Highest-ranked Orioles prospects should make 2022 more palatable

One of the club records set by the Orioles last year, the kind that typically is chased by non-contenders while other teams are in pennant races, was the 16 players making their major league debuts.

The previous high was 15 in 2018, when the Orioles finally heard the window slam shut - it no longer could be muffled - and began dismantling.

They're still rebuilding from it.

A few prospects were introduced, the pitchers led by Zac Lowther, Mike Baumann and Alexander Wells. Many others were given first shots that rewarded their perseverance and commitment to a sport that didn't always reciprocate, but also in some cases illustrated a lack of depth at the highest point in the system.

Maybe the 2022 total falls a little short if the Orioles can better stabilize all facets of the team - the rotation, bullpen, lineup and bench. But they're expected to pull heavily from the top portion of the prospect lists, making the upcoming season much more interesting no matter the final record, distance from first place and run differential.

Catcher Adley Rutschman, the No. 1 prospect per Baseball America, is playing for the Orioles this summer, whether on opening day or perhaps by May. Grayson Rodriguez, the No. 1 pitcher and sixth overall prospect in the sport, is expected to start for them after getting his first exposure to Triple-A.

Left-hander DL Hall, the Orioles' No. 3 prospect and the 52nd in baseball, also should be starting for them after first climbing to Triple-A. His left elbow is healed and he's throwing off a mound.

Shortstops Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg, rated by MLBPipeline.com as the Orioles' No. 4 and 6 prospects, respectively, concluded the 2021 season at Double-A Bowie and there's certainly a chance that they reach the majors this year. They're used to playing at three levels in a single season. But there isn't nearly as much certainty.

No. 5 prospect Colton Cowser, the outfielder chosen in the first round last summer, came as advertised but won't sniff the majors this year. Neither will No. 7 prospect Heston Kjerstad, the second overall selection in 2020 who is at the minicamp in Sarasota and waiting to make his professional debut.

Pitcher Kyle Bradish, who's eighth, is expected to begin 2022 with Norfolk and reach the majors later in the summer if he's earned it. He followed 13 2/3 scoreless innings with Bowie, striking out 26 batters, by posting a 4.26 ERA and 1.431 WHIP in 21 games (19) starts with the Tides. The right-hander averaged 4.1 walks and 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

That's four of the top eight prospects in the organization with a great chance of debuting this season and two others who could join them.

Second baseman Connor Norby (No. 9) and Baumann (No. 10) are excluded because the former was drafted in 2021 and the latter already made it. However, the next four prospects are possibilities with outfielders Kyle Stowers and Yusniel Diaz, infielder Terrin Vavra and pitcher Kevin Smith.

Stowers and Rutschman were chosen as the organization's co-Minor League Players of the Year. Diaz's career was halted again due to injuries and he couldn't escape them in the Arizona Fall League, but as long as he's in the organization, he's within reach of a major league uniform.

Vavra, acquired from the Rockies in the Mychal Givens trade, appeared in 40 games with Bowie and registered a .388 on-base percentage. Back and hip injuries kept him off the field, but not the 40-man roster.

Smith, a left-hander acquired from the Mets in the Miguel Castro trade, allowed only three earned runs in 26 innings with the Baysox and struck out 37 batters, but he registered a 6.23 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in 16 games (15) starts with the Tides. An impressive streak this summer likely will get him to the majors, with the Orioles always searching for a hot hand.

Now we're counting 10 of 14 as possibilities to debut.

Hitting more than missing in the draft is imperative, especially with top five picks every year, but smart trades also will elevate a franchise.

Examples of both could be on display in Baltimore in 2022.