Here it is — my top 20 Orioles Prospects list. I will do the first half today and the second half later in the week. This list is important to O’s fans for many reasons. If there is any hope for this organization, it will be found with the prospects. The minor league system for the Birds has long been among the worst in baseball. And on all levels… drafting, developing, and a total lack of organization in the system. The system seems to have turned the corner in the last five years under Mike Flanagan. Fortunately, Andy MacPhail is totally committed to it.

At the start of this offseason the Birds were considered middle of the pack in overall talent and depth. The club’s two -5 for 1 trades puts it near the top 5 right now. Believe it. This list is the best list the Orioles have had in a quarter century, according to long time Orioles observers. This list is strong at the top with the high ceiling players and it is also deep with potential. These are young, highly regarded players, both locally and nationally. Now only time will tell, but gone are the days of calling Eugene Kingsale and Calvin Pickering and Ryan Minor prospects.

A few points on my list.

1) It will include some names that technically have lost prospect status for a variety of reasons. For example, Adam Jones is still a rookie, but by 9 at-bats Baseball America does not count him as a prospect. I will. Other names that fit this bill are James Hoey and Hayden Penn. Plus, there are other players on the list with big league expierence who still qualify. Obviously, I omitted players who have lost their rookie status.

2) It may come as a surprise but I am not a scout. This list represents a combination of opinions from local reporters, national reporters, baseball publications, such as Baseball America, as well as my personal opinion and statistical analysis. Take from it what you want…

I believe it is a reason to get excited.

Just Missed:

Matt Angle- Baseball America rates him as the best defensive outfielder in the Birds system. And they say he has the best plate discipline. But, very slim build and no power puts him out of the top 20.

20) Brandon Tripp OF- Tripp came out of nowhere last season to hit 19 bombs in just 371 AB’s in Delmarva. But, he struck out 112 times. Still only 22 years old.

19) Kameron Mickolio RHP- Over from the Bedard trade. A giant at 6′9”. Pitched to a 2.68 ERA last season.

18) Tim Boscom RHP - Made it to Fredrick in his 1st pro season. Was a 4th round selection in the 2007 draft. BAA last season of .231.

17) Mike Costanzo 3B- Raw power over from the Tejada trade. Baseball America ranked this year as the 6th best prospect in the entire Astros organization. Slammed Eastern League homers and 29 doubles. Lots of strike outs too.

16) James Hoey RHP- Statistically for the last 2 seasons has pitched to the best numbers in the entire organization. But, big league struggles and not being all that young… have shed doubts on his potential. But last year in the minor’s… how about a zero ERA in Bowie for half a season. Then in Norfolk his ERA skyrocketed to 1.33. His BAA in AA was .169. Wow.

15) Brandon Erbe RHP- Homegrown… and a whole lot of talent. In Baseball America’s 2007 Top 100 list he was rated 78 overall… only 3 spots behind Joba Chamberlin. But, last season struggled to a 6.26 ERA in Fredrick. Still very green with a lot of ability.

14) Pedro Beato RHP- Made Baseball America’s Top 100 list last year too. This season Baseball America rates him as the 9th best prospect in the organization. But, two very average seasons drops him to 14th on my list.

13) Tony Butler LHP- A big lefty, Top Prospect Alert rated him as the 4th best Prospect in the Mariners organization before he was traded to Baltimore.

12) Hayden Penn RHP- Just was launched to the majors at 20 years old. He has battled injuries and criticism about his personality. Highly regard just 2 years ago… has slid on this list. But, I point to his numbers in AAA in 2006, 2:26 ERA 9k’s/9inn, and .221 BAA.

11) Jake Arrieta RHP- Some call him the steal of the 2007 draft. The birds nabbed him in the 5th round. Did not pitch in the minors last season. Baseball America rates as the clubs 7th best prospect.

Posted on Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 at 3:12 pm.
Categories: Orioles.
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