While most members of the 2021-22 international signing class are teenagers who are years away from the major leagues, 22-year-old infielder Cesar Prieto could potentially help the Orioles as early as this season. It makes Prieto a particularly intriguing player to watch from this signing period, as noted in separate pieces by The Baltimore Sun’s Nathan Ruiz and MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko.
Prieto defected to the United States from Cuba last May, and MLB declared him eligible to sign only in November. This left Prieto in a bit of a tough spot heading into the January 15 signing period, as since most teams had already committed most of the money in their bonus pools, the $650K Prieto received from the Orioles counts as something of a bargain for a player with his experience and track record.
Since the money was relatively tight across the board, however, the O’s tried to stand out from the field in other ways. Orioles senior director of international scouting Koby Perez told media that he and GM Mike Elias personally visited Prieto to pitch him on joining Baltimore’s organization.
“He decided on us. There was other suitors, and we’re excited that he wants to take this journey with us,” Perez said. “Sometimes, you’ve got to wait for the late bloomer, or sometimes these guys from Cuba come out unexpectedly, and you want to be prepared to be able to get them. It played right into our hands in this situation.”
Given the lack of established infielders on the rebuilding Orioles, it also isn’t surprising that Prieto saw Baltimore as a possible quicker route to the majors. Perez said Prieto will start next season in the “mid to upper levels” of the farm system, with the O’s eyeing him as mostly as a second baseman but flexible enough to handle third base or shortstop in a pinch.
While the Orioles don’t want to harm Prieto’s development by promoting him too soon, it isn’t out of the question that he could make his MLB debut in 2022, considering his age and past pro experience. If an early call-up would only come if Prieto adjusts quickly and dominates minor league pitching, his time in the Cuban National Series (Cuba’s top league) is evidence that Prieto can indeed be a big force at the plate.
Over his last two CNS seasons, Prieto has recorded 68 walks against only 34 strikeouts, while batting .379/.452/.533 in 690 plate appearances. Prieto doesn’t offer much power (11 home runs in those two seasons), yet he makes up for that lack of pop with tons of contact and a keen batting eye. According to Perez, some O’s scouts used Nick Madrigal as a comp for Prieto’s skillset.
Prieto’s ability to handle multiple positions could make him something of a utilityman in the majors, depending on how the Orioles’ future infield picture eventually shakes out. On the current MLB roster, Rougned Odor is a veteran stopgap set for regular second base duty, Ramon Urias is already 27 but has looked good in his first two Major League seasons, and Kelvin Gutierrez has yet to show much at the big league level. Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg are the Orioles’ two top infield prospects, and Prieto being lined up as a second baseman reflects how the O’s seem to be eyeing Henderson and Westburg as the future left side of their infield (with the specific positions yet to be determined).
Everyone laughs at the Orioles but they do have talent and when or if it matures they will be the top dog in the AL East.
They don’t have any pitching talent
no they only have the #1 pitching prospect in baseball….
Top pitching prospect in Grayson Rodriguez ranked #8 in the top 100 prospect lost just ahead of Jack Leiter who is ranked #12. Orioles also have DL Hall who is ranked #72 overall. Both Grayson and DL pitched as high as AA ball last year. Plus they have the best prospect overall in Adley Rutschman. Gunnar Henderson is #74 and Colton Cowser (who I really like) is #76. Yes the Orioles do have some talent coming.
They pitched terrible last year and sit around 26 years old, but I think Akin, Kremer and Zimmerman all have bright futures. Still got Means as of now if he didn’t hurt his shoulder last year.
They also had Ben McDonald, Hunter Harvey and Dylan Bundy. Point?
Who are you talking about when you say “they pitched terrible last year and sit around 26 years old?” If you’re referencing Rodriguez and Hall then you haven’t a clue about either one. Rodriguez is 22 and pitched to a 2.36 ERA in 103 innings across high-A and double-A. Hall is 23 and pitched to a 3.31 ERA in a very limited 31.2 innings at double-A.
