Orioles' top prospects to watch in 2022
Joe Trezza
@JoeTrezzBALTIMORE -- 2021 was a banner year for the Orioles' farm system, which rose to the top of the MLB Pipeline rankings and enjoyed big seasons from top prospects Adley Rutschman and Grayson Rodriguez. Both could debut in '22 in Baltimore, where the future is bright.
But they are far from the only players in the system looking forward to the new year. Here are five prospects who, for various reasons, also fit that bill.
OF Heston Kjerstad
Club prospect ranking: No. 7
Finished 2021: Injured
Projected to start to 2022: Extended spring camp
The Orioles are clamoring to finally get a real look at Kjerstad, their top pick (and the second overall) in the 2020 Draft. Yet to play due to myocarditis, Kjerstad resumed baseball activity at the O’s training complex in October and hopes to be ramped up by Spring Training. It’s been almost two years since Kjerstad, who will turn 23 in February, played competitively at the University of Arkansas, so the Orioles are expected to ease him into things. That may take the form of a stint in extended spring camp, or placement at a lower level to begin the year, with a progression up the system from there. Once back on the field, '22 for Kjerstad will be about acclimation to professional ball and making up for lost time. Still, it could be a make-or-break year for one of the Orioles’ most important prospects, given the layoff he’s endured.
SS Joey Ortiz
Club prospect ranking: No. 20
Finished 2021: Double-A Bowie
Projected to start to 2022: Double-A Bowie
The Orioles’ fourth-round Draft pick in 2019 out of New Mexico State, Ortiz has grown into perhaps the most highly regarded defender in Baltimore’s system. He showed increased power in a jump to Double-A Bowie last summer, homering four times in 16 games before a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely. Ortiz underwent surgery to repair the labrum tear in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, and isn’t expected to be limited in '22. He’ll enter the year looking to build on his ’21 season.
Mayo had so few issues as a 19-year-old at Delmarva that the Orioles might feel comfortable starting the big third baseman at High-A this spring and seeing what happens. Few O’s prospects have more upside than Mayo, who produces some of the hardest exit velocity readings in the system and comes with a huge arm at the hot corner. Third base has been a hole at the big league level for years, and Mayo looks like the Orioles’ heir apparent at the position, especially if he can improve his contact ability and clean up some defensive issues. His progress in 2022 should go a long way toward determining if -- or how quickly -- that happens.
RHP Carter Baumler
Club prospect ranking: No. 27
Finished 2021: Injured
Projected to start to 2022: Extended spring camp
The O’s fifth-round Draft pick in 2020, Baumler signed for $1.5 million out of the Iowa prep ranks that summer, threw two bullpen sessions at Orioles instructional camp and was shut down due to an elbow issue. But perhaps the timing was fortuitous. Baumler underwent Tommy John surgery in October ’20, completed his rehab program this autumn and is on track to debut in early ’22 at age 20. That gives the high-upside righty more than enough time to develop once he gets his feet wet.
OF Zach Watson
Club prospect ranking: Unranked
Finished 2021: Double-A Bowie
Projected to start to 2022: Triple-A Norfolk
With 21 homers and 24 steals, Watson’s first full season of pro ball was one of the more productive in the O’s system in 2021, which he split between Aberdeen and Bowie. Watson isn’t a complete player -- he struck out at a high clip, didn’t walk much and struggled to get on base at times. But he showed a unique mix of power, speed and defensive ability that positioned him well for '22. It’ll be a big year for him, especially since the lower levels of Baltimore’s system are now flooded with outfielders taken in the ’21 Draft.