Pitcher Hall shows why he’s touted
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Without much to look forward to this year in terms of the major league club, which is on its way to one of the worst seasons in baseball history, the Orioles' focus has shifted toward the next generation of players they hope will help reverse that before long.
The twice-weekly "One for the Future," which began earlier this month, will highlight an Orioles minor leaguer who is on the radar for either prospect status, performance or pedigree.
Here’s a look at 2017 first-round pick DL Hall, a 19-year-old left-hander who has settled in and dominated at Low-A Delmarva this summer. The past: A first round draft pick in 2017, he was ranked No. 5 in the Baseball America offseason organizational rankings, the second-highest pitcher behind 2013 first-round pick Hunter Harvey. The present: In eight appearances (seven starts) since June 2, he has allowed three earned runs on 19 hits with 15 walks against 47 strikeouts in 372⁄3 innings. He earned South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week honors twice in that span, and left Hagerstown on Thursday with a 2.40 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.
A projectable 6 feet 2, Hall generates easy velocity on a fastball that was 92-96 mph in his most recent start Thursday at Hagerstown. His breaking ball, a curveball, was among the best of any high school pitcher in his draft class and remains his best off-speed pitch as a professional, with plus potential at least. He’s still developing a changeup, but scouts believe that can be an above-average pitch as well. The future: Considering they have a full major league rotation, no real window to win anytime soon, and plenty of pitching to sift through from their recent trades and drafts before they get to Hall, there’s no point rushing him. Still, it’s easy to see why they’d want to. He’s easily the top pitching prospect in their system, with No. 3 starter potential and a late-inning relief floor.