Prospects already turn on illusion in the Orioles

BALTIMORE — The biggest news during the Orioles’ preseason was the injury of a player who hasn’t even made his Major League debut.

Receiver Adley Rutschman sat out with a triceps problem. It doesn’t seem like a step backwards for the No. 1 pick in the draft, but coming off a 110-loss season in 2021, Baltimore is looking for any signs of hope ahead. Rutschman’s arrival in the big leagues — when this happens — is an eagerly awaited moment.

“I think it’s a little bit of an inconvenience for a player who’s going to have a long career,” manager Brandon Hyde said after Rutschman was injured. “I’m waiting to see when he’s healthy and when he’s here. We’re going to be a better team.”

In Rutschman and right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, the Orioles have two of the best prospects. This is likely to be another tough season in Baltimore, but they hope to pick up the pace with this foundation.

There are other players to watch this season, but in the long run, Rutschman and Rodriguez are the benchmarks. Rutschman ranks second in the MLB Pipeline prospect rankings and Rodriguez is sixth. Detroit is the only other franchise with two prospects in the Top 10.

It wasn’t a particularly flashy preseason for the Orioles, but they did add right-hander Jordan Lyles to improve their pitching staff, last in ERA last year.

Lyles went 10-13 with a 5.15 ERA with the Texas Rangers last season.

Baltimore also acquired second baseman Rougned Odor, who hit .202 with 15 home runs and 39 RBIs in 102 games with the New York Yankees.

Rutschman climbed to Triple-A last year and hit .312 in 43 games. Rodríguez went 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA in starts at Double-A.

Out of those two, the two top prospects in Baltimore, according to MLB PipelineThey are infielder Gunnar Henderson (64th) and outfielder Colton Cowser (66th). Only Henderson reached Double-A.

Rodriguez was sent to minor league camp, but general manager Mike Elias said he’s close to promotion.

“He will have a few starts in the minors,” Elias said. “With the pitchers, we have a better idea of ​​how they’re going to perform. If he hits some targets, I don’t think he’s got anything else to prove.”

Outfielder Cedric Mullins was a silver lining last year with the Orioles, hitting .291 with 30 home runs and 30 steals to finish ninth in AL MVP voting. At 27 years old, Mullins will try to show that it was not a fluke. It was the first time he played more than 48 games in a season with the Orioles.

His performance last year was the most impressive since Mullins underwent intestinal surgery in November 2020 after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

John Means pitched a no-hitter last season and posted a 3.61 ERA in 26 starts for the Orioles. They will look for him to lead the rotation again.

In January, the Orioles announced significant changes to the dimensions of their stadium, pushing the wall in left field further back to give their pitchers breathing space. Baltimore hit 122 home runs at home last year, and 73 away. His pitchers allowed 155 home runs at Camden Yards and 103 on the road.