Outfield showing plenty of promise
Hays leads group or players making case for prime time
him have a power breakout. Rival evaluators are still skeptical of him, but the Orioles feel there were real strides made in 2017. He’ll have to make his impact with his bat at the major league level because he’s a left field-only prospect defensively at this point.
That quartet represents most of the Orioles’ position player prospect strength, though the possible move of third baseman Ryan Mountcastle to left field and the presence of Mancini could create a logjam of major league-caliber bats without a position in the near future.
Below them, the amount of impact talent is far more spread out. Randolph Gassaway burst onto the scene in 2016 after several years in the complex leagues to become a Carolina League All-Star, but tapered off down the stretch. His teammate in Frederick, Ademar Rifaela, was the Carolina League Most Valuable Player while batting .284 with an .858 OPS and 24 home runs. He’s likely a corner outfielder going forward and at times sold out for power, but his production at that level makes him an intriguing wild card at age 22.
Below them, 2016 draftees Jake Ring and Cole Billingsley had good first full seasons at Low-A Delmarva, while Ryan McKenna, a toolsy fourth-round pick in 2015, hit .256 there with 42 extra-base hits.
Among 2017 draftees, fifth-round outfielder Lamar Sparks is one of the more intriguing picks of this year’s crop. He’s got the makings of an above-average center fielder physically, but the club will need to be patient with his bat.