Baltimore Orioles: Four players who under-performed in 2018

We could list a handful of prospects here, but Chance Sisco had a really terrible 2018 season

I wanted to avoid players who seemingly disappointed while laboring through injuries, but Chance Sisco was just put through the ringer this year, and he came out looking much worse than we’d have hoped.

FanGraphs listed him as the number two prospect in the Orioles system coming into 2018, acknowledging his above-average bat control, feel for hitting pitches in the zone, and raw power as positives for the young catcher and knocking him for his below-average arm strength.

Sisco did deal with concussion issues this year, but overall, it was a disappointing season for Sisco, who was projected to be splitting time with Caleb Joseph behind the plate in Baltimore.

FanGraphs Depth Charts projections had Sisco as a below-average hitter, but for a 22-year-old rookie catcher, that’s to be expected. Projected for an OPS just over .700 with an 89 wRC+ and serviceable strikeout and walk rates, Sisco under-performed in every measure.

Sisco split time between Baltimore and Triple-A Norfolk, but in his 63 games with the Orioles, he hit .181/.288/.269 with just 2 homers, a 35.9% strikeout rate and a 59 wRC+. His time in Norfolk wasn’t significantly better, where he posted a sub-.700 OPS.

Sisco will continue to get opportunities behind the plate to improve as a defensive catcher, but the offense needs to pick up in order for him to hold value for the Orioles. If Sisco can’t hit, he isn’t a enough of an impact-defender behind the plate to make him worth the roster spot.

Hopefully 2019 brings better health to Sisco, so he can focus on the things that matter, like his development, rather than dealing with concussion symptoms and injury-recovery.

He’ll still be highly-touted coming into next season, and there’s still time for him to become the Orioles every-day backstop. But the sooner we can forget Sisco’s 2018, the better.