Baltimore Orioles: Three Rookie Of The Year Candidates For 2020

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: A general view during the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 22, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

It’s only a matter of time before we see Ryan Mountcastle with the Baltimore Orioles.

The one thing I’m most looking forward to in 2020 is the debut of what is sure to be a decently sized list of Orioles prospects. Pitchers Keegan Akin, Bruce Zimmermann, and Dean Kremer all figure to be active in the major leagues at some point next year, but it may take a bit for Zimmermann and Kremer to reach that point.

Both saw limited time in Triple-A in 2019 and we know that Mike Elias isn’t going to rush any prospect who can likely develop into a major league contributor. Akin could crack the roster out of spring training, but while he’s been a favorite prospect of mine since routinely making two-hour drives to watch him pitch with the Frederick Keys, Akin is going to have to learn how to limit walks if he wants to be a successful starter in the big leagues.

With that being said, we’re slotting Ryan Mountcastle into this list. Mountcastle won’t make the Opening Day roster due to service time, but he will surely bring his powerful bat to Camden Yards not too long after the Orioles kick off their 2020 run against the New York Yankees.

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Mountcastle is coming off his first season in Triple-A, a year that saw him win International League MVP honors with 25 home runs, 35 doubles, a .312 batting average, and an .871 OPS. He did all that as a 22-year-old in a league where the average player is two-three years older.

There are a few issues that may prevent Mountcastle from earning consideration for ROY honors. No one knows where he will play defensively, he doesn’t walk, and just about all of his power is to the pull-side. Using more of the field would certainly help, but the first two points are more glaring.

Buck Showalter already challenged him to walk more and that worked for one season before regressing to a 4.3% walk rate this year.

The Orioles have moved him from shortstop, to third base, to first base, and now to left field. He played a really solid first base, but Baltimore already features Chris Davis, Trey Mancini, and Renato Nunez (among others) who will act as first base/designated hitter options.

I’m confident in Hyde and his staff finding regular at-bats for Mountcastle next season. The question becomes, can he replicate his 2019 success at the plate while adjusting to major league pitching and continuing to learn whatever position he ends up at?

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