Baltimore Orioles: Under the radar prospects to watch in 2019
The Baltimore Orioles may not have the best farm system in baseball, but there are a few under the radar prospects to keep an eye on for next year.
The 2018 season was an unexpected disaster for the Baltimore Orioles. Although they likely did not have a realistic chance to compete for the postseason, no one envisioned that they would have a season where they ran away with the first overall pick. And yet, that is exactly what is happening, with the Orioles the first team to reach 100 losses on the season.
Barring a surprising turnaround, 2019 may be just as bad. The Orioles farm system, while improved, is considered one of the worst in baseball. They simply lack the types of difference makers that can change the fortunes of a franchise. The rebuild will take time.
This does not mean that the Orioles are devoid of talent. Indeed, there are several players in their system that produced solid years in the minors, giving hope that they can be pieces for the Baltimore Orioles future. It is just a matter of continuing that development, and patience for their arrival at the major league level.
Which members of the Orioles farm system are worth keeping an eye on? Here are a few to watch.
Second baseman/center fiedler Kirvin Moesquit
Drafted in the 24th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, not much was necessarily expected from Kirvin Moesquit. After he spent his first three years in short season ball, that narrative did not appear to have changed.
However, the quick utility player exceeded expectations last season. Promoted to the South Atlantic League, Moesquit impressed with his bat and his speed. Over 465 plate appearances, he produced a .251/.330/.333 batting line, hitting 18 doubles and stealing 49 bases. He also showed a decent eye at the plate, with 46 walks and just 93 strikeouts.
At just 5’8″ and 165 pounds, Moesquit is not ever going to be a power hitter. He does have enough pop to hit four homers last year, and could eventually become a solid doubles hitter. His calling card, however, will continue to be his speed and ability to get on base.
Both of those are areas that the Orioles sorely lack. Heading into Sunday’s action, Baltimore ranked last in the AL with a .299 on base percentage. They have 63 stolen bases, but more than half of those have come from the combination of Jonathan Villar, Jace Peterson, and Craig Gentry. Moesquit may not solve those problems by himself, but he would be a solid start.
It is easy to overlook a player like Kirvin Moesquit. However, if he continues to develop, he could be a part of the Orioles future.
Center fielder Ryan McKenna
For Baltimore Orioles prospect Ryan McKenna, the 2018 campaign was a tale of two seasons.
He began the year with the Fredrick Keys in the Carolina League, and proceeded to annihilate the competition. In his 301 plate appearances, he produced a stellar .377/.467/.556 batting line, hitting eight homers and 18 doubles. McKenna showed an excellent eye at the plate as well, with 37 walks and just 45 strikeouts. The only negative was that he was successful on just five of 11 stolen base attempts.
Naturally, given that excellent performance, McKenna was promoted to AA. There, he struggled, with a .239/.341/.338 batting line in his 250 plate appearance. His batting eye was still solid, as he drew 29 walks and struck out 56 times, but he was not able to do much when making contact. He hit just three homers and eight doubles, looking overmatched at the plate.
For 2019, McKenna is likely to begin the year at AA once again. A line drive hitter with solid speed, he has displayed the potential to develop some power, having hit 11 homers last year. However, he is more likely to be a doubles hitter, with 59 doubles in the past two seasons. He possesses another trait that the Orioles need near the top of their lineup, an ability to make contact consistently and to get on base.
2019 will be a test for Ryan McKenna. If he can perform well at AA in his second trek through the Eastern League, it may not be long until he reaches the Orioles lineup.
Left handed reliever Tyler Erwin
Fun fact about Baltimore Orioles prospect Tyler Erwin – he is the great-great-grandnephew of former US President James K. Polk.
Even better for the Orioles, the 23rd round draft pick in the 2016 draft has displayed the potential to become a closer of the future. He had a solid campaign in 2017, posting a 2.68 ERA and a 1.255 WHiP, striking out 39 batters with just nine walks in 47 innings. That command was certainly promising, giving Baltimore hope that they could have a future piece to their bullpen.
Expectations changed after this past season. Pitching for the Fredrick Keys, Erwin may have placed himself into the conversation as the Orioles closer of the future. In 68.1 innings, he posted a stellar 1.58 ERA and a 0.995 WHiP, notching 18 saves. Although his command took a slight step back as he issued 23 walks, he struck out 84 batters.
If Erwin can continue to progress through the system with this sort of command and strikeout ability, it is possible he can be the long term replacement for Zach Britton. He may be a year or two away, depending on how he preforms next season, but he is on the cusp of putting himself into the Orioles future plans.
Tyler Erwin may have an interesting family history, but that will only get one so far. In this case, his strikeout ability and performance in the ninth inning could take him into the future.
Left handed starter Zac Lowther
There were questions about Zac Lowther from the moment the Baltimore Orioles made him a surprise selection with the 74th overall selection of the 2017 Draft. However, he seems to be answering them.
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Lowther is one of those prospects where his pure stuff does not match his production. He has a fastball that sits in the upper 80s, which he pairs with a solid curve and a change that may develop into a decent third offering. Instead of velocity, he relies on deception and pitchability, moving the ball in and out of the zone with ease.
That led to a very impressive showing in 2018. Over the course of his 123.2 innings over two levels, he produced an excellent 2.18 ERA and a 0.978 WHiP, striking out 151 batters against just 35 walks. Those are the numbers of a top pitching prospect, which may be where Lowther should be regarded.
The 2019 campaign should be fascinating to watch for his development. It is not outside the realm of possibility that he takes a step back from his stellar results of the past year. Of course, it is also entirely possible that his deceptive delivery and command of his stuff will allow him to continue to confound traditional scouting methods, who would not envision such success for Lowther.
dark. Next. Orioles win race to 100 losses
The Baltimore Orioles farm system may not have the type of pieces that a top level system could possess, but there are interesting players there. These four players could be a part of the future in the next few years.