Top prospects give Orioles much-needed hope for the future

The largest information to return out of Orioles camp this yr was most likely an damage — to a participant who has by no means appeared in a giant league recreation.

Catcher Adley Rutschman was sidelined with a triceps drawback. It didn’t sound like a serious setback for the previous No. 1 general draft decide, however after a 110-loss season in 2021, Baltimore is hungry for any indicators of hope for the longer term. Rutschman’s arrival within the majors — each time it occurs — is a second for the franchise and its followers to stay up for.

“I feel it’s an especially small blip on a man that’s going to have an extended profession,“ supervisor Brandon Hyde stated after Rutschman was harm. ”I’m wanting ahead to when he’s wholesome to be on the market. I feel yeah, he makes us higher.”

In Rutschman and right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, the Orioles have two of the sport’s high prospects. This may most likely be one other tough season in Baltimore, however that’s a basis they will hope to construct on.

There shall be different gamers to look at this season, however by way of the group’s long-term future, Rutschman and Rodriguez shall be beneath a microscope. Rutschman is ranked No. 2 amongst prospects by MLB Pipeline, and Rodriguez is No. 6. Detroit is the one different franchise with two gamers within the high 10.

NEW LOOK

It wasn’t a very splashy offseason for the Orioles, however they did add right-hander Jordan Lyles to attempt to enhance a pitching workers that completed final within the majors in ERA final yr.

Lyles went 10-13 with a 5.15 ERA for the Texas Rangers final season.

Baltimore also acquired second baseman Rougned Odor, who hit .202 with 15 residence runs and 39 RBIs in 102 video games with the New York Yankees.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

Rutschman made it to Triple-A Norfolk final yr and hit .312 there in 43 video games. Rodriguez was 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 18 begins for Double-A Bowie.

Past these two, the next-best prospects in Baltimore’s system in accordance with MLB Pipeline are infielder Gunnar Henderson (ranked sixty fourth) and outfielder Colton Cowser (66th). Of these two, solely Henderson has reached Double-A.

Rodriguez was despatched to minor league camp, however normal supervisor Mike Elias indicated he may work his manner up shortly.

“He’s going to make some begins within the minor leagues,“ Elias stated. ”With pitchers, now we have a reasonably good concept of how their stuff’s going to translate. If he checks a few containers, I feel there won’t be a lot left to show there.”

ANOTHER 1-1

The Orioles could have an opportunity so as to add one other massive identify to their system once they decide first within the draft once more this summer season. A brand new draft lottery system goes into impact in 2023, however that doesn’t take this yr’s high choice away from Baltimore, which completed tied with Arizona for the worst report within the majors in 2021.

ENCORES

Outfielder Cedric Mullins was a shiny spot for the Orioles final yr, hitting .291 with 30 homers and 30 steals and ending ninth within the American League MVP vote. Now the 27-year-old Mullins will attempt to present that wasn’t a fluke. It was the primary time he’d performed greater than 48 video games in a season for the Orioles.

His efficiency final yr was all of the extra spectacular since Mullins had intestinal surgery in November 2020 after a analysis of Crohn’s Illness.

“I feel because the yr went alongside final yr, all people was amazed at what he was doing,” Hyde stated. “He simply stored it going all through your entire season. I’m excited. I hope that he can construct off that.”

John Means threw a no-hitter final season and posted a 3.62 ERA in 26 begins for the Orioles. They’ll look to him to steer the rotation once more.

NEW DIMENSIONS

The Orioles introduced in January a big change to their residence ballpark — they had been shifting the wall in left subject again to provide pitchers a reprieve. That shall be a storyline to look at early within the season as right-handed energy hitters discover it takes an extended drive to succeed in the seats now.

Baltimore hit 122 residence runs at residence final yr and 73 on the street. Orioles pitchers allowed 155 homers at residence and 103 on the street.

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Observe Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister

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Extra AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports