edited November 16, 2023 by Just Regular

[Frobby]

1 hour ago, Tony-OH said:

I could build a case for both honestly.

What I’m most interested in with Basallo are the evaluations of his defense at C.   Not only can he stick there, but can he actually be good there?   If the answer to that is yes then his argument to be considered along with Holliday becomes much stronger.  

[Frobby]

27 minutes ago, Just Regular said:

 

The "average" date of birth for the non-college group - Gunnar, Mayo, Basallo, Holliday - is 12.29.2002, an easy round off to 1.1.2023.   

That’s an impressive group of 10-month olds!

[Moose Milligan]

This is where Tony trolls the board and puts Basallo #1

Looking forward to both writeups, too.

[OriolesMagic83]

2 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

Has to be a tough one for you.  You tend to downgrade both Catchers and Second Basemen.

Surprise #1 pick, Norby.