Baltimore Orioles Prospect Profile: Adley Rutschman

Here’s a deeper look into the game of Baltimore Orioles’ top prospect/soon-to-be baseball’s top prospect, catcher Adley Rutschman

Pos: Catcher/1st Base

Bats: Both Sides

Throws: Right

Height: 6’2″

Born: 2/6/1998 Portland, OR

Drafted: Baltimore Orioles 1st round, 1st overall 2019 MLB Amateur Draft

College: Oregon State University

With the second half of the 2021 MLB season underway, the Baltimore Orioles will look to the future and be sure to keep a close eye on their top prospects. Major League Baseball ranks Orioles’ Catcher, Adley Rutschman as the number 2 overall prospect in baseball and number 1 overall in Baltimore’s minor league system. The switch-hitting slugger has quickly risen up the prospect rankings since he was selected by the Orioles in 2019.

Rutschman has learned to handle the hype surrounding him by simply showcasing what he is able to do as he continues to go through the system.

It is not only his hitting and his power that give the Baltimore Orioles hope. It is his ability behind the plate and fielding that is turning heads as well.

https://twitter.com/BowieBaysox/status/1418682481293803522

Quite frankly, the expectation around Rutschman seems to have the same feeling as when the Orioles selected Matt Wieters in the first round and he ended up being a crucial piece for the franchise in their most recent playoff runs. At the beginning of the season, Rutschman started off slower than expected but has since picked it up and continued to show why he will soon be the number 1 prospect in all of baseball.

Since 2016, the Baltimore Orioles have shifted their focus from the present to the future. In 2019 when the O’s hired Brandon Hyde, the franchise has looked to build from within rather than look elsewhere for pieces. In 2016 Baltimore had the 27th ranked farm system in the MLB according to Minor League Baseball. This year in March, the Orioles’ farm system is ranked 5th.

It is safe to say the Orioles are moving in the right direction with their farm system and Adley Rutschman is a key part of that. Look to see Rutschman in an Orioles’ uniform either towards the end of this season or at the start of the 2022 campaign.