(Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Once upon a time, not so long ago, the Baltimore Orioles weren’t exactly good at identifying and developing talent.
They weren’t very good drafters, they ignored the amateur international market, and they couldn’t develop an impact star even if their lives depended on it.
But that started to change when Mike Elias was hired to take over baseball decisions in 2019.
Since that year, they have added Heston Kjerstad, Jordan Westburg, Coby Mayo, Colton Cowser, Connor Norby, Jackson Holliday, Enrique Bradfield Jr., and many other impact prospects.
They have joined a few stars acquired before Elias, such as Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez, Gunnar Henderson, Joey Ortiz, and more.
As a result of the huge influx of talent, the O’s now boast MLB’s best and deepest collection of talent.
A familiar spot. pic.twitter.com/xpJwznmyfK
— Orioles Player Development (@OsPlayerDev) August 16, 2023
They have the best farm system in baseball even with Rutschman, Rodriguez, Henderson, and others graduating.
Kjerstad, Mayo, Norby, DL Hall, and many others are in the minors waiting for their opportunity.
This is a team that lost 110 games in 2021, but by then, the transformation had already started at the lower levels.
It’s amazing how a healthy, talented farm system can positively affect a team’s outlook.
Remember that Baltimore is now the best team in the American League with its 74-47 record.
Their player development staff and resources have vastly improved, too: remember that they produced several stars out of nowhere, such as Felix Bautista and Yennier Cano, among many others.
This is one of the most exciting cores in the majors and the Orioles are here to stay.
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