Orioles Prospect Report - June 2022

[Orioles]

From BA's June 3 article 10 Noteworthy Prospect Breakthroughs In 2022...

Eury Perez, RHP, Marlins

When Perez opened 2021 as the youngest player on a full-season roster, without the benefit of throwing an official pitch, that should have been a sign that the Marlins might have reeled in a big one. As the season progressed, that notion became clearer and clearer. At just 18 years old, Perez carved the competition at Low-A, then turned in a highly effective stint at High-A Beloit. The noise got louder in 2022, when Miami stayed aggressive with Perez by assigning him to Double-A a week before he turned 19 years old. So far, the towering righthander has rewarded his team’s confidence. Through May, Perez had used his three-pitch mix to rack up 50 strikeouts against just nine walks in 34 innings. His fastball has touched triple-digits this year, too. After entering the season as a very good pitching prospect, Perez’s star turn in the Southern League has vaulted him into the conversation as one of the game’s finest young talents.

Carson Williams, SS, Rays

Of the eight prep shortstops picked in the first round last year, Williams was picked eighth. The early indications are that he’ll end up surpassing at least a couple of those shortstops taken above him. Williams’ defense is already impressive. He’s a smooth, rangy shortstop who should quickly challenge Alika Williams as the Rays’ best defender in the minors.

But it’s been his bat that has been the surprise. Williams trades swing and miss for power, but he’s already shown he can catch up to quality fastballs. If he gets a little more discerning at which sliders to hit and which ones to leave alone, watch out.

[Orioles]

From BA's June 7 Hot Sheet...

11. Shane Baz, RHP, Rays
Team: Triple-A Durham (International)
Age: 22

Why He’s Here: 0-0, 1.08, 8.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 14 SO, 0 HR

The Scoop: In a pair of rehab outings, Baz showed he might just be ready to add a jolt to the Tampa Bay rotation. After whiffing four in his first turn against Nashville, the 22-year-old righthander turned it up a couple notches in the series finale by striking out 10 Sounds hitters, doubling the total he’d accumulated in three prior rehab outings with the Bulls. Sunday’s outing also marked his fourth career 10-strikeout start, a career-best he set three times in 2021. (JN)

17. Jordan Diaz, 3B, Athletics
Team: Double-A Midland (Texas)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .407/.407/.815 (11-for-27), 4 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 0 BB, 4 SO.

The Scoop: One of the most talented position players in the A’s system, Diaz got to spend a series at launching pad Amarillo and took advantage. He reeled off four consecutive multi-hit games, homered three times in four days and drove in seven runs to power the RockHounds offense out of the cleanup spot. Diaz is now up to .306/.352/.561 with 19 doubles, nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 46 games this year, continuing his ascent up Oakland’s system. (KG)

18. Gunnar Henderson, SS, Orioles
Team: Double-A Bowie (Eastern)
Age: 20

Why He’s Here: .476/.500/.857 (10-for-21), 3 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 7 RBIs, 1 BB, 7 SO, 0 SB, 1 CS

The Scoop: Henderson won’t celebrate his 21st birthday until the end of June but he has reason to celebrate early as he was promoted to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday. The standout shortstop went out in style last week, collecting a base hit in all five games he played in, including three-hit games on Tuesday and Wednesday to open the series. Henderson also had an extra-base hit in four of his five games last week. He moved to Norfolk after a standout 47 games with Double-A Bowie where he hit .312/.452/.573 with eight home runs and 12 stolen bases on 14 attempts. Most impressively, Henderson has walked more than he’s struck out, with a walk rate of 19.7% and a strikeout rate of 18.3%. One of the best positional players in the minors is just a call away from the big leagues. (GP)

[Orioles]

From BA's June 28 Hot Sheet...

5. Griff McGarry, RHP, Phillies
Team: High-A Jersey Shore (South Atlantic)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.69, 1 GS, 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 13 SO.

The Scoop: As good as Mick Abel and Andrew Painter are, the argument can be made that McGarry has an even higher upside. At his best, McGarry can be nearly unhittable. He struck out eight of the first nine batters he faced this season, and 13 of the 21 batters he faced this week. The problem for McGarry arises when his control wanders. It sounds so simple, but it really is at the core of many young pitchers’ (and McGarry’s) development. In outings where he has a 60% or higher strike percentage, McGarry has a 2.35 ERA with 18 hits allowed in 30.2 innings with nine walks and 58 strikeouts. In his outings when he has thrown less than 60% strikes, he’s posted a 10.80 ERA in 10 innings with 14 hits allowed, 11 walks and 13 strikeouts. (JC)

19. Grant McCray, OF, Giants
Team: Low-A San Jose (California)
Age: 21

Why He’s Here: .387/.412/.903 (12-for-31), 8 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 9 RBIs, 1 BB, 10 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: Another week, another loud performance from McCray. The 21-year-old center fielder continued his torrid season with eight extra-base hits, including four home runs, in six games at Stockton to push his batting average up to .300 and his home runs into the double-digits. McCray is still striking out more than ideal, but his combination of power, speed, defense in center field and overall athleticism continue to make him one of the Giants’ biggest breakout prospects of the season. (KG)