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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FORT MYERS, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Luis Ortiz #59 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the Spring Training game against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Field on February 25, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /

2. Luis Ortiz

Veteran shortstop Jonathan Villar has emerged as the best piece the Orioles acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers for second baseman Jonathan Schoop. In addition to Villar, who could wind up as the team’s representative in the All-Star Game this summer, the O’s landed two-top 15 prospects from a solid Milwaukee system. One of those prospects, Luis Ortiz, made his MLB debut down the stretch last year.

The 23-year-old righty was highly regarded coming out of high school and was picked in the first round in 2014 by the Texas Rangers. He hasn’t quite lived up to the hype, and concerns about his conditioning linger. Perhaps a need to impress a new front office provided the motivation Ortiz needed to get in shape, as he lost 20 pounds over the winter. He was knocked around in Spring Training, but an opportunity will soon present itself if he pitches well at Triple-A.

Ortiz has a solid fastball that he can run up to 97 miles per hour and a slider that has good potential as a put-away pitch. The Orioles have been utilizing an “opener” so far this year, and that role could fit Ortiz given his body type and arsenal. There’s still potential for him to make it as a starter, but the Orioles are open to being creative and trying new things this year.

Another former first-rounder in the system to keep an eye on is Dillon Tate. Like Ortiz, his stock has fallen considerably since being taken with the number-four overall pick in 2015. Tate has struggled to stay healthy, battling hamstring, shoulder and quad injuries the past three seasons, but still has high upside if he can put it together. The right-hander is working on developing a sinker, and has gotten good results with it in the minor leagues when he locates the pitch. If Tate can stay healthy all year, the Orioles will likely give him a chance in the rotation at some point later this year.

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