In the second part of a two-part series, I will preview the Opening Day rosters for the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds and Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds. These previews will include a listing of players from our preseason Top-50 prospects list on each team, along with some of the storylines that you will want to follow. In part one, I covered the Triple-A Norfolk Tides and Double-A Bowie Baysox.

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Aberdeen IronBirds (South Atlantic League)

Manager: Roberto Mercado

BSL Top-50 Prospects: OF Dylan Beavers (10), OF Jud Fabian (13), 3B Max Wagner (21), OF Reed Trimble (22), IF Frederick Bencosme (23) RHP Jean Pinto (24), RHP Trace Bright (40), IF Isaac De Leon (49), C Silas Adroin (50).

Overview: Although Aberdeen’s Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium is a challenging environment for hitters, the lineup features a few 2022 draft picks that could be poised for breakouts in their first full season of professional baseball. The pitching staff also presents some promise, especially in what could be a deep bullpen.

Best starting outfield in the farm system? All four Orioles full-season affiliates have talent in the outfield, but the starters in Aberdeen might represent the highest-ceiling group in the system. Beavers, the 33rd-overall pick in last year’s draft, flourished last summer after the Orioles adjusted his swing. This season, he will look to tap into the power he showed during his college career at Cal. Fabian, a fellow 2022 draftee, tore apart pitching in Delmarva before reaching Aberdeen late last season. Trimble will be playing his first full season after a shoulder injury kept him out of action for the first few months of last season. The athletic outfielder performed well with Delmarva after recovering from the injury and followed that up with a solid stint in the Arizona Fall League.

Will Max Wagner’s ascent continue? Wagner had a truly meteoric rise last year, going from a bench player for Clemson at the beginning of the season, to becoming their everyday third baseman and then a 2nd-round draft pick by the Orioles. After a brief stint with Aberdeen to end 2022, Wagner returns there for his first full season in 2023, where he will look to flash the power that allowed him to hit 27 homers at Clemson last year. An offensive breakout, combined with his usual solid defense at third base, would allow Wagner to rise even further up the prospect ranks.

Keep an eye on: Wagner is not the only standout in the infield, as Bencosme will look to build off a strong 2021 season across three levels. Aberdeen’s pitching staff was a big reason why they reached the South Atlantic League Championship last year, and a mostly new crop of pitchers will look to have similar success. Bright, a fifth-round pick out of Auburn in 2022, has an impressive fastball and slider combination as part of a four-pitch repertoire. Pinto had his ups and downs last year with the IronBirds but could get to Bowie quickly if he puts his command issues behind him. Nick Richmond and Daniel Lloyd are among the names that stand out in what could be a strong bullpen.

Delmarva Shorebirds (Carolina League)

Manager: Felipe Rojas Jr.

BSL Top-50 Prospects: SS Jackson Holliday (3), C Samuel Basallo (16), SS Carter Young (31), LHP Deivy Cruz (32), IF Anderson De Los Santos (42), Juan De Los Santos (44).

Overview: Headlined by Holliday, the Shorebirds break camp with a young roster that includes plenty of high-upside players. The lineup stands out in this regard, but there could be some highlights on the pitching side as well.

How far can Jackson Holliday go in his first full season? It has all been upward for Holliday since he was chosen with the first overall pick in last year’s draft. He performed well last summer between Delmarva and the Florida Complex League by walking more than he struck out, which was followed by a strong run with the major-league team in spring training. If there is anything to nitpick with Holliday so far—and you have to look deep to nitpick—it is that he hit the ball on the ground 50% of the time in 57 plate appearances at Delmarva last year. Should he flash more power this spring, Holliday will only be in Delmarva for a short amount of time, with promotions to Aberdeen and possibly Bowie coming his way later in the summer.

What can we expect from a talented catching tandem?

Basallo is a prospect on the rise, arriving in Delmarva after belting 11 home runs in 334 at-bats over two short-season levels since 2021. At 18 years old, he packs plenty of power and a strong arm behind the plate. He will now have to deal with the grind of a full season, an especially important development checkmark for a young catcher. Creed Willems spent most of last year in Delmarva, earning praise from many inside the Orioles organization for his work with the Shorebirds pitching staff. The 19-year-old struggled overall offensively but will hope that his strong final month at the plate (he posted an .833 OPS over his final 21 games) is a sign of things to come.

Keep an eye on: Read reports on Young, and you will struggle to find a consensus—either his offensive struggles at Vanderbilt are indicative of a long-term problem, or his raw skillset could translate into success with some adjustments. The Orioles are banking on their hitting program to unlock something with the bat after giving him a $1.3 million signing bonus out of last year’s draft, getting him to walk away from a transfer to LSU in the process. De Los Santos and Cruz both pitched well at Delmarva last year and will look to refine themselves this year.

Both the IronBirds and Shorebirds begin their seasons on Thursday, with the IronBirds at home against Wilmington and the Shorebirds heading to Salem. For more in-depth coverage of the Opening Day rosters of the Orioles affiliates, check out the latest episode of On The Verge.

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Over two articles, I will preview the Opening Day rosters for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, Double-A Bowie Baysox, High-A Aberdeen IronBirds, and Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds. These previews will include a full list of players from our preseason Top-50 prospects list on each team, along with some of the storylines that you will want to follow. This part of the series includes the Tides, who started their season in Durham on Friday, along with the Bowie Baysox, who begin the 2023 campaign at Hartford on Thursday.

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Norfolk Tides (International League)

Manager: Buck Britton

BSL Top-50 Prospects: RHP Grayson Rodriguez (2), OF Colton Cowser (4), LHP DL Hall (5), IF Jordan Westburg (7), SS Joey Ortiz (8), Connor Norby (9), LHP Drew Rom (15), OF Hudson Hasking (17), RHP Noah Denoyer (27), RHP Kyle Brnovich (35)*, RHP Chris Vallimont (37), C Maverick Handley (43)
*Currently on IL

Overview: The Tides enter this season with what looks like an ideal Triple-A roster, combining an impressive list of prospects with players who have major-league experience. While minor-league rosters are naturally prone to turnover, there should be plenty of reinforcements coming up from Bowie or down from Baltimore to keep the Tides interesting all season.

What is next for Grayson Rodriguez? Rodriguez is returning to Norfolk after the Orioles made a controversial decision to leave him off their Opening Day roster. The right-hander dominated for the Tides last year before suffering a lat injury in June, and there is no reason to expect that he cannot do the same again this year. In his first outing on Friday, Rodriguez struggled with his command in a no-decision against a tough Durham lineup. He will need to get better from there, and let the results speak for themselves as the Orioles wait to make their next move with him.

How will the infield situation play out? For now, the Tides boast three infielders that cracked offseason Top-100 prospect lists in Westburg, Ortiz, and Norby. All three appeared at the level last year, with Westburg’s 91 games accounting for by far the most Triple-A time among the trio. His numbers there last year (.274/.361/.508, 18 homers) and impressive spring training show that he’s ready for a shot at the major-league roster. Ortiz and Norby could get there as well this year, especially if Ortiz sustains his offensive success from a year ago and Norby continues to improve his defense at second base. Of course, the performance of the major-league infield will be a factor for all three of these players. If the Orioles fail to compete, it will be hard to deny them their opportunities. However, if a productive infield is part of a push for the playoffs, then Westburg, Ortiz, and Norby could still get part-time play at the majors or become trade chips if the Orioles add to the major-league roster before the August 1 deadline.

Keep an eye on: Haskin will be Rule 5 eligible after this season and will make a strong case for a 40-man roster spot if he builds off his productive 2022. Cowser should see major-league time this year, especially if he can improve his results against breaking balls and have a little more success against lefties. Speaking of lefties, expect Hall to pitch as a starter until he gives the Orioles a reason to move him to the bullpen.

