Welcome to the third and final installment of the official MoxyBoy's Orioles top 30 prospect list. For me, this is the most interesting part of any prospect list. These players are far from sure things but have tools that make them interesting and worth watching. Frequently, prospects ranked at the bottom find themselves climbing up prospect lists as they continue their development.
#21 RHP Michael Baumann
After a solid first half at High-A Frederick (3.83 ERA and 77 SO in 54.0 IP) Baumann has been nothing short of dominant in his first taste of AA ball. In five appearances the righty's sporting a 0.33 ERA and recently tossed Bowie's first no-hitter since 2007. While it's likely Baumann will experience some market correction, there's alot to like about the tall right hander. He has a plus fastball that touches 97 MPH to go along with an above average slider and about average curveball. He's refining a changeup but it's still a work in progress. At 6'5" Baumann creates a good downhill plane with his fastball but often struggles with command and repeating his delivery. His best case ceiling is probably a mid rotation starter in the Chris Tillman mold but there's also a good chance he moves to the bullpen where his plus fastball and slider would be weapons.
#22 SS Mason McCoy
McCoy is probably the most interesting prospect for the Orioles in 2019. During his first season at AA Bowie, the 24 year old has hit .307/.373/.409 while playing above average to plus defense at shortstop. The problem is that McCoy's offensive tools aren't all that impressive. He hits to all fields and has a good eye but doesn't hit for much power. He does have above average speed however and the ability to get on base so the Orioles could live without him hitting for much power. He needs to to continue to prove his production isn't a fluke, however. There's no one blocking him at AAA Norfolk so it's probably time for a promotion. If he could become a SS option next year, it would be a godsend for the Orioles who have no real options in the high minors at that position. Still, expectations should be moderate. Best case, I see him as a right handed Stephen Drew or a JJ Hardy type player with much less power and more on base ability. A steady but unspectacular shortstop who plays very good defense.
#23 CF Ryan McKenna
Like McCoy, McKenna is still in the prove it to me stage of his offensive development. He's struggled a bit this season at AA Bowie (.241/.320/.397) but has heated up of late. His best tool is his above average speed and strong arm, which make him a very good center field. At the plate he is a line drive hitter who showed the ability to make consistent contact in the lower minors. His problem is trying not to be too pull happy at the plate. He's recently refined his approach, is improving, and has shown the potential to be a hitter who gets on base at a solid clip. If it all comes together, McKenna could be a leadoff hitter with speed and on base ability who plays an above average center field. His floor is high, though, as a fourth outfielder so he should contribute to the Orioles in some capacity.
#24 SS Cadyn Greiner
Greiner is a project for the Orioles. He's a very solid defensive shortstop with great range and strong arm. But his offensive tools are underwhelming. He has a good eye and solid bat speed but he struggles to make consistent contact or hit for power. His strikeout rate, while improved this year, has been elevated throughout his minor league career. In his second stint at Low-A Delmarva, the 23 year old hit .253/.360/.399 before earning a promotion to High-A Frederick. I'm not particularly high on Greiner and if he makes it to the majors it's likely as a utility infielder. For me, he's far behind Hall, Bannon, and McCoy when ranking the Orioles' infield prospects.
#25 RHP Cody Sedlock
Sedlock has been sidelined with injuries for most of his pro career and it's caused his stuff to really decline from the time he was drafted. He now has an average fastball that sits at 90-93 MPH to go along with an above average slider, above average change up, and a get me over curveball. The righty's had a bit of a renaissance at High-A Frederick (2.36 ERA and 66 SO in 61.0 IP) before being promoted to Bowie. Because of a lack of velocity, he's learned to mix his secondary pitches well and his changeup has really improved. His ceiling is now a backend starter but I'd like to see him get a chance as a reliever to see if his velocity spikes up. I like Sedlock but can't help but see shades of Dylan Bundy after all the injuries.
#26 RHP Cody Carroll
Carroll, who's been injured this year, is an interesting prospect with a high ceiling but also a high bust potential. He has a plus fastball that touches 98 MPH that he pairs with a fringe plus slider and an average splitter. There's no question that his stuff will play at the MLB level but the command needs to be improved considerably. If it does, he could be a high leverage reliever in the big leagues. Carroll is an interesting guy to watch as he starts to recover from Tommy John Surgery but he reminds be a bit of former Orioles prospect Tanner Scott, who can't seem to harness his power stuff.
#27 LF Robert Neustrom
Neustrom is yet another prospect to watch on Delmarva's roster. He's currently hitting .274/.364/.439 as the Shorebirds' starting left fielder. There are questions about his fielding because of his average speed and okay arm strength so he's probably limited to left field in pro ball. Offensively, his best tool is his above average raw power, to go along with solid bat speed, and his ability to make consistent contact. The main concern with Neustrom is that he gets pull happy and gets himself out. He needs to learn to use the whole field better but there is certainty potential there.
#28 RHP Luis Ortiz
I'm not particularly high on Ortiz as a starter. While the stuff is there, he lacks the endurance to maintain it deep into games. He has an above average fastball that's hit 97 MPH in the past to go along with an above average slider and change-up that's a work in progress. At Norfolk this year, he's put up an unsightly 6.83 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. I'd like to see him throw at max effort for short outings out of the bullpen. I think he could be an asset as a reliever but see little future for him as a a starter.
#29 SS Jean Carmona
Received from the Brewers as part of the Jonathan Schoop trade, Carmona is interesting because of how athletic he is. At only 19, Carmona has room to grow and scouts think he'll hit for both average and power once he fills out. With a strong arm and an athletic build, he should stick at shortstop. As with almost all international signings, he could have serious upside or he could flame out. He's one to watch once he comes back from injury.
#30 OF Zach Watson
Drafted in the third round of this year's draft, Watson is as toolsy as they come. Scouts have graded his speed and defense as a 70 on the 80 scale. He covers ground and should be an elite defender and base runner at the next level. Questions exist, however, about his ability to hit professional pitching. His swing mechanics cause him to commit to pitches too early and there is a real concern about his ability to hit quality breaking pitches. He is a project for the Orioles' player development staff but if he becomes an average hitter, his defense and speed will add a lot of value to a major league roster. For what it's worth, he's held his own at rookie ball thus far, putting up a .732 OPS.
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