The Orioles – the surprise of the 2022 season – have some decisions to make about their September roster. The biggest decisions center on top prospects Grayson Rodriguez, DL Hall, and Gunnar Henderson, the 56th, 4th, and top-ranked prospects in the game, per Baseball America.
Hall and Henderson are under consideration to join the big league club when the rosters expand, and perhaps sooner, so says General Manager Mike Elias, tweets Nathan Ruiz of the Baltimore Sun. The plan has been for Hall to win the right to join the bullpen in September when rosters expand, but the evaluation process is dynamic, and nothing is guaranteed for the southpaw, who made his debut earlier this season. (It’s worth noting that, regardless of what happens this year, the plan remains for Hall to join the rotation next year.)
Fans are certainly eager to see this cluster of high-ceiling prospects in action, but they can put at least a modicum of trust in the process, as compared to seasons past. With the new CBA, the Orioles are freed from some of the service time concerns that have hampered clubs’ decision-making under the prior collective bargaining agreement. With less than 45 service days remaining in the season, Baltimore has no service reasons to keep Henderson or Hall in the minors any longer, notes The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. If they feel the pair can help the big league club as they make a push for the playoffs, we should see them soon.
For Rodriguez, the issue is more a question of health than MLB readiness. He has yet to begin a rehab assignment as he recovers from a lat injury. Per Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com, Elias said, “I’m almost positive that we’re going to see him in real game action before the season’s over. As with any rehab assignment, we’ll start him in the lower minors and then we’ll get him back, hopefully, to the level in which he got injured, and we’ll take it from there.”
Of course, Elias has more to think about than just the individual development of each of these high flyers. With the team unexpectantly pushing for a playoff spot, the Orioles should prioritize fielding the best team possible. Thrusting a young player into a playoff chase for a team that’s been so far from contention for so long is no small decision, however. Suddenly, the lights are bright in Baltimore. Elias must weigh the current needs of the team against the developmental hurdles in front of Henderson, Hall, and Rodriguez. Given the process and plan that Elias has instilled in this organization, he’s likely to want to maintain the long view, even amidst a playoff race.
For now, Orioles fans will have to content themselves with watching new face-of-the-franchise Adley Rutschman lead this team. Thus far, Rutschman has done everything promised to keep this Cinderella squad in the hunt. The 24-year-old backstop has slashed .253/.363/.442 with eight home runs across 320 plate appearances. Those numbers are 34 percent better than average, as evidenced by a 134 wRC+, which isn’t just remarkable for a catcher, or for a rookie, but for anyone in spikes.
Maybe this will be the new normal for Baltimore, but especially in the AL East, where the competition will be top-shelf year after year, each opportunity for postseason play is precious. If nothing else, August/September baseball should matter in a way that Baltimore fans haven’t seen since the days of Buck Showalter, Manny Machado, and Zack Britton. If the kids come to play, all the better.
same can be said about the Pirates prospects but Nutting’s too cheap since being on the major league roster would mean an increase in pay pro rated for the remainder of the season
So you’re saying Nutting can stop the Pirates from succeeding in the future.
That’s exactly what I’m saying
Lowest payroll in all of baseball 5 of the last 6 years, while Nutting has turned a minimum profit of $35 million up to $56 million
That’s not by accident
That whooshing sound above your head is a very good pun being missed by you.
@ TheMan3### I’ll believe it when I see it too. Nutting seems more than happy to develop players and take the cash.
TheMan 3;
Please don’t confuse the point that the O’s prospects are at in their development with where the Pirates prospects are at. The bulk of the Pirates top prospects are not even in AAA. They called up 2 guys that were supposedly more advanced, and they’re awful. Cruz is their top prospect. He’s a disaster out of the batters box, and not very good in it. The only other thing he can do is throw real hard. He has no idea how to play baseball – let alone at the ML level. Played 1/3’rd of the season and has a 0.0 fWar. Jack Suwinski was up and played about 1/3’rd of a season. Slashed .198 / .288 /.428 /.716 and at least had a 1.1 fWar. I don’t know if he’s injured or they sent him back down again. Rodolfo Castro is up and while making some mistakes, looks like he might develop into something…..although having a phone falling out of his pocket when he slid into a base makes one wonder about him….understand he got a letter from the Commissioners Office on that.
Along with the Mariners the O’s have the best record in MLB since June 3. That is primarily with young players. The Pirates status has nothing at all to do with the owner and his spending habits. It might surprise you, but at this point top FA’s are not hoping Mr. Nutting opens up his wallet so they can come play in Pittsburgh. In fact, the O’s 2022 payroll is 1/3’rd LOWER than the Pirates 2022 payroll.
I understand your frustration, but give Mr. Cherington some time. No one I know of has rebuilt an entire MLB organization and their ML team in 3 years.
