👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Baltimore Orioles Top MLB Prospects for 2018 Dynasty Leagues

Howdy fellow RotoBallers! Fresh off the release of the final dynasty positional rankings list, I am publishing my rankings for each individual team in baseball, starting with the American League East.

Instead of giving full briefs of each prospect, I will just give the prospects' superlatives and then issue smaller descriptions for each player in the top 10.

The first prospect list I am going to go over will be the Baltimore Orioles, followed by the rest of the American League East. To read more about my prospect coverage, click here.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball draft tools and resources:

 

Baltimore Orioles Top Prospects for Dynasty Leagues

Top Overall Talent: Austin Hays

Top Prospect to Debut in 2018: Austin Hays

No one believed Hays would be the first prospect drafted in the 2016 class to reach the majors. He made a meteoric rise through the minors, crushing Advanced Class-A pitching before being promoting to Double-A and then eventually the majors. He mashed 33 home runs between the three levels and hit .297 along the way. His walk rate was below 5 percent, but also ran a sub-20 percent strikeout rate. His tools don’t jump off the page, but he makes consistent contact and has shown an ability to drive the ball for power. He might begin 2018 at Triple-A, but should not take long until he is back in the majors for good.

Top Prospect who won’t debut in 2018: D.L. Hall

The Orioles’ first-round pick in the 2017 draft, Hall threw only 10.1 innings at Rookie ball, and it went poorly. He struck out 12, but walked 10 and gave up 10 hits. But that should not be too indicative of how he is expected to pitch moving forward. Hall has a low-90s fastball that should gain some velocity as he develops and a hard curveball that is an above-average pitch already. He still has work to do with his control and changeup, but those are both issues typical of younger pitchers and Hall is still only 19 years old. He still has plenty of time to develop into a No. 3 pitcher and could be a reliable arm for dynasty owners.

Biggest Boom or Bust: Hunter Harvey

No one has ever denied the talent Harvey possesses in his right arm. He has an outstanding fastball/curveball combination, an improving changeup and controls his pitches well. He has all the makings of a front-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Except health. That he lacks. Since the end of the 2014 season in which he threw a career-high 87.2 innings, Harvey has thrown just 31.1 innings. He dealt with an elbow strain, had Tommy John surgery and then focused 2017 more on strength and conditioning than actual pitching. If he can return to the mound, he has the stuff to make quick work of the minors and reach the big leagues shortly. But at this point, counting on him to stay healthy is anything but a safe bet.

Biggest Sleeper: D.J. Stewart

Stewart was hyped up for a while when he was selected 25th overall in the 2015 draft, but failed to produce much in 2016, dimming his shine. But in his age-23 season at Double-A, he put together his best season yet, slashing .278/.378/.481 with 21 home runs and 20 stolen bases with just a 16.1 percent strikeout rate and 12 percent walk rate. That campaign did a lot to ease the minds of many who owned Stewart and were worried about his falling stock. Many other owners have jumped ship, but the tools are still there for Stewart to be a regular in the majors with some power and speed.

 

Top Prospect Hitters

Best Power Hitter: Austin Hays

Most Likely to Hit over .300: Austin Hays

As discussed earlier, Hays has shown he can do a little bit of everything at the plate. He does not walk as much as dynasty owners would like to see, but he makes up for it by consistently driving the ball with authority and should make enough contact to hit for a high average. Hays hits for plenty of power and appears to have a floor of 15 home runs per season with the chance to hit upwards of 25-30. He is not a typical No. 3 or 4 hitter, but instead could be a No. 2 hitter in front of a potent lineup.

Best Burner on the Bases: Cedric Mullins

The Orioles have several potent power bats, but not many speedsters. Mullins does classify as a burner, but he would probably not be in many other systems. He swiped 30 bags in 2016 at Class-A, but just nine in 2017 at Double-A. His speed grades out as above-average by scouts and he should be able to be at least a 15-base stealer when he reaches the majors. Mullins also comes with a little bit of pop and the ability to make enough contact to stay atop a big-league lineup in the future. He is not an 80-grade or even 70-grade burner, but owners of Mullins will be able to profit from a handful of stolen bases from him if he reaches the majors.

 

Top Prospect Pitchers

Strikeout Machine: Tanner Scott

Anytime a pitcher has a strikeout rate above 10 batters per nine innings, the label of “strikeout machine” would seem about accurate. Scott has on a regular basis torn through batters with ease, using his upper-90s fastball to blow right past hitters. The southpaw lacks a dominant offspeed pitch, however, and his control is downright terrible. He has never walked fewer than 10 percent of batters faced in a season. Scott will miss plenty of bats, but those two issues will almost certainly relegate him to the bullpen.

