Baltimore Orioles 2012 Pre-Season Top 15 Prospects

Here is my Top 15 Prospect list for the Baltimore Orioles. The stats are from the 2011 season unless otherwise noted.












1. Manny Machado, SS - 382 AB, .257/.335/.421, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 45 BB, 73 K, 11 SB 6 CS (A/A+)

Machado

It's a toss-up between Machado and Bundy, but I'll take the shortstop every time and especially one who has already proven himself over a professional season. I expect Machado to have a true breakout season now if he stays healthy and isn't pushed too hard by the Orioles.


2. Dylan Bundy, RHP - 11-0, 0.20 ERA, 71 IP, 20 H, 5 BB, 158 K (HS)


The Gatorade National Player of the Year, Bundy was easily the best high school pitcher in the draft and has all the makings of an ace. A physical specimen, he runs his fastball into the high 90's, touching 100 MPH, and features a cutter, curveball, and change-up that all profile to be potential plus pitches.


3. Jonathan Schoop, 2B/3B - 511 AB, .290/.349/.432, 13 HR, 72 RBI, 42 BB, 76 K, 12 SB 7 CS (A/A+)


Schoop doesn't get nearly the attention Machado does despite very similar numbers at the same levels last year. If he can hold his own with the glove, Baltimore could be looking at a perennial All-Star double-play combo in the future.


4. Jason Esposito, 3B - 268 AB, .340/.403/.530, 9 HR, 59 RBI, 17 BB, 45 K, 15 SB 10 CS (College)


A 2nd round pick out of Vanderbilt, Esposito can play Gold Glove defense at 3B and has an interesting power-speed combo that could produce perennial 20-20 seasons at his peak.


5. Dan Klein, RHP - 3-1, 1.11 ERA, 32.1 IP, 23 H, 6 BB, 37 K (A+/AA)


A rare four-pitch reliever, Klein has dominated when he's healthy and could contend for a spot in the back-end of Baltimore's bullpen right out of spring training.


6. Bobby Bundy, RHP - 12-8, 3.51 ERA, 136 IP, 127 H, 42 BB, 113 K (A+/AA)


A workhorse like his star younger brother, Bobby doesn't quite have the electric stuff that Dylan does, but he projects as a #3 or 4 starter in the Majors and could start 2013 in Baltimore whether in the rotation or the bullpen.


7. Parker Bridwell, RHP - 2-8, 5.26 ERA, 75.1 IP, 79 H, 35 BB, 70 K (SS/A)


The Orioles are excited about Bridwell's ceiling as he has a plus fastball/curve combo that has some thinking of AJ Burnett. If he can improve his control and stretch out over a season, Bridwell could move up this list quickly.


8. Nick Delmonico, 3B - 136 AB, .485 AVG, 18 HR, 75 RBI, 30 SB (HS)


While Delmonico doesn't have much projection left in his game, he is very polished for a kid right out of high school and he should hit for decent power while playing solid defense at the hot corner.


9. L.J. Hoes, OF/2B - 502 AB, .285/.354/.390, 9 HR, 71 RBI, 53 BB, 81 K, 20 SB 9 CS (A+/AA)


After a switch to the outfield and a promotion to Bowie, Hoes started to show his plus hitting ability and surprised people with a little pop as well. It's time to see if he can put it all together for a full season.


10. Glynn Davis, OF - 282 AB, .284/.351/.362, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 29 BB, 57 K, 24 SB 10 CS (RK/SS/A+)


Davis is a 20-year old undrafted free agent from the Baltimore area who is extremely raw, but shows plus-plus speed, discipline at the plate, and some power projection in his 6'3" 170 lb frame.


11. Clayton Schrader, RHP - 2-2, 1.57 ERA, 46 IP, 19 H, 32 BB, 73 K (A/A+)


Schrader has a nasty fastball/slider combo that he used to strike out 14.28 batters per 9 innings, but he needs to work on his control as he also walked more than 6 batters per 9.


12. Ryan Adams, 2B - 377 AB, .284/.341/.454, 10 HR, 37 RBI, 30 BB, 103 K, 5 SB 2 CS (AAA)


Adams should see a considerable amount of time in the Majors this year and he has the power and defensive ability to stick in Baltimore for a while.


13. Gabriel Lino, C - 78 AB, .282/.371/.462, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 8 BB, 13 K, 1 SB 0 CS (RK)


Lino is known as an outstanding defensive catcher, but the 18-year old really impressed with his hitting ability albeit in a small sample size in the GCL. Definitely a player to watch for 2012.


14. Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP - 1-1, 2.22 ERA, 48.2 IP, 34 H, 18 BB, 50 K (RK/SS)


Rodriguez has excellent pitchability and is very polished for an 18-year old. He has an impressive low-90's fastball as well and is another player to watch along with potential teammate Lino. 


15. Oliver Drake, RHP - 11-8, 3.32 ERA, 162.2 IP, 156 H, 43 BB, 129 K (A+/AA/AAA)


Drake is another innings-eater type pitcher as he gets a lot out of his fastball/slider mix. We could see him at some point this season pitching out of the Baltimore bullpen.


SLEEPER


Trent Mummey, OF - 113 AB, .292/.373/.478, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 16 BB, 19 K, 19 SB 3 CS (A/A+)


The toolsy Mummey lost most of 2011 to an injury, but if he can bounce back and continue to hit and run the bases well he could easily see himself in the 5-10 range on this list. Profiles as a valuable 4th outfielder-type, but if he adds a little power could challenge for a starting spot.