The Orioles had the best record in the American League.
They have the No. 1 prospect in baseball.
The Orioles also have the game's top farm system. Again.
Even after graduating catcher Adley Rutschman and shortstop Gunnar Henderson-the last two preseason No. 1 prospects in baseball-as well as righthander Grayson Rodriguez, the Orioles remain atop our Organization Talent Rankings.
Baltimore again has the game's best prospect. Shortstop Jackson Holliday has had an incredible first full season, flourishing in Double-A as a 19-year-old after the Orioles drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2022.
One of the Orioles' AL rivals pulled off a nearly impossible feat at the trade deadline. The Rangers cashed in prospects to acquire starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery and reliever Aroldis Chapman. Despite parting with the likes of shortstop Luisangel Acuña, righthander Tekoah Roby and second baseman Thomas Saggese, Texas actually moved up in our updated talent rankings.
Most of the Rangers' rise in farm system standing can be attributed to drafting Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford at No. 4 overall. He was already hitting bombs in High-A. The other key factor for the Rangers' rise was the emergence of 17-year-old Bahamian shortstop Sebastian Walcott, one of the top talents in the Rookie complex leagues.
1. ORIOLES
No change
Including shortstop Jackson Holliday, the Orioles had six players ranked among the Top 100 Prospects. Most of that talent has come through quality draft picks. The Orioles have hit on first-round outfielders Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad as well as a pair of fourth-rounders in shortstop Joey Ortiz and third baseman Coby Mayo. Now, the Orioles have a notable impact international talent in the pipeline, with 19-year-old catcher Samuel Basallo ranking inside the top 50.
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Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de Baseball America.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
NOBODY'S PERFECT
No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.
ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS
For the second consecutive year, the Orioles enter the season with the best farm system in baseball.
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS
No one can fully predict what will happen with the reduced 165-player minor league roster limits, but baseball officials weighed in with predictions for 2024, some of which we heard repeatedly.
NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM
The in domestic minor leagues creates consternation for farm directors
INTERNATIONAL TREASURES
Why MLB teams value foreign professionals more than ever
HIGH-FLYING BIRDS
Learning from past success and failure in Houston, Mike Elias and his united front office remade the Orioles into winners— and they got there ahead of schedule
ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Early promotions of star prospects led to a bit of a down season for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Even before the Rookie-level Florida Complex League season began, scouts who saw extended spring training gushed over the Yankees' talent, starting with shortstop Roderick Arias and 6-foot7 pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange. Outfielder John Cruz mashed 10 home runs as a 17-year-old.
SALAS COULD BE SPECIAL
When Ethan Salas arrived in the California League on May 30, he immediately displayed talent well beyond his years.
