The Baltimore Orioles Future is Bright

Baltimore Orioles Future: Stock Up

While the minor league season has only started, these are the players that have come out of the gates on fire. From strong pitching performances to debuts at new levels, these prospects should hopefully be leading Baltimore to the promised land soon!

Adley Rutschman

Perhaps, the Baltimore Orioles" future most lies on the back of the 23-year-old catcher. Rutschman, making his AA debut, has one of the most fearsome bats in all of the minor leagues. While his average is a bit disappointing at .231, he has shown great ability to hit for power against the most advanced pitching he has seen. Currently, he has 3 home runs in only 11 games, giving him a .513 slugging percentage. He has also shown that he has one of the best batting eyes in baseball, and has one more walk than a strikeout, giving him an OBP of .444.

Grayson Rodriguez

At some point soon, Grayson Rodriguez should be the Baltimore Orioles future ace. At only 21 years of age, Rodriguez has started the season on a tear down in Aberdeen. Through 3 starts, he has a 1.46 ERA while his WHIP is under 1. Meanwhile, he has fanned 23 batters in only 12.1 innings. At some point soon, the Orioles will likely look to stretch him out a little bit as he is only averaging 65 pitches a start. When he can pass that test, he should start to rise through the minor league system.

DL Hall

In the Baltimore Orioles" future starting rotation, joining Rodriquez is the towering 22-year-old lefty currently in AA Bowie. Hall was spotless through his first two starts before a rough third outing left him with a 3.75 ERA on the season. Hall, like Rodriquez, has an impressive 23 strikeouts in only 12 innings to start the season. Look for the flamethrower to bounce back later this week against Richmond.

Baltimore Orioles Future: Stock Down

Unfortunately, not every Baby Bird has found success to start the season. One prospect, in particular, continues his downward spiral that has hampered his stock in recent seasons.

Yusniel Diaz

It wasn"t long ago that the Orioles thought they were getting a future big league starter when Diaz headlined the Manny Machado return. Unfortunately, Diaz hasn"t been able to replicate his early successes in the Dodgers" system and most recently found himself placed on the IL with a quadriceps strain. Before the injury, Diaz was struggling at the plate with only five hits in 25 at-bats with only two extra-base hits. Diaz is still relatively young, turns 25 later this year, but finds himself slipping in the Baltimore Orioles future outfield options.

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