Pirates need to move to Charlotte ASAP to escape the endless whining of the media and “fans” in Pittsburgh,
I’d say that Pittsburgh fans have legit reason to have been complaining for a long time
Nutting will spend when the time is right. The issue is that Pittsburgh is 2-3 years behind where Baltimore is today and I’m not sure if the Pirates have the same amount of horses that Baltimore does down in the minors. They might need to make a few more deals to increase their prospect depth.
Baltimore will be spending this offseason. I’d expect them to bring in another bat and 2-3 pitchers via free agency or trade. Pittsburgh will get there as well, one day soon.
@Dorothy: yes, agreed, Nutting will spend and yes, they’re still a couple years away.
I’m an Os fan. Love what owner John Angelos did when he took over from his dad, Peter. Understanding a rebuild was in order, he gutted the front office beginning with the late 2018 hiring of Elias. A year or so later, Nutting follows suit in Pittsburgh; bringing in a new President and GM. A marked difference from what ownership in Detroit and Texas did, which was trusting existing staff with the rebuild.
Hang in there Pirates fan. Your owner has a plan. When his executives say it is time to spend, he will spend.
Kinda tough to compare… When one team is terrible and the other is not this year.
Sure. But both teams were terrible last year. That is what CYards Jeff is saying: there is a comparable projectable trajectory for the Pirates
I’m announcing my retirement as a commenter on this site effective immediately. I came aboard as “clownshow” and recently changed my name to what you see now. I went with clownshow when I couldn’t get the name I wanted. I thought it was a good fit in amongst the clows around here so I went with it. I’m moving away from social media.I can’t take it anymore.
What does your post mean?
It means he’s done and will be lucky to get a spring training invite on a minor league deal.
It means he is changing his user name once again. I believe A$$ Clown might be available…
Holy hell Dorothy, comment of the year! I’m still laughing
This from a guy who calls himself Dorothy. Loser. MIC DROP!
I’m dying!!! Thank you for the lols
Sure thing a$$ clown. I can’t stop laughing! Mic drop?? You just made this beyond hilarious, noogietuck.
Out of curiosity, what account name did you want?
This is MLB Trade Rumors, not an airport, no need to announce your departure.
No need to announce it at an airport, either
That was clever.
We will miss you, similar to how one misses hemorrhoids when they are surgically removed.
Hall should come up and strengthen the bullpen. It’s been taxed quite a lot this year and wouldn’t wanna see that strength fade in September.
The issue with Hall is that he walks far too many batters. He’s walked 48 batters in 82 minor league innings this season. Even with his massive strikeout rates, that is far too many if this trend carries over to the majors. Plus he is giving up a little over one HR per 9 innings in AAA as well. That’s a bad combination for a major league reliever.
The O’s MLB staff in particular this season has had success with pitchers with less than stellar career walk rates blossoming in the pen (Perez, Bautista). I do think that on talent alone Hall will be a solid pen addition and if he’s anywhere near the zone hitters won’t enjoy their at bat.
Very few teams have ever been in this spot where they’re in a playoff hunt down the stretch with multiple elite prospects banging on the MLB door. Adding Westburg, O’s have 4 top 100 types at AAA. Makes for a fascinating September for sure.
Dorothy_Mantooth;
Perhaps the O’s can find out what the Phillies did with Jose Alvarado – another hard throwing LH pitcher that couldn’t find the plate for 3-plus years (2 with the Rays). The guy would come in and it seemed the first thing he’d do was walk a batter or two….then groove some pitches.
The Phillies sent him back to the minors early this year and I thought that was the last of him. But from the time he was recalled the man has had amazing control and consequently been lights out. Was called in to pitch last night in the 7th inning with the Pirates closing fast, one out 2 on. Threw 2 pitches – got a double play. The turning point of the game.
I’d suggest that the O’s FO and coaching staff knows about Mr. Hall’s control issues. I’ll go out on a limb and presume that a number of people will be working with him in ST, early in the 2023 season, and possibly even this winter. And if he doesn’t improve he won’t be on the O’s roster for long in 2023.
P.S. Last night Cionel Perez pitched in the 9th inning of a close game and got his 19th Hold against the Astros. A hard throwing LH pitcher that the Astros tried to unlock for 3 years and couldn’t (Astros do quite well developing and fixing pitchers). He spent 2022 with the Reds. Excellent pitching coach, but he couldn’t do much with Cionel. O’s claimed him off waivers in November. You might want to take a moment and check out his stats in 2022. O’s are extremely good working with pitchers.
Look at Felix Bautista’s minor league walk rates and compare them to what he has done this season. It gives me hope that Hall can have the same level of success.
Rodriguez has been much more impressive this year (and perhaps career to date) than DL Hall has been. He has definitely earned his shot in the majors; I just hope he can bounce back in time to give them some quality innings down the stretch run. A 2023 rotation with Henderson, Means and Hall in it should propel the Orioles into true contenders next year and if Henderson can also contribute at 3B or SS, even better. The future is bright in Baltimore for sure. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them lock up Rutschman to one of these massive, early career extensions this offseason. The kid is the real deal.
I agree that GrayRod is the better prospect. However, he has had injury concerns that might make me hold off on bringing him up, especially during a pennant race, until next season.