Bowie Baysox (Eastern League)

Manager: Kyle Moore

BSL Top 50 Prospects: 3B Coby Mayo (6), OF Heston Kjerstad (11), LHP Cade Povich (14), RHP Chayce McDermott (18), OF John Rhodes (20), IF Cesar Prieto (25), RHP Justin Armbruester (28), RHP Carlos Tavera (34), OF Donta’ Williams (41).

Overview: The Baysox are a fairly balanced team on paper, with some of the standouts from last year’s staff at Aberdeen joining talented arms that spent time at Bowie in 2022. While the lineup might not be as deep as the one the Baysox fielded over the final weeks of last season, it should feature a potent middle of the order.

Power, Power, and more power: Mayo and Kjerstad should enjoy hitting in the friendly confines of Prince George’s Stadium. The expectations for Kjerstad have certainly risen in recent months, thanks to strong performances in the Arizona Fall League and spring training. Mayo, meanwhile, flashed some power in an injury-limited stint with the Baysox last year, belting 5 homers in 34 games. The 21-year-old displays impressive power to go with a strong arm at third base, making him a prime candidate to shoot up Top-100 prospect lists with a productive season.

How far can Cade Povich rise? Bowie starts the year with a talented pitching staff, but Povich is perhaps the most intriguing arm. Acquired from the Minnesota Twins as part of the Jorge Lopez trade at last year’s deadline, Povich struck out 148 batters in 114 innings, thanks to a deep arsenal that includes a fastball that has touched 97 mph, along with a curveball, sweeper, cutter, and changeup. If he is successful this season, look for more national outlets to join ESPN in naming him a Top-100 prospect.

Keep an eye on: McDermott revealed during an interview on On The Verge that he is ditching his changeup in favor of a splitter. The right-hander had problems locating his changeup and will hope that the splitter compliments a fastball that is at times elite. Armbruester, meanwhile, could reach Norfolk quickly if he repeats the success that he had at Bowie last season (63 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings against 16 walks). If there is a breakout candidate offensively, it could be Rhodes, who performed well at Aberdeen last season (.817 OPS, 128 wRC+ in 58 games) before struggling at the plate in 25 games with the Baysox.

Look for previews of Aberdeen and Delmarva’s season tomorrow. Bob Phelan, Nick Stevens, and I will also cover all four teams in our next episode of On The Verge, which will be released on Monday night.

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Almeyda has a unique background, as he was born in Paterson, NJ and lived in the United States until he was 15, when he and his family moved to the Dominican Republic to care for his grandmother who has Alzheimer’s disease. While living in New Jersey, he was seen as a rising prospect in the 2025 draft class, but the move to the Dominican Republic made him eligible to sign with a team this year.

Ranked the 20th best international prospect by MLB Pipeline, Almeyeda is listed at 6’2” 180 lbs and receives praise for his advance plate approach and bat speed. As with most young hitters his size, Almeyda offers the potential to hit for more power as he fills out. Although it is possible that he will eventually outgrow shortstop, reports suggest that he should have the arm strength and athleticism to make the move over to third base. (MLB Pipeline grades his arm as a 55 on the 20-80 scouting scale, and notes that he “projects to have a plus arm.”)

On both the international and domestic scouting sides, the Orioles have made shortstop a priority, leaving them with a deep depth chart in the minor leagues. While not all of those players figure to stick at shortstop, most offer the athleticism to move over to another position as they grow. Gunnar Henderson’s relatively smooth handling of third base is evidence of this—although the notion of him playing shortstop in the future should not be ruled out—and Almeyda could fit that mold down the line.

In the immediate future, Almeyda presents an interesting case in terms of his development timeline. Typically, an international signee his age would be expected to spend his first season in the Dominican Summer League, before advancing to the Florida Complex League the following year and then reaching Low-A as early as the start of the next season. However, because Almeyda spent so much time in the United States before his move to the Dominican Republic, he could be a viable candidate to bypass the DSL and proceed to the FCL this summer.

Almeyda’s exact assignment remains to be seen, but it is clear that the Orioles have landed a high-upside player who represents their continuing efforts to build a strong presence in Latin America.

Under executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and senior director of international scouting Koby Perez, the Orioles have taken a Latin American scouting program that was arguably the weakest in Major League Baseball and turned it into a stronger force. This marks the third straight year in which the Orioles set a new club record for the largest signing bonus given to a Latin American amateur player, as they paid $1.7 million to outfielder Braylin Tavera last year and $1.3 million to catcher Samuel Basallo in 2021.

It takes years for players who are signed out of Latin America to develop, so it is still too soon to give a full evaluation of the Orioles’ track record under Elias and Perez. While shortstop Maikol Hernandez—who signed for $1.2 million in 2021—has struggled over his first two seasons, he is still just 19 and has time to develop as a hitter. Basallo should be behind the plate at Delmarva this season and Tavera was among a group of young hitters that stood out in the DSL last year. Perhaps the biggest success story under Elias and Perez thus far is infielder Frederick Bencosme, a 20-year-old who signed for $10,000 back in 2020 and is slated to open the 2023 season at High-A Aberdeen after a breakout run at Delmarva in 2022.

With their signing of Almeyda, the Orioles are taking another chance that a major investment in an international free agent will pay off. Almeyda is years away from fully realizing his potential, but it’s clear that he enters the organization with a skillset that leaves plenty of room for upside.

Other January 15 Signings to Note

• The Orioles have touted four other middle-infield prospects from their January signing class, including shortstops Joshua Liranzo, Felix Amparo, and Luis Guevara, as well as second baseman Jose Mejía. Signed out of Venezuela, Guevara is a switch-hitter with a potential lead-off hitting profile, while Amparo and Liranzo have been noted for their hit tools. Mejía, meanwhile, has been singled out by the team for his offensive abilities and power projection.
• Right-hander Keeler Morfe throws a fastball that reportedly touches 95 mph with sinking action, to go with a slider and a changeup. At just 16, Morfe flashes a nice, easy delivery that should help him in his development.
• Left-hander Francisco Morao is a pitcher that the club believes could develop as a starter. The 17-year-old flashes a fastball that touches 92 mph, to go with a changeup and 12-to-6 curveball.
• Catcher Luis Vicioso is the younger brother of Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo. Vicioso, who was signed out of the Dominican Republic, is listed at 5’10” 180 lbs. and will turn 20 in May.
• Overall, the Orioles have roughly $500,000 left in their bonus pool of $5.8 million for this signing period. After Almeyda’s $2.3 million, the second-highest bonus reported thus far is $500,000 for Liranzo. In all likelihood, these players will spend the 2023 season in the DSL though, as noted earlier, it is possible that Almeyda makes his FCL debut this summer. A full list of signings from January 15 can be found here.

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Originally a 15th-round draft selection by the Red Sox out of Seaton Hall in 2018, Politi pitched primarily in relief in 2022. Over 69 1/3 innings pitched between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, he compiled a 2.34 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, while striking out 83 batters against 22 walks. The bulk of that time was spent at Worcester, where Politi was particularly effective, racking up a 28.3 K%, 44.1 GB%, 2.41 ERA, and 3.47 FIP in 56 innings.

Politi relies primarily on his fastball, slider, and curveball. Baseball America describes his fastball as one that “sits 93-95 mph and touches 97 mph at peak with cut,” while noting that his curveball has “good depth and [a] two-plane break.”

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A relief role is the most likely path to make for Politi to make the Orioles’ Opening Day roster, although it could be challenging path. The club carries a strong bullpen at this point and, theoretically, could see one or two of its starters from a year ago slide into a relief role next season.

