127 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

FanGraphs: Orioles Pitching Prospect Zac Lowther Has Vexing Funk

[SportsGuy]

Unlike some of the other pitching prospects, you haven’t really seen a drop off in his numbers as he has gone up the ladder.

Looking forward to seeing him in AA

[birdwatcher55]

Unlike some of the other pitching prospects, you haven’t really seen a drop off in his numbers as he has gone up the ladder.
Looking forward to seeing him in AA

Is he arguably our top pitching prospect right now? If not, who is and who are your top 3???

[McNulty]

DL Hall, Akin and then Lowther. 

[birdwatcher55]

DL Hall, Akin and then Lowther. 

Thank You!

[Mackus]

DL Hall, Akin and then Lowther.

Ortiz above Akin, IMO. Based on scouting reports I've read more than production to date. I've only seen highlights of any of these guys.

[McNulty]

He’s not that good if you can’t ever get his name right.

[Mackus]

He’s not that good if you can’t ever get his name right.

I'm up to like 80/20 Ortiz/Ruiz at this point. Getting there.

[BobPhelan]

Kremer has to round out the top 5 right?

[Mackus]

Kremer has to round out the top 5 right?

I'd go Grayson Rodriguez over both Kremer and Lowther.

[BobPhelan]

I'd go Grayson Rodriguez over both Kremer and Lowther.

Good call.

[McNulty]

I'd go Grayson Rodriguez over both Kremer and Lowther.

I wouldn’t but you aren’t wrong Walter.

[SportsGuy]

I would have Akin over Ortiz.

Hall and Rodriguez are the 2 best prospects.

Akin is third.

[birdwatcher55]

So Hall is our consensus #1? Ace material?

[SportsGuy]

So Hall is our consensus #1? Ace material?

Scouts have said more like a 2/3..he still has a lot of development left though, so I’m not sure you can place any label on him yet.

[BobPhelan]

A+: 5-3, 2.53 ERA, 92.2 IP, 100 K, 26 BB, 1.08 WHIP

 

A: 3-1, 1.16 ERA, 31 IP, 51 K, 9 BB, 0.68 WHIP

[BSLChrisStoner]

MASN: Zac Lowther’s strong 2018 season featured fast start and big finish
http://www.masnsport...ther-draft.html

[birdwatcher55]

Do we have ANY aces in our system??? Exclude Harvey who I don't think will ever throw a pitch in the majors.

[glenn__davis]

Do we have ANY aces in our system??? Exclude Harvey who I don't think will ever throw a pitch in the majors.

 

Really difficult to project any pitcher as an ace.  Just impossible to know until they get there.  Ben McDonald and Stephen Strasburg are probably the highest rated pitchers in my lifetime, and while both had some good seasons (Strasburg especially) I don't think either really lived up to the hype as "ace".  

 

Hall probably has the highest ceiling in our system, there's just a long way to go in his development.

[BSLChrisStoner]

BSL: https://www.baltimor...ring-2019-10-1/

 

(#9) Zac Lowther, LHP

Ceiling: 45        Risk: High       ETA: 2020       Role Description: Swingman
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 235 lbs.          B/T: L/L         Highest Level: A+              Age (as of April 1, 2019): 22y, 11m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Video #3 | Report

The crafty lefty has done nothing but dominate since signing with the O’s as the 74th overall pick in 2017. He coasted through the New York-Penn League after signing, pitching similarly well last year across two A-Ball stops. Despite only working in the 88-to-92 mph range on his fastball, Lowther gets swinging strikes because of excellent deception and late ride. He works with four pitches, pairing the fastball with an average curve, playable changeup, and show-me slider. Lowther ties this pitch mix together with plus control and command, able to spot numerous pitches around the zone. He has the makings of an overachiever, potentially finishing a back-rotation option or versatile swingman with some chance to exceed that.