Nice to finally hear people saying that. There’s a lot more talent, however, than just those you mention.
DimitriInLA2 hours ago
Nice to finally hear people saying that.
=====================================
It’s going slow, but so did Detroit. A real fan should enjoy the journey. Certainly not a ten-year journey, but virtually every small-market team eventually rebuilds.
And the #1 Left hander too.
They also had Eduardo Rodriguez, Erik Bedard and Mike Mussina. Point?
They literally traded two of those guys for four future all stars that formed the basis of a team that went to the ALCS. I don’t think you understand your own point.
That’s the most optimistic view of any franchise I’ve ever seen. Too bad that immense “talent” can’t avoid 100 loss seasons.
@Jim Carter
Yeah, because trying to compete with a subpar roster instead of stockpiling talent has worked sooo well for teams like the Rockies.
I mean, they’re avoiding 100+ loses AND the best draft picks. Do you honestly think the Orioles are better off doing that?
What does a discussion of top minor league talent have to do with the Major League roster doing without those players at the top level yet?
They’ll have to spend money regardless of how many young bucks they have. Everyone does, but Baltimore hasn’t in what seems like forever. Although, I do remember back in the 90’s Baltimore spent. Obviously, it’s not what it was then, with contracts being ridiculous nowadays, but I remember them outbidding everyone for guys like Palmiero, etc. But that’s the last time they were on or near the top of the AL East.
Really. Lets not forget 2014 when they ran away with the AL East. Please do some research before you comment next time. Thank you.
@dsett — the Orioles are certainly capable of spending money and have recently. They were rolling with a $170M payroll in 2017/18. They’ve spent less as they rebuild but let’s not act like they can’t or won’t.
dsett7517 hours ago
They’ll have to spend money regardless of how many young bucks they have. Everyone does, but Baltimore hasn’t in what seems like forever.
=========================================
By “forever”, that means all the way back to 2018, when they spent ~ $150M? Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t consider 3 seasons ago “forever”.
And as others have said, sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to spend. They’ve averaged 53 pro-rated wins over the past four years. If you could’ve traded your farm for Trout, maybe you’re up to 60 wins. If you signed Moose & Castellanos, like Cincy did, you’re up to 65 wins.
The only way for a small market team to contend is by occasionally taking a blow-torch to the joint.
Ya, I totally forgot about that & I shouldn’t have cuz Baltimore beat my Tigers in the playoffs one of those years when Detroit had 4 recent Cy Young winners too.
Hunter Harvey, Dylan Bundy, & Kevin Gausman had tons of talent too. Those teams still never made it far. Baltimore needs a new owner.
@metsfan — never made it far? They won more games from 2012-2016 than any other team in the American League, made the playoffs three times and the ALCS. No, they didn’t win the WS in that span. Neither has the Mets. That 2014 team was the best in baseball, and with a healthy Manny Machado and Matt Weiters, as well as Chris Davis (before his precipitous decline) the result of that ALCS is different.
They still have to compete with the rest of the AL east. Good luck to them
I’m aware a lot of team have been burned by the so called cuban prospects lately, but this guy is closer to a finished product than any of recent signings and he has legitimately being the best hitter in Cuba the last few years. How did they sign him for just 650k?
Given his numbers and experience in the Serie? Yes, he is.
They told ya. Everyone’s Pool money was just about gone. He signed late cuz he just defected last May & MLB just made him eligible to sign recently.
Everyone had already spent their 2021 pool $$ by the time he was declared a FA in November and most clubs had obligated their entire 2022 pools by then in handshake deals. Rather than wait an entire extra year not playing baseball, for the 2023 signing period for which most clubs have probably already obligated funds, Prieto took the best deal available from the O’s who because they are still new to the game, probably didn’t have their entire pool spoken for or at least had more wiggle room than most clubs.