Best Command: Alex Wells

Remember when I said Scott walks more than 10 percent of batters faced? Wells does not. In 140 innings pitched at Class-A in 2017, Wells walked just 10 batters, good for a 1.8 percent walk rate. He did this while striking out 20.6 percent of opposing hitters, a solid rate for a control specialist. Wells only has one pitch that is considered much more than above-average — his changeup — and does not overwhelm batters. His fastball sits only in the upper-80s/low-90s, and that will limit his upside. But if he continues to show an ability to locate extremely well with his pitches, he could reach a big-league rotation.

 

Top 10 Dynasty Prospects for the Baltimore Orioles

1. Austin Hays (OF, MLB)
ETA: 2018
With the ability to make consistent contact and hit with power, Hays has the chance to be an electric, middle-of-the-order contributor for dynasty owners.

2. Ryan Mountcastle (SS/3B/OF, AA)
ETA: 2018
Left field might be Mountcastle’s future home, but his bat will play anywhere. His offensive output might be just a step below Hays with just a tad more risk due to a lack of walks.

3. Chance Sisco (C, MLB)
ETA: 2018
Contact-first catcher who is expected to start behind the dish in 2018, Sisco is valuable as a catcher due to high floor as a hitter. But a move off the position (especially to first base) tanks his value.

4. Cedric Mullins (OF, AA)
ETA: 2018
Under-sized speedster could be a 10/20 hitter or better at the top of the Orioles’ lineup if he can stay healthy.

5. Anthony Santander (OF, AA)
ETA: 2019
Powerful bat could be a 25-plus home run hitter annually, but will need to rely on bat to push him through the minors due to poor defense.

6. Hunter Harvey (SP, A)
ETA: 2019
Upside remains high with Harvey, but time is ticking as he approaches mid-20s and health still has not come for the talented starter.

7. D.L. Hall (SP, R)
ETA: 2021
Hall has the makings of a future No. 2 or 3 starting pitcher, but at age 19, he still has a long ways to go before he’s ready.

8. Adam Hall (SS, R)
ETA: 2021
Shortstop still has room to grow in 6-foot frame and develop into top-of-the-order speedster with 10/25 upside.

9. Jomar Reyes (1B/3B, A+)
ETA: 2019
Defensive issues and lack of power development have dimmed the shine of Reyes, but he could still develop into an above-average regular for dynasty owners.

10. Tanner Scott (SP/RP, MLB)
ETA: 2018
Explosive starter could be a strikeout machine if he ever learned how to control his arsenal, but Scott appears destined for the bullpen.

 

Conclusion

Baltimore’s farm system is about as strong now as it has been in many years. It has two of the best bats in the minors as well as a top 10 catching prospect. Dynasty owners will find better organizations for arms with each of the best pitchers in this system coming with some sort of risk (age, injuries, bullpen, etc.). The Orioles might lose each of its top four prospects to graduation by the end of the year. But with the 11th overall pick in the draft, they have a chance to further re-stock their system if they do well in the draft again.

 

More 2018 Dynasty Baseball Strategy




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jason Day

Looks to Keep Long-Running Success Going at Pebble Beach
Hunter Strickland

Re-Signs With Angels on Minors Deal
Pierceson Coody

to Keep Good Form Going at First Career Pebble Beach Appearance
Colin Rea

on the Outside Looking in for Rotation Spot
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Will be Slow-Played in Spring Training
Chase Dollander

Makes Tweaks Entering Second Season
Sam Burns

Needs a Good Showing at Pebble Beach to Shift Fleeting Momentum
Junior Caminero

Reportedly Trims Down, Appears in Great Shape
Daylen Lile

Nestling Into Large Role for 2026
Sandy Alcantara

Fantasy Managers Looking for Sandy Alcantara to Return to Ace Form
Colson Montgomery

Shows That His Power is Here to Stay
Salvador Perez

Continue to Show Off His Power
Sal Frelick

Continues to Offer an Impact Bat and Glove
Giancarlo Stanton

Elbow Will be Monitored in 2026
Jett Williams

to See Third Base Reps at Spring Training
Gio Urshela

Agrees to Minor-League Deal With Twins
Ben Casparius

Building Up as Starting Pitcher
Jarren Duran

Could Hit the Bench Against Lefties
Carson Benge

Mets Invite Carson Benge to Spring Training
Anthony Seigler

Heads to Boston in Trade
Ivica Zubac

Uncertain for Pacers Debut Tuesday
Andruw Monasterio

Red Sox Acquire Andruw Monasterio From Brewers
Mitchell Robinson

Won't Play on Tuesday
Jayson Tatum

Takes Part in G-League Practice
OG Anunoby

is Tagged as Questionable for Tuesday
Shane McClanahan

Expected to be Ready by Opening Day
Dyson Daniels

Sidelined Monday, CJ McCollum Enters Starting Five
Shane Drohan

Brewers Acquire Pitcher Shane Drohan From Red Sox
David Hamilton

Brewers Acquire Infielder David Hamilton From Boston
Jalen Johnson

Ruled Out Monday vs. Timberwolves
Wendell Carter Jr.

