Kyle Stowers

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #16 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: The third pick in the Orioles’ impressive 2019 draft behind Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, Stowers shared organizational player of the year honors with Rutschman in 2021 and made his major league debut in 2022. After making the Orioles out of spring training in 2023, Stowers struggled to make an impact in two stints before right shoulder inflammation shut him down for a month. Though he hit very well at Triple-A after his return, Stowers didn’t return to the majors.
  
  Scouting Report: In Triple-A, Stowers was largely the same player he had been in the past. While he might not ever be an average hitter due to elevated swing-and-miss that shows up against all pitch types, Stowers improved his swing decisions at Triple-A. Stowers remains at least a plus power hitter. He had a 55.7% hard-hit rate and an average exit velocity of 93.8 mph at Norfolk. While he boasts a plus arm that works in right field and above-average speed that gives him good range, Stowers’ defense seemed to be viewed skeptically in the majors, further limiting his opportunities.
  
  The Future: Stowers didn’t show himself as a first-division regular in the majors this year, but his power and defense could still make him a second-division outfielder or platoon player for a playoff team. Whether he gets that opportunity with the Orioles remains to be seen, though he’ll have an opportunity to compete for a job out of spring training.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 30 | Power: 65 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #9 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Stowers spent his college career searching for a balance of contact and power, and the Orioles believed in his potential for both. He used the 2020 shutdown to get stronger and shared organizational player of the year honors with top prospect Adley Rutschman in 2021 after he hit a system-high 27 home runs in his first full minor league season. Stowers spent most of 2022 at Triple-A Norfolk, where he cut down his strikeout rate while hitting for power just as consistently. He was in the big leagues for good by mid August.
  
  Scouting Report: Part of Stowers' year-over-year improvement came down to him flattening his swing a bit to help him defend against velocity at the top of the zone, and otherwise being adjustable to hit offspeed pitches as higher-level pitchers grew weary of giving him anything in his red zones. The resulting season--decreasing whiff rates with a higher slugging percentage--showed he was able to meet his goals without losing power. Stowers' power will always be his calling card as an easy plus and potentially better tool thanks to his aggressive, naturally lofted swing. He was challenged when it came to whiffs and strikeouts in the majors, and Stowers may never be more than a fringe-average hitter, but that would be enough along with continued plate discipline gains to help him access his power. Stowers' power is imperative to his future, because he can be a fringe-average center fielder but is better suited for a corner outfield spot, where he can potentially be solid-average with a plus arm and above-average speed.
  
  The Future: Stowers' power potential and all the drawbacks that come with it make him a high-ceiling proposition, but his progress makes it possible he becomes a first-division regular.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 65. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #7 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Signed for $884,200 thanks to his power potential and high average exit velocities at Stanford, Stowers was a short-season New York-Penn League all-star after debuting in 2019 but was left out of the team’s alternate training site in 2020. He spent the year getting stronger and in 2021 led Orioles minor leaguers with 27 home runs over three levels. He shared the Brooks Robinson player of the year award with top prospect Adley Rutschman as he climbed from High-A Aberdeen to Triple-A Norfolk in his first full year.
  
  Scouting Report: Stowers is a picture of controlled violence in his swing. He takes big hacks but rarely seems to over swing. He has natural loft in his swing, which allows him to display his plus-plus raw power on balls down. He’s working on more consistently closing holes up in the zone, but has the ability to drive elevated pitches as well. Even with that development point, his 2021 season was defined by elite hard contact and barrel rates. Stowers has the typical swing-and-miss concerns of a big swinger, but it’s less to do with chase than whiffing in the zone and missing mistakes. Correcting that would make him an even tougher out. Drafted as a center fielder, Stowers could still play there in a pinch, but his bat will play in right field, where he boasts a plus arm and above-average speed as well.
  
  The Future: Even after a successful full-season debut, Stowers’ assignment to the Arizona Fall League shows how quickly the Orioles want to get him to the majors. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter and could be in the majors in 2022 after finishing his development at Triple-A Norfolk.
  
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #27 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: A glut of prospect outfielders didn't stop the Orioles from loading up on more early in the 2019 draft, led by Stowers in the supplemental second round. He signed for a $884,200 bonus and was a New York-Penn League all-star with shortseason Aberdeen in his professional debut, but didn't get any organized action in 2020 until instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Stowers boasted some of the highest average exit velocities among college hitters in 2019. He will show plus power with a nice swing when he gets the barrel to the ball, but he swings and misses too much to be more than an .240-.250 hitter, at best. He has the athleticism and reads to cover in center field in a pinch, but he's likely better suited for right field long term.
  
