MLB Pipeline has dropped their 2024 top 30 prospects for the Orioles, and there are many things to discuss and break down.
There are some new faces, and there are some significant changes to the rankings. For reference, when comparing the list to last year, I’m going to use the final list constructed after the 2023 MLB Draft.
Without further ado, let’s dive into it.
New Addition: Thomas Sosa
It was partially surprising that their was only one new face between the last list in 2023 and the first list of 2024. Ranked at No. 23 is 19-year-old outfielder Thomas Sosa.
Sosa was an international free agent signing in 2022 and has looked great in his small time in professional baseball.
Sosa played the 2023 year for the FCL Orioles in Rookie Ball and slashed .290/.385/.492 with a .877 OPS in 39 total games. He collected 36 total hits, seven doubles, three triples, four home runs and 25 RBIs. He also walked 17 times, struck out 31 times and stole five bases in that span.
Sosa is a big prospect to look for in 2024, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he started the year off in Low-A Delmarva as a 19-year-old.
Biggest Promotion: Trace Bright (+13)
Seeing prospects move up in the rankings is great, but seeing prospects that are moving up and are still considered underrated is even better. In this case, it’s former Auburn right-hander and fifth-round pick, Trace Bright.
At the end of 2023, Bright was ranked at No. 30, barely cracking the list. Now, he enters the season ranked all the way at No. 17, a 13 spot jump.
Brights’ 2023 season consisted of a 3.97 ERA in 26 games, 21 starts. He pitched 99.2 innings, gave up 75 hits, nine home runs, 56 walks and struck out 147 batters. He also held batters to a .205 batting average.
Bright has a very bright future ahead, and I would expect to see him make his MLB debut within the next two years.
Biggest Demotion: Creed Willems / Hudson Haskin (-10)
Saying a prospect was demoted can sound bad, but if you are in the top 30, then you should still be proud. Both Creed Willems and Hudson Haskin are solid at their positions, but it’s just that the Orioles’ farm system is so filled with depth that they are on the lower end of the rankings.
Haskin was ranked 26th on the top 30 after finishing the 2023 season ranked at 16th. Haskin’s season was cut short because of injuries, but he looked really good in the games that he played.
In 33 games, he slashed .287/.394/.443 with a .837 OPS and collected 33 total hits, seven doubles, one triple and three home runs. Haskin is going to have a big comeback 2024 season that’s expected to start with Triple-A Norfolk.
Willems’ 2023 campaign was split between Low-A Delmarva and High-A Aberdeen. What hurts Willems is the catcher depth in the O’s system, with players like Samuel Basallo, Silas Ardoin and, of course, All-Star Adley Rutschman.
Willems hit a combined .220/.316/.395 with a .711 OPS in 105 games between the two levels, tallying 82 total hits, 14 doubles and 17 home runs while knocking in 75 RBIs. Willems does have a strikeout problem with 115 last year, but that should get better with age.
He is a good friend of The Baltimore Battery, as he was kind enough to sit down with us last season for an interview. You can check that out here.
Player Knocked Out: Billy Cook
With the addition of Thomas Sosa, it was unfortunate that one prospect had to be knocked out of the top 30 to make room. That prospect was, unfortunately, super utility player Billy Cook.
Cook had a phenomenal 2023 season with Bowie. In 120 games, he slashed .251/.320/.456 with a .776 OPS with 112 total hits, 16 doubles, two triples and 24 home runs to his name. Cook also drove in 81 and stole 30 bases.
Cook is most likely the No. 31 prospect, and with players like Heston Kjerstad and Colton Cowser expected to graduate from the top 30 sooner than later, he will claim a spot once more.
Below is the full 2024 top 30 prospects list from MLB Pipeline:
- 1. Jackson Holliday INF
- 2. Samuel Basallo C
- 3. Colton Cowser OF
- 4. Coby Mayo INF
- 5. Heston Kjerstad OF
- 6. Enrique Bradfield Jr. OF
- 7. Connor Norby INF
- 8. Dylan Beavers OF
- 9. Chayce McDermott RHP
- 10. Cade Povich LHP
- 11. Seth Johnson RHP
- 12. Mac Horvath OF
- 13. Jud Fabian OF
- 14. Braylin Tavera OF
- 15. Max Wagner INF
- 16. Leandro Arias INF
- 17. Trace Bright RHP
- 18. Luis De León LHP
- 19. Jackson Baumeister RHP
- 20. Luis Almeyda SS
- 21. Justin Armbruester RHP
- 22. Joshua Liranzo INF
- 23. Thomas Sosa OF
- 24. John Rhodes OF
- 25. Alex Pham RHP
- 26. Hudson Haskin OF
- 27. Juan Nuñez RHP
- 28. Frederick Bencosme INF
- 29. Carter Baumler RHP
- 30. Creed Willems C
Which O’s top 30 prospects intrigue you the most heading into the 2024 season? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on X, Facebook and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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