This trio making a pitch
McDermott, Povich Johnson impressing brass during camp
SARASOTA, Fla. — The Orioles’ top-ranked farm system is so because of their position player prospects.
From Jackson Holliday to Samuel Basallo to Coby Mayo, the organization is chock-full of youngsters who have soared up prospect lists. The farm system is so good the Orioles didn’t have to give up any of their top five prospects to acquire ace Corbin Burnes this winter.
But the club’s top pitching prospects believe the arms on the farm are better than many outside of the organization think.
“I think it’s definitely under-theradar a little bit,” left-hander Cade Povich said. “I think it’s a lot better than people recognize. It’s nice to look around and know that maybe on the outside they don’t see it, but that you can see it in here.”
Povich is among the trio of Baltimore’s best pitching prospects who are at major league spring training. Chayce McDermott, Povich and Seth Johnson — the Nos. 8, 9 and 10 prospects, respectively, in Baltimore’s farm system, according to Baseball America — have already impressed the Orioles’ brass with their stuff this spring.
“They all have really good fastballs,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “The secondary stuff is outstanding. For me, it’s just the time. They need innings, they need outings, they need to move up levels and dominate levels. But they all have big futures with us. It’s just a matter of time.”
Johnson, who spent most of 2023 rehabbing from Tommy John elbow reconstruction, said McDermott, Povich and the other top pitchers in the system have impressed him since he joined the organization at the 2022 trade deadline.