Baltimore Orioles top ten prospects for 2020

The Baltimore Orioles have added some intriguing talent to their farm system. Let’s take a look at the top ten prospects for next year.

For years, the Baltimore Orioles were stuck in a depressing no man’s land. They were not good enough to contend, and the minor league system did not have many pieces to indicate that good times were ahead. Ownership stubbornly refused to rebuild, or to invest in international prospects. The international signing pool was frequently traded away for middling players who were typically nothing more than organizational depth.

That changed in 2018, when the Orioles were forced to face reality. The trades of Manny Machado and Zach Britton, amongst others, brought some needed talent into the farm system. A front office shakeup has brought a desire to make inroads in Latin America, an area that the franchise had traditionally ignored. While the Orioles did not sign any of the top international free agents available, the fact that they at least made some moves there is a positive sign.

The outlook for the next couple of years is still bleak for the Orioles. There is not a lot of talent on the major league roster, and most of the top prospects are still a couple of years away. However, the situation is not nearly as dire as it had been even a year or two ago.

The Baltimore Orioles farm system has improved, but they still have a long way to go. Let’s take a look at their top ten prospects heading into 2020.

10. Hunter Harvey

Majors: 6.1 innings, 1.42 ERA, 1.105 WHiP, 11 strikeouts, five walks

Minors (AA/AAA): 75.2 innings, 5.00 ERA, 1.348 WHiP, 83 strikeouts, 26 walks

For years, the Baltimore Orioles waited for Hunter Harvey to be healthy. A move to the bullpen may end up being his ticket to realizing his potential.

A first round pick in 2013, and a former consensus top 100 prospect in 2015, Harvey has dealt with a myriad of injuries, including Tommy Joh surgery. His career never seemed to be able to get on track, leaving Harvey as another potential disappointment in the Orioles system.

Harvey struggled in AA this season, but showed far more potential when converted to a relief role in AAA. He struck out 22 batters against five walks in 16.1 innings for Norfolk, allowing just 13 hits. Although he gave up eight runs, that showing was promising enough to lead to his major league debut.

Despite all the injuries, Harvey’s stuff is still there. Armed with a fastball that can reach 97 MPH in his relief roles, and a plus curve with excellent depth, he has the pitches needed to be an intriguing bullpen arm. The Orioles relief corp is a disaster, giving Harvey a prime opportunity to be a key member of the bullpen for the 2020 campaign, perhaps even as their closer.

Hunter Harvey may no longer be a future top of the rotation starter, but he can still have a role in the Baltimore Orioles future.

9. Keegan Akin

Minors (AAA): 6-7 record, 112.1 innings, 4.73 ERA, 1.513 WHiP, 131 strikeouts, 61 walks

Despite the mediocre numbers, Keegan Akin may be the next home grown starter to appear in the Baltimore Orioles rotation.

There are questions as to what Akin’s long term role will be for Baltimore. While he is seemingly locked in as a future part of the rotation, what type of pitcher he will be is the question. At worst, he appears to be a back of the rotation arm, but there are the tools there where Akin could develop into more.

A lefty handed pitcher, Akin was originally a second round draft pick who has been aggressively moved through the system. Armed with a repeatable delivery, his best pitch may be his slider, which is can use to strike out batters on either side of the plate. Akin’s fastball sits in the low 90s, and can touch 95 MPH on occasion. He also has a changeup that is considered average at best, but he mixes his pitches well, allowing it to be effective.

The biggest worry surrounding Akin is that he is a flyball pitcher in a division with a ton of power. Although he can strike batters out and generate weaker contact, his penchant for allowing fly balls could be a major drawback. However, if he can prove to be the crafty lefty type that his arsenal would indicate, Akin may be able to circumvent those problems.

The Baltimore Orioles rotation could get an internal boost sometime in 2020 from Keegan Akin. But will he be able to be effective enough to stick around?

8. Ryan McKenna

Minors (AA): .232/.321/.365, 26 doubles, nine homers, 25 steals

An interesting speedster with some pop, Ryan McKenna may be a future leadoff hitter for the Baltimore Orioles.

