Baltimore Orioles: Adam Hall One To Watch In 2019

Baltimore Orioles infield prospect Adam Hall delivered a strong performance during the second half of the 2018 season.  Look for more of the same from him in 2019.

The Baltimore Orioles drafted two Halls in the 2017 MLB Draft.  They selected DL Hall in the 1st round (21st overall) and Adam Hall in the 2nd round (60th overall).  The two players, although unrelated, may together play a big part in the future of the rebuild in Baltimore.

My colleague here at Birds Watcher, Jesse Morrison, penned a piece on D.L. Hall’s importance as a prospect and another colleague, Tim Smart noted the fact Fangraphs named him the organization’s top prospect.

While not quite as highly touted, it’s time to give the other Hall, Adam, his due.  Based on how he performed in 2018, especially in the second half of the season, he is one worth watching.  The organization certainly needs middle infielders and Hall fits the bill.

Adam Hall was drafted out of A B Lucas Secondary School in Canada, where he was a highly touted prep star; he played on the U-18 Canadian Junior National team as well.  Assigned to the Gulf Coast League (Rookie) after signing with the Orioles, Hall had his debut season cut short after just two games (nine at-bats) due to an oblique strain.

He remained in extended spring training in a cautionary move before reporting to Aberdeen (A-Short) for the 2018 season. That season with the Ironbirds was a tale of two halves.

Hall’s first 37 games (June/July) resulted in a slash line of .235/ .318/ .288/ .606 with 11 RBI and six extra-base hits (zero home runs) while his final 25 games (August/September) saw a slash line of .378/ .441/ .500/ .941 with 13 RBI and seven extra-base hits (one home run).  Hall’s August and September also saw him compile a 19-game hitting streak while stealing 16 bases in 18 attempts, compared to six stolen bases on nine attempts during June and July.

For the season his numbers were: .293/ .368/ .374/ .741 with 24 RBI, 35 runs scored, 17 walks and 13 extra-base hits.  Defensively, he handled 236 total chances with 13 errors for a .945 fielding percentage.

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One may ask, what happened to drastically change the numbers?  Simply put, it took time for Hall to make the adjustment to meaningful, professional games.  He learned to relax at the plate and not try to hit every pitch for a home run in order to prove his worth as a high draft pick.  He also worked on keeping his front elbow down and seeing the baseball better while thinking of the middle of the field; he stopped worrying about the inside pitch.  That was a huge adjustment for a nineteen-year-old player.

Being able to make that adjustment and see immediate results bodes well for Hall’s future.  He will need to adjust to the increased pitching acumen he will face as he moves up the organizational ladder.

Possessing above-average speed and a slightly above-average arm as well as a solid fielding ability, there is a lot to like in this young man.  He has the ability to continue to move up the middle-infield ladder and contribute to the rebuild.

I am high on Hall and feel he is worth Orioles fan’s time to watch him.  I see him starting in Delmarva (A-Low) in 2019 and think it would not be surprising if he finished up in Frederick (A-Adv.).  He has the potential to move up two levels in 2019; that potential is solely in his hands.

Keep an eye on Adam Hall, Orioles fans, he is one worth watching for sure!  You may see a future Oriole Park at Camden Yards middle infielder.  I, for one, cannot wait to see him in person in 2019.