is Cleared for Monday's Game
Guerschon Yabusele

Jalen Smith Out Monday, Guerschon Yabusele to Start
Tre Jones

Josh Giddey, Tre Jones Miss Monday vs. Nets
Bennedict Mathurin

Set for Clippers Debut on Tuesday
Kenneth Walker III

Runs Away With Super Bowl MVP Honors
Johnny Furphy

Out for Remainder of Season
Franz Wagner

Good to Go Versus Bucks
Deandre Ayton

Active Against Thunder
Doug McDermott

Set to Suit Up Monday
Domantas Sabonis

Unavailable on Monday
Vinicius Oliveira

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Mario Bautista

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kyoji Horiguchi

Dominates At UFC Vegas 113
Amir Albazi

Gets Dominated At UFC Vegas 113
Rizvan Kuniev

Earns His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 113
Marc-Andre Barriault

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Gets His Third Win In A Row
Las Vegas Raiders

Klint Kubiak Confirms he Will be Next Raiders Head Coach
Jonas Rondbjerg

Out for Olympics
Brad Marchand

Good to Go for Olympic Opener
Gabriel Landeskog

Healthy for Olympics
Jack Hughes

Cleared for Olympics
Robert Williams III

Listed as Questionable vs. Philadelphia
Jaylon Tyson

Could Miss First Game Since November
Scoot Henderson

Probable Monday vs. 76ers
Cedric Coward

Set to Return Monday Against Warriors
Santi Aldama

Out Again Monday Against Warriors
Ajay Mitchell

Ruled Out Against Lakers
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Returns to Super Bowl After Injury Scare
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Being Evaluated for Concussion, Questionable to Return
James Pearce Jr.

Arrested Following Police Chase
Quinn Hughes

Enters Olympics in Red-Hot Form
NHL

Juho Lammikko Returns to Switzerland
Pavel Zacha

Misses Olympics
Travis Kelce

Undecided on Playing Future, Leaning Towards Returning in 2026?
CFB

Rutgers Hiring South Dakota Head Coach Travis Johansen as Defensive Coordinator
Vinicius Oliveira

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
Mario Bautista

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 113
Kyoji Horiguchi

Set For UFC Vegas 113 Co-Main Event
Amir Albazi

Looks To Bounce Back
Rizvan Kuniev

Looks For His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Marc-Andre Barriault

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Michael Penix Jr.

Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery
Cleveland Browns

Jim Schwartz Resigns as Browns Defensive Coordinator
Malik Nabers

Says his Rehab has Been "Phenomenal"
CFB

Oklahoma Hiring Former NFL Defensive Lineman DeShawn Williams to Analyst Role
CFB

Jahmal Edrine Charged with Sexual Assault, No Longer Enrolled at Virginia
Jakob Chychrun

Makes Big Impact in Thursday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Shuts Out Rangers With 16 Saves
Anze Kopitar

Reaches 1,300 Career Points
Mark Stone

Becomes First Vegas Player With 100 Multi-Point Games
Daniil Tarasov

Injured in Battle of Florida
Andrei Kuzmenko

Hurt Versus Vegas
John Carlson

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Matthew Stafford

Named 2025 NFL MVP, Will Return in 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Takes Home Offensive Player of the Year Honors
Christian McCaffrey

Named Comeback Player of the Year
Tetairoa McMillan

Named Offensive Rookie of the Year
Myles Garrett

Unanimously Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award
Brad Marchand

Evan Rodrigues Among Panthers Absentees Thursday
Calum Ritchie

Rejoins Islanders Lineup as Second-Line Center
Zach Benson

Sits Out Second Straight Game
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Available Against Predators
Rickard Rakell

Out Thursday
Brayden Point

Won't Play in Olympics
Jonathan Huberdeau

to Have Season-Ending Hip Surgery
CFB

Houston, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Land Top-Three QBs in 2026 Class
Joe Mixon

Committed to Playing in 2026
CFB

Michigan Signs Top-15 Recruiting Class Despite Coaching Change
CFB

USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Denied Medical Redshirt Waiver By NCAA
CFB

Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
Jordan Love

Avoids Offseason Surgery
Matt Fitzpatrick

Back in Action at WM Phoenix Open
Sahith Theegala

Riding Hot Start Into WM Phoenix Open
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Regain Form at WM Phoenix Open
Viktor Hovland

a Volatile Option at WM Phoenix Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Aims to Build on Solid Start to 2026
Brian Harman

Looks to Find Form at WM Phoenix Open
Daniel Berger

Has the Tools to Go One Step Higher at Scottsdale
Max Greyserman

Searching for Consistency at WM Phoenix Open
Jake Knapp

Wants Revenge at WM Phoenix Open
CFB

Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Joel Dahmen

Carrying Momentum Into WM Phoenix Open
Corey Conners

Unlikely to Contend at Scottsdale
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Rickie Fowler

Worth a Look at WM Phoenix Open
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF