Luke’s Prospect Power Rankings – April 2018
An updated look at the Orioles top 50 prospects as I see them. Not a ton of movement at this time because I’m only going off spring training. I provided a brief write-up for players who are new to the list and notes on select players that moved. The number after the player’s name denotes movement from my off-season top 50.
For full write-ups on the returning players please check out my top 50 Orioles prospects series.
- Austin Hays RF/CF (AA)
- Chance Sisco C (MLB)
- Hunter Harvey RHP (AA) +1
Harvey looked good in his spring outings, facing MLB quality competition. With an easy delivery, a fastball that touches 96, and a plus curveball that flashed double-plus, Harvey is showing that he still has significant potential.
- Ryan Mountcastle 3B/? (AA – DL) -1
Dropped due to Harvey’s strong spring and his fractured hand that will cause him to miss some time.
- DL Hall LHP (A)
- Cedric Mullins CF (AA)
- DJ Stewart LF (AAA)
- Keegan Akin LHP (AA)
- Alex Wells LHP (A+)
- Tanner Scott LHP (AAA)
- Zac Lowther LHP (A)
- Adam Hall SS (Extended ST)
- Anthony Santander COF (MLB)
- Jomar Reyes 3B/1B (A+)
- Brenan Hanifee RHP (A)
- Cody Sedlock RHP (A+)
- Michael Baumann RHP (A)
- Lamar Sparks CF (Extended ST) +4
No additional looks, but Bishop and Cortes weren’t great in spring training looks and reports, and decided to bump him over Long for upside.
- Lucas Long RHP (AA)
- Cameron Bishop LHP (A)
- Nestor Cortes LHP (MLB)
- Jhon Peluffo RHP (A+) +1
- Matthias Dietz RHP (A) +4
Fastball reportedly touched 100mph this spring.
- Ryan McKenna CF (A+)
I’ve timed him on video with two sub-4s home-to-first times so far (in a spring training game and in the first Keys game) which is elite speed from the RH side.
- Ademar Rifaela COF (AA)
- Nick Vespi LHP (A) +2
- Jake Ring OF (A+) +2
- Gray Fenter RHP (A) +2
- Ofelky Peralta RHP (A+) +5
Peralta changed his delivery, and now has fewer moving parts, a higher arm slot, and a better chance for passable control. He’ll need to prove it in game action but he’s still young and has a live arm.
- John Means LHP (AA) +1
- David Hess RHP (AAA) +1
- Trevor Craport 3B (A) +1
- Austin Wynns C (AAA) +2
- Yefry Ramirez RHP (AAA) +2
- Pedro Araujo RHP (MLB) +2
- Drew Dosch 3B (AAA) +2
- James Teague RHP (A+) New
Was given a chance this spring and showed well in Grapefruit League action. Teague has reportedly touched 98 with his fastball with a fringe average slider that flashes better. Lots of moxie, closer mentality even if he doesn’t have closer stuff. Has had issues with control but he has been filling the zone this spring.
- Steve Wilkerson Utility (Suspended) +1
- Jacob Brown OF (Extended ST) +1
- Alexis Torres 2B/SS (Extended ST) +1
- Cole Billingsley OF (A+) +1
- Ryan Meisinger RHP (AA) +1
- Jimmy Yacabonis RHP (AAA) +3
- Mason McCoy SS (A) +3
- Lucas Humpal RHP (A+) +3
- Preston Palmeiro 2B (A+) New
Palmeiro was moved up the defensive spectrum from 1B to 2B last fall in instructs. It stuck and he’s playing 2B for Frederick. While his bat won’t play at 1B, it might have a chance at 2B. He changed his swing last year and hit for more power as a result, but also struck out more.
- Ben Breazeale C/1B (A) +2
- Seamus Curran 1B/DH (A) +2
- Luis Gonzalez LHP (AA) New
A fastball/slider lefty reliever who is working on a changeup as well. Doesn’t have great stuff for a reliever, with a 92-94mph fastball and an average to above average slider. He does command the ball well though.
- Branden Becker 2B/SS/3B (A) New
A guy who impressed me when I saw him playing with Aberdeen last year, but then he tore his labrum before I could really follow up. He hasn’t really done anything in pro ball, but he has tools. He’s a decent athlete who can play 2B/3B full-time and SS passably. He has above average bat speed and offers some pop from the left side.
Dropped out:
Jose Mesa Jr RHP (returned to the Yankees)
Jesus Liranzo RHP (DFA and traded to the Dodgers for LHP – Ysla)
Chris Lee LHP (Injured)
Gabriel Ynoa RHP (Isn’t actually a prospect, too much MLB experience)
