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BSL: Do the Orioles Really Have the Worst Farm System in the League?


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#1 NateDelong

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Posted 11 March 2019 - 11:56 AM

BSL: Do the Orioles Really Have the Worst Farm System in the League?

https://www.baltimor...-system-league/


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#2 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 11 March 2019 - 07:20 PM

Nice first piece Nate. 

Like you, I think ranking teams in tiers makes sense. 

Like you, I don't have a great handle on other organizations at this point. 

Also, I've barely seen any of the O's prospects myself... only read their evaluations, comments from scouts, and seen their numbers. 


I feel the system is light in elite talent, and relatively deep in 'usable' talent (which I'd define as guys that could contribute to a ML roster). 

 

There have been times in previous years (talking over the last two decades) where I feel the O's have been ranked as a mid-tier system by the prospect outlets... and comparatively I feel the O's have equal or better talent than they often have had.  To me, it feels like mid-tier system.  If someone more plugged in says it's a bottom 3rd system, I wouldn't quibble with that.  (I can't, as I said above... I don't have enough knowledge of other systems.) 

Worst overall?  That feels like a reach for what you mentioned.  Most of the outlets didn't have the O's ranked as such going into last year. They didn't graduate that much. They added in the draft, and some further depth in-trade.  Hard to see imo how they slipped that much. 



#3 NateDelong

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Posted 12 March 2019 - 12:20 PM

Thanks Chris, I appreciate it. I agree that it is light on elite talent, and using the term "light" may be generous. As for usable depth, I think it's more replacement level/bench depth rather than MLB average starter depth. Of course, Diaz, Hall, and Mountcastle (and also Rodriguez, though he's got a ways to go) have the potential to be solid regulars, but it really depends on where they end up defensively and if Hall can improve his command.

 

I think with the mid-tier systems in recent years past, the Orioles always had that one (or two) player who was an elite prospect to anchor the system. Whether that was either Machado, Bundy, Gausman, or even Hunter Harvey (right after he was drafted). The current system doesn't have anything close to that at the moment. Of course, some good seasons by the some of these players can always changethe outlook pretty quickly


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#4 Mike B

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Posted 12 March 2019 - 02:38 PM

BSL: Do the Orioles Really Have the Worst Farm System in the League?

https://www.baltimor...-system-league/

Good read Nate.  I am not good on the Orioles minor league system, but I think there is some talent that we will see in the next 2 years.

As mentioned, we do not have that very top prospect that some have, but I think we have good outfield depth and, some pitching that hopefully will be developed better than past guys.

As for Law, I think he has an axe he likes to grind with the Orioles, so I do not put much stock in what he writes.  

Thanks for the read, look forward to your future posts.


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#5 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 12 March 2019 - 03:17 PM

Regardless of whether they are really the worst or ranked in the lower tier its not good especially considering the trades last summer that apparently didn't do much to move the needle. I think they have a handful of guys who can contribute to a ML roster but few who are likely to be everyday players and that is what concerns me the most.

 

If you have a good core of young players who can be everyday players then you can realistically add enough horsepower through FA signings to build a playoff contender. But if you don't have a core of cost controlled guys who can be everyday players then you are really going to have to open up the bankroll to be a legit contender.

 

The other thing I find disappointing, and this seems to be pretty much across the board with all the reviews you see, is that the O's have a handful of guys whose bats may play at in the majors (although none are top tiered hitters) and they have some very good defensive guys. But we don't seem to have any who can hit well and play good defense.






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