Baseball America Orioles Top 10

[RZNJ]

For now.

Projected 2027 Lineup

Catcher: Adley Rutschman (29)
First Base: Ryan Mountcastle (30)
Second Base: Jackson Holliday (23)
Third Base: Coby Mayo (25)
Shortstop: Gunnar Henderson (26)
Left Field: Colton Cowser (27)
Center Field: Enrique Bradfield Jr. (25)
Right Field: Heston Kjerstad (28)
Designated Hitter: Samuel Basallo (22)

No. 1 Starter: Grayson Rodriguez (27)
No. 2 Starter: Kyle Bradish (30)
No. 3 Starter: DL Hall (28)
No. 4 Starter: Dean Kremer (31)
No. 5 Starter: Chayce McDermott (28)
Closer: Felix Bautista (32)

Listed below are the prospects with the best tools within the organization. To go directly to Baltimore’s Top 10, click here.

Best Tools

Best Hitter for Average: Jackson Holliday
Best Power Hitter: Samuel Basallo
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Jackson Holliday
Fastest Baserunner: Enrique Bradfield Jr.
Best Athlete: Jackson Holliday
Best Fastball: DL Hall
Best Curveball: Trace Bright
Best Slider: DL Hall
Best Changeup: DL Hall
Best Control: Alex Pham
Best Defensive Catcher: Silas Ardoin
Best Defensive Infielder: Joey Ortiz
Best Infield Arm: Coby Mayo
Best Defensive Outfielder: Enrique Bradfield Jr.
Best Outfield Arm: Jud Fabian

[RZNJ]

 

1. Jackson Holliday SS

2. Samuel Basallo C

3. Coby Mayo 3B

4. Colton Cowser OF

5. Heston Kjerstad OF

6. DL Hall LHP

7. Joey Ortiz SS

8. Connor Norby 2B

9. Enrique Bradfield OF

10. Chayce McDermott RHP

[RZNJ]

“A gifted athlete who demonstrates the instincts of a baseball lifer both on and off the field, Holliday is loose and fluid at shortstop with the potential to be at least a plus shortstop and potentially a plus-plus second baseman, should the Orioles’ infield situation call for such a move.”

[RZNJ]

The Future:

” Basallo has the skills to be a standout two-way catcher, with the potential to be an all-star for his bat in his peak offensive seasons. He’ll be back at Double-A Bowie at age 19 to begin 2024, and will likely spend the season in the high minors before pushing for major league time in 2025.”

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 70 | Run: 40 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 70.

[RZNJ]

“Mayo is athletic for someone his size, and while he boasts a plus-plus arm, he may never be better than average at third base and could move off of the position for first base or a corner outfield given the Orioles’ infield depth.“

[RZNJ]

The Future: 

“Cowser has little left to prove in Triple-A, but it’s unclear whether there’s an opportunity with the Orioles for him to get the major league experience required for the next step in his development. He has the makings of a major league regular, potentially a first-division one, though there are aspects of his game that portend an even brighter future. He’ll be in the mix to break camp with the Orioles in 2024.”

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 55.

[RZNJ]

“While Kjerstad has worked some at first base to add versatility, his is a traditional corner outfield profile with a strong arm and decent athleticism but likely fringe-average overall defense.

The Future: After a long layoff, Kjerstad showed himself as a potential middle-of-the-order, everyday run producer that the Orioles drafted him to be during the pandemic.”

[RZNJ]

D.L. Hall

“In a brief sample down the stretch in 2023, Hall showed he can be a potentially elite reliever, but the Orioles still believe his electric four-pitch mix from the left side is that of a starter. He’ll be in the majors in 2024 as long as he’s healthy, though the team’s offseason moves might determine his role.”

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 80 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 30.

[RZNJ]

Scouting Report: “Ortiz has two true carrying tools to help him solidify his major league future: double-plus defensive traits and elite bat-to-ball skills. He’s a true shortstop with plus range, play-making ability and above-average throwing at the position. He is equally strong at second base, giving him another position where his defense can thrive at the highest level.“

Edited November 30, 2023 by RZNJ

[RZNJ]

“ Norby has a tricky profile as a bat-first second baseman, but the best of them enjoy fruitful careers, and he has the potential to do so for a second-division club. He might not have much left to prove at Triple-A, but considering the Orioles don’t need to add him to the 40-man roster until after the 2024 season and don’t have an obvious MLB role for him yet, he may return there in 2024.”

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Fielding: 45 | Arm: 40.

[RZNJ]

“He had an astonishing 2% whiff rate in his pro debut, and walked nearly a quarter of the time. Another of those traits the Orioles work with is consistent hard contact, which isn’t yet a part of Bradfield’s game and may not ever manifest. The Orioles hope Bradfield’s above-average hit tool can play up as he focuses on hitting the ball at good angles and producing line drives, which can make up for his well below-average power, even as he projects to add some strength in pro ball.”

[RZNJ]

“Continued refinement on the location front can keep McDermott on a starter’s track, where he has the potential to be a No. 4 in a major league rotation. He’ll start 2024 back at Triple-A Norfolk but could have a chance to make an impression in big league camp ahead of a potential midsummer debut.”

[Hank Scorpio]

Very high on DL Hall!!!

[Frobby]

43 minutes ago, Hank Scorpio said:

Very high on DL Hall!!!

If only he could get his control above a 30….everything else is there.   But he answered a lot of questions about his floor towards the end of last season.  

[RZNJ]

11 minutes ago, Frobby said:

If only he could get his control above a 30….everything else is there.   But he answered a lot of questions about his floor towards the end of last season.  

Tanner Scott’s control was probably a 20 so we can hope.