ESPN+: Who has the most talent locked in? Ranking all 30 MLB cores
https://www.espn.com...ent-locked-2024
2023 rank: 6
2022 rank: 13
Elite: Gunnar Henderson/SS, Adley Rutschman/C
Plus: Kyle Bradish/RHS, Jordan Westburg/3B, Colton Cowser/LF
Solid: Jackson Holliday/SS, Coby Mayo/3B, Grayson Rodriguez/RHS, Samuel Basallo/C, Felix Bautista/RHR, Cade Povich/LHS, Heston Kjerstad/LF, Enrique Bradfield Jr./CF, Keegan Akin/LHR, Ryan Mountcastle/1B, Ramon Urias/3B, Trevor Rogers/LHS, Chayce McDermott/RHS, Albert Suarez/RHS, Dean Kremer/RHS, Tyler Wells/RHS, Yennier Cano/RHR, Dylan Beavers, RF, Jud Fabian/CF, Luis De Leon/LHS
The slew of prospects we've been waiting to see become the Orioles' major league core has arrived and Baltimore has jumped into the top tier as a result. Henderson and Rutschman are legitimate stars while Westburg and Cowser have made the leap into becoming strong regulars as Holliday, Mayo and Basallo all arrive.
The Orioles do have some real threats to depart via free agency this winter in Anthony Santander and Corbin Burnes, which could make things a bit harder given the team is unlikely to make a huge jump in payroll in a single offseason.
One big question that will shape the franchise remains: Can the Orioles develop internal front-line starters -- Bradish and Rodriguez have shown glimpses -- or will the O's look to the Theo Epstein-era Cubs model of grabbing aces on the free agent market and via trades for their surplus of young position players?