  THE FUTURE: Stowers has the pieces to be an everyday right fielder if he can make enough contact to consistently tap into his power. There are significant questions whether he will be able to do so.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #18 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Stowers signed for $884,200 on the strength of a few powerful seasons at Stanford. His professional debut at short-season Aberdeen earned him an all-star nod.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Premium lefthanded power potential drew the Orioles to Stowers, though it's accompanied by the inevitable swing-and-miss concerns and questions about the hit tool that often come with such raw power. The way he slashed his strikeout rate as a junior gives the team hope there's more of that to come. When he puts the ball in play, it's consistent hard contact that rated in the top 5 percent of college hitters in terms of exit velocity. Even an average hit tool, with that kind of power, will make for a premium corner bat, with the ability to fill in with average center field defense.
  
  THE FUTURE: Stowers has the type of bat and draft pedigree to grow into one of the top-flight bats in the organization and push for an everyday spot as an average regular, should the strikeouts stay down. A full-season assignment to low Class A Delmarva should begin his journey in 2020.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #102 prospect in 2019 draft
  Stowers emerged as one of the top power threats in Stanford's lineup in 2018, and he further increased his draft stock last summer with a strong performance in the Cape Cod League. While there, Stowers ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the league and hit .326/.361/.565 with six home runs--although he did have 34 strikeouts (22.97 percent strikeout rate) to just seven walks (4.73 percent walk rate) in 34 games. Stowers generates good bat speed from a narrow stance, with a simple, lefthanded swing that starts with a low handset. Some scouts think Stowers gets too pull-oriented at times, which leads to more strikeouts, but he has significantly cut his strikeout rate this spring after whiffing 20.42 percent of the time in 2018. Stowers struggled early in the season, and many scouts thought he was pressing too much during his draft year. Through February and March, Stowers hit .254 (15-for-59) with just one home run. But through his first 28 games of April and May, Stowers performed much better, hitting .324 (35-for-108) with six homers. Stowers doesn't have tremendous tools, or even one plus tool to speak of, instead using more average to solid-average tools to offer a well-rounded game. He's an average runner who throws well, but his arm strength doesn't overly impress scouts and he's a better fit for a corner than center field. He can play a solid first base, but he doesn't have the power to profile there down the line. He has pitched sparingly with Stanford in the past, but his future is as a hitter.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Stowers spent his college career searching for a balance of contact and power, and the Orioles believed in his potential for both. He used the 2020 shutdown to get stronger and shared organizational player of the year honors with top prospect Adley Rutschman in 2021 after he hit a system-high 27 home runs in his first full minor league season. Stowers spent most of 2022 at Triple-A Norfolk, where he cut down his strikeout rate while hitting for power just as consistently. He was in the big leagues for good by mid August.
  
  Scouting Report: Part of Stowers' year-over-year improvement came down to him flattening his swing a bit to help him defend against velocity at the top of the zone, and otherwise being adjustable to hit offspeed pitches as higher-level pitchers grew weary of giving him anything in his red zones. The resulting season--decreasing whiff rates with a higher slugging percentage--showed he was able to meet his goals without losing power. Stowers' power will always be his calling card as an easy plus and potentially better tool thanks to his aggressive, naturally lofted swing. He was challenged when it came to whiffs and strikeouts in the majors, and Stowers may never be more than a fringe-average hitter, but that would be enough along with continued plate discipline gains to help him access his power. Stowers' power is imperative to his future, because he can be a fringe-average center fielder but is better suited for a corner outfield spot, where he can potentially be solid-average with a plus arm and above-average speed.
  
  The Future: Stowers' power potential and all the drawbacks that come with it make him a high-ceiling proposition, but his progress makes it possible he becomes a first-division regular.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 65. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Stowers spent his college career searching for a balance of contact and power, and the Orioles believed in his potential for both. He used the 2020 shutdown to get stronger and shared organizational player of the year honors with top prospect Adley Rutschman in 2021 after he hit a system-high 27 home runs in his first full minor league season. Stowers spent most of 2022 at Triple-A Norfolk, where he cut down his strikeout rate while hitting for power just as consistently. He was in the big leagues for good by mid August.
  