If he does make the roster, Politi will likely profile as a middle-innings option who can generate groundballs and possibly give the team more than three outs in an appearance. The role could be similar to that of Joey Krehbiel’s last season, but perhaps Politi could slide into high-leverage situations if he proves worthy as the season progresses. Politi also gives them another option in the event they decide to move a reliever via trade or see an injury or two during camp.

The Red Sox did try to work Politi as a starter at Portland in 2021, but he ultimately struggled, surrendering 77 hits in 75 innings while posting a 13.8 HR/FB rate, 6.36 ERA, and 4.50 FIP. He moved to Portland’s bullpen towards the end of the season, continuing in that role in the Arizona Fall League. For the here and now, and likely the long-term, the Orioles will need to figure out how to develop Politi’s repertoire to make him a successful reliever in the majors.

Politi was selected during the major-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft, meaning that the Orioles will need to carry him on their roster for a full season or offer him back to the Red Sox. The Orioles passed on their second selection in the major-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft and did not lose a player. Their 40-man roster currently stands at 39 players.

Minor-League Phase

The minor-league phase of the draft saw movement both in and out of the organization, with the Orioles selecting and losing three players. Unlike in the major-league phase, players are not required to make the 26-man roster to stick with their new organizations. Players who could be chosen in the minor-league phase are those who are Rule 5 eligible and were not protected on their club’s Triple-A roster.

Joining the Orioles

Alfred Vega, RHP—Selected from the New York Yankees: The youngest player in this mix, the soon-to-be 22-year-old has thrown just 139 1/3 innings since originally signing with the Yankees in 2017. He did not fully get a chance to build off his promising 2021 campaign, as he spent time on the injured list last summer before throwing 15 2/3 innings in the Florida Complex League. Vega made the most of his time in the FCL (22:4 K:BB ratio, 1.15 ERA, 1.97 FIP) and should be part of Low-A Delmarva’s pitching staff next season.

Randy Florentino, Catcher—Selected from the Texas Rangers: With High-A Hickory last season, Florentino hit .242/.331/.353 across 180 plate appearances with four home runs and a walk rate just under 12%. At 22, Florentino has not been able to recapture the offensive success he had as a teenager but should nonetheless be a solid depth option in the Orioles system. High-A Aberdeen or Double-A Bowie appears to be his most likely Opening Day assignment.

Trey McGough, LHP—Selected from the Pittsburgh Pirates: McGough was ranked as the 59th-best prospect in a deep Pirates farm system by FanGraphs coming into the season, and seemed like a possible breakout candidate after a solid 2021. However, he threw just 17 2/3 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis before going on the IL in May and later undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Departing the Orioles

Hector Perez, RHP—Selected by the Tampa Bay Rays: After signing with the Orioles as a minor-league free agent in May, Perez logged 33 1/3 innings of relief work between three levels, posting a 48:19 K:BB ratio to go with a 3.51 ERA. While he topped out at Double-A Bowie with the Orioles, he has prior major-league experience (one game with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020) and reached Triple-A in the Cincinnati Reds’ system in 2021.

Jonathan Arauz, Infielder—Selected by the New York Mets: Arauz saw major-league time with the Orioles after being selected off waivers from the Red Sox in June. While with the Orioles, he went 5-for-28 in nine games before suffering a thumb injury. He was designated for assignment in September, then remained in the organization after being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

Cody Roberts, Catcher—Selected by the Philadelphia Phillies: A solid defensive backstop, Roberts has provided useful depth to the Orioles farm system in recent years—including 2022, which saw him spend time at both Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. He will likely serve as upper-minors depth for the Phillies.

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This year also marks the latest that the Orioles have picked in the major-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft since 2016, when they had the 23rd selection. (Their first pick, outfielder Aneury Taverez, was technically the 12th player taken after several teams either passed on making a selection or entered the draft with a full 40-man roster.) That, combined with a strong crop of Rule 5-eligible players, may mean that the biggest story to come out this year’s draft is who the Orioles lose rather than who they select.

To size up this year’s class, I’m breaking it down into three groups: locks, in the mix, and worth noting—the latter for a group of players who seem less likely to be protected but could hold value to other teams, or might work their way onto the 40-man roster with strong 2023 seasons. The Orioles currently have six spots open on their 40-man roster, though that could change leading up Tuesday’s deadline.

Locks

Grayson Rodriguez, RHP

Rodriguez would have already reached the major leagues, had it not been for a lat injury in early June that sidelined him for several months. Rodriguez made a few starts at Triple-A Norfolk to end the season and remains arguably the best pitching prospect in baseball. He is a strong candidate to make next season’s Opening Day rotation as a 23-year-old, and could be a factor in whether the Orioles take a big step towards the playoffs next season.

Joey Ortiz, SS

With a strong second half, Ortiz took what looked like a below-the-borderline case to be protected into an absolute lock. Regarded as a plus defender since his college days, Ortiz got hot at the plate in July and never looked back, ultimately hitting .284/.349/.477 with 19 home runs over 137 games between Double-A Bowie and Norfolk. Ortiz looks at worst to be a very solid bench option in the majors and could raise his ceiling even higher if he sustains his success at the plate.

Drew Rom, LHP

While not in the same class potential wise as Rodriguez, Rom is the same age and has been consistent ever since his pro debut in 2018. Last season’s results were a bit mixed, though, especially after a spike in walks over his final outings at Norfolk. However, Rom separates himself from the other lefties the Orioles have protected in recent years (Zac Lowther, Alexander Wells, Kevin Smith) with a fastball and overall pitch mix that is better than what the three other hurlers have to offer. If Rom can get comfortable on the mound over a longer run at Triple-A, he could be an option for the Orioles down the stretch and cement his projection as a mid-to-back of the rotation starter in the majors.

Seth Johnson, RHP

Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in the three-team Trey Mancini deal, Johnson is expected to miss 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Even after his injury, Johnson was considered one of the pitching prospects in a deep Tampa Bay farm system, thanks to a fastball that runs in the mid-to-upper 90s and high-spin breaking balls. It will obviously be a while before the Orioles know if they’ll reap the rewards of Johnson’s potential but leaving him unprotected over his injury would be shortsighted.

In The Mix

Noah Denoyer, RHP

Denoyer used his four-pitch mix to put together an excellent 2022, striking out 99 batters while walking just 17 in 71.2 innings. He carried that over to the Arizona Fall League, where he flashed impressive stuff and earned a Fall Stars Game selection. While he was used occasionally as a starter last year, Denoyer projects best a multi-inning reliever whose fastball should play well in those situations.

Easton Lucas, LHP

Acquired from the Miami Marlins during the 2019-20 offseason for Jonathan Villar, Lucas had a largely forgettable 2021 season. However, the left-handed reliever turned it around in 2022, striking out 65 batters in 56.2 innings while flashing a fastball that can hit 95 mph, a solid slider, and a changeup. He also turned heads in the Arizona Fall League, with MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo recently writing that “some scouts think he has back-end starter traits,” and that he was working on a curveball in Arizona. Lucas does have an issue with walks, posting a 4 BB/9 at Bowie this season, but Felix Bautista’s success at the majors last year leaves hope that the Orioles can iron this issue out at the higher levels.

Nolan Hoffman, RHP

Hoffman was chosen from the Seattle Mariners in the minor-league phase of last year’s Rule 5 Draft, and posted solid numbers at Bowie despite being limited to just 23.1 innings because of an injury. He made up for some lost time in the Arizona Fall League, where he struck out 17 batters in 12.1 innings pitched while walking just two. The submariner could be a factor in the major-league bullpen sometime next year, making him a dark horse candidate to be protected by the Orioles and a name that could be watched by other teams.

