Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Jackson Holliday.
Three players who were top prospects in baseball. Two of whom were quite literally the best prospects in the game. All were drafted as shortstops.
Even as they developed into future franchise cornerstones, they still didn’t settle into one position.
Holliday played second base, third base and shortstop throughout the course of 218 minor league games. Westburg played all three as well, plus left and right field for good measure. Henderson didn’t venture into the outfield grass, but played everywhere in the infield, including first base.
The Orioles farm stressed versatility, and even the top prospects in the system followed suit. While their versatility has paid dividends at the big league level, it wasn’t “necessary” for them to advance through the system.
