They didn't make top 10 prospects list, but could be in second 10

In late October, Baseball America released a new list of the Orioles' top 10 prospects, coming off the 2016 season. Today, we'll look at a few players that might make the second 10.

But first, another look at Baseball America's Orioles top 10:
1. Chance Sisco
2. Cody Sedlock
3. Ryan Mountcastle
4. Hunter Harvey
5. Trey Mancini
6. Keegan Akin
7. Austin Hays
8. Jomar Reyes
9. Chris Lee
10. Tanner Scott

Here are three players that seem likely to make the second 10, which has not been released or announced yet by Baseball America.

Matthias Dietz: The 21-year-old Dietz was the Orioles' third pick last June, taken in the second round with the 69th pick overall out of an Illinois junior college. He signed for a $1.3 million bonus, the second-highest the Orioles paid out behind top pick Sedlock. Dietz went to short-season Single-A Aberdeen and went 0-3 with a 4.82 ERA over 18 2/3 innings. He allowed 22 hits with 10 walks and eight strikeouts.

The stats were modest, but it was a small sample and the Orioles were impressed with his stuff. With good size at 6-foot-5 and 220 lbs., Dietz threw a fastball that sat often 92-93 mph but touched 95-97 mph, along with a slider, changeup and curveball. A high-energy pitcher, he could rush his delivery and that would hurt his command. Dietz could start 2017 in the Single-A Delmarva rotation.

Ofelky Peralta: At 19, this Dominican right-hander had a very solid first year of full-season minor league ball. At Delmarva, he went 8-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 23 starts. In 103 1/3 innings, he gave up 87 hits with 60 walks and 101 strikeouts. Lefties hit .237 off him and right-handed batters hit .225. He was held to mostly five-inning starts.

Peralta pitched often between 92 and 95 mph, touching 97 mph. His changeup is a real solid plus pitch that he throws in any count. Now he needs to work on developing consistency with a breaking ball. He could move to Single-A Frederick next season.

brian-gonzalez-pitch-wide.jpgBrian Gonzalez: The O's top pick in 2014, a third-round selection at No. 90 overall, had a real solid year for Delmarva. The Orioles signed him for $700,000 in June 2014 and he spent the last two seasons with the Shorebirds.

But at 20 last summer, his ERA dropped from 5.71 to 2.50 and his walk rate improved from 5.03 to 3.53 per nine innings. Gonzalez ranked third in the South Atlantic League in ERA and innings. Over 147 2/3 innings, he allowed 135 hits with 58 walks and 111 strikeouts.

Gonzalez pitched from 90-92 mph, touching 93 and 94 mph with a plus changeup. His curve is his third pitch and became more consistent. He developed a smoother and cleaner delivery working with Delmarva pitching coach Blaine Beatty that helped his improvement.

So these are three young pitchers ranging from 19-21 that all showed promised in 2016. They didn't make the top 10 list this year but were not far away. It will be interesting to track the progress of each starting next April.

Will this be a big week in baseball?: In this story, MLB.com's Richard Justice details that the first week of December is often a big one for signings and/or trades throughout baseball. He notes that in the first week of December last year, David Price, Zack Greinke and Jason Heyward signed free agent contracts. It was also last Dec. 2 when the Orioles acquired Mark Trumbo from Seattle.

He also states that, "The Red Sox and Yankees intend to be active, which changes the dynamics for every team....Once the signings start, (Kenley) Jansen and (Aroldis) Chapman may be among the first two or three big-ticket players to come off the board."

Also the current collective bargaining agreement between the owners and players expires at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday night. This could potentially lead to a lockout or perhaps the sides keep the current agreement in place unless and until a new one is completed.




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