Baltimore Orioles Top 20 Prospects

The Baltimore Orioles find themselves in a difficult position. As the Yankees and Red Sox keep spending and the Rays are developing into a power, the Orioles have a very slim chance at the playoffs in the near future. Instead of signing middle class free agents, the best thing they can do is to build a core of young players to try to duplicate the Rays success. A great move accelerating this process was last offseason's deal with the Mariners that netted outfielder Adam Jones, reliever George Sherrill, and top prospect pitcher Chris Tillman for pitcher Eric Bedard. Dealing Miguel Tejada also brought some talent to the system. The Orioles have also drafted well recently and possibly have the best prospect in all of baseball with catcher Matt Wieters.




2009 Baltimore Orioles Top 20 Prospects


1. Matt Wieters (A) - C

Possibly the best prospect in all of baseball, Wieters projects as an elite offensive and defensive catcher. Wieters hits with both power and average and has an excellent arm from behind the plate. I expect Wieters to launch himself into the upper ranks of catchers right away and, barring injury, I see a hall-0f-fame caliber player here.

2. Chris Tillman (A-) - RHP

In addition to outfielder Adam Jones already in the majors, Tillman was the other prime piece that came back in the Eric Bedard deal. Tillman really broke through this season, posting a 3.18 ERA, 1.33 WHIP with 154 K's in 133 2/3 innings in AA. Command still remain somewhat of an issue as Tillman walked 65 this past season, but Tillman took a massive stride forward into the pitching prospect elite. His actual repertoire includes a low-90s fastball that reaches 94 often, as well as an impressive curve and a developing changeup. Tillman projects as a possible ace and at the very worst, a solid big league starter.

3. Brian Matusz (B+) - LHP

Baltimore's first round pick in this past June's draft, the lefty Matusz is similar to Tillman in some regards. Their fastballs are very similar, low 90s to 94, but Matusz also possesses an excellent curve and slider and an above-average changeup. He throws all four pitches with solid command. Definitely a top 50 prospect, look for Matusz to make a big jump in his first full season of pro ball next year.

4. Jake Arrieta (B+) - RHP

Another potential ace, Arrieta throws harder (97 mph) than Tillman or Matusz and with good command, but is still developing better secondary pitches, though they are already pretty solid, especially his slider. If Arrieta continues to develop those pitches, the Orioles may find themselves with a trio of young aces.

5. Brandon Erbe (B) - RHP

Erbe is another high upside arm in the Orioles system. In High-A ball this season, Erbe struck out 151 in 150 2/3 innings and had a solid 1.13 WHIP despite a 4.30 ERA. Only 20 years old, Erbe has the profile of a potential #3 pitcher in the big leagues if he continues to develop.

6. Nolan Reimold (B-) - OF

Rather old at 25 for AA, Reimold put up excellent numbers hitting 25 HRs, and a K:BB ratio relatively close to 1. While he may not have the upside of other players, look for Reimold to make an impact this coming season in the majors with the Orioles, possibly in the LF spot, though he may spend more time in a reserve role.

7. Billy Rowell (B-) - 3B

Rowell is a player that is frustrating to follow. Drafted high in the first round in 2006 and being named the Orioles top prospect for the 2007 season, Rowell has struggled to hit in the minors. He has all the tools to be a successful hitter and is only 20, so there is hope he can turn it around and become an excellent third baseman.

8. Troy Patton (B-) - LHP

The key part of the Miguel Tejada trade, Patton tore his labrum which sat him out all last year. It does however show how much the Orioles were impressed with Patton, taking him after finding out about the injury. Patton was a highly regarded prospect before the injury, though you rarely see pitches fully return to form following an injury like a shoulder tear. However, he has the stuff to be a solid starter or at least a reliever.

9. Luis Montanez (C+) - OF

Like Reimold, Montanez is also getting older and at 27, time is running out. However, Montanez, a former high draft pick by the Cubs, performed incredibly well at AA with a .335 average, 26 HR and 97 RBI, before being called up to the majors and hitting .295 with the O's in limited at bats. If the O's decide to deal either Luke Scott or Aubrey Huff, look for Montanez to possibly take a starting spot.

10. Xavier Avery (C+) - OF

The O's second round pick this year, Avery is a very fast outfielder with developing hitting skills. He is still a long way away, but projects as a possible leadoff hitter.

11. Brandon Snyder (C+) - 1B/3B

A converted catcher, Snyder converted to first base after an arm injury. He is a very aggressive hitter, which resulted in a lot of strikeouts (83) and a relatively low amount of walks (29), but Snyder hits with a solid average (.310). He could become a solid major leaguer, but has a long way to go still, as he was only in High-A this year.

12. Kam Mickolio (C+) - RHP

A big righthander at 6'9'' and 255 lbs, Mickolio managed to rise up to the majors from AA last year, but didn't perform well in his initial stint. At every stop, Mickolio had a k/9 higher than 9, and projects as a solid bullpen arm.

13. Zach Britton (C+) - LHP

Britton is a solid sleeper deep in the Orioles system. Though 21 and only in Low-A ball, Britton posted a 3.12 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP and has upside as a potential #4 starter or solid reliever. Likely in the top 10 next year.

14. Chorye Spoone (C+) - RHP

Spoone underperformed this season in AA after being rated as the #8 prospect a year ago by the Orioles. At 23 years old, Spoone could still become a back of the rotation starter or a reliever.

15. David Hernandez (C+) - RHP

An intriguing pitcher, Hernandez doesn't have the best stuff in the world but continues to develop. Others may have him higher.

16. Brian Bergesen (C) - RHP

Bergesen projects as a decent reliever or spot-starter, but doesn't have much upside. He's already up with the big league squad.

17. Pedro Beato (C) - RHP

Beato performed very poorly this season, but I like his stuff enough to include him in the top 20.

18. L.J. Hoes (C) - 2B

A 2008 draftee, Hoes has very good tools, but needs to work on refinement and has a long way to go. Could be an eventual replacement to Roberts though.

19. Brandon Waring (C) - 3B

Recently acquired in the Ramon Hernandez deal, Waring has some pop in his bat (20 HRs in Low-A), but has horrible plate discipline with 156 K's. The power is intriguing.

20. Tony Butler (C) - LHP

Another part of the Eric Bedard deal, Butler is an intriguing, developing pitcher, who would likely be in the top 10 if he was still with the Mariners.



Other "C"s that just missed the cut:

Ryan Adams - 2B
Oliver Drake - RHP
Blake Davis - SS
Matt Angle - OF
Caleb Joseph - C
Mike Costanzo - 3B
Bob McCrory - RHP
James Hoey - RHP
Scott Moore - 3B