Drafted in the fourth round in 2015, he has climbed the organizational ladder slowly, spending most of the year at each level. After a quick promotion to AA in 2018, he repeated the level last year, with similar results over his full season in Bowie.

A line drive hitter, McKenna has quick hands and shows a knack for putting the barrel on the ball, even if his batting average does not show those results. He has a solid batting eye, showing an excellent ability to get on base. Although he is right handed, McKenna has also displayed the ability to get out of the box quickly, with above average times to first and a knack to translate that speed to the basepaths.

Chances are, McKenna will never be a star. He is considered a high floor type of player, one that should be able to stick in the majors given his approach and speed. That speed should also allow McKenna to remain in center, although he could end up as a fourth outfielder, playing each spot once per week.

A unique player for the Baltimore Orioles, Ryan McKenna’s best asset may be his speed. He should be able to run his way to a regular role in Baltimore in the coming years.

7. Dean Kremer

Minors (A+, AA, AAA): 9-6 record, 113.2 innings, 3.72 ERA, 1.302 WHiP, 122 strikeouts, 37 walks

One of the pieces acquired in the Baltimore Orioles trade of Manny Machado, Dean Kremer has quickly established himself as one of the better young pitchers in their system.

Kremer made eight appearances in AA for the Orioles last year, and spent most of the 2019 season in Bowie once more. An oblique injury caused Kremer to start the season late, but he was still able to pitch his way to Norfolk by the end of the year. Unfortunately, his performance in AAA was not what Kremer, nor the Orioles, would have wanted.

Although Kremer did not begin pitching full time until he went to junior college, he already has the tools needed to become a major league option. Armed with a four pitch mix, Kremer’s curve is a plus offering with tremendous break that he can throw to either side of the plate. His fastball sits in the lower to mid 90s, and has touched 96 MPH on occasion. Kremer has has an average slider and the vestiges of a change, but both pitches need further development.

By the same token, Kremer should continue to develop as well. He has not been a pitcher for long, and as he continues to refine his craft, he could improve his future outlook. With his arsenal and command, Kremer could be a solid middle to back of the rotation arm, although there is the chance that he can take another step or two forward.

The Baltimore Orioles needed to get several pieces for the future when they traded Manny Machado. Dean Kremer is one of those pieces that could make an impact.

6. Ryan Mountcastle

Minors (AAA): .312/.344/.527, 35 doubles, 25 homers, two steals

There is no question that Ryan Mountcastle has a major league caliber bat. The question is where does he play?

The 36th overall selection in the 2015 MLB Draft, Mountcastle has routinely been considered one of the Orioles top prospects. he was a consensus top 100 prospect in each of the past two seasons, with his offense proving those rankings to be correct. In fact, that bat is ready to play in the majors now.

Scouts were enamored with his swing during the draft process, and it is easy to see why. Mountcastle has excellent bat speed and quick hands, able to maintain extension no matter where the ball is pitched. He does strike out more than one would like, but Mountcastle has the potential to be a perennial 30 home run hitter at the major league level.

The question is – where does he play? Mountcastle was originally a shortstop when drafted, although there were zero expectations that he would play there. He moved to third, then was sent to first base. Mountcastle even saw time in left this season, as the Orioles are trying to find a spot where his mediocre, at best, defensive ability will not be a hindrance.

Ryan Mountcastle will make a difference in the Baltimore Orioles lineup. But where will he play?

4. Austin Hays

Majors: .309/.373/.574, six doubles, four homers, two steals

Minors (A-, A+, AA, AAA): .248/.299/.464, 23 doubles, 17 homers, nine steals

At this point, it is difficult to imagine that Austin Hays will spend much more time in the Baltimore Orioles minor leagues.

A former third round draft pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, hays actually made his major league debut back in 2017, rocketing through the Orioles system. He was not ready at the time, but it was expected that Hays would return the following year. Instead, he dealt with injuries and a far too pull happy approach, hindering his performance in the minors.

When he is healthy, there is no questioning Hays’ potential. He can hit with power to all fields, with an aggressive approach that is combined with excellent contact ability. Hays will never draw many walks, but his overall explosiveness and ability to make contact will mitigate those issues.

