TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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

Egor Demin

Won't Play Versus Denver
Cam Thomas

Resting on Thursday Night
Aaron Judge

Appears to be Past his Elbow Issues
Bo Nix

Expected to Resume Training in 4-6 Weeks
Dan Vladar

Returns to Flyers Crease
Denton Mateychuk

Back in Action Wednesday
Stephen Halliday

Unavailable Versus Avalanche
Ross Colton

Won't Play Wednesday
Devon Toews

Still Out Wednesday
Simon Holmstrom

Expected to Return Wednesday
Ryan Pulock

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Michael Penix Jr.

Thinks he'll be Ready by April
Evan Carter

Establishes a Goal to Steal 30 Bases
Edouard Julien

Traded to the Rockies
Cleveland Browns

Browns Hiring Todd Monken as Next Head Coach
Jack St. Ivany

to Miss Up to Eight Weeks After Surgery
Cody Glass

Exits Early Tuesday Night
Anton Lundell

Expected to Be Available Thursday
Jordan Kyrou

Jake Neighbours Knocked Out of the Lineup Tuesday
Elias Lindholm

Hurt in Tuesday's Win
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Exits With Injury Tuesday
Ondrej Palat

Devils Send Ondrej Palat to the Islanders
Collin Murray-Boyles

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday's Game
Jock Landale

Available for Wednesday's Tilt
Kel'el Ware

in Danger of Missing Another Game
Sahith Theegala

Off to Much Better 2026 Start
Davion Mitchell

Iffy for Wednesday
Gary Woodland

an Intriguing Option at Torrey Pines This Week
Norman Powell

Questionable Wednesday
Tyler Herro

Remains Out Wednesday
CJ Abrams

Giants Offer "Aggressive Pitch" for CJ Abrams
Andrew Putnam

Hopes to Keep Momentum Rolling This Week
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Matthieu Pavon

Seeks to Return to 2024 Form at Torrey Pines
Luke List

Still Looking For Birdies at Torrey Pines
Jake Knapp

Faces Stiff Challenge at Farmers Insurance Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Needs to Play Better at Torrey Pines
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Could Struggle at Farmers Insurance Open
J.J. Spaun

A Steady Option At Farmers Insurance Open
Andrew Novak

Looking For More Success At Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy

A Wild Card At Farmers Insurance Open
Max Homa

Looks To Keep Resurgence Going At Torrey Pines
Joe Highsmith

Struggling Heading Into Torrey Pines
Wyndham Clark

Looks To Carry Momentum Into Farmers Insurance Open
Tony Finau

Aims To Turn Things Around At Torrey Pines
Darius Garland

Won't Be Available Wednesday
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Bounce Back at Torrey Pines
Franz Wagner

Won't Play Wednesday
Draymond Green

Expected to Return Wednesday
Kawhi Leonard

Available Against Jazz
Jordan Goodwin

Starts Against Nets
Peyton Watson

Back for Nuggets Tuesday
Paul Goldschmidt

Yankees Expressing Interest in Re-Signing Paul Goldschmidt
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Ready to Rock Tuesday Night
Jamal Murray

Active Versus Pistons
Bo Bichette

Won't Play in World Baseball Classic
Aaron Wiggins

Moves to Starting Lineup Tuesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bobby Portis Replaces Giannis Antetokounmpo in Starting Unit
Joel Embiid

Ready to Take on Bucks
Paul George

Returns to Action Tuesday
NFL

Bill Belichick Won't be First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Leo Carlsson

to Miss Olympics
Alex Turcotte

Unavailable Tuesday
Carlos Correa

Won't Play for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Dylan Holloway

Remains Out Tuesday
Marco Rossi

to Return After Olympics
Thatcher Demko

Won't Return This Season
Sam Malinski

Inks Four-Year Extension With Avalanche
Bryan Rust

Slapped With Three-Game Suspension
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Continue Incredible Run at Torrey Pines
Jason Day

has a Good Chance to Keep Momentum This Weekend
Keegan Bradley

has Good Course History at Torrey Pines
Billy Horschel

Isn't a Great DFS Option at Torrey Pines
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return
Will Zalatoris

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Farmers Insurance Open
Drake Maye

Expected to be Fine for Super Bowl
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Brian Daboll as New Offensive Coordinator
Buffalo Bills

Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach
CFB

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Signs with Michigan
CFB

Darian Mensah Reaches Settlement with Duke, Expected to Land at Miami
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Not Drawing Interest on Open Market?
Shedeur Sanders

Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
Framber Valdez

Among Many High-End Pitchers on Free-Agent Market
Jose Altuve

Won't Participate in World Baseball Classic
Harrison Bader

Agrees With Giants on Two-Year Deal
Paddy Pimblett

Drops Decision
Justin Gaethje

Becomes the New Interim-Lightweight Champion
Song Yadong

Suffers Unanimous Decision Loss
MMA

Sean O'Malley Gets Back In The Win Column
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Extends His Win Streak
Derrick Lewis

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
Nathan Eovaldi

Doesn't Expect Any Limitations in Spring Training
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win
Matthew Stafford

Plans to Return in 2026
CFB

Arthur Smith to Become Ohio State's Offensive Coordinator
Bo Nix

Sidelined for 12 Weeks With Broken Ankle
Jose Altuve

to Mainly Play Second Base
Yu Darvish

Considering Retirement
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Finalizing Deal to Make Mike McCarthy Their Head Coach
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Signs Seven-Year Extension With Guardians
Gunnar Henderson

is Fully Healthy Heading into Spring Training
Tyreek Hill

Dolphins Expected to Release Tyreek Hill
Paddy Pimblett

Set For Interim Lightweight Title Fight
Justin Gaethje

An Underdog At UFC 324
Song Yadong

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Sean O'Malley Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Derrick Lewis

Returns At UFC 324
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Philip Rivers

Interviewing for Bills Head-Coaching Job
NFL

Fernando Mendoza Officially Declares for NFL Draft
CFB

Arch Manning Undergoes Foot Surgery
Dalton Kincaid

Played Through Torn PCL
CFB

College Football Playoff Expected to Remain a 12-Team Field in 2026

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP