Orioles Prospect Report - April 2024

[Orioles]

From BA's April 4 article 70 MLB Prospects Who Impressed Scouts On The Backfields:

James Wood, OF, Nationals

The second of Washington’s twin peak outfielders, Wood came over as the gem of the trade that sent Juan Soto to San Diego. The massive lefty swinger blitzed the competition at High-A before taking a small step back upon reaching Double-A, where he struck out 33% of the time. Wood was a standout in Grapefruit League games and earned Opening Day placement in Triple-A. He was particularly vulnerable to spin in 2023, but scouts this spring saw a player who’d done a much better job patching that hole in his game. He’s got elite power and elite speed on the basepaths, two traits which comprise the most coveted combination in the game. Like Dylan Crews, Wood would fit well in either center or right field, and his offensive skills would fit at either spot. There’s still some polish to apply against righthanded spin, and his sizable frame will create more holes than most, but his ceiling is as high as any prospect in the sport.

Alfredo Duno, C, Reds

Duno was Cincinnati’s top signing in the international period that opened on Jan. 15, 2023. He spent his first pro summer demolishing the competition in the Dominican Summer League, finishing with a .945 OPS and half a dozen home runs. Duno is a sturdy-bodied catcher who was kept from playing defense last season by injury. He’s back behind the plate this season and has shown a strong arm that is somewhat muted by a slower release. He’s got plenty of work to do on the receiving end as well, but at 18 years old he has time to add polish. Even if he has to move off the position, his bat will more than carry the bulk of what should be significant value. Duno has elite bat speed, a malleable path and the ability to one day produce 70-grade power.

Leodalis De Vries, SS, Padres

A year after Ethan Salas broke onto the scene, the Padres appear to have landed another international shooting star. As it is wont to do, San Diego has already exposed De Vries to Cactus League action and played him in the team’s Spring Breakout game against Seattle. Scouts on the backfields saw a smooth athlete with the actions and arm to play shortstop. In the box, he’s loose and projectable with plenty of bat speed. All those variables point to a player with star-level upside who has a chance to one day take his place at the top of the Padres’ system. In fact, you can find scouts who believe he’s already there.

[Orioles]

From the April 19 BP Minor League Update:

Hitter of the Day:

Cam Collier, 3B, Cincinnati Reds (High-A Dayton): 3-5, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI.

Ranked no. 7 on our offseason Reds list after placing third the year before, the former mid-first-rounder Collier played all of his full-season debut aged only 18. He played well enough, though his contact and exit velo rates were advanced while his swing decision metrics were lagging. Early on this season, following a promotion from Daytona (Low-A) to Dayton (High-A), Collier’s numbers—.340/.354/.681 with five homers—are very good rather than just very good for his age.


Carson Williams, SS, Tampa Bay Rays (Double-A Montgomery): 3-6, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI.

Williams has been absolutely scalding to begin 2024, slashing .442/.489/.791 with three homers in his first 10 games. Some evaluators (myself included) have cast aspersions on his hit tool, but he is a really good shortstop who could potentially knock 30 homers given his pop and swing approach. He ranked second on the Rays list, behind only Junior Caminero.


Heston Kjerstad, OF, Baltimore Orioles (Triple-A Norfolk): 3-3, HR, R, RBI, SB.

He's on another planet right now.