BALTIMORE -- Props to you, Orioles fans, for submitting such insightful questions this week. Some even proved prophetic. A day after I got inquiries about DJ Stewart, Stewart was promoted. Once they started flowing in about Mychal Givens, Givens’ role in the Orioles ‘pen was altered. What other powers do you all have?

My inbox is stuffed with Draft questions, so this seems like as good a place as any to begin. It really doesn’t matter whether I think the Orioles should go with Rutschman or not, but I will tell you that’s what much of the industry expects them to do. The Oregon State catcher is the top player on nearly every Draft board and every public mock, including the latest from our crack MLB Pipeline team. A switch-hitting college bat who plays a premium position, he’s considered to have the highest floor in this year’s class and is seen as a potential franchise cornerstone.

That said, Rutschman isn’t viewed as a once-in-a-generation type talent, aka the kind that can’t possibly fall from No. 1. The Orioles are strongly considering four players for the top pick, a group that includes Rutschuman, Texas prep shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Cal first baseman Andrew Vaughn, for sure. Witt and Vaughn remain serious candidates, with Georgia prep shortstop CJ Abrams a possibility as well.

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Witt is thought to have the most upside in this year’s class, and as a prep player, he may fit better into any future competitive window. General manager Mike Elias is also no stranger to gambling on standout prep shortstops. He was Houston’s scouting director when it bypassed as many as seven highly rated players -- including Byron Buxton -- to take Carlos Correa at No. 1 in 2012. Vaughn is considered one of the most polished college bats in years, a big-power, low-strikeout savant who stands out on projection models like a unicorn.

All that said, Rutschman ranks No. 1 on nearly every mock draft, including Draft expert Jim Callis’ latest for MLB Pipeline.

That’s where all this stands, as of Friday. The Orioles won’t officially whittle it down until their entire scouting department huddles under one roof this weekend. Their final decision could very well end up waiting until Draft night.

“Even when you’re picking 1-1, it typically comes down to the wire,” Elias told me recently. “There is a lot of information that comes in late, and you kinda want to hear it all, and there is just no reason to make the decision a week in advance of the pick or even three days in advance of the pick. Even if there are higher probabilities than others, you don’t necessary walk around having our minds made up until it’s time. There is just no reason to do that.”

Are the Orioles seriously entertaining the idea of potentially trading Trey Mancini?
-- Anonymous

As of the current moment, club officials are more focused on the Draft and the upcoming international signing period, which officially reopens on July 2. But later this summer they could be faced with a difficult decision with regards to Mancini, who is equal parts their best extension candidate and their most valuable asset on the trade market. Mancini is enjoying a breakout season and isn’t arbitration eligible until this winter.

It all depends on how the Orioles view their competitive window. Is it close enough to build around Mancini, who is 27 years old but under team control through 2023? Or would the potential return expedite that process enough to make shopping Mancini worth it?

Since taking the reins in November, Elias has repeatedly called adding talent to the organization his top priority. I doubt they don’t at least consider it.

Who are some other assets we could look to flip?
-- Michael Kundrat

A few weeks ago, I would’ve said Givens, but it’ll be interesting to see how his recent struggles affect the right-hander’s market value.

Jonathan Villar is 28 and under team control through 2021; he’s been included in mid-summer packages before and would likely be attractive again for a team looking for middle infield help. Maybe the Orioles can sell high on John Means and Renato Núñez, who are enjoying emergent seasons.

The most obvious “rental” is Andrew Cashner, who is unlikely to reach the innings total necessary for his 2020 option to vest. Cashner recently told The Athletic he might consider not accepting a trade if it’s not to a club he desires, but without 10-and-5 rights, he doesn’t have the ability to flat-out nix a deal like Adam Jones did last summer.