Where the Orioles' Top 30 prospects are starting season

Where the Orioles' Top 30 prospects are starting season

April 6th, 2023

With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the Orioles’ Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:

  1. Gunnar Henderson (MLB No. 1), 3B -- Baltimore (MLB, graduated on 4/5)
  2. Grayson Rodriguez (MLB No. 6), RHP -- Norfolk (Triple-A)*
  3. Jackson Holliday (MLB No. 11), SS -- Delmarva (Single-A)
  4. Colton Cowser (MLB No. 39), OF -- Norfolk (Triple-A)
  5. Jordan Westburg (MLB No. 73), INF -- Norfolk (Triple-A)
  6. Heston Kjerstad (MLB No. 79), OF -- Bowie (Double-A)
  7. DL Hall (MLB No. 96), LHP -- Norfolk (Triple-A)
  8. Joey Ortiz (MLB No. 98), SS -- Norfolk (Triple-A)
  9. Connor Norby, 2B -- Norfolk (Triple-A)
  10. Coby Mayo, 3B -- Bowie (Double-A)
  11. Dylan Beavers, OF -- Aberdeen (High-A)
  12. Samuel Basallo, C -- Delmarva (Single-A)
  13. Cade Povich, LHP -- Bowie (Double-A)
  14. Max Wagner, 3B -- Aberdeen (High-A)
  15. Hudson Haskin, OF -- Norfolk (Triple-A)
  16. Seth Johnson, RHP -- Injured (Tommy John rehab)
  17. Jud Fabian, OF -- Aberdeen (High-A)
  18. Cesar Prieto, INF -- Bowie (Double-A)
  19. Chayce McDermott, RHP -- Bowie (Double-A)
  20. Drew Rom, LHP -- Norfolk (Triple-A)
  21. John Rhodes, OF -- Bowie (Double-A)
  22. Frederick Bencosme, SS -- Aberdeen (High-A)
  23. Carter Baumler, RHP -- Injured (shoulder rehab)
  24. Ryan Watson, RHP -- Norfolk (Triple-A)
  25. Braylin Tavera, OF -- Extended spring training
  26. Luis Almeyda, SS -- Dominican Summer League
  27. Maikol Hernandez, SS -- Extended spring training
  28. Leandro Arias, SS -- Extended spring training
  29. Noah Denoyer, RHP -- Norfolk (Triple-A)
  30. Carter Young, SS -- Delmarva (Single-A)

* Rodriguez made one start with Norfolk before being called up to make his big league debut on April 5.

Team to watch
One of the beauties of the Orioles system is three of the four affiliates are within a few hours of each other (and Norfolk isn’t THAT far away). This talent-rich system is starting to really pool exciting players at the top, so even with Grayson Rodriguez in Baltimore now, Norfolk might be the first place to stop. There are still nine other members of the Top 30 with the Tides, including Top 100 prospects Colton Cowser, Jordan Westburg, DL Hall and Joey Ortiz.

Teams on MLB.TV and MiLB.TV
Baltimore Orioles
Norfolk Tides (Triple-A)
Bowie Baysox (Double-A)
Aberdeen Ironbirds (High-A)
Delmarva Shorebirds (Single-A)

Players we could see in MLB in 2023
See the aforementioned pool of talent in Norfolk. Hall has touched the big leagues and it’s easy to see him playing a role of some sort on the big league pitching staff once he’s deemed ready. Any of those other prospects, from the Top 100 guys to those not far from it, like Connor Norby, could contribute in Baltimore this season.

New faces
Now fully reestablished on the international market, the Orioles were able to ink Luis Almeyda for a franchise-record $2.3 million this past January. A native of New Jersey who moved to the Dominican Republic at age 16, there is some expectation Almeyda can make a smoother transition to pro ball because of his familiarity with the United States.

On the shelf
The Orioles have yet to see Seth Johnson pitch for them, as they acquired him from the Rays just days before he had Tommy John surgery. He’ll miss most of the 2023 season and the O’s won’t really know what they have on their hands until 2024. Carter Baumler came back from Tommy John surgery to throw well in four starts last year, only to be shut down with shoulder inflammation. He had offseason surgery on the shoulder and began the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list.