Orioles Prospect Report - May 2024

[Orioles]

From MLB Pipeline's May 1 Here is the hottest hitting prospect in each organization:


Rays: Carson Williams, SS (No. 2/MLB No. 18)

Known more for his power and speed on the offensive side, Williams has shown a more well-rounded game to begin 2024, posting a .368/.415/.592 line over 18 games with Double-A Montgomery. Perhaps most notably, his strikeout rate has dropped from 31.4 percent a year ago to a more manageable 26.8 through the season’s first month. His .490 BABIP is unsustainable, but he’s helping push that up by stinging a ton of pullside line drives, another positive indicator in his hitting development.


Nationals: James Wood, OF (No. 2/MLB No. 13)

Wood got off to a vicious start by going 15-for-34 (.441) with eight extra-base hits and nine walks in his first nine games with Triple-A Rochester, and even though it seems like he’s slowed down a touch, he’s still riding an eight-game hitting streak into Wednesday’s action. The 21-year-old is slashing .326/.434/.484 through 24 contests at the Minors’ top level and has flexed speed with eight steals. His 93.9 mph average exit velocity is also second in Triple-A among hitters with at least 50 batted balls.


Phillies: Gabriel Rincones Jr. (No. 10)

After hitting well in the AFL in 2023, the hope was Rincones would put up some serious numbers while calling hitting-friendly Reading home. He’s done just that, with a .300/.417/.600 line over his first 13 games. He’s third in the Double-A Eastern League with his 1.017 OPS and has enjoyed home cooking for sure, with a 1.222 OPS in five games in Reading.


Reds: Cam Collier, 3B (No. 7)

Perhaps Collier served notice of what was to come when he homered in the Reds’ first Spring Breakout game in March. Remember, the Reds’ first-rounder in 2022 had reclassified for that Draft, so even though this is his second full season, he’s still only 19 years old. That makes his .933 OPS (.298/.326/.607) with High-A Dayton, not to mention the fact that he leads the Midwest League with his seven homers and his 25 RBIs and is fourth in SLG, that much more impressive.


Giants: Cole Foster, SS/2B (No. 26)

Foster's ability to do a little bit of everything as a switch-hitting middle infielder got him drafted in the third round out of Auburn last July. He struggled on both sides of the ball during his pro debut but has looked much steadier this spring, slashing .307/.376/.453 in Single-A.

[Orioles]

From the 5/21 BA Hot Sheet:

2. Carson Williams, SS, Rays

Team: Double-A Montgomery (Southern)
Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .444/.565/1.222 (8-for-18), 9 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 5 BB, 3 SO, 1-for-2 SB

The Scoop: After spending most of the 2023 season at High-A Bowling Green and posting middling numbers, Williams moved to Double-A toward season’s end and had a scorching week. In 2024, he’s stayed hot. As one of the youngest players in the league, Williams—known for his big power and stellar defense—has been one of the most productive prospects in the Southern League. He added three more homers this past week, bringing his season total to a league-best seven. (JN)


4. Henry Bolte, OF, Athletics

Team: High-A Lansing (Midwest)
Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .455/.586/1.000 (10-for-22) 9 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 6 BB, 4 SO, 4 SB.

The Scoop: Bolte knows the strike zone, but he still strikes out 32% of the time because he gets beaten in the strike zone by quality pitches. That being said, he also does plenty of damage when he connects, as this week showed. Bolte is a center fielder with well above-average power potential. If he can improve his barrel control and timing, watch out. (JC)


From BP's The Heat Check: James Wood Acts the Part:

James Wood, OF, Washington Nationals (Triple-A Rochester): .469 (15-32), 12 R, 2 2B, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 8 BB, 5 K, SB.

A slight dip in production after a promotion to Double-A and strong showings from recent draftees caused Wood to drop in last year’s 101 from 3 to 7. The contact issues that popped up in 2023 have been resolved. Wood is currently running a sub-20% strikeout rate and commanding the zone. When he does expand, it is to punish mistakes and drive pitches that he can handle. Washington has been competitive, but it’s unlikely they remain in the playoff hunt and therefore there is no real urgency to bring up Wood. However, he’s arguably the top prospect in baseball and the amount of damage that he’s doing at Triple-A might force the hand of the Nationals front office.


Henry Bolte, OF, Oakland Athletics (High-A Lansing): .436 (17-39), 15 R, 5 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 9 BB, 9 K, 5 SB.