Adley Rutschman: Catching the future for the Baltimore Orioles

If you’re a parent and take road trips with your kids, you’ve no doubt heard the oft-muttered indignations from your back seat drivers: “are we there yet?”

No other recent excitement has surrounded the prospect of a promotion to the major leagues than the possible call-up of Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman.  But wait, a catcher after all?

I played catcher for awhile as a kid; while I enjoyed the position, there’s a reason why the catcher’s gear is called the” tools of ignorance.” In the modern baseball era, we get pumped up to see a flame throwing pitcher or a batter who can put 100+mph exit velocities on homers but a catcher?

For all the hype around Adley Rutschman, the accolades and adulation may be prophetic down the road.  Rutschman certainly looks and acts the part of a team leader and field general. Adley Rutschman has built up a reputation for being the field general who can control the diamond.  The 6’2”, 220 pounder has the potential to lead the Orioles rebuilding program.

While at Oregon State, Rutschman helped the Beavers go 55-12-1 in 2018 while earning a third CWS title and hit .407. Many analysts think that Rutschman personally helped seal the deal for Oregon State in Game Seven against Arkansas and that’s the kind of confidence and talent that the Orioles were looking for when he became the top MLB draft pick in 2019.

Adley Rutschman: Catching the future for the Baltimore Orioles

With the hiring of Mike Elias as the EVP for player development, the Orioles hired a gem since he’s has been patient and not rushed up young talent from the minors. Rutschman could have been fast-tracked to the big leagues quickly after college but Elias patiently and methodically developed him and other top Orioles prospects to be ready in due time and not overnight.

With patience and planning, Rutschman progressed up to AA Bowie in 2021 after a COVID dumpster fire 2020 season cancelation and this past week got promoted up to AAA Norfolk while rehabbing a right triceps injury incurred in spring training.

For fans looking to Rutschman to be the next combination of a Buster Posey, Johnny Bench and a smattering of say Carlton Fisk and the defense of Pudge Rodriguez, I say look to a familiar role model – Rick Dempsey.

Dempsey guarded the Orioles home plate from 1978-1986 and those were good pitching years for the Orioles, which included a trip to the 1979 World Series against the Pirates.

Dempsey was the best friend and mentor to the Orioles pitching staff during his tenure and if Adley Rutschman can try on those shoes for size, the Orioles could have a real weapon for years to come (Rutschman has been playing first base and DH in the minors so his versatility could be a hidden weapon down the road.)