Frankly the stars aligned for Baltimore to be the last club still waiting in the lobby when a player like Prieto rolled in. Likely this is the last mention we hear of this but it will be super interesting if this circumstance resurfaces if Prieto defies expectations to become a starting caliber or better player. I’ll be even more intrigued if Baltimore gets painted as a villain for committing highway robbery to sign such a gifted player for so cheap which would be irony at its finest.
Hmm didn’t we just win the division 7 or so years ago…n go too the playoffs 3 times In a 4 or 5 year span? Lol and the Os have spent years ago..not in the last few years but 7 or 9 years ago we did they did
Just 7 years ago?
“I started out on cleanup just like you guys. But see, now I’m doing lettuce. Next will be fries. In two years or so I make assistant manager, and that’s when the big bucks start rolling in…”
Why didn’t the White Sox sign this guy?
22-year-old Cuban. That’s the White Sox specialty.. Can play 2B. The Sox biggest roster weakness.. Could contribute in 2022. Chicago’s “window of contention” is now.
They must have committed too much of their intl money and didn’t have enough left to outbid Baltimore.
They signed the 23 year old Cuban, Colas.
I’m sure the White Sox were tapped out to not have $500K of their pool left to bid in the ballpark of what the O’s could offer. I imagine he would have went to Chicago if they put up a competitive offer as signing a fellow countryman in Colas would likely be a strong bargaining chip for a Cuban player who has a unique challenge internationally that other countries don’t.
The Orioles also start with more bonus money than the Sox do anyway by virtue of their small market status and Comp Rd B pick from this past year.
Cuban talent keeps on leaving the island!
Interesting to see what he got in 2022!
He is a welcomed addition to the best farm team in the AL east. The future continues to look bright for the Orioles.
Likely he’s a high floor/ low ceiling guy who maxes out at a 3rd division regular. But if his hit tool is able to match Madrigals than that’s one hell of a guy to have in the 9 hole or even lead off spot at times for a contender.
International players don’t usually have MLB utility infielder floors and his signing bonus is equivalent to a late third round pick, around 90th overall. Suffice to say I think his value & floor relative to his bonus is a huge win for the Birds.
Yawn. The Orioles slogan should be “Not Next Year, Either”.
Your lame attempts at snarky humor are far more yawn-inducing than any baseball team, O’s included.
If the Cuban pro league talent is equivalent to say the SEC, then Prieto would have been a top 25 pick in the draft for sure, especially with those insanely low strikeout numbers.
I could see 4th place this season.
I don’t think anyone has much of an idea of how his game would translate over to MLB. Maybe the guy hits .260 but he can walk. The Orioles could use a guy with a .340 to .350 OBP even if he doesn’t hit for power. And who else can the Orioles put out there at 2B?
Although I remember the Cesar Izturis disappointment and when I read the profile that’s who Prieto reminded me of, hoping Prieto isn’t that. Right now even Izturis-level productivity would be an upgrade over anyone else they can put out there….though this still smacks of the Orioles trying to get lucky and not spend money to put a MLB caliber player out there.
Ramon Urias can play 2B. I can’t believe he isn’t the full time option.
He can hit the baseball. Unless the O’s plan on starting him at SS. (Which he obviously can’t play on a good team) he should get the reps
It’s a comp for a different bigger body type but the Indians brought over 22 year old Yandy Diaz in 2014. Unlike Prieto he hadn’t played much in Cuba recently due to his running a foul of the authorities over his escape attempts from the island. But after a year in the Carolina league his offense looked just about MLB ready one year later. He was cheap, 300 K I think. If the Indians hadn’t had Jose Ramirez getting ready for 3B on a team with post season aspirations, Yandy would have been the man. He kept hitting .300 with over.400 obp in AA-AAA. Prieto looks like the same kind of disciplined hitter. Good pick up by the Birds. (And I wish we had kept Yandy!)
They just drafted Connor Norby and paid home north of $1.5 million sign on….what are they thinking?