  Scouting Report: Part of Stowers' year-over-year improvement came down to him flattening his swing a bit to help him defend against velocity at the top of the zone, and otherwise being adjustable to hit offspeed pitches as higher-level pitchers grew weary of giving him anything in his red zones. The resulting season--decreasing whiff rates with a higher slugging percentage--showed he was able to meet his goals without losing power. Stowers' power will always be his calling card as an easy plus and potentially better tool thanks to his aggressive, naturally lofted swing. He was challenged when it came to whiffs and strikeouts in the majors, and Stowers may never be more than a fringe-average hitter, but that would be enough along with continued plate discipline gains to help him access his power. Stowers' power is imperative to his future, because he can be a fringe-average center fielder but is better suited for a corner outfield spot, where he can potentially be solid-average with a plus arm and above-average speed.
  
  The Future: Stowers' power potential and all the drawbacks that come with it make him a high-ceiling proposition, but his progress makes it possible he becomes a first-division regular.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 65. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Signed for $884,200 thanks to his power potential and high average exit velocities at Stanford, Stowers was a short-season New York-Penn League all-star after debuting in 2019 but was left out of the team&#39s alternate training site in 2020. He spent the year getting stronger and in 2021 led Orioles minor leaugers with 27 home runs over three levels. He shared the Brooks Robinson player of the year award with top prospect Adley Rutschman as he climbed from High-A Aberdeen to Triple-A Norfolk in his first full year.
  
  Scouting Report: Stowers is a picture of controlled violence in his swing. He takes big hacks but rarely seems to overswing. He has natural loft in his swing, which allows him to display his plus-plus raw power on balls down. He&#39s working on more consistently closing holes up in the zone, but has the ability to drive elevated pitches as well. Even with that development point, his 2021 season was defined by elite hard contact and barrel rates. Stowers has the typical swing-and-miss concerns of a big swinger, but it&#39s less to do with chase than whiffing in the zone and missing mistakes. Correcting that would make him an even tougher out. Drafted as a center fielder, Stowers could still play there in a pinch, but his bat will play in right field, where he boasts a plus arm and above-average speed as well.
  
  The Future: Even after a successful full-season debut, Stowers&#39 assignment to the Arizona Fall League shows how quickly the Orioles want to get him to the majors. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter because of his power potential. He could be in the majors in 2022 after finishing his development at Triple-A Norfolk.
  
  Scouting Grades
  Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Signed for $884,200 thanks to his power potential and high average exit velocities at Stanford, Stowers was a short-season New York-Penn League all-star after debuting in 2019 but was left out of the team’s alternate training site in 2020. He spent the year getting stronger and in 2021 led Orioles minor leaguers with 27 home runs over three levels. He shared the Brooks Robinson player of the year award with top prospect Adley Rutschman as he climbed from High-A Aberdeen to Triple-A Norfolk in his first full year.
  
  Scouting Report: Stowers is a picture of controlled violence in his swing. He takes big hacks but rarely seems to over swing. He has natural loft in his swing, which allows him to display his plus-plus raw power on balls down. He’s working on more consistently closing holes up in the zone, but has the ability to drive elevated pitches as well. Even with that development point, his 2021 season was defined by elite hard contact and barrel rates. Stowers has the typical swing-and-miss concerns of a big swinger, but it’s less to do with chase than whiffing in the zone and missing mistakes. Correcting that would make him an even tougher out. Drafted as a center fielder, Stowers could still play there in a pinch, but his bat will play in right field, where he boasts a plus arm and above-average speed as well.
  
  The Future: Even after a successful full-season debut, Stowers’ assignment to the Arizona Fall League shows how quickly the Orioles want to get him to the majors. He has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter and could be in the majors in 2022 after finishing his development at Triple-A Norfolk.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A glut of prospect outfielders didn't stop the Orioles from loading up on more early in the 2019 draft, led by Stowers in the supplemental second round. He signed for a $884,200 bonus and was a New York-Penn League all-star with shortseason Aberdeen in his professional debut, but didn't get any organized action in 2020 until instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Stowers boasted some of the highest average exit velocities among college hitters in 2019. He will show plus power with a nice swing when he gets the barrel to the ball, but he swings and misses too much to be more than an .240-.250 hitter, at best. He has the athleticism and reads to cover in center field in a pinch, but he's likely better suited for right field long term.
  
