With the season coming to its end, it’s time to start discussing offseason events. The players who are Rule 5 eligible were announced, so let’s review which players the O’s will have to discuss protecting.
While there is a chance that none of the players are going to be added to the 40-man roster, there are always a few who stand out above the rest.
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Nolan Hoffman – RHP
In spring training this season, I made a comment about how great Nolan Hoffman can be if he gets a full season of Minor League Baseball under his belt. Well, he had his full season, and he was solid on the mound.
Hoffman pitched in 32 games and went 1-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 44.1 innings pitched between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. He gave up 44 hits, 15 earned runs, 14 walks and had 34 strikeouts.
Hoffman is 26 years old and could get the opportunity to fight for a spot in the Orioles bullpen next spring if protected, especially with the unfortunate injury to Félix Bautista.
Zach Peek – RHP
Before we get into Zach Peek, it was nice to see him pitch this season after his successful Tommy John surgery.
Peek missed most of 2023, as he only pitched in five games and 10.2 innings pitched. But he had a solid 2022 before the injury, carrying a 3.57 ERA in 45.1 innings pitched and holding batters to a .243 batting average.
The 25-year-old has the versatility to be both a starter or bullpen piece. Plus, Peek is getting ready to have his first full season since the surgery, so it would be interesting to see him on the mound for an entire year.
Garrett Stallings – RHP
Another pitcher? Welcome to the pitching minor league system that the Orioles have. Stallings had a career year in 2023, pitching in 28 games and going 11-6 with a 5.16 ERA in 127.1 innings pitched. He also struck out 133 batters and had a WHIP of 1.39.
Stallings is MLB ready in many eyes. I don’t think he makes the Opening Day roster next season, but not protecting Stallings would be a bit of a question mark. The 26-year-old righty has a plus breaking ball and a fastball that hits around 96, which definitely plays in the bigs.
Rolphy Cruz – INF
Rolphy Cruz needs to have a fair shot. After three straight years in the minors, battling injury after injury, Cruz needs to have that chance on the O’s farm.
In 31 games this past season between the FCL Orioles and Low-A Delmarva, Cruz slashed .229/.302/.457 with a .759 OPS. He collected 24 total hits, five doubles, two triples and five home runs.
Cruz is still just 21 years old and has all the tools to be a solid infielder. But, he needs to prove that he can stay on the field and develop properly in the top farm system in all of baseball.
Jean Pinto – RHP
The final player to finish this list is right-handed pitcher Jean Pinto. Pinto, at 22 years old, was highly efficient and effective on the mound in 2023.
His 3.10 ERA in 22 games, 17 starts, between High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie came with 101 strikeouts in 81.2 innings pitched, as he held opponents to a .229 Average
Pinto was acquired by the O’s in 2020, along with fellow Rule 5 eligible right-hander Garrett Stallings, who we just covered. It will be interesting to see if GM Mike Elias will protect both arms he acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for José Iglesias.
Now, you may be wondering why we decided to leave the only O’s top 30 prospect who’s Rule 5 eligible off our list. That player is 24-year-old outfielder Hudson Haskin, and the answer is fairly simple.
The Orioles already have a plethora of outfielders on their 40-man roster and in their farm system overall. Adding Haskin, whose 2023 season ended prematurely due to required hip surgery in July, with the likes of Heston Kjerstad, Colton Cowser and Kyle Stowers already on the 40-man doesn’t seem likely, unless Elias is willing to deal at least one of those names this offseason.
Five spots will open on the O’s 40-man roster when their free agents hit the market, but their three players on the 60-day injured list in Keegan Akin, Dillon Tate and Terrin Vavra will need to be re-added after the World Series.
Below is a tweet with all of the organization’s players who are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason.
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