2017 Baltimore Orioles Top 10 Prospects

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TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Chance Sisco, c
2. Cody Sedlock, rhp
3. Ryan Mountcastle, ss
4. Hunter Harvey, rhp
5. Trey Mancini, 1b
6. Keegan Akin, lhp
7. Austin Hays, of
8. Jomar Reyes, 3b
9. Chris Lee, lhp
10. Tanner Scott, lhp

The Orioles returned to the playoffs for the third time in five seasons in 2016, though their stay there was short. They lost to the Blue Jays in the American League Wild Card Game on Edwin Encarnacion’s 11th-inning homer.

It was an abrupt end to an 89-win season, one where Baltimore led the AL East for 111 days. The Orioles have had five straight .500 seasons or better, and their 444 wins since 2012 leads the AL.

While the Orioles are sensitive to organizational prospect rankings that place Baltimore near the bottom of the majors, they point out that several homegrown and developed players contributed to their 2016 playoff season. The team’s core players, such as Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop, Matt Wieters, Kevin Gausman and closer Zach Britton, are homegrown.

Moreover, the Orioles had several rookie contributors to their 2016 success, such as five-time No. 1 prospect Dylan Bundy, who stayed healthy and pitched well until tiring late in the season. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard and Korean import Hyun Soo Kim were outfield starters, while righthander Mychal Givens and lefty Donnie Hartprovided key relief innings.

That group includes two key starters and three relievers who helped the Orioles lead the AL in reliever ERA at 3.40. Bundy and Gausman led a rotation that was much better in the second half and provides hope for 2017.
After years of Orioles pitching prospects not living up to potential—at least until after being traded—could Bundy and/or Gausman be that ace that the club has long been searching for?

Club officials also believe they had a productive draft. Their top three picks—Midwest pitchers Cody Sedlock, Keegan Akin and Matthias Dietz—all showed instant promise as did their fourth selection, outfielder Austin Hays.

General manager Dan Duquette has shown a willingness to trade prospects for major league-ready help. In recent years he has dealt righthander Zach Davies (Brewers) and lefties Eduardo Rodriguez (Red Sox), Josh Hader (Astros) and Stephen Tarpley and Steven Brault (Pirates). None of the players acquired in return remain with Baltimore.

Those trades have thinned the farm system, and Baltimore didn’t have a single minor league playoff team in 2016. Only low Class A Delmarva had a winning record. But Baltimore brass felt there were individual success stories.
Catcher Chance Sisco made strides on defense and ascended to the No. 1 prospect in the organization. Their 2015 minor league player of the year Trey Mancini received a September callup and homered in his first three starts.

The Orioles ended 2016 with a walk-off ending—when manager Buck Showalter used Ubaldo Jimenezinstead of Britton in the fateful 11th—but with a hopeful future. They have a core group of players under team control for at least two more seasons, so the window to keep competing in the AL East remains open.

1. Chance Sisco, c |

Born: Feb. 24, 1995. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 195. Drafted: HS—Corona, Calif., 2013 (2nd round). Signed by: Mark Ralston.

SCOUTING GRADES

Batting: 60.

Power: 45.

Speed: 30.

Defense: 50.

Arm: 45.

Based on 20-80 scouting scale—where 50 represents major league average—and future projection rather than present tools.

Background: Sisco didn’t become a catcher until his senior year in high school, and the Orioles liked his combination of athletic ability, hitting tools and defensive potential to select him 61st overall in 2013. Since signing for $785,000, Sisco just keeps trending up. He has risen from the system’s No. 10 prospect after his pro debut to No. 4, then No. 3 and now No. 1. The 21-year-old always has shown a solid bat, with a career .402 on-base percentage as a pro, but his defense made strides this year. Sisco led the Double-A Eastern League in OBP (.406), ranked fourth in the league in batting (.320) and homered in the Futures Game during a breakout 2016 season. In September he earned his first promotion to Triple-A Norfolk, where he hit a grand slam in his first game, and earned minor league player of the year honors in the organization.

