Baltimore Orioles: Three prospects who will make an impact in 2021
By Nick Stevens
Rylan Bannon has an open path to a starting role with the Baltimore Orioles.
Beginning with the prospect who will have the biggest opportunity in 2021, let’s look at infielder Rylan Bannon. Bannon, the 26th-ranked prospect in the Orioles system, is far from the highest-rated player looked at here, but with the absence of Iglesias and Alberto and the inconsistent play from Rio Ruiz over the last two seasons, Bannon has the chance to make an impact from Opening Day.
Acquired in the 2018 Manny Machado trade, Bannon spent the majority of the 2019 season in Double-A, slashing .245/.345/.394 with 34 extra-base hits and a 120 wRC+. He finished the year with 20 games at the Triple-A level, collecting 10 doubles and eight multi-hit games in that brief time span.
Bannon can play the hot corner fairly well, but the glove is more consistent and the arm plays better at second base. Regardless, the Orioles will have the opportunity to move him around the infield as they attempt to find a combination that works with Bannon, Ruiz, Yolmer Sanchez, Richie Martin, Pat Valaika, and other options currently on the roster.
He may stand at just 5’7” but Bannon has some pop in his bat, provides defensive versatility (has reportedly also been working out behind the plate), and has consistently recorded impressive walk rates throughout his professional career.
If he can adjust to major league pitching (strikeouts could be an issue), Bannon will provide some much-needed offense in Baltimore and fill a void while the Orioles wait for some of their bigger infield prospects like Gunnar Henderson, Coby Mayo, and Jordan Westburgh to come up through the system.