While the final day to sign draft picks is still nine days away, GM Mike Elias has indicated that, barring a surprise, the club is done signing players taken in the 2019 first year player draft. With more then thirty of this year's picks signing, the Orioles improving farm system was infused with even more talent. Below are spots 1-10 of the MoxyBoy's official list of team's top 30 prospects, including some of the organization's newest draft picks. Keep in mind that it's bound to change as some 2019 draftees get more playing time later in the summer.
#1 C Adley Rutchsman
Likely a top 15 prospect in all of baseball, Rutchsman is far and away the best prospect in the Orioles system. He is an elite hitter at the plate and above average behind it with a strong arm to go with solid blocking skills. He could be a fast mover, arriving in Baltimore in 2021. See our full write up here.
#2 RHP Grayson Rodriguez
In twelve starts for the Delmarva Shorebirds, Rodriguez has been nothing short of dominant this season. The Orioles' 2018 first round pick owns a 2.18 ERA and has struck out 84 batters in only 62.0 innings pitched. The 6'5" righty has a plus fastball that sits around 94 MPH but touches 98 MPH to go along with a borderline plus slider and an average curveball. Rodriguez is also working on an improving changeup that flashes average at times. With his repeatable delivery, he has top of the rotation upside and could be promoted to the Frederick Keys to finish the second half.
#3 LHP DL Hall
The Orioles 2017 first round pick was dominant at Delmarva in 2018, pitching to a 2.10 ERA with the Shorebirds. Hall's 2019 season at Frederick hasn't quite been as dominant but the potential is still there. His problem has been command as he's walked 42 batters in only 53.2 innings en route to posting a 3.86 ERA. However, the stuff is exciting and like Rodriguez, he's racked up the strikeouts (80 SO). Hall has a plus fastball that touches 96 to go along with an above average/fringe plus curveball and a developing changeup. If he improves his command, Hall can reach his mid-rotation upside.
#4 1B/LF Ryan Mountcastle
Mountcastle is currently raking for the Norfolk Tides while learning to play both first base and left field. Owning a .304/.328/.503 slashline, the 22 year old has continued to display his ability to make consistent contact and hit for power while hitting the ball to all fields. Although he definitely needs to draw more walks (just 11 in 312 at bats) Mountcastle has the potential to be a very good hitter at the MLB level. He still needs to find a defensive home, however. If he can prove to be an average left fielder, he'll be able to bypass the Orioles' 1B/DH logjam. Look for him to be in Baltimore sometime in 2020.
#5 CF Austin Hays
The Orioles' center field job is there for the taking if Austin Hays could just stay healthy enough to produce consistently at AAA Norfolk. He certainly has all the tools and ability to do so. He possesses enough bat speed to hit for both average and power at the highest level, while also being above average defensively in Center Field with a strong arm. Like Mountcastle, he displays an aggressive approach at the plate but has recently become more selective. If he returns from injury in time, he may get a cup of coffee in Baltimore in the second half but I don't expect him to be in the big leagues until June next year.
#6 RF Yusniel Diaz
While 2019 has been a disappointment for Diaz, who has dealt with injuries and owns a .236/.324/.448 at AA Bowie, all the tools are still there. Scouts have concerns about Diaz's pop especially for a corner outfielder (likely only 15 homers a year), but he's above average in all other facets of the game. The outfielder makes consistent, line-drive contact and hits to all fields while also displaying a good batting eye. Defensively he is better suited for a corner outfield spot and has a strong arm and enough speed to cover ground in right field. He has heated up recently and could receive a promotion to Norfolk by the end of the year. Don't expect to see him in Baltimore until the second half next year at the earliest, however.
#7 RHP Dean Kremer
My personal favorite prospect in the Orioles system, Kremer has a chance to be very special. While he struggled through injuries early, the righty has turned it around recently and owns a 3.35 ERA in eight starts at AA Bowie to go along with 46 strikeouts in 45.2 innings pitched. With a plus fastball that touches 96 to go along with a plus curveball, Kremer racks up the strikeouts and led the minor leagues in punchouts in 2018. He also has a slider that flashes above average and an improving change up. Right now, the righty looks to be a future middle of the rotation starter, but if one of his slider or change up becomes consistently above average, he has potential to be an ace.
#8 LHP Zac Lowther
Kremer's rotation mate in Bowie has been nothing short of dominant in 2019, posting a 2.46 ERA in fifteen starts at AA. Lowther is a unique pitcher, however. His fastball only sits at about 88 MPH but because of a quick wind up and high spin rate, he regularly blows the average pitch by hitters. His best pitch is an above average curve that he pairs with a good change that exhibits late movement. His floor is a back end starter but, much like John Means, there could be more there.
#9 SS Gunnar Henderson
My favorite pick in the 2019 draft, I'm particularly high on 17 year old Henderson. He's a big left handed hitter and there are questions whether he can stick defensively at SS. However, unlike Orioles prospect Ryan Mountcastle, scouts believe he can slide over to 3rd and be solid there, especially because he possess a strong arm. He displays solid bat speed and above average raw power to go along with a sweet swing. Although he was just drafted, he has the highest upside of any infielder in the system and is the definitely the Orioles third baseman of the future.
#10 LHP Alex Wells
The definition of a crafty lefty, Wells is dominating AA competition to the tune of a 2.05 ERA in thirteen starts. The lefty's plus control allows his fringey fastball to play up due to his ability to locate it in all four quadrants of the strike zone. His best pitch is, however, an above average changeup that shows late sink. It pairs nicely with his fastball. He also possesses a 12-6 curve that has improved as he's advanced through the minors and now is about average. Questions remain whether Wells's control over stuff game with play in the MLB but he should be promoted to Norfolk with his rotation mates sometime in the second half.
Keep an eye out for prospects #11-20 in the next few days!
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