Scouting Report: Sisco’s hit tool is strong, and he has a long track record of success. That success has afforded him the confidence—if not arrogance—required of big league hitters. It starts with excellent hand-eye coordination and a natural feel for hitting that allows him to make consistent hard contact. He has a controlled, line-drive, all-fields approach and solid plate discipline. Showing a solid eye at the plate, he drew a career-best 61 walks. Sisco lets the ball travel deep and improved his ability to pull the ball this year. Pitchers used to try to pound him inside with fastballs, but he has started to adjust, getting his hands to the hitting zone quicker than in the past. He added some strength and showed an increased ability to backspin the ball. His opposite-field home run at the Futures Game in Petco Park hints at his power potential, and he has average raw power. Sisco has shown smarts on the bases but is a well below-average runner. That makes his career .323 average look even better because he doesn’t get many infield hits. Sisco’s defense took steps forward in 2016. It started in big league spring training—he received his first invitation—where he worked with big leaguers Matt Wieters and Caleb Joseph. Pitchers who threw to him at Double-A Bowie said his game-calling and game management took nice strides. His pop times on throws to second base remain around 2.0 seconds, which is average, but he was over that more often than under it. His arm strength grades a tick below-average, and he needs to continue to improve his footwork and transfer to help him throw out runners. He caught 24 percent of basestealers in 136 attempts this year. Sisco’s blocking and receiving skills also improved as did his ability to frame pitches. He had just four passed balls in 87 games. When Sisco first got to Double-A in 2015 and began working with older pitchers, he learned from them and grew because of it. It even helped him at the plate because he could understand better how pitchers approach getting hitters out.

The Future: Sisco could reach the majors in 2017, but given his youth and lack of Triple-A experience, he probably will not make the Opening Day roster. That holds true even if Wieters leaves via free agency. Sisco should be Wieters’ eventual successor, however, and at least a partial season at Norfolk would benefit him.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Bowie (AA)	.320	.406	.422	410	53	131	28	1	4	44	59	83	2
Norfolk (AAA)	.250	.333	.625	16	4	4	0	0	2	7	2	5	0

2. Cody Sedlock, rhp |
Born: June 19, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 205. Drafted: Illinois, 2016 (1st round). Signed by: Dan Durst.

Background: Sedlock threw just 63 innings in his first two seasons at Illinois but thrived in the Cape Cod League in 2015, when he ranked as the No. 18 prospect. He maintained the momentum in 2016 to become the Big 10 Conference pitcher of the year and Illinois’s third-ever first-round pick—the Illini’s second in two years—while setting an school record with 116 strikeouts in 101.1 innings. The Orioles drafted him 27th overall and signed him for a slot bonus of $2,097,200. He ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the short-season New York-Penn League.

Scouting Report: Sedlock has the build, balanced delivery and repertoire of a workhorse power pitcher. His fastball works in the low 90s and touches 97 mph with strong sink and late life. His curveball and slider flash above-average and show plus potential, but he doesn’t always have both working at the same time. His changeup flashes average and ranks as a fourth pitch, behind his fastball, slider and curve. He holds runners well and was timed at 1.2 seconds to the plate. The Orioles loved his athleticism, work ethic and competitiveness and ability to elevate his game when in jams.

The Future: The Orioles held Sedlock to nine outings of three innings each at short-season Aberdeen. The season workload of around 130 innings, counting college, sets him up well for 2017. He could start at high Class A Frederick in 2017 and will move fast if he performs.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Aberdeen (SS)	0	1	3.00	9	9	0	27	16	1	13	25	.158

3. Ryan Mountcastle, ss |

Born: Feb. 18, 1997. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 185. Drafted: HS—Oviedo, Fla., 2015 (1st round). Signed by: Kelvin Colon.

Background: The Orioles made Mountcastle the 36th overall pick in the 2015 draft and signed him for $1.3 million, which was about $400,000 under slot. He spent his first full season at low Class A Delmarva, where he hit .281 to rank 11th in the South Atlantic League.

Scouting Report: Mountcastle has similar hitting skill as top prospect Chance Sisco, but from the right side and with more power potential. He has a mature approach and good understanding of the strike zone. He recognizes offspeed pitches, has a two-strike approach and makes adjustments within games and at times within at-bats. His bat speed is plus, he stays inside the ball well and he showed improved pull power as the season progressed. Club officials expect him to develop at least above-average power eventually. On defense, scouts are convinced he will have to move off shortstop and likely wind up in left field, mostly due to a well below-average arm. He’s an average runner with the speed to handle the outfield. The Orioles kept him at short throughout instructional league.

The Future: Mountcastle is set to move to high Class A Frederick in 2017. The main question he faces, for both 2017 and the future, is his future position.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Delmarva (Lo A)	.281	.319	.426	455	53	128	28	4	10	51	25	95	5

4. Hunter Harvey, rhp |

Born: Dec. 9, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 175. Drafted: HS—Catawba, N.C., 2013 (1st round). Signed by: Chris Gale.

Background: When the Orioles drafted Harvey 22nd overall in 2013, they probably envisioned him in their rotation by now. The son of former big league closer Bryan Harvey, Hunter showed big-time potential from the outset, but his career has been sidetracked by injuries. In 2014, he went 7-5, 3.18 at low Class A Delmarva as an 18-year-old before being shut down in late July with a strained right flexor mass. A shin injury and later elbow issues derailed his 2015 season. In May 2016 he had sports hernia surgery.

