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Baltimore Orioles: 2018 Minor League Awards

By Benjamin Chase

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 18: Cedric Mullins #3 of the Baltimore Orioles catches a fly ball during a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 18: Cedric Mullins #3 of the Baltimore Orioles catches a fly ball during a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Orioles Minor League Hitter of the Year: Ryan McKenna

Level(s): high-A Frederick, AA Bowie
Stats: .315/.410/.457, 127 G, 551 PA, 95 R, 26 2B, 4 3B, 11 HR, 53 RBI, 9 SB, 66/101 BB/K

Ryan McKenna is not a guy that you would ever be intimidated by as he stepped off of the team bus. He doesn’t have a huge power bat, elite speed, or premier defensive ability. Yet, his consistency and steady play allowed him to be the guy this year that stood out in the Baltimore Orioles system.

Of course, not really being recognized for the player he’s become is nothing new to McKenna. Drafted in the 4th round of the 2015 draft, McKenna got very little exposure playing in New Hampshire, and many teams were not sure what to make of his performance due to the inconsistent level of competition in his high school days.

McKenna just needs a bat in his hands to make his name known, though. He has a very good contact ability and knowledge of the strike zone. While his 5’11”, 185-190 pound frame doesn’t portend a lot of over-fence power, he has the ability to nail the gaps well. Though he’s not a great base stealer, McKenna is a plus runner and is very sharp on the bases in general, making him an ideal top of the order hitter with his skill set.

In 2018, McKenna tore up the Carolina League before cooling off in his first exposure to AA at 21 years old, hitting .377 for Frederick, but impressively, his approach and ability to work the count did not change in his time in the Eastern League, indicating better days ahead for him.

While his ceiling as a prospect may be limited, McKenna has the contact ability and the batting eye to be a consistent contributor in left field for a number of years, likely opening in AA in 2019 with a chance to push for big league time if he hits big again!

Runners-up

Perhaps with more impressive overall stats, long-time minor league and major league veteran Corban Joseph had a very big season as a utility infielder for AA Bowie before getting a late-season call. His 30 doubles and 17 home runs were impressive, but he’s 29 already.

With Adam Jones leaving the organization, Cedric Mullins very well may step right into Jones’ center field job. The 23-year-old was a 13th round pick in 2015, and he’s moved quickly through the system, putting up impressive power/speed numbers, including 12 home runs and 21 stolen bases between AA/AAA before his major league call this year, where he hit 4 home runs and stole two bases over 45 games.

Traded early in the season into the Baltimore system, Wilson Garcia found a home in a hurry once he was allowed to simply hit. The switch-hitter moved from catcher to 1B/DH once he got to the Orioles, and his bat was turned loose, hitting .295/.328/.528 with minimal strikeouts (10.4%). He was 24 and hitting for Frederick, but Garcia has a strong bat from both sides of the plate that could take off in the Baltimore Orioles system if allowed to simply DH.

Arguably the top prep shortstop in the 2017 draft, Canadian Adam Hall did not give Orioles fans a lot of exposure in his draft season due to injury. He spent 2018 with short-season A-ball Aberdeen in the New York-Penn League. He showed off his incredible range on defense and his elite speed as he stole 22 bases in just 62 games, hitting .293/.368/.374.

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