Baltimore Orioles Austin Hays on the cover of Baseball America

The Baltimore Orioles may not be known for their farm system, but with a top prospect on the cover of the latest issue of Baseball America, that could change.

On the cover, the Baltimore Orioles Austin Hays is featured in the middle of a strong leg kick against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Looking good in his Orioles uniform

He’s decked out in his home Orioles gear, proudly wearing #18. Even his cleats are in Orioles black and orange.

His wrists are wrapped and he has a black EVO shield elbow guard. It won’t be long before he has an elbow guard that is emblazoned with his name and number, instead of one that anyone can buy off the shelf at their local sporting goods store.

The magazine features the top 10 prospects in the American League East. Clearly, one of them will be the 22-year-old Hays.

He played in seven games against the Rays when he was called up in September. In those seven games, he had five hits including a double. He scored two runs and had three RBIs, including one sac fly.

The top 10 Orioles prospects for 2018

In 2017, the top prospect in the Orioles organization was Chance Cisco. Now, according to Baseball America, Hays has the honor. Cisco has been bumped to the number three spot behind Hays and Ryan Mountcastle at number two. The rest of the top ten includes Hunter Harvey, D.L. Hall, Tanner Scott, Cody Sedlock, Anthony Santander, Cedric Mullins, and Chris Lee.

Santander and Mullins are both outfielders. The others on the list are all pitchers. Hall, Scott, and Lee are lefties. With this collection of athletes, Orioles fans do have something to look forward to in the next few years.

The rest of the AL East

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The rest of the AL East has prospects who could quickly become household names. Of course, Baseball America recognized the New York Yankees top prospect Gleyber Torres who will most likely play shortstop or third base quite soon.

The Tampa Bay Rays have a right-handed pitcher named Brent Honeywell at the top. The Rays have a penchant for developing arms, so keep your eyes out for Honeywell. In Boston, the Red Sox top prospect is also a pitcher, but a lefty named Jay Groome.

Last, but not least is a name that Orioles fans will recognize. The Toronto Blue Jays are waiting for the day when Vladimir Guerrero Jr starts to play third base. It could be soon, especially if Josh Donaldson is traded.

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Despite all of this talent in the AL East, it is an honor for the Orioles and for Hays to be the featured on the cover of this highly respected publication. Congratulations, Austin Hays.