As I hinted at in one of my recent articles, I'm working on a series that examines the Orioles' organizational depth at each position. While doing so, it became increasingly clear that outside of a handful of players, the organization lacks impact position prospects that play positions other than first base or outfield. The pitching depth, however, is a much different story. The Bowie Baysox rotation is stacked, even with the recent promotions of righty Dean Kremer and lefty Bruce Zimmermann to the Norfolk Tides. The pitching staffs for the Delmarva Shorebirds and Frederick Keys, led by Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall respectively, are full of interesting names to keep an eye on as well. In a recent chat with his readers, ESPN's Keith Law commented on the improvement of the Orioles' system, lauding the number of good arms the team's acquired through drafting and trades (though he did note the lack of impact bats). Hopefully the narrative that the Orioles can't develop pitching will, for once, be proven incorrect. Even with all the pitchers, there are still some that rise above the rest. Here are ten of the most intriguing.
#10 LHP Bruce Zimmermann
Bruce Zimmermann is a tough pitcher to figure out. None of his pitches are plus and only show flashes of being above average, but he's had consistent success. The lefty owns a career 3.19 minor league ERA and prior to his call up to AAA dominated AA to the tune of a 2.58 ERA, a .227 batting against, and struckout nearly a batter per inning pitched. Zimmermann added velocity to his fastball this offseason to make the pitch a consistently average offering. He pairs the new look heater with two solid, yet unspectacular, secondary pitches in a slider and change up. Although's struggled in his first taste of AAA, the 24 year old must be added to the 40 man roster this offseason to be protected from the Rule V draft. I expect him to compete for a rotation spot in Spring Training in 2020, even if his ceiling is only a 4th or 5th starter. He's likely an improvement over Aaron Brooks or Ty Blach.
#9 LHP Keegan Akin
One of the bigger prospect disappointments of the 2019 season, Akin has consistently struggled at AAA following a breakout 2019 season at AA (3.37 ERA, 142 SOs). At his best, the stocky lefty's fastball sits at 93 MPH and touches 95. He pairs it with an above average slider and a solid change up that he's still refining. All season, Akin's problem has been command and control. His WHIP is an unsightly 1.58 and he's walked 51 batters in just over 100 innings. While his ERA is a respectable (at least in the offense heavy International League) 4.92, he really needs to improve his command. Like Zimmermann, he must also be added to the 40 man roster this offseason. With innings to go before he reaches his team imposed limit, Akin will likely receive a spot start or two in September for the pitching starved Orioles. While earlier in his career, it was believed Akin's ceiling was a number 3 starter, at this point he's likely a backend guy or a left handed option out of the pen.
#8 LHP Drew Rom
Rom is another interesting lefty and a favorite prospect of mine. While his fastball is just about average and sits around 89-91 MPH, his slider is above average and he compliments both with a splitter with solid drop. The 19 year old's biggest strength is that he throws all of them for strikes and as a result has racked up the punchouts this season (112 SOs in 86.2 IP). Because he's only 19 and could add velocity as he fills out, Rom is tough to project but he as all the makings of a MLB starting pitcher. He's dominated Low A this year (2.49 ERA) and will be bumped to High A next year. Because's he's a bit of a project physically, the Orioles will probably slow play him, advancing one level at a time. But the development will be worth it if Rom becomes a solid starting pitcher.
#7 RHP Hunter Harvey
Honestly, Harvey could be as high as #4 on this list but I'm still in a wait and see approach with the oft-injured right hander. But since his move to the bullpen, I like what I've seen from him a lot. He has an explosive fastball that touches 100 MPH, though it does lack movement, and pairs that with a curveball that's been plus since the righty was drafted. He's working on a splitter to round out his arsenal and it flashes average/above average but still needs to be refined. With his stuff, he'll pile up strikeouts out of the bullpen and has all the makings of a high-leverage reliever. During his major league debut, I couldn't help but see a right handed Josh Hader. With the Orioles' well documented bullpen struggles, Harvey could have a major impact.
