MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help the Orioles in 2019

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 01: Baltimore Orioles right fielder Austin Hays (21) rounds the basses after hitting a home run during the MLB Spring Training game between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees on March 01, 2019 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by /Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SARASOTA, FL- FEBRUARY 23: Chance Sisco #15 of the Baltimore Orioles runs after hitting a home run during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on February 23, 2019 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

3. Chance Sisco

After breaking camp with the MLB club last year and sticking on the roster through July, it has to be disappointing for catcher Chance Sisco to start the 2019 season in the minor leagues. Given his first chance to earn a permanent starting job, the 24-year-old floundered with the Orioles. He was hitting only .195/.306/.289 before being sent back down to the minor leagues for most of the second half. He returned to the big leagues in September and went hitless in 11 at-bats.

The Orioles have not given up on Sisco as their catcher of the future, but he is no longer viewed as a top prospect in the organization. He struggled mightily given his chance to stick in the big leagues and then went down to Triple-A and could not crack .250 with limited power. There are also big questions about his ability to stick behind the plate given his weak arm. Sisco did actually throw out baserunners at a 31-percent clip, but concerns about his arm strength still linger.

With the Orioles content to lose games at an alarming rate this year, there was no reason to force Sisco onto the Opening Day roster. He did have a scorching spring at the plate, hitting .382/.533/.765 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 34 at-bats. That increased power is an especially interesting development, and Sisco got noticeably stronger over the offseason.

There is still a ton of potential in the former second-round pick, who has shown a polished stroke and approach at the plate in his minor-league career. The Orioles are smart to let Pedro Severino and Jesus Sucre handle the catching duties for a month or two while allowing their former top prospect a few more weeks to lock in and prepare for another shot in the big leagues.

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