In a perfect world, Hays would slot into right field, where his strong arm would be an asset. However, with the eventual arrival of Yusniel Diaz, Hays is likely to get a look in either center or left. He did make 20 appearances in center for Baltimore once he was promoted last year, which may be his position come Opening Day.

Austin Hays had an impressive return to the majors last season. Chances are, his place in the Baltimore Orioles lineup is assured.

3. Grayson Rodriguez

Minors (A): 10-4 record, 94 innings, 2.68 ERA, 0.989 WHiP, 129 strikeouts, 36 walks

The 11th overall selection in the 2018 MLB Draft, Grayson Rodriguez has rocketed up the Baltimore Orioles prospect list.

After an impressive start to his minor league career, where he had six consecutive scoreless outings, Rodriguez exploded on the scene with his performance for the Delmarva Shorebirds. At just 19 years old, Rodriguez not only held his own in the South Atlantic League, but was also named to the Futures Game last year. The scary thing is, he may only be just starting to tap into his ability.

Rodriguez has a four pitch mix that already projects as being average to plus. His fastball can already touch 97 MPH, although it typically sits in the mid 90s. Scouts are split as to whether his slider or curve is his best secondary pitch, as both show the potential to be plus offerings with excellent break. He is also developing a changeup, which is still a work in progess, but could be an average offering once he is comfortable with it.

At 19 years old, and having just completed his first professional year in full season ball, it would be easy to think that Rodriguez is still a bit away. However, with his stuff and tremendous potential, it would not be a surprise to see him reach AA by the end of 2020. A strong showing there could mean that Rodriguez is in the majors sooner than one would expect.

Grayson Rodriguez exploded on the prospect map this year, and may be closer to the Baltimore Orioles rotation than one would think. An impressive year next season could put him on the fast track to the majors.

2. DL Hall

Minors (A+): 4-5 record, 80.2 innings, 3.46 ERA, 1.326 WHiP, 116 strikeouts, 54 walks

If only DL Hall could harness his electric stuff…

Those command concerns have been the biggest knock on Hall since the Baltimore Orioles selected him with the 21st overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Throughout his career, he has been difficult to hit, allowing just 6.4 hits per nine innings, but has also had difficult filling the strike zone. Hall has a career 5.1 BB/9 rate in the minors, a rate that could bring his future role into question.

If he can harness his stuff, there is no question that Hall could be a top of the rotation arm. The young lefty has a plus fastball with excellent movement, playing beyond its mid 90s velocity. Hall also has a curve with tremendous spin, showing a sharp, late break. His change also has that same high spin rate, fading away with late break.

Unlike most pitchers who battle command issues, Hall has a very simple, repeatable delivery, which makes it easy to envision that he will develop at least average control. The issue may simply be that his arsenal has so much movement that Hall is unable to command it at this point, but can develop that ability as time goes on.

If DL Hall can develop that command, he is top of the rotation starter. Otherwise, he could be a devastating left handed reliever that could be an asset in the Baltimore Orioles bullpen.

1. Adley Rutschman

Minors (RK, A-, A): .254/.351/.423, eight doubles, four homers, one stolen base

Let’s face it – every Baltimore Orioles top prospect list is going to have Adley Rutschman atop their rankings. In fact, it would not be a surprise to see him ranked as a consensus top ten prospect at the start of the year.

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The first overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Rutschman certainly lived up to the hype in his first season in the minors. The winner of the Golden Spikes and Dick Howser awards in 2019, Rutschman was already considered the top player in the draft, but managed to further increase his stock.

A switch hitting catcher, he is considered to be the complete package at the plate. Rutschman has displayed an advanced approach, with an excellent batting eye and respectable contact ability. His power is still developing, as he is more of a gap hitter at this point, but he could develop into a catcher with above average pop at the dish.

Rutschman also earns praise for his work behind the plate. He is considered to have tremendous leadership abilities, which adds to his excellent defensive profile. Rutschman has displayed excellent hands and a strong throwing arm, showing the potential to be a Gold Glove caliber catcher once he reaches the majors.

It may not take long for Adley Rutschman to reach the majors. Once he does, the Baltimore Orioles could have their backstop for the next decade.