#6 LHP Alex Wells
Wells' calling card is his plus command. None of his three pitches are plus and only his changeup is seen as above average. He has a fastball that sits in the high 80's and touches 90 MPH along with an average-ish curveball. The command and a repeatable delivery allows him to spot all three pitches exactly where he wants and as a result they all play up. In fact, he's dominated AA this year to the tune of a 2.40 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. The concern with Wells is the fact that he pitches to contact and his 6.9 SO/9IP suggests he'll never be a strikeout artist. Even with his impressive command, his stuff limits his ceiling to a backend starter, but one who can eat innings and preserve a bullpen. The lefty will likely get a taste of AAA next season, along with the league's juiced ball. If he passes that test, Wells can likely be relied on to reach his ceiling.
#5 RHP Michael Baumann
Earlier in the season, I had my doubts about Baumann. The tall righty has had his share of command issues in the past and had some serious reliever risk in his profile. Let's just say, he's done his best to prove me wrong. Since his promotion to AA, the 24 year old has dominated (.173 BA and 1.86 ERA). While it's only be 54 innings, there's alot to like. Not only his the command a bit better, but he's maintaining velocity deep into games, even touching 97 MPH during the final inning of his no hitter. Usually, he sits at 94-95 MPH, however. The key to his success is an improved changeup to go along with his above average slider and a curveball that's a work in progress. The change has given Baumann a third pitch and changed my mind about him being automatically destined for the bullpen as a two pitch pitcher. I'd say with his four pitch mix, his ultimate ceiling is a third starter (fourth is more likely), but the bullpen possibility will always be there. He's more of a high risk prospect then someone like Wells, but the reward could be greater.
#4 LHP Zac Lowther
While at first glance, Lowther may seem similar to his rotation-mate Alex Wells, it would be a mistake to think they have similar profiles. While the lefty's fastball sits at a similar velocity (88-90 MPH), it's spin rate so high that it plays way up and gets on hitter's quickly. It also exhibits late life that gives it some sinking action. Lowther's best secondary pitch is an above average curveball that he pairs with an about average change up. He averages just over a strikeout per inning (9.1SO/9IP) and batters hit just .197 against him. Taking his whole profile into account, Lowther's floor is likely a 5th starter but his ceiling is tough to estimate. If I was forced to guess, I'd say he has the potential to be a third starter, if everything works out.
#3 RHP Dean Kremer
No disresepect to Yusniel Diaz, but Dean Kremer going to be the prospect who emerges as a star from the Manny Machado trade. The righty has two plus pitches, a fastball that touches 96 MPH with late run and a hammer of a curveball. Both have allowed Kremer to rack up the strikeouts (87 SOs in 84.2 IP at AA) and although he struggled to start at AA after injury, he got on a roll, posting a 2.98 ERA ad earning a promotion to AAA Norfolk. The 23 year old has two other pitches, a slider that flashes above average and a developing changeup. With just the plus fastball and curveball, Kremer is likely a 4th starter, but if he develops a third secondary pitch, he could push his way to the number two or three spot of a rotation. With Minor League Pitching Coordinator Chris Holt already helping John Means and Grayson Rodriguez refine their change ups, I'm confident Kremer will develop a third pitch and reach his ceiling.
#2 LHP DL Hall
There's a lot to like about about DL Hall. He's very athletic and has an easy repeatable deliver. His fastball touches 96 MPH with late run and is easily a plus pitch. He has an above average/fringe plus curveball with a high spin rate and a solid changeup that still needs development. Prior to being shut down due to a lat injury, the lefty was having a solid season at High-A, posting a 3.86 ERA, a .189 BA against, and 116 strikeouts in 80.2 innings pitched. The main problem with Hall is his command He walked 54 batters this season, but with such a simple delivery, he should be able to refine his command as he progresses up the minor league ladder. If all goes well, Hall will likely be a top tier 3rd starter in the bigs, but it's not unthinkable that he establishes himself at the top of a rotation.
#1 RHP Grayson Rodriguez
Rodriguez has the highest ceiling of any pitcher in the Orioles' organization. He has plus fastball that touches 97 MPH to go along with a fringe plus slider and average curveball. The righty's spent this season working to develop a changeup that flashes average at times. Even in the midst of developing a new pitch, Rodriguez has dominated Low-A, posting a 2.59 ERA and striking out 117 batters in 83.1 innings. While some scouts believe his delivery is too high effort, he's athletic enough to repeat it well and as a result he throws a lot of strikes and has recently started to maintain his velocity deeper into into games. As a high school pitcher, the Orioles will likely promote Rodriguez one level at a time, so expect him to start the season at High-A Frederick next season. If the righty reaches his ceiling, he'll be a top of the rotation starter.
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