Ignacio Feliz, RHP

A converted shortstop, Feliz finished third among Orioles minor leaguer pitchers last season with 135 strikeouts but often struggled with his command. He pitched at High-A Aberdeen in both starter and reliever roles, but his arsenal of pitches will likely to better serve him in a short-outing relief role as he moves up. A 23-year-old with no experience above High-A is typically not someone who comes up in the conversation with the Rule 5 Draft, but Feliz has undeniable upside that could payoff if he refines his raw stuff.

Nick Richmond, RHP

At first glance, there is not much notable about Richmond, who will be 25 at the start of next season and has yet to pitch above High-A. However, after being released by the Detroit Tigers following the 2021 season, Richmond put work to his delivery that led to velocity spike with the Orioles and carried over to the Arizona Fall League—even if his numbers there weren’t great. With a fastball that runs 94-95 mph and a good slider, Richmond carries an interesting reliever’s skillset. He has developed considerably since making his debut in the Orioles system in June and could be a fast riser if those improvements continue.

Worth Noting

Maverick Handley, Catcher

Handley has been praised for his defense since his college days at Stanford but carried over offseason work at Driveline to post his offensive season at Bowie in 2022.  The offensive improvements boost his prospect stock, but catchers are not often chosen in the major-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. If the Orioles do protect him, it could be a sign that they see him becoming Adley Rutchsman’s backup in the near future, perhaps after spending part of next season at Norfolk.

Garrett Stallings, RHP

Stallings had one of the more bizarre seasons in recent memory at Bowie. It started with two solid months, before an awful June (28.50 ERA over five starts), a dominant July (1.46 ERA, 31:2 K:B ratio in 24.2 innings), and then okay numbers over August and September. When at his best, Stallings flashes pinpoint command and the stuff of a solid mid-to-back-end starter. However, he often gets in trouble when he struggles to locate his fastball, a homer-prone pitch that causes him problems when it’s left out over the plate. Getting out of home run-friendly Bowie could help Stallings a bit next season, but there are things that he needs to work on before being anywhere close to major-league ready. 

Other Relief Arms

Aberdeen’s bullpen was bolstered last year by the success of Xavier Moore, who struck 58 batters in 33 innings pitched while pairing a hard fastball with a strong changeup. Walks can be an issue at times for Moore—who will be 24 next season and has yet to pitch above High-A—but he has the raw stuff to project as a big-league reliever. Similarly, Kade Strowd had success with a high-90s fastball and excellent secondaries. While he was limited to just 15 innings because of injuries, the 25-year-old could be a fast riser with a healthy 2023. (For more on Strowd, see this story from Jon Meoli in his newsletter, Maximizing Playoff Odds.)

Tommy John-Recovering Pitchers

Both acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in the Dylan Bundy trade, Zach Peek and Kyle Brnovich have the raw talent for a 40-man roster spot. However, both are recovering from Tommy John surgery, albeit in different stages—Brnovich had his surgery after just two starts at Norfolk, with Peek’s coming in the second half of what had been a solid season at Bowie. The Orioles could hardly be blamed for thinking that either or both pitchers are worthy of 40-man roster spots, but—with Seth Johnson likely to be protected—it is hard to see them giving spots to multiple players who will miss part or all of 2023 while rehabbing from Tommy John.

Young International Position Players

Believe it or not, infielder Isaac De Leon and outfielder Mishael Deson are both Rule 5-eligible for the first time this offseason despite their young ages (De Leon just turned 21, and Deson will be 21 next July). De Leon did the most to boost his stock in 2022—getting hot after a slow start at Delmarva and earning a promotion to Aberdeen. However, he is still raw at this point and has unanswered questions about his defense, while Deson struggled in his first full season in Delmarva. It would be a huge upset if either of them is protected, but they could be firmly in the conversation next year with strong 2023 campaigns. Luis Valdez, who will be 23 next season, flashes impressive speed but will probably need to show more with the bat before he entrenches himself in the conversation of players of who could contribute at the big-league level.

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Categories for the 2022 Orioles minor league awards include player and pitcher of the year, along with honors for managing, defense, and breakout performances. While these players vary in their backgrounds and prospect stock, they collectively represent the strides the organization is making.

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Player of the Year: Gunnar Henderson, infielder

With perhaps the best overall season in Minor League Baseball, Henderson beats a strong field of Orioles prospects to receive this honor unanimously. Beginning with an impressive .312/.452/.573 slash line in 47 games at Double-A Bowie, Henderson shot through the minors and made his major-league debut at the end of August. Before arriving in Baltimore, he posted a .947 OPS with 19 home runs between Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, adding four more in the majors to give him a total of 23 on the season.

Henderson also played impressive defense around the infield, particularly third base, while striking out at a clip of 23% after whiffing 31% of the time in 2021. His performance in 2022 made Henderson the consensus top prospect in the game, and he should be a preseason favorite to win the American League Rookie of the Year in 2023.

Also receiving votes: Jordan Westburg, Colton Cowser, Connor Norby

Pitchers of the Year: Justin Armbruester, RHP; Ryan Watson, RHP

In a season where several under-the-radar pitching prospects took major steps forward, Armbuester and Watson emerge as our honorees—and do so through completely different paths. Armbruester, a 12th round draft choice out of New Mexico in 2021, was effective in 12 starts for High-A Aberdeen before earning a promotion to Bowie. Despite moving to a higher level and more hitter-friendly confines, the right-hander improved with the Baysox—showing better command (2.3 BB/9 compared to a 3.0 mark in Aberdeen), while slashing his ERA (4.02 to 3.69). Overall, he pitched to a 126:34 K:BB ratio in 117 innings between the two levels with a 3.85 ERA.

Watson, meanwhile, began the season in Bowie and transitioned into the rotation in late April despite having thrown primarily as a reliever since his college days at Auburn. He struck out 100 batters in 95 innings with the Baysox, while walking just 21. A late-season cameo in Norfolk saw Watson pitch exclusively in relief, where he had as many strikeouts as walks (8) in 12.1 innings pitched, giving him 108 strikeouts against 29 free passes in 112.1 innings. Watson could profile a multi-relief option in the majors as soon as next year, as his 2022 season showed he can handle an increased workload.

Note: This award resulted in a tie because of our weighted system for voting. Nick and I had Watson first on our ballots and Armbruester second, with Bob flipping the two on his ballot.

Also receiving votes: Noah Denoyer

Manager/Coach of the Year:  Roberto Mercado, Aberdeen IronBirds manager

The IronBirds success under Mercado speaks for itself: The team finished the season 78-54, came just one win away from the South Atlantic League championship, and saw many of its players achieve success upon promotions to higher levels (Armbruester, Connor Norby, Colton Cowser, and Coby Mayo are among several examples).

However, Mercado quickly earned the respect of many around the game—both inside and outside the organization—in his professional debut as a manager. He came to the Orioles with a unique background, having previously worked as a dean and head baseball coach at New Britain High School in Connecticut as well as a coach in the summer-collegiate Cape Cod League.

Also receiving votes: Forrest Herman (pitching coach, Aberdeen), Josh Conway (pitching coach, Bowie), Brandon Becker (hitting coach, Bowie), Tim Gibbons (hitting coach, Norfolk).

Breakout Player of the Year: Darell Hernaiz, infielder

A 5th-round draft pick out of Americas High School (El Paso, TX) in 2019, Hernaiz had a solid full-season debut with Delmarva in 2021. However, organizational depth contributed at least in part to him returning there to start this year. Rather than let that hurt his performance, Hernaiz responded with an excellent run that jumpstarted a season that saw him play across three levels. Overall, he batted .273/.341/.438 with 12 home runs in 452 plate appearances between Delmarva, Aberdeen, and Bowie with an 8% walk rate and 18% strikeout rate. Hernaiz also played solid defense around the infield, including shortstop, and swiped 32 bases in 36 attempts.

