Rutschman versus Witt setting up as fascinating follow

Here's a summer activity that might interest some fans. Track the performances of Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

Then stay on it through the rest of their professional careers.

Rutschman is going to play for Double-A Bowie after games begin in early May. The Royals are suggesting that Witt could break camp with the team at 20 and with no experience beyond rookie ball.

General manager Dayton Moore is on record as saying the team will be "very open-minded" to it.

Probably won't happen, but the fact that it's in discussion speaks volumes.

The two players will be tethered based on their selections first and second overall in the 2019 draft. Rutschman wasn't the universal choice within the Orioles, but he was No. 1 on most draft boards and executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias enthusiastically made the pick.

Not a slam-dunk decision, but one that was virtually impossible to slam.

"It's hard to know where to start with Adley Rutschman," Elias said in a statement after the selection was announced. "He's a switch-hitting catcher with power, plus he can hit from both sides with an unbelievable statistical resume. He did it with Team USA, Oregon State and won a national championship. He's a team leader on and off the field. He's everything you want and he plays a premium defensive position with athleticism that gives him versatility to play elsewhere, as needed. Adley is a future fixture for this organization.

"The amount of work that's goes into what he's done and becoming the number one pick is not something that's ordinary. I met Adley this winter and was immediately struck by him and impressed by his maturity and leadership. To hear the elation in his voice is really special. The No. 1 overall pick is a big decision. There are pros and cons with every player profile and every player. We like to work our way through all of that and ultimately decided for the long-range benefit of the organization that this was the right pick. We're very excited about what this is going to do for our future."

Rutschman is 3-for-15 with two doubles, three walks and six strikeouts while waiting for his reassignment to Twin Lakes Park. His tools and take-charge mentality at such a young age with little pro experience continue to impress. Observers inside and outside the organization truly believe he's special and worthy of every ounce of praise.

Nothing he's done has discouraged it.

Witt went No. 2 in the draft and he's been phenomenal this spring, going 10-for-35 (.303) with three home runs, seven RBIs, nine runs scored and a .919 OPS. He's also struck out 10 times, but people are still talking about his 484-foot bomb last week. And he's come as advertised in the field, which is really, really good.

"No. 1 prospect in baseball. Not even close," a scout from outside the organization said a few days ago.

"I really like Adley, but I love Witt. He may be the best amateur I ever scouted tools-wise."

Said another scout: "Great makeup, very humble with a strong work ethic. Manager loves him, as do his teammates. Huge upside."

The same words have been hung on Rutschman since his arrival.

You get the sense that the Orioles couldn't go wrong either way. Same with the Royals.

Which cut of premium beef to you want on your plate?

The idea of the Orioles choosing Witt also was fueled by the team employing his uncle Doug Witt as a scout. (His contract wasn't renewed last fall.)

Rutschman played in college and figured to beat Witt to the majors, though at a demanding position behind the plate. But the Royals may be in fast-forward mode with their prospects, or at least one as talented as Witt.

The Orioles are excited about their collection of shortstop prospects, led by Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg, and rightfully so.

Alan Mills, who managed Henderson in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, has to rely on 2019 eyes because, as he put it, "nothing happened in 2020, really."

"Gunnar Henderson is Gunnar Henderson," Mills said. "He's great body, talented kid, very young. He has a huge upside. Darell Hernaiz, same thing, young kid, real good hands. Young and up-and-coming."

MLBPipeline.com ranks Rutschman as the No. 2 prospect in baseball behind Rays shortstop Wander Franco, with Witt lowered from seventh to eighth in the most recent listing.

Fans and media shut out from the pennant race frenzy instead can follow this one. And not just first-to-the-majors. How two careers unfold.

It's more of a marathon.