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Baltimore Orioles Top Ten Prospects for 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Apr 6, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A general view of Baltimore Orioles glove and hat lays in the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A general view of Baltimore Orioles glove and hat lays in the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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1. Chance Sisco, C

Birthdate: 2/24/95 (21 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: AA/AAA
Stats in 2016: .317/.403/.430, 6 HR

The one player in the system even currently in consideration for the top 100, Sisco has really jumped forward this season. Coming into the year, Baseball Prospectus had Sisco as their #101 prospect in the game.

He is one of the rare high school catchers that has made steady progress since being drafted in the second round in 2013. Typically most catchers progress in fits and starts, so a linear progression like Sisco’s is rare to see.

If you take a look at MLB Pipeline’s grades each season as he’s progressed in the minor leagues, two notable numbers have continually been increased over his career – his hit tool grade, and his fielding grade.

Once considered to be a good hitter who would have to move off of the position, Sisco’s defense has improved to the point where he’s now considered a definite regular at the catcher position.

The hit tool is most important in his future as he’s not a guy who is blessed with massive power or speed, but common grades have Sisco between a 55 and 65 hit tool on the 20-80 scale. That’s a .285-.300 hitter fairly consistently, and a hit tool like that will allow for other things to play up, like his natural gap power.

Sisco got four games in at the AAA level in 2016, so it’d not be surprising if the team sent him back there to start 2017, but with Matt Wieters leaving in free agency, this may be Sisco’s job in Baltimore for better or worse!

Next: Newcomer to Watch

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