Hernaiz will enter next season as a 21-year-old regular at Double-A. He fits the bill of a potential major-league utility player, who could develop into a regular if he continues to make strides offensively. On top of his on-field performance, Hernaiz was praised for his leadership during his time at Delmarva and his response to the adversity he faced this season.

Also receiving votes: Frederick Bencosme, Deivy Cruz, Aron Estrada

Platinum Glove: Joey Ortiz

There is so much positive to say about Ortiz’s season, especially his recovery from a slow start at the plate that allowed him to slug his way to Triple-A and into FanGraphs’ top-100 prospect rankings. While that is part of what Ortiz’s season so special, his defense continues at shortstop continues to earn high praise. He has the quickness, arm, range, and instincts of a big-league shortstop, and seemingly a night did not go by this season without at least one highlight reel play.

Rule 5-eligible this offseason, Ortiz is a lock to receive a 40-man roster spot. Although his name could surface in trade talks if the Orioles deal from their farm system to improve the major-league roster this offseason, there is reason to believe that if he stays in the organization, Ortiz could play his way onto the Orioles roster sometime next season and make an immediate impact with his glove.

Also receiving votes: Maverick Handley, Collin Burns, Gunnar Henderson, Coby Mayo.

For more on our 2022 Orioles minor league awards, you can join the discussion on the message board and listen to the latest episode of On The Verge.

The post 2022 Orioles Minor League Awards appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

With that in mind, I teamed up with my On The Verge co-hosts Bob Phelan and Nick Stevens to put together the Orioles Mid-Season Minor-League All-Star Team. In creating this list, we looked more at overall production than prospect status. However, there are some clear examples of the best prospect at each position also being the best player. The list includes 10 pitchers, eight position players, plus a designated hitter.

All stats mentioned are current through July 9. Some players missed the cut due to lost time because of injuries (Terrin Vavra, John Rhodes, and Heston Kjerstad among them), but there might be an opportunity to recognize those players with our post season All-Star team in a few months.

(You can discuss this on the BSL board.)

Catcher: Maverick Handley, Bowie Baysox

Handley’s offseason work at Driveline has paid off, as he’s shedding his glove-first catcher label with the best offensive production of his career. Through 181 plate appearances, he is slashing .248/.376/.430 and has already hit more home runs in fewer games this season as compared to 2021 (six in 45 games, compared to five in 60). As for the defense? It’s still elite.

First Base: TT Bowens, Aberdeen IronBirds

After a solid professional debut in 2021, Bowens has shown signs of being a more complete hitter in his sophomore season, as his strikeout rate has decreased while his walk rate has increased from his numbers with Aberdeen last year. His .796 OPS, four home runs, and 123 wRC+ are also solid, considering that Aberdeen’s ballpark is not the most home run-friendly environment.

Second Base: César Prieto, Bowie and Aberdeen

One of the major international free agents signed by the Orioles this offseason, Prieto has perhaps been better than advertised by slashing .299/.343/.458 in 283 plate appearances. Although the power he showed at Aberdeen hasn’t translated to Bowie, he’s been a solid table-setter for the Baysox and showcased the contact skills that were so highly praised when he signed with the Orioles.

Third Base: Jordan Westburg, Norfolk Tides and Bowie

Thanks to a more pull-heavy approach at the plate , Westburg has tapped into his raw power to hit a farm-system leading 16 home runs while batting .280/.353/.541 in 329 plate appearances. With his production so far, Westburg must be making it more tempting for the Orioles to promote him to the majors later this summer.

Shortstop: Gunnar Henderson, Norfolk and Bowie

In full context, Henderson is having the best season of any Orioles minor-league hitter. He’s slashing .292/.425/.535 with 13 homers and has shown a vastly improved plate approach with 59 walks compared to 71 strikeouts. Making this even more impressive is that Henderson has consistently done this against older competition, as he just recently turned 21.

Outfielder: Colton Cowser, Bowie and Aberdeen

Cowser shook off a slow start to the season to dominate at Aberdeen over the month of June, and that production has carried over to Bowie. He is 11-for-33 (.333) in his first 10 games at the Double-A level and is hitting .267/.403/.435 overall. Along the way, he has played a solid centerfield and shown impressive speed on the bases, swiping 17 bags in 19 attempts.

Outfielder: Hudson Haskin, Bowie

Haskin has shown no ill effects from a thumb injury that cut his 2021 short, hitting .270/.348/.472 with 10 homers in 64 games at Bowie. Combine that with solid defense in centerfield, and Haskin is doing a considerable amount to boost his prospect stock.

Outfielder: Kyle Stowers, Norfolk

If he were not blocked by the Orioles’ current outfielders, there is no doubt that Stowers would be in the majors. For now, he will have to continue dominating at Norfolk, where he has 15 homers and an .870 OPS in 287 plate appearances. Most impressively, Stowers has maintained his power while dramatically reducing his strikeout rate, as he has struck out in roughly 23% of his plate appearances this season after fanning about 32% of the time last year.

DH: Coby Mayo, Aberdeen and Bowie

At just 20 years old, Mayo is impressing against older competition, as an .805 OPS and 13 homers at Aberdeen allowed him to earn a promotion to Bowie. He also continues to play a solid third base, with his impressive arm strength being one of the standout traits of his skillset.

Pitcher: Grayson Rodriguez, Norfolk

Before a lat injury abruptly halted his season, Rodriguez dominated at Norfolk, posting an 80:14 K:BB ratio, 2.09 ERA, and a 1.66 FIP in 56 innings pitched. Even if he does not throw another pitch this season, Rodriguez has put himself in the conversation for an Opening Day rotation spot with the Orioles in 2023.

Pitcher: Zach Peek, Bowie

Before a recent injury that is expected to cause him to miss significant time, Peek was one of Bowie’s most dependable starters. He delivered a 40:13 K:BB ratio in 45 1/3 innings pitched with a 3.57 ERA. At his best, Peek flashes the stuff of a potential mid-to-back-end starter in the majors, but has the mix of pitches and competitive demeanor to be successful in short outings.

Pitcher: Drew Rom, Bowie

One of the most dependable pitchers in the system in recent years, Rom is putting together another strong season, with a 3.54 FIP and a 65:18 K:BB ratio in 54 2/3 innings. He is making a strong case for a promotion to Norfolk and, with Rule 5 eligibly looming this offseason, should land on the Orioles 40-man roster in the next few months.

Pitcher: Ryan Watson, Bowie

There have been few, if any, better breakout stories in 2022 than Watson’s successful conversion from primarily being a reliever to starting rotation stalwart. The right-hander has struck out 77 batters in 66 1/3 innings pitched, while walking just 15 and posting a 3.66 ERA to go with a 3.44 xFIP. Like Rom, Watson is making a strong case for a promotion to Norfolk, and his success as both a starter and a reliever in the minors gives him an intriguing profile.

Pitcher: Peter Van Loon, Aberdeen

Van Loon has been one of the consistent arms in a dominant Aberdeen pitching staff. Through 54 innings pitched, the right-hander has a 2.50 ERA and a 63:19 K:BB ratio. He was also part of a combined no-hitter that the IronBirds threw last month.

Pitcher: Jean Pinto, Aberdeen

Thanks to a dominant June, Pinto has moved beyond a shaky start to this season to build on the success that made one of 2021’s best breakout prospects. The right-hander has fanned 71 batters in 58 innings this season, while posting a 3.72 ERA and 3.46 xFIP at just 21 years old. At worst, Pinto is lining himself up to pitch in Bowie’s rotation at just 22 years old next season—at best, he could get there sooner, especially if he continues to gradually reduce his walk rate.

Pitcher: Ignacio Feliz, Aberdeen

After struggling last season following a promotion from Delmarva, Feliz has been steady for Aberdeen this year, striking out a system-leading 88 batters in 57 innings this season. Walks are still an issue for Feliz, but his pure stuff and ability to miss bats makes the converted shortstop one of the more interesting arms in the system.

Pitcher: Connor Gillispie, Aberdeen

Another solid arm in Aberdeen’s rotation, Gillispie has struck out 76 batters in 62 2/3 innings pitched this year. Although his walk rate is a bit high, the right-hander has offset that by yielding a lower percentage of fly balls and line drives while producing more groundballs than he did with Aberdeen last year.

Pitcher: Justin Armbruester, Bowie and Aberdeen

An excellent run at Aberdeen has been followed by an even better start at Bowie for Armbruester, who has struck out 20 batters without issuing just one walk in his first 18 innings with the Baysox. Overall, he has a 83:19 K:BB ratio in 71 2/3 innings pitched this season, with a 3.77 ERA.

Closer: Noah Denoyer, Bowie and Aberdeen

Few pitchers have been as dominant as Denoyer this season, who has fanned 67 batters in 52 innings this season while walking just 13 and producing a 2.25 ERA. Though used primarily as a reliever, Denoyer flashes an interesting four-pitch mix that includes a fastball he can run up to 96 mph. Rule 5 eligible after this season, Denoyer is making a strong case for a 40-man spot in a few months, and for a promotion even sooner.

For more on our mid-season All-Star team, listen to the latest episode of On The Verge.

The post Orioles Midseason Minor-League All-Star Team appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

Though below the standard of an immediate contender, the Baltimore Orioles 2022 depth chart of catchers and infielders provides glimpses of a brighter future. Headlined by the top prospect in the game, this group also includes a mix of young players as well as some veterans that will hold down positions for the 2022 season while prospects continue to develop in the minors.

(You can discuss this on the BSL board here.)

Catchers

Currently the Orioles do not have a catcher on their 40-man roster. However, it’s easy to look at the existing depth and imagine how things will shake out at the position. Adley Rutschman will be the starting catcher for the Orioles at some point in 2022, it’s just a question of when. Service-time manipulation incentivizes the Orioles to keep Rutschman in the minors for the first couple months of the season, with the intention of gaining an extra year of service time and delaying arbitration eligibility.

In an ideal scenario, we would be certain that Rutschman is the opening-day starter and be left with the far less interesting discussion about who will be his backup. However, unless it is eliminated or somehow curtailed by the next collective bargaining agreement, service-time manipulation could very well force him back to Triple-A Norfolk for the opening months of the season.

If Rutschman does indeed start back in the minors, the Orioles could begin the year with Jacob Nottingham and Anthony Bemboom, two players signed as minor-league free agents this offseason. Both have major-league experience and could hold down the position until Rutschman arrives. This offseason does not feature a good class of free agent catchers, but it is still conceivable that the Orioles could handout a low-cost one-year deal to one of the handful of veteran catchers available when the lockout ends. It is worth keeping an eye on the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft, where a few interesting catching prospects will be available—including Blake Hunt, a former 2nd-round pick that the Rays acquired from the Padres as part of the Blake Snell trade prior to the 2021 season. The Orioles could also look to the waiver wire, which was how they landed former backstop Pedro Severino in 2019.

Infielders

There is a bit less uncertainty in the infield, where the positions are fairly set right now. Ryan Mountcastle and Trey Mancini appear likely to split first base and DH duties again, with newcomer Rougned Odor at second base, the defense-first Kelvin Gutierrez at third, Ramon Urias at shortstop, and Jorge Mateo on the bench as a utility player. While Mancini has been speculated as a trade candidate for some time, there was not much movement reported towards a trade or an extension before the lockout. It is possible that teams who lose out on free agents like Freddie Freeman or trade options like Matt Olson will approach the Orioles with an offer for Mancini, but for now it’s probably best to pencil him in for an Opening Day roster spot.

The situation on the left side of the infield could change before Opening Day. In each of the past two offseasons, Mike Elias has signed a veteran shortstop to a low-cost contract, inking Jose Iglesias before the 2020 season followed by Freddy Galvis last year. If Elias takes the same approach this year, a reunion with Iglesias could be in the cards, with seemingly a few other options in the mix for one-year deals that will not cost Carlos Correa or Trevor Story money.

Andrelton Simmons would be my preference of that group, as his defense should be good enough to provide value if his bat fails to rebound from a sluggish 2021. That said, Simmons figures to draw interest from other clubs, so he could end signing for more than what the Orioles are willing to pay. The same could go for former Oriole Jonathan Villar.

Should the Orioles sign a shortstop, then Odor and Urias could split time between second and third. Urias hit well enough last season to leave me believing that he should receive regular at-bats this year. Even if he doesn’t factor into this team’s long-term plans as a starter, it would still be good to know what they have in Urias.

Beyond that group, there are some infielders that could push for major-league jobs later in the year. Terrin Vavra was added to the 40-man roster in November, after a promising but injury-shortened 2021 campaign at Double-A Bowie. If he is fully healthy, a good couple of months at Norfolk could put him in the mix for opportunities at second base by July or August, especially if Odor struggles or performs well enough to become a trade deadline chip for the Orioles.

Vavra has consistently posted high OBPs and walk rates in the minors, with a plate approach that is routinely praised by observers both inside and outside the Orioles organization. He does not project to have much home run power but could be enough gap hitter to give the Orioles an upgrade at second base later in the year. 

The list of infielders projected to start the year at Norfolk includes a few other options for the major leagues. Tyler Nevin received some major-league time last year and should see some at-bats with the Orioles in 2022. The challenge for him, though, will be separating himself from the players that will also factor into the team’s plans for first base, DH, third base, and the corner outfield spots. Even if Mancini were to be traded, it is not a forgone conclusion that it would open playing time for Nevin, who struggled in Triple-A last season, and has never hit for the kind of power that major-league teams look for in first and third base/DH/corner-outfield-type players.

Rylan Bannon is another player on the 40-man roster that could help the Orioles at multiple spots, primarily second and third. However, he will need to shake an injury-plagued and largely ineffective 2021 season and show that his bat is worthy of major-league playing time. Perhaps Bannon could get back to being the patient, contact-oriented hitter who had success with Bowie in 2019, but the path to him getting back there will likely have to start with regular playing time at Norfolk.

Jahmai Jones, meanwhile, flashes plenty of tools and athleticism that have yet to translate into sustained major-league success. He often looked overmatched at the plate during his stint with the Orioles late last season and would have to show considerable improvement at the plate to make the Opening Day roster. Still, if his bat and his defense at second base trend in the right direction at Norfolk, he should get a look in the majors at some point in 2022. Shed Long, whom the Orioles signed as a minor-league free agent earlier this week, has a similar profile and could get a look in the majors if he eventually works his way onto the 40-man roster.

There are expected to be more high-upside infield prospects in Bowie, where Jordan Westburg, Gunnar Henderson and Joey Ortiz are projected to be part of the Baysox’s Opening Day roster. Henderson is a consensus Top-100 prospect in the game right now, but at age 20 needs more development.  

Westburg is a few years older and more polished than Henderson but comes with question marks of his own, particularly if he can avoid swing-and-miss tendencies against more advanced pitching. While a huge breakout could result in him receiving a look in the majors late in the year, that is an absolute best-case scenario. Instead, it is likely more realistic to expect that he starts next year at Bowie and reaches Norfolk later in the year, which would put him in the conversation for a major-league role in 2023.

Ortiz is the best defensive shortstop of this trio, and he made significant strides at the plate last season before a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder forced an early end to this season. He will need to regain health, but his offensive breakout last year will be sustainable if he continues to hit the ball with more authority than he did prior to 2021. A strong start at Bowie should at least earn him a look at Norfolk later in the year.

For more on the Orioles 2022 depth chart, look for upcoming pieces on the club’s outfield and pitching. They will be written by my On The Verge co-hosts, Bob Phelan and Nick Stevens.

The post Orioles 2022 Depth Chart: Catchers and Infielders appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

(You can discuss this on the BSL board.)

Leading up to Friday, it appeared that the Orioles would likely protect six players, with left-handed pitchers DL Hall and Kevin Smith, right-hander Kyle Bradish (pictured above), and infielder Terrin Vavra viewed as the four most likely to be protected. Those four were indeed added to the 40-man, with two additional assignments going to right-handed relievers Felix Bautista and Logan Gillaspie.

The biggest surprise was the addition of Gillaspie, a 24-year-old who is currently pitching in the Arizona Fall League after logging stints as a reliver with High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie in the regular season. Between those two clubs, he posted a 4.97 ERA in 41 1/3 innings pitched, while striking out 52 and walking 11. He has given up 14 earned runs in as many innings in the AFL but has fanned 18 batters in that stretch.

Gillaspie was originally signed out of independent ball by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018 and worked both as a starter and a reliever in the organization—topping out at Low-A—before being released in September 2019. The Orioles signed him this year and assigned him to Aberdeen in June, before promoting him to Bowie in late July. With a fastball that runs in the mid-to-upper 90s, Gillaspie posted better strikeout numbers this past season than he had at any level with the Brewers, and Eric Longenhagen at FanGraphs recently praised his stuff . It is also worth noting that his FIP and xFIP—3.88 and 3.47, respectively—were significantly lower than his 5.60 ERA in 27 1/3 innings at Bowie, suggesting that he may have had some bad luck at that level.

Vavra, Hall, Smith, and Bradish were not surprising picks at all. Bautista, meanwhile, raised his stock with an excellent season between three levels of the minor leagues last year, topping out at Triple-A Norfolk. While there are concerns about his command, he posted a 5.8 BB/9 rate in 46 2/3 innings pitched, he can reach the triple digits with his fastball and fanned 77 batters. Bautista’s stuff would have made him a viable candidate to be picked in the Rule 5 Draft, and he should now enter spring training with a legitimate shot of making the Orioles Opening Day roster.

The Orioles 40-man roster now stands at 39 players, as they also claimed infielder Lucius Fox off waivers from the Kansas City Royals in an unrelated move.

While protecting six players, the Orioles left off several notable prospects that could appeal to other teams in the Rule 5 Draft. One of them is left-handed reliever Nick Vespi, who earned Fall Star honors in the AFL and has continued his trend of missing bats with a solid fastball-slider combination. Vespi did post a 6.86 ERA in 19 1/3 innings at Norfolk in 2021, but he was promoted there shortly after coming off the injured list at Bowie and still struck out 25 batters in that stretch. Teams looking for left-handed relief help in the draft might be intrigued enough to take Vespi and try to stick him in their bullpen for the duration of the season.

There are other pitchers who have interesting cases as well, including right-handers Cody Sedlock, Blaine Knight, and Ofelky Peralta. Sedlock has been eligible for the Rule 5 Draft two previous times without being chosen, though teams might take notice after his solid 30 1/3 inning run at Norfolk last season (4.45 ERA, 33 strikeouts). His experience and first-round pedigree separates him a bit from Peralta and Knight, though both pitchers still could intrigue other teams.

Out of the hitters that were left unprotected, Robert Neustrom is one that might appeal to another organization. The outfielder batted .258/.344/.446 with 16 home runs and 83 RBIs between Bowie and Norfolk last season, with nine of his homers coming at Norfolk. His left-handed power looked it might allow him to earn a 40-man roster. The Orioles, however, currently carry several corner outfielders on their 40-man and with those players, especially Anthony Santander and DJ Stewart, still in the mix, it might have been hard to find room for Neustrom.

It is possible that teams pass on Neustrom out of concern that he can’t stick on a major-league roster all season, especially if they read into his slow stretch to end the season (he batted .204 with a .672 OPS over his final 30 games). However, the likely addition of a DH would give National League teams more flexibility, especially if they are looking for a lost-cost option to fit that role.

Earlier this week, I profiled a few other position players that could be on other teams’ radars, including Patrick Dorrian, Adam Hall, Cadyn Grenier, and Greg Cullen. Cullen could be the wild card in that group if teams like what they have seen in the AFL, though he appeared in just 38 regular-season games in 2021 because of injuries and he has yet to play a full season above Low-A. Grenier’s defense at shortstop is major-league ready. However, he mostly struggled at the plate with Bowie last season. Hall, meanwhile, saw his offensive numbers take a downturn at High-A Aberdeen. Dorrian came out of nowhere to have a breakout season with Bowie at age 25 and shows solid glove work at third base to go with his offensive production.

Just which players are taken by other teams remains to be seen but expect at least one current Orioles’ prospect to have their name called when the Rule 5 Draft takes place. With their farm system continuing to get deeper and decisions about who to protect from the draft becoming harder, it is very likely that other organizations were watching the decisions the Orioles made Friday as they make their own offseason plans.

The post Six Added to Orioles 40-Man Roster, Protected From Rule 5 Draft appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

In protecting players from the Rule 5 Draft, the Orioles need to consider how many 40-man roster spots they would like to fill by the November 19 deadline. There are currently eight open spots on the 40-man, but it seems unlikely that the Orioles will protect that many players, given that there are several open spots (catcher is the most glaring) that are likely to be filled by waiver claims, or through acquisitions via free agency or trade. Additionally, the team will have to protect the prospects that they believe are part of their future, while also trying to figure out which players are most likely to be chosen by another team if left unprotected.

(You can discuss this on the BSL board here.)

Over this article, I will highlight the cases of more than a dozen players. Not all of them will be protected, nor do they encompass the entire class of Rule-5 eligible players. However, they are all regarded by either BSL or other outlets as a Top-30 prospect in the system, are coming off strong 2021 seasons, or are seeing time in the Arizona Fall League. I personally view the top three on the list as locks, with the remaining players mentioned carrying more complicated cases.

The draft is currently scheduled for December 9. However, like most everything this offseason, its status could change depending on how negotiations between players and the owners unfold leading up to the December 1 expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement.

DL Hall, LHP

Though limited to just seven starts because of a left elbow injury, Hall showed in 2021 why he is regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. The hard-throwing left-hander struck out 56 batters in 31.2 innings at Double-A Bowie, while posting a 3.13 ERA, 2.33 xFIP and a 60.4% ground ball rate. As a Top-100 prospect in the game, Hall should play a major role for the Orioles in the future as long he is able to stay healthy.

Kyle Bradish, RHP

Bradish broke out in a big way this year, posting a 3.68 ERA with 131 strikeouts against 44 walks in 100 1/3 innings between Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. Though he experienced some ups and downs at Norfolk after being promoted there on the heels of his three-start run at Bowie, Bradish rallied to end the year on a high note—striking out 30 batters and posting a 1.80 ERA in 25 innings pitched over his final five starts. Bradish could profile as a starter at the major-league level, especially if he irons out his command, and should enter spring training with a chance to earn a rotation spot in Baltimore.

Terrin Vavra, 2B

A back sprain and later a hip issue would result in Vavra appearing in just 48 games in 2021, but he impressed in that stretch by posting an .818 OPS at Bowie (where he appeared in 40 games). The centerpiece of the package of prospects the Orioles received from the Colorado Rockies for Mychal Givens in August 2020, Vavra possesses a sound plate approach and the ability to hit to all fields. Vavra is primarily a second baseman, though he offers some versatility, as he has logged time at shortstop and centerfield. If healthy next season, he could play his way into consideration for a major-league roster spot by the second half.

