Fansided

One September call-up to watch for each MLB team

By Joshua Sadlock

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 07: Gavin Lux #10 of the National League Futures Team throws during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on July 7, 2019 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 07: Gavin Lux #10 of the National League Futures Team throws during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on July 7, 2019 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /
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CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 24: Ryan Mountcastle (76) of the Orioles walks to the batter’s box during the spring training game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 24, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 24: Ryan Mountcastle (76) of the Orioles walks to the batter’s box during the spring training game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 24, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Baltimore Orioles: Ryan Mountcastle

The hitting ability of Baltimore Orioles prospect Ryan Mountcastle was never in question when the team drafted him in the first round of the 2015 draft out of high school. Where he would eventually play, however, was definitely in question. Mountcastle came out of high school as a shortstop, but scouts pegged him as a corner infielder or outfielder in the big leagues.

In his five professional seasons, Mountcastle has indeed done nothing but hit and has made the transition across the diamond to first base while also playing a little left field. The 22-year-old is a .294/.328/.471 hitter with 137 doubles, 70 home runs and 273 RBI through 523 games in the Minors. Mountcastle is having the best year of his