@rememberthecoop: Love “GrayRod” moniker. Strong, very strong. Has staying power in my book. Cheers!
We appreciate your concern while you make roster decisions for the Orioles.
I can see the trepidation with GRod (injury) and Hall (not a lock to upgrade the staff) but what the heck are they waiting for on Gunnar? Is he hurt? This is like NY keeping Peraza at AAA on steroids.
In a recent funk at the plate from what I recall.
Bring up Gunnar immediately!
as evidenced by a 134 wRC+, which isn’t just remarkable for a catcher, or for a rookie, but for anyone in spikes.
Wow, all this love these days….
Lefty_Orioles_Fan;
That’s nice. But the O’s took off shortly after Adley Rutschman was called up. It took him 10-14 days to bond and get in tune with the individual pitchers. How he’s handled that pitching staff, called games, and played incredible D is what did it – more than his hitting.
From what I’m hearing young Mr. Rutschman is now seen by most scouts as the #2 best all-around Catcher in MLB behind J.T. Realmuto….and he’s closing fast. What he’s doing as a rookie is pretty much unheard of…..in doing it as a Catcher we might have to go past Buster Posey and back to Johnny Bench.
Well truth be told, he seems like a super nice person and very talented, Usually the two don’t go together.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan;
He’s the anti recent attention-grabbing hotdogs showboats that MLB fans have been subjected to in the last 5 or so years. This young man is all about doing what he can to join with his teammates to win. He’ll become a REAL superstar – one that leads his team to success for years to come.
…or he won’t. Look, I agree that everything seems to be in place for Adley to be a superstar in this league. I’m just leaving room because you never truly know what unknowns there are, or what misfortune could befall the young man. But I’d love to see him reach his full potential, not because I’m an O’s fan (I’m not), but because baseball.
You could respond with this same “Oh no, injuries, failures and catastrophies might befall him” every single time a rising star is mentioned.
Or not, since that would get tedious really quickly.
@Lefty_Os_Fan & Samuel: Adley for President 2024! Only half kidding. A winner with humble attitude to go with his skill sets; both offensively and defensively.
All said; one thing that does concern me is his “good eye” at the plate. Wish he’d take some more hacks. Does he walk too much? Yes? No? Maybe?
He’s making up for all the walks the entire rest of the roster aren’t getting.. Is he walking too much, that’s ridiculous. Be selective, wait for your pitch, make the pitcher work and throw more pitches, GET ON BASE.
Too many of the young players the Orioles bring up especially have no clue at the plate and just swing at everything and strike out a ton. That’s what’s ruining Mountcastle and why I knew in the majors he wouldn’t be a great hitter. He could be, if he ever learned what Buck Showalter tried to tell him years ago when everyone was goo goo over his rookie minor league season. Here’s literally how the conversation went.
Buck: “The strikeouts….they’re a problem.”
Ryan: *laughs*
Buck: “No really, they are a problem, you need to work on that.”
Of course he didn’t and since he mashed homers in the minros, even though he can’t play defense anywhere, he gets called up.
I can hear it now, “But he hit for a high average in the minors…” Yeah, with an insanely high BABIP that wouldn’t be sustained in the majors, combined with all the strikeouts, you got yourself a .250 20-25HR guy that maybe peaks around 30ish on a good year.
@no politics; I miss Buck. Next to Earl, my fav skipper. And definitely, I can see that convo happening with Ryan M. LOL
In regards to Adley, batting in 2nd slot, true, his walk rate not “ridiculous”. But hitting 3, 4 or 5, another story…wood on ball there, wood on ball! Do the Os picture him hitting, err walking, in the 2 hole for his career? I hope not. Cheers.
I think it is good for him to be selective while he’s figuring out the league and the pitchers. I think he could adjust his approach as he’s moved in the order. I don’t know what kind of overall hitter he’s going to be. I am thinking solid overall, but not superstar level. Decent average, good OBP, with a lot of doubles and maybe teens in the HR department. Combined with his catching skills, that’s a great catcher.
Gunnar should be up to replace Odor immediately. Let Urias and Vavra split time at 2nd while Henderson mans 3rd. Once Grod is cleared bring him up to pitch out of the pen. Leave Hall to reach his innings in AAA and let him compete for a spot next season.
A wet newspaper could replace Odor.
I like Odor, he provides good leadership and really like his defense, his bat is strange, so hot and cold. But i like him
Hyde should be Manager of the Year
Or he’s just penciling in the names that Elias has given him. It’s just so hard to know how much impact a manager has on a squad like this. Either way, as a Cubs fan, I’d love to have the both of them back. They were each working in the Cubs org before they went to Baltimore.
Mark Elias worked for the Cubs?
Brandon Hyde just does what he’s told?
Do you watch any O’s games? Do you have a idea of how hard that team plays each and every game….and has for years.
How far is Heston Kjerstad I wonder?
2024. Medical set him back.
Bright futures in Balt, TB and Tor.
Humorous comments here.