Baseball season, believe it or not, is right around the corner. Free agency is in full swing and Spring Training is just right around the corner. With that said, over the next few weeks, I will be writing about prospects and previewing the best each team has to offer in 2020.
I plan on starting with the AL East and working my way from the bottom of the standings to the top. I will focus mainly on prospects that have a chance of helping you in fantasy in 2020.
Any feedback is welcome, and you can follow me on Twitter @DraftHouseNow.
Austin Hays (CF)
He got some run in the big leagues at the end of 2019. Hays performed well in his short stint with the big club slashing .309/.373/.574 in 21 games with the Orioles. Hays started 2019 in AA slashing .268/.328/.518 in 14 games and .254/.304/.454 in 59 games at AAA. Hays struggled to start 2019, but started to heat up which eventually led to his call up. Hays should start 2020 with the big club and should bat in the top 6 to have his chance to prove he is worth every day playing time.
Adley Rutschman (C)
He’s the best prospect in the Orioles system and could be the best catcher prospect the MLB has ever seen. Rutschman was drafted #1 in the 2019 MLB draft and had 155 PA across three levels, rookie, Low-A, and A. Rutschman slashed .254/.351/.423 across those three stops. Some experts think that Rutschman could reach the MLB as soon as 2020. I will believe it when I see it and the earliest, I would expect to see him is September 2020 with much more likely scenario being 2021. He is a guy to watch if he gets an invite to Baltimore’s spring training and early in the year. If he proves that he can dominate the lower levels the Orioles may push him through the farm system quickly.
Ryan Mountcastle (3B/SS)
He was added to the Baltimore 40-man roster on 11/20/2019 protecting him from the Rule 5 draft and is a good bet to be in the opening day lineup. Mountcastle has a plus average bat but is below average in the field and has had a tough time finding a position. In 2019 Mountcastle played 84 games at 1B and 26 at LF in AAA. Mountcastle’s slash line was .312/.344.527. If Mountcastle can show more power, then he will be a useful fantasy asset, but he could be just an average guy with around 15 HR. That will not be useful as fantasy 1B or even OF unless you are in average leagues and need someone late to help boost overall team average.
Grayson Rodriguez (SP)
He’s a very exciting young pitching prospect listed at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. 2019 at A ball in 94 IP 2.68 ERA with 129 Ks and only 36 BB. This resulted in 12.35 K/9 3.58 BB/9 and only a 0.99 WHIP. Most likely we will not see Rodriguez until 2021 and is tough to trust Baltimore with pitching prospects (see Dylan Bundy) but Rodriguez is proving to be dominant at the lower levels.
DL Hall (SP)
He’s another young SP in the Orioles origination that has loads of potential. Hall does have some concern with walks but also has the strikeout numbers that get people excited. 2019 at A+ in 80.2 IP 3.46 ERA with 116 Ks and 54 BB. Hall, like Rodriguez, will most likely not be in the majors in 2020 but look to 2021 as a potential arrival to the MLB.
Additional Names to Watch In 2020
- Dean Kremer – (SP) – Kremer led the minors in Ks in 2018 and posted a solid 2019 with 87 Ks and 27 BB in 84 IP.
- Yusniel Diaz (OF) – Diaz was included in the Machado trade, has power upside, and slashed .262/.335/.472 in AA
- Hunter Harvey (SP) – Harvey’s fastball touches 100 MPH and could be best suited for the bullpen.
- Michael Baumann (SP) – Bauman started 22 games between A and AA posting a 2.31 ERA, 65 Ks, and 21 BB in 70 IP at AA.