Kevin Smith, LHP

This blurb would have had a different tone if it had been written in mid-July. At that time, Smith had just recently pitched his way to Norfolk after an excellent couple of months at Bowie, showing why the Orioles were excited to get him from the Mets in return for Miguel Castro as part of an August 2020 trade. However, the southpaw began to struggle over the summer and never got back on track, ultimately posting a 6.23 ERA and 5.94 xFIP while walking nearly 18% of the batters he faced in 56 1/3 innings at Norfolk.

Control is not a new concern for Smith, but the spike in walks from his time at Bowie—where he issued free passes to 9.5% of the batters he faced—was alarming. That said, he was one of the best pitchers in the system for the first few months of the season, carries an interesting mix of pitches and was the centerpiece of a trade for a major leaguer just a little over a year ago, all factors that should play into his favor. If the Orioles believe they can get Smith back on track next year, they should and likely will protect him.

Robert Neustrom, OF

There were few better stories in the farm system this year than Neustrom, who hit some tape-measure shots enroute to the best season of his career. Between Bowie and Norfolk, the left-handed slugger batted .258/.344/.446 with 16 home runs and 83 RBIs, with nine of his homers coming at Norfolk. Although Neustrom did struggle a bit down the stretch at Norfolk, his final totals placed among him the better power hitters in the farm system in 2021.

Neustrom’s situation is complicated by the shear depth of outfielders that are currently on the 40-man roster, as well as by players like Kyle Stowers and Zach Watson, who are not Rule 5-eligible this offseason but could factor into the Orioles’ plans soon if they build off of their respective breakout 2021 seasons. However, Neustrom could fill a need in the majors if the Orioles move on from one of or both DJ Stewart or Anthony Santander over the offseason or early next season, as his left-handed power and adequate defense in left field could allow him to play at least a reserve role. If left unprotected, Neustrom could appeal to teams looking for left-handed power, especially if the widely expected implementation of a DH in the National League prompts some teams in that circuit to look for young, cost-controlled options.

Felix Bautista, RHP

It’s not just Bautista’s size—he’s probably underlisted at 6’5”, 190 lbs.—that allows him to stand out, but rather a fastball that he can throw into the triple digits. Starting with High-A Aberdeen, Bautista ascended through three levels by posting a 1.54 ERA and striking out 77 batters against 30 walks in 46 2/3 innings of relief work. Walks continued to be an issue for Bautista, as he posted a 5.8 BB/9 across the three levels, but his command did seem to be sharper over 18 1/3 frames to end the season at Norfolk. If he remains in the organization, Bautista will come into spring training with a legitimate shot of earning a bullpen role with the Orioles.

Ofelky Peralta, RHP

Peralta’s three seasons’ worth of struggles at High-A Frederick now feel like a distant memory, thanks to a strong 2021 season that saw him strikeout 98 batters in 93 1/3 innings between Bowie and Norfolk. The Orioles have already rewarded Peralta with a minor-league contract to return next season, but they now need to decide whether to take it a step further and give him a 40-man roster spot. While he needs to be more consistent, Peralta at his best can throw his fastball in the upper-90s and show good command of his curveball. There are several Rule 5-eligible pitchers who fit this profile, however, so Peralta’s protection is far from assured.

Cody Sedlock, RHP

Can the Orioles sneak Sedlock through the Rule 5 draft for a third time? Perhaps, but it feels less certain than it did in the last two offseasons, as Sedlock put together his second-consecutive healthy season (not counting the pandemic-cancelled 2020) and was solid between Bowie and Norfolk. Between those two levels, he posted a 4.55 ERA in 93 innings while striking out 100 batters and walking 42. Sedlock’s fastball was clocked at mid-to-upper 90s this season and he seemed to improve in most areas over his time at Norfolk, which could make him an intriguing option for teams looking for bullpen help.

Patrick Dorrian, 3B

Dorrian was one of the best power hitters in a farm system full of them in 2021, belting 22 home runs while posting an .836 OPS and a 128 wRC+ in 112 games at Bowie. While on the surface a 25-year-old posting these numbers at Double-A isn’t that notable, Dorrian came into this season with just 164 games of professional experience under his belt. He also provided solid glove work at third base and more than held his own when given opportunities at first base.

Much like Neustrom, Dorrian will need to break through a crowded 40-man roster to be protected. That proposition could be less likely in his case, as he needs to standout against the existing options of first base/third base type players on the Orioles’ 40-man roster (Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini, Rylan Bannon, Kelvin Gutierrez, and Tyler Nevin among them). Still, it would be hard to blame the Orioles for protecting him, especially if one of their current corner infielders is moved at some point this offseason. It’s also easy to see where Dorrian could appeal to an NL team looking for DH options.

Blaine Knight, RHP

Knight bounced back from a sluggish 2019 by ascending through three levels of the minor-league system, starting with an excellent run at Aberdeen that propelled him to Bowie, where he pitched well enough to earn a shot at Norfolk. At his best, Knight flashes a mid-to-upper 90s fastball with an effective changeup and a slider. However, he struggled after a promotion to Triple-A, posting an 8.49 ERA and striking out just 11 batters in 23 1/3 innings. Whether that hurts his chances of making the 40-man or being selected in the Rule 5 draft remains to be seen, but his stuff looked sharp throughout most of 2021, leaving hope that he could at least develop into a reliever at the major-league level.

Adam Hall

Hall struggled this year at Aberdeen, regressing in just about every area offensively. Not only did he hit for a lower average than he did in his 2019 season at Low-A Delmarva (.248 vs. .298), but he also saw spikes in his groundball and strikeout rates, while his walk rate and wRC+ decreased. He did steal 26 bases in 27 attempts, though, showing his elite speed. Can that tool alone make him an appealing Rule 5 pick? While a team could get creative by using him in a pinch-runner role next season and then send him to the minors in 2023 to work on his offense, they could just as easily find a speedy free agent that offers more roster flexibility than Hall would as a Rule 5 pick. Hall will turn 23 next May, so he still has time to rebound from a sluggish 2021 season, but he doesn’t look like the kind of player a team could carry in the majors next season after choosing him in the Rule 5 Draft.

Cadyn Grenier  

Grenier’s defense is without a doubt major-league ready. A glove-first shortstop could appeal to teams in the Rule 5 Draft, but any club considering Grenier would have to weigh his defense against his lack of offensive production. While he had some hot streaks at the plate last season, Grenier still batted just .226/.336/.354 with a strikeout rate of just over 30% in 445 plate appearances at Bowie. With their existing middle-infield depth, it is hard to see the Orioles being able to make room for Grenier and any team taking him in the Rule 5 Draft would be banking on his defense to provide enough value to warrant a roster spot throughout the year.

Arizona Fall League players

There are currently five Rule-5 eligible players representing the Orioles in the Arizona Fall League: Right-handed pitchers Conner Loeprich and Logan Gillaspie, left-handers Nick Vespi and Cameron Bishop, catcher Ramon Rodriguez, and infielder Greg Cullen. Vespi has been perhaps the most impressive, earning a Fall Star Game selection (the lone Orioles prospect to do so) and striking out 17 batters in 13 1/3 innings. He did struggle after earning a promotion to Norfolk this summer (6.86 ERA in 192/3 innings), but his success at Bowie before that and his performance in the fall league make his case interesting.

Cullen has played well in the AFL, but injuries limited him to just 38 regular-season games in 2021 and he has yet to play a full season above Low-A. Bishop could appeal to teams looking for left-handed relief help, though he missed nearly two months of action this summer because of an injury. Loeprich and Gillaspie seem unlikely to be protected given the number of right-handed pitchers with similar profiles that the Orioles must consider adding to the 40-man. Rodriguez, meanwhile, is a good defensive catcher, but he only played part-time at three levels last season and seems like the kind of player the Orioles would be able to keep in the organization without the use of a 40-man roster spot.

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