The 2019 draft represented arguably an important step the Orioles’ rebuild took in Mike Elias’ first 12 months because the franchise’s government vp and normal supervisor. It’s continued to repay mightily.
A 12 months after Baseball America ranked catcher Adley Rutschman — the primary total choose in 2019 — as the game’s No. 1 prospect in its official preseason record, the publication deemed Gunnar Henderson, an infielder Baltimore took within the draft’s second spherical, worthy of that standing. The distinction makes the Orioles the primary crew to have consecutive No. 1 total prospects from the identical draft class because the publication started its rankings in 1990. Baltimore has a league-high eight of Baseball America’s high 100 prospects, with 2019 fourth-rounder Joey Ortiz amongst these additionally making the minimize.
“I can’t imagine a better outcome so far for the 2019 draft,” Elias stated in September.
Rutschman and Henderson are solely the second pair of gamers from the identical group to be Baseball America’s top-ranked prospects in back-to-back preseason lists, becoming a member of St. Louis Cardinals prospects J.D. Drew and Rick Ankiel in 1999 and 2000, respectively; St. Louis drafted Ankiel in 1997 and used its first-round choose on Drew the next 12 months. Four different instances, a crew has had the identical participant ranked No. 1 total in consecutive years, however Rutschman’s May promotion prevented him from a second straight honor. Henderson made his main league debut Aug. 31, late sufficient within the 12 months that he retains prospect eligibility.
The 21-year-old enters the 2023 season as a favourite to be the American League Rookie of the Year, an award which Rutschman was the runner-up for in 2022. Henderson started final season as Baseball America’s No. 57 prospect, then dominated with Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk as arguably the minor leagues’ finest hitter. While by no means taking an at-bat in opposition to a pitcher youthful than him, Henderson hit .297 with a .946 OPS, 19 residence runs and 22 steals. In his main league debut, he homered for his first profession hit, launching three extra whereas hitting .259/.348/.440 in 34 video games for Baltimore. Alongside Rutschman, Henderson figures to occupy a spot close to the highest of the Orioles’ 2023 lineup, taking part in shortstop and third base.
They gained’t be alone amongst younger gamers making an impression in Baltimore, with the remainder of Baseball America’s high 100 record as proof. Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez narrowly fell from his standing as the sport’s high pitching prospect, ranked sixth total and one spot behind Philadelphia Phillies prospect Andrew Painter. A proper lat muscle pressure in June prevented Rodriguez from making his debut final 12 months, however the 23-year-old is well-positioned for a rotation spot getting into spring coaching. Left-hander DL Hall, the No. 75 prospect, can even arrive at camp contending for a job on Baltimore’s pitching workers.
Outfielder Colton Cowser (No. 41) and infielders Jordan Westburg (No. 76), Connor Norby (No. 93) and Ortiz (No. 95) may all push for main league time in 2023 after ending final 12 months in Triple-A.
The Orioles’ solely high 100 prospect who’s unlikely to make an impression within the majors in 2023 is shortstop Jackson Holliday, the primary total choose within the 2022 draft. Ranked the game’s No. 15 prospect forward of his first full season, Holliday hit .297 and walked greater than twice as typically as he struck out in 20 video games between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Delmarva after he was drafted. He turned 19 final month.
Each of Baltimore’s first-round picks from 2017 to 2022 are ranked among the many high 100 prospects besides Rutschman, who’s not eligible, and outfielder Heston Kjerstad, who missed two years after he was taken with 2020′s No. 2 choose due to the guts situation myocarditis and a extreme left hamstring pressure. Kjerstad was named MVP of the Arizona Fall League after hitting .309 with an .851 OPS within the common season between Low-A and High-A, however Baseball America didn’t rank the 23-year-old amongst Baltimore’s high 10 prospects.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com