The Baltimore Orioles are currently in the midst of a long rebuild, but they do have some solid talent down on the farm. They have developed into one of the deeper farm systems in baseball after being a bottom-feeder for years. Baltimore has a number of young arms and position players primed to make an impact in 2021 and beyond. If they can develop quickly, the rebuild could speed up.
Make sure to check out all of our other MLB Team Top Prospects.
Without further ado, here are the Orioles’ Top Five prospects for 2021.
1. Adley Rutschman – C
Hit: 60
Power: 65
Run: 30
Arm: 65
Fielding: 70
Overall: 65
The Orioles drafted Rutschman with the first overall selection in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Oregon State. The switch-hitting backstop won a College World Series with the Beavers in 2018 and had two straight seasons in which he reached the .400/.500/.600 plateau. He also added 17 bombs in 2019 which garnered him a lock on the first overall pick. In his pro debut season, Rutschman reached Single-A Delmarva of the South Atlantic League. He showed off his advanced skills at the dish and behind it. His lowest walk rate across all three levels (Rookie ball, Low-A, Advanced-A) was 12.5% and he had a sub-20% strikeout percentage.
Rutschman projects a plus hit and power tool with an advanced feel for the catching position. The only tool he lacks is speed, which is normal for a catcher. He looks to make his major league debut this season and should be up in Baltimore at some point. Once he makes his debut, he could very well be seen as a top-five catcher option for fantasy. The wear and tear the catching position comes with, though, is a big concern that could diminish his production for the long haul. The talent is certainly there and the Orioles should see some big things from him as he comes up.
ETA: 2021
2. Grayson Rodriguez – RHP
Fastball: 65
Slider: 60
Curveball: 65
Changeup: 65
Control: 50
Overall: 60
Baltimore used their 11th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft on Rodriguez after the Texas native committed to adding strength to his 6-foot-5 frame as a senior at Central Heights High School. He pitched very well in his first full season in 2019, striking out 34.2% of batters he faced in 94 innings pitched as a raw 19-year-old. The righty continued to improve despite not logging an inning during the pandemic season. Rodriguez has two plus offerings in his fastball and curveball, while he has worked on improving his changeup into a plus pitch. He is well on his way to developing a lethal four-pitch arsenal and just needs to work on his control. His walk rate was 9.5% in 2019 but Rodriguez looks like an ace in the making who should only improve as he faces higher competition.
ETA: 2022
3. Ryan Mountcastle – 1B/OF
Hit: 60
Power: 65
Run: 30
Arm: 65
Fielding: 70
Overall: 65
Mountcastle made his major league debut last season, five years after being drafted by the Orioles 36th overall out of Paul J. Hagerty High School in Orlando, Florida. He is still included in this list as he fell just under the 130 at-bat limit with 126 at-bats. He made it up to Double-A Bowie at age 20 in 2017 and has raked at every level. The youngster took home MVP honors in the Triple-A International League in 2019 while also earning the Orioles’ Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year award. He earned those awards after slashing .312/.344/.527 with 25 homers and 83 RBI. Mountcastle needs to work on his plate discipline to really make it in the majors, as he had a 16.2 SwStr% in 2020. Despite that, he still slashed an impressive .333/.386/.492 and flashed the power he displayed in AAA by mashing five home runs in 35 games.
Another knock on Mountcastle is his below-average defense with his limited speed and weak arm which actually generated a negative DRS at not one, but two positions in 2020. His weak defense puts more pressure on his bat to keep up for him in the lineup. He has plenty of power upside, but his free-swing type of approach suggests he won’t be able to sustain the .333 average he put up.
ETA: 2021
4. Heston Kjerstad – OF
Hit: 45
Power: 60
Run: 45
Arm: 55
Fielding: 50
Overall: 55
The surprise of the 2020 MLB Draft was the Orioles drafting the left-handed power bat Kjerstad out of Arkansas at second overall instead of Vanderbilt infielder Austin Martin or even Texas A&M lefty Asa Lacy. Despite the lack of overall potential that Martin possesses, Kjerstad still has the potential of a big-time power bat. He was the best lefty power bat in the draft and has a high ceiling, mashing 37 taters in 595 at-bats at Arkansas. Despite strikeout concerns, he still was able to slash .343/.421/.590 over his college career. The Texas native has great bat control and speed which offers a strong corner outfield candidate in the middle of the Orioles’ lineup in the near future. Kjerstad will have to work on his overall approach, but he has a chance to really develop this season. Add his power potential to the AL East, and big things can certainly come.
5. DL Hall – LHP
Fastball: 60
Slider: 60
Curveball: 70
Changeup: 55
Control: 50
Overall: 60
Hall was selected 21st overall in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Orioles out of Valdosta High School. He was the third lefty drafted behind San Diego Padres’ MacKenzie Gore and New York Mets’ David Peterson. The Georgia native struggled in his pro debut, allowing eight earned runs over 10 1/3 innings, but he did strike out 12. Hall pitched well enough at High-A Frederick in 2019 to be added to the Orioles’ 60 man player pool for 2020. At Frederick, he struck out 33.5% of the batters he faced over 19 games, including 17 starts.
His biggest issue is his control, as he allowed a 15.6% BB% in 2019, but did allow just 16 walks in his final 32 innings. As he continues to develop throughout the ranks of the minors, he should only improve his weaknesses. Hall has the swing-and-miss stuff to develop into a frontline starter. Hall has three plus pitches – a 95-98 MPH fastball, excellent spinning curve, and a fading changeup – which will only get better with refinement.
ETA: 2022
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