Scouting Report: Harvey finally returned to a mound in June 2016, and he managed to make it through just five games before being shut down yet again. He had Tommy John surgery in Charlotte on July 26, with doctors using a tendon from his hamstring to repair his elbow. One scout said a healthy Harvey showed everything you want in a top-of-the-rotation starter—talent, poise and mound presence. Before the injuries, he commanded a fastball that sat between 92-94 mph and touched 97, as well as a plus curveball that overmatched hitters at times. His changeup made solid gains during 2014 and flashed plus.

The Future: Harvey likely won’t pitch again for 12-18 months after the surgery, though he could resume throwing early in 2017. He probably won’t take the mound in games again until 2018. Dylan Bundy’s successful return from a similar fallow period gives the Orioles reason for optimism.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
GCL (R)	0	0	0.00	2	2	0	5	3	0	0	11	.167
Aberdeen (SS)	0	1	3.52	3	3	0	8	9	0	6	7	.310

5. Trey Mancini, 1b |

Born: March 18, 1992. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 215. Drafted: Notre Dame, 2013 (8th round). Signed by: Kirk Fredriksson.

Background: Signed for a slot bonus of $151,900 in 2013 out of Notre Dame, Mancini received his first big league callup in September and became the third player in major league history to homer in each of his first three starts. He went 4-for-10 with three homers off lefthanders and became an instant fan favorite at Camden Yards. Mancini hit .359 to win the Double-A Eastern League batting title in 2015. He produced a solid .282/.357/.458 minor league line in 2016, mostly at Triple-A Norfolk, a tough park for hitters.

Scouting Report: Mancini’s bat is solid and some scouts feel he would hit at least 20 homers as a regular. He’s a solid-average hitter if not a tick above with a swing and bat path that help him keep his hands inside the ball, providing him a chance to get to a good fastball but also stay on offspeed pitches. He uses his hands very well—they come into his body, down and then forward, providing good timing that keeps the bat in the hitting zone a long time. An aggressive hitter, Mancini saw his strikeout rate jumped above 20 percent in 2016 for the first time. He’s playable at first base, though his lack of athleticism means his defense is seldom smooth.

The Future: With Chris Davis signed through 2022, the Orioles could try Mancini in the outfield next spring. That would increase his chances of earning a Baltimore roster spot in 2017.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Bowie (AA)	.302	.413	0698	63	18	19	4	0	7	14	10	17	0
Norfolk (AAA)	.280	.349	.427	483	60	135	22	5	13	54	48	123	2
Baltimore (MLB)	.357	.400	1.071	14	3	5	1	0	3	5	0	4	0

6. Keegan Akin, lhp

Born: April 1, 1995. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 200. Drafted: Western Michigan, 2016 (2nd round). Signed by: Dan Durst.

Background: Akin pitched Western Michigan to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1989, making two starts in the Mid-American Conference tournament to cap a dominant season. A third-team All-American, Akin set the Broncos’ single-season strikeout record (133 in 109 innings) en route to becoming the Orioles’ second pick in the 2016 draft. He signed for $1.177 million and finished his pro debut with 20 consecutive scoreless innings at short-season Aberdeen, retiring 22 of his last 23 batters.

Scouting Report: Akin’s fastball sat mostly at 92-93 mph after signing but touched 97 with solid control. His 82-85 mph slider was his best secondary pitch, and he would attack lefties with it and back-foot it to righthanded batters. His changeup lags behind and he seldom threw it in college. Akin showed polish and a clean, repeatable delivery with some deception, and Orioles officials believe he could potentially be the fastest mover from their 2016 draft class. While Akin’s stocky body gives some evaluators pause, others see no red flags, just a durable pitcher who in college held velocity deep into games and deep into his junior season under a heavy workload.

The Future: Akin should break camp next April in the rotation at either low Class A Delmarva or high Class A Frederick. If his changeup doesn’t come around, he could move quickly as a closer.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Aberdeen (SS)	0	1	1.04	9	9	0	26	15	0	7	29	.161

7. Austin Hays, of

Born: July 5, 1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 210. Drafted: Jacksonville, 2016 (3rd round). Signed by: Arthur McConnehead.

Background: Hays’ decorated amateur career included helping Spruce Creek High (just south of Daytona Beach, Fla.) to a state 8A championship as a junior and earning the No. 1 ranking on BA’s Florida Collegiate Summer League prospects list in 2014. He led the Atlantic Sun Conference with 16 homers in 2016, then led short-season Aberdeen with four more, all after missing a month with a sprained wrist.

Scouting Report: Hays has a better overall package of tools than Florida State outfielder D.J. Stewart, the club’s 2015 first-round pick. He has a chance to hit for average and power, showing the ability to hit to all fields. Hays shows above-average bat speed, creates leverage with his righthanded swing and is a high-energy player. Ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the short-season New York-Penn League, Hays hit .336 in his pro debut. His speed plays as above-average, and he played solid defense in right field, where he gets good reads and has a plus arm. Some club officials believe he may fit in center field.

