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Baltimore Orioles: Top Ten Prospects Heading Into 2019

ByNick Stevens|
WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 15: Yusniel Diaz #17 of the World Team makes a throw during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 15: Yusniel Diaz #17 of the World Team makes a throw during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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Baltimore Orioles
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 18: Austin Hays #18 of the Baltimore Orioles follows his two RBI double against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 18, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The time is now for Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays.

#5) RHP Grayson Rodriguez–  The 19-year-old was drafted 11th overall in 2018 out of Central Heights High School in Nacogdoches, Texas and signed with the Baltimore Orioles for $4.3 Mil (the pick’s value was $4.3751 Mil) instead of attending Texas A&M University.

Rodriguez, like most rookies, was assigned to the Gulf Coast League where he pitched to a 1.40 ERA over nine appearances spanning 19.1 innings of work.  He finished with a 0-2 record but that does not tell the whole story.

The 6’5”, 220 lb hurler started his professional career by throwing twelve scoreless innings over his first six appearances; he surrendered seven hits while striking out 10 and walking five. Rodriguez’s two losses came in his next two appearances when he surrendered six runs (three earned) in 4.1 innings, combined with five strikeouts and two walks.  He did bounce back with a  scoreless 3.0 inning, two hit appearance in his final game of the season.

By any measure, it was an impressive effort by Rodriguez who was, on average, 2.4 years younger than his Gulf Coast League peers. Rodriguez pounds the strike zone with his mid-90 mph fastball and his low-80 mph slider.  Look for him to develop his curveball while also crafting his change-up to accompany those two strong pitches.

Based on his age and relatively low workload in 2018, I project the Orioles watching him closely as he pitches in Delmarva (A-Low) in 2019.  Should he perform as dominantly in the South Atlantic League as he did in the GCL, a stint in Frederick (A-High) at some point this season would not surprise me

#4) OF Austin Hays- This year is a huge season for Austin Hays. After showcasing his potential in 2017 with 32 home runs between A+ and AA and his first action in the majors, his 2018 season was largely wiped out due to injury. A shoulder injury halted his spring training, followed by required ankle surgery to repair a stress fracture. After hitting .242 with 12 home runs in 66 AA games, we’re giving Hays a pass on 2018 and looking forward to 2019 with optimism.

The power, defense, arm, and speed are all there, now we need a healthy spring from Hays to put it all together. While at FanFest, Hays proclaimed that he continues to progress from his September ankle surgery and he should be ready to go in a few weeks, meaning don’t expect to see Hays crack the 25-man roster out of spring.

Spending some time roaming the large outfield at Harbor Park (AAA) and working on his approach at the plate is the best plan of action for Hays, who still has the potential to be a major league-regular corner outfielder, but approaching 24 years of age, he has to take the next step forward.

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