  THE FUTURE: Stowers has the pieces to be an everyday right fielder if he can make enough contact to consistently tap into his power. There are significant questions whether he will be able to do so.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A glut of prospect outfielders didn't stop the Orioles from loading up on more early in the 2019 draft, led by Stowers in the supplemental second round. He signed for a $884,200 bonus and was a New York-Penn League all-star with shortseason Aberdeen in his professional debut, but didn't get any organized action in 2020 until instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Stowers boasted some of the highest average exit velocities among college hitters in 2019. He will show plus power with a nice swing when he gets the barrel to the ball, but he swings and misses too much to be more than an .240-.250 hitter, at best. He has the athleticism and reads to cover in center field in a pinch, but he's likely better suited for right field long term.
  
  THE FUTURE: Stowers has the pieces to be an everyday right fielder if he can make enough contact to consistently tap into his power. There are significant questions whether he will be able to do so.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A glut of prospect outfielders didn't stop the Orioles from loading up on more early in the 2019 draft, led by Stowers in the supplemental second round. He signed for a $884,200 bonus and was a New York-Penn League all-star with shortseason Aberdeen in his professional debut, but didn't get any organized action in 2020 until instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Stowers boasted some of the highest average exit velocities among college hitters in 2019. He will show plus power with a nice swing when he gets the barrel to the ball, but he swings and misses too much to be more than an .240-.250 hitter, at best. He has the athleticism and reads to cover in center field in a pinch, but he's likely better suited for right field long term.
  
  THE FUTURE: Stowers has the pieces to be an everyday right fielder if he can make enough contact to consistently tap into his power. There are significant questions whether he will be able to do so.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Stowers signed for $884,200 on the strength of a few powerful seasons at Stanford. His professional debut at short-season Aberdeen earned him an all-star nod.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Premium lefthanded power potential drew the Orioles to Stowers, though it’s accompanied by the inevitable swing-and-miss concerns and questions about the hit tool that often come with such raw power. The way he slashed his strikeout rate as a junior gives the team hope there’s more of that to come. When he puts the ball in play, it’s consistent hard contact that rated in the top 5 percent of college hitters in terms of exit velocity. Even an average hit tool, with that kind of power, will make for a premium corner bat, with the ability to fill in with average center field defense.
  
  THE FUTURE: Stowers has the type of bat and draft pedigree to grow into one of the top-flight bats in the organization and push for an everyday spot as an average regular, should the strikeouts stay down. A full-season assignment to low Class A Delmarva should begin his journey in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Stowers signed for $884,200 on the strength of a few powerful seasons at Stanford. His professional debut at short-season Aberdeen earned him an all-star nod.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Premium lefthanded power potential drew the Orioles to Stowers, though it's accompanied by the inevitable swing-and-miss concerns and questions about the hit tool that often come with such raw power. The way he slashed his strikeout rate as a junior gives the team hope there's more of that to come. When he puts the ball in play, it's consistent hard contact that rated in the top 5 percent of college hitters in terms of exit velocity. Even an average hit tool, with that kind of power, will make for a premium corner bat, with the ability to fill in with average center field defense.
  
  THE FUTURE: Stowers has the type of bat and draft pedigree to grow into one of the top-flight bats in the organization and push for an everyday spot as an average regular, should the strikeouts stay down. A full-season assignment to low Class A Delmarva should begin his journey in 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Stowers emerged as one of the top power threats in Stanford's lineup in 2018, and he further increased his draft stock last summer with a strong performance in the Cape Cod League. While there, Stowers ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the league and hit .326/.361/.565 with six home runs--although he did have 34 strikeouts (22.97 percent strikeout rate) to just seven walks (4.73 percent walk rate) in 34 games. Stowers generates good bat speed from a narrow stance, with a simple, lefthanded swing that starts with a low handset. Some scouts think Stowers gets too pull-oriented at times, which leads to more strikeouts, but he has significantly cut his strikeout rate this spring after whiffing 20.42 percent of the time in 2018. Stowers struggled early in the season, and many scouts thought he was pressing too much during his draft year. Through February and March, Stowers hit .254 (15-for-59) with just one home run. But through his first 28 games of April and May, Stowers performed much better, hitting .324 (35-for-108) with six homers. Stowers doesn't have tremendous tools, or even one plus tool to speak of, instead using more average to solid-average tools to offer a well-rounded game. He's an average runner who throws well, but his arm strength doesn't overly impress scouts and he's a better fit for a corner than center field. He can play a solid first base, but he doesn't have the power to profile there down the line. He has pitched sparingly with Stanford in the past, but his future is as a hitter.