The Future: Hays impressed the Orioles in instructional league with his play in center field, and he could play there in 2017 as he embarks on full-season ball.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Aberdeen (SS)	.336	.386	.514	140	14	47	9	2	4	21	11	32	4

8. Jomar Reyes, 3b |

Born: Feb. 20, 1997. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3.Wt.: 220. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2014. Signed by: Fred Ferreira/Calvin Maduro/Enrique Constante.

Background: In January 2014, the Orioles signed the then-16-year-old Reyes for $350,000, the club’s largest bonus ever for a Dominican amateur. After a strong full-season debut at low Class A Delmarva in 2015, Reyes looked overmatched at high Class A Frederick in 2016, hitting just .228 overall and .213/.264/.293 against righthanders.

Scouting Report: Reyes struggled as the youngest player in the Carolina League. His batting mechanics got out of synch and it looked like he hit without a plan at times. During some stretches, his swing looked different every night. Recognizing breaking balls was the key to his struggles with righthanders, but during instructional league, a more focused Reyes made gains with his swing mechanics with hitting coordinator Jeff Manto, and he began to use his hands better. He continues to show raw power to all fields that should eventually be plus power in games. Reyes’ defense at third base was also a struggle at times, and one scout felt he took his offensive woes into the field. A big man, Reyes has a plus-plus arm, but his footwork needs improvement. For now the Orioles will keep him at third base, but his future could be at first base or in right field, though he’s a below-average runner.

The Future: Reyes will likely head back to Frederick to start 2017. He has bigger tools than most Orioles farmhands, but now he must show the focus, intensity and toughness to bounce back from a poor season.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Frederick (Hi A)	.228	.271	.336	464	53	106	16	2	10	51	25	102	4

9. Chris Lee, lhp

Born: Aug. 17, 1992. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 180. Drafted: Santa Fe (Fla.) CC, 2011 (4th round). Signed by: Larry Pardo (Astros).

Background: The Orioles acquired Lee from the Astros in May 2015 for two international bonus slots worth $655,800. Lee finished 2015 at Double-A Bowie and joined the 40-man roster after the season. He began 5-0, 2.30 in 2016 but didn’t pitch after May 23. He went on the disabled list with a lat strain, but when the Orioles shifted him to the 60-day DL in September, they announced he had a shoulder strain. He was shut down for the fall after a visit to Dr. James Andrews.

Scouting Report: Lee pitches off an above-average fastball, with a sinking fastball that generates ground balls and sits 89-92 mph but jumps into the mid-90s. His slider flashes plus and gets swings and misses from lefties, who he held to a .155 average. He showed a real feel for his changeup at his best, and his changeup is ahead of his slider in terms of consistency. He would get out of his delivery at times, harming his command. Loss of command also seemed to limit Lee’s putaway capability and his strikeout rate plummeted. He needs to add some strength for future durability.

The Future: Had he not gotten hurt, Lee probably would have been called to the majors at some point. The Orioles expect him to be ready for spring training. If healthy, he could start 2017 at Triple-A Norfolk and find his way to Baltimore during the season. His ceiling is back-end starter.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Bowie (AA)	5	0	2.98	8	7	0	51	41	4	13	19	.222

10. Tanner Scott, lhp

Born: July 22, 1994. B-T: R-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 220. Drafted: Howard (Texas) JC, 2014 (6th round). Signed by: Thom Dreier.

Background: Scott showed one of the top arms in the Texas junior-college ranks in 2014 before the Orioles drafted him and signed him for an above-slot $650,000 bonus. Club officials were delighted that he finished his second full season in 2016 at Double-A Bowie. For the second year in a row Baltimore sent him to the Arizona Fall League to get more work.

Scouting Report: Scott has the best fastball in the system and also features a slider. He is the rare lefty who reaches triple digits, which he touched just about every game. The Orioles envision a dominant, late-inning bullpen arm if he can harness his control. Pitching from the stretch, his fastball often sat 95-98 mph, and some scouts saw him touch 102. But Scott can’t be effective with a career walk rate of 6.9 per nine innings. He must increase his rate of quality strikes, especially with his slider, which sits between 88-92 mph. He needs to stay behind his slider and not get off to the side to maintain the sharpness and depth. Scott definitely needs work on fielding his position and holding runners.

The Future: The Orioles hope simplifying Scott’s delivery from the stretch will help him repeat his motion and throw more strikes. He could follow the lead of Baltimore bullpen arms Mychal Givens and Donnie Hart and jump straight from the Eastern League to Baltimore in 2017.