One day, the Orioles may look back at the 2019 draft as a turning point.
Baltimore held the No. 1 overall pick in one of those rare years with an obvious No. 1 talent.
Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman was regarded as the best draft prospect since Bryce Harper nine years earlier. Rutschman was the College Player of the Year that season. He was a national champion the year before who was sure to be a franchise catcher in the future.
That future is now.
Rutschman entered the 2022 season ranked as the No. 1 prospect in baseball. A triceps injury set him back in spring training, but when he got back on the field in late April, it didn't take long for him to matriculate.
Rutschman made his MLB debut on May 21 and immediately impacted the Orioles' fortunes. Baltimore played at a 90-win pace with the 24-year-old rookie catcher anchoring the lineup and leading the pitching staff.
Rutschman led the Orioles in wins above replacement, and his WAR total ranked among the highest for a rookie catcher in the expansion era, appearing on the same list as Mike Piazza, Carlton Fisk, Thurman Munson, Johnny Bench and Buster Posey.
Just as Rutschman was settling into a routine in Baltimore, a new Orioles prospect was racing toward the top of the Top 100.
Esta historia es de la edición October 2022 de Baseball America.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 2022 de Baseball America.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility
LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER
On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.
ORGANIZATION REPORT
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.
TOP 10 NL EAST
From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.
PREPARATION PAYS OFF
lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44
MAKING THE GRADE
Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects
TOP 10 NL WEST
Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
