Rylan Bannon

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #30 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Bannon's full-season debut in 2018 was so impressive that he was named California League MVP for his time at high Class A Rancho Cucamonga despite being traded for Manny Machado in mid-July. He spent most of 2019 at Double-A Bowie, where he was an Eastern League all-star and took advantage of his August promotion to Triple-A Norfolk with 13 extra-base hits in 20 games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After coming to the Orioles with a wide-open stance, Bannon closed it off some but didn't sacrifice much of his power thanks to his strong hands, sturdy lower half and aggressive swing. His 47 extra-base hits were second most in the organization, and he cut down his strikeouts significantly in 2019. Bannon is an above-average runner, and he has the range to play second base and third base, with enough arm for the latter.
  
  THE FUTURE: The lack of shortstop in his profile leaves a gap in Bannon's utility profile, but the possibility of some pop off the bench and defense all over the rest of the field gives him a solid chance at a major league bench role. He'll work toward that at Triple-A Norfolk in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #23 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Bannon was the Big East Conference player of the year at Xavier in 2017 and he showed increased power in his pro debut. The Dodgers skipped him to high Class A Rancho Cucamonga in 2018, and he hit 20 home runs in half a season to win California League MVP despite being sent to the Orioles in the Manny Machado trade in July. He struggled upon a jump to Double-A Bowie in his Orioles debut.
  
  Scouting Report: Bannon moved from third base to second base with the Baysox, where his smaller frame and low arm swing play as part of an average defensive profile. His swing was exposed some after the trade, with his high leg kick from an open stance limiting his barrel control and disrupting his timing. His swing feasts on low pitches when he's on them, and his advanced approach has helped him hit at every level he's played in save for the Eastern League.
  
  The Future: Bannon's track record shows he's liable to hit in Bowie when he returns there next spring, and that's what will have to carry him to a fringe everyday role in the majors.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #480 prospect in 2017 draft
  The rare high school second baseman to go on to play baseball at a higher level, Xavier moved Bannon to third base almost immediately after he arrived on campus and saw him blossom into the Big East player of the year this season. A streaky hitter in previous seasons, Bannon became more consistent this year, which paid off not only in batting average but also in more consistent power as he hit .325/.439/.618 with 15 home runs and 17 steals. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Bannon doesn't project to have anything more than fringe-average power in pro ball, but that may be enough thanks to his defensive chops. Bannon is a plus defender at third base, equally adept coming in on balls, ranging to his left or guarding the line. He moves well enough for pro teams to consider sliding him back to second base as well.

• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Bannon's full-season debut in 2018 was so impressive that he was named California League MVP for his time at high Class A Rancho Cucamonga despite being traded for Manny Machado in mid-July. He spent most of 2019 at Double-A Bowie, where he was an Eastern League all-star and took advantage of his August promotion to Triple-A Norfolk with 13 extra-base hits in 20 games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After coming to the Orioles with a wide-open stance, Bannon closed it off some but didn't sacrifice much of his power thanks to his strong hands, sturdy lower half and aggressive swing. His 47 extra-base hits were second most in the organization, and he cut down his strikeouts significantly in 2019. Bannon is an above-average runner, and he has the range to play second base and third base, with enough arm for the latter.
  
  THE FUTURE: The lack of shortstop in his profile leaves a gap in Bannon's utility profile, but the possibility of some pop off the bench and defense all over the rest of the field gives him a solid chance at a major league bench role. He'll work toward that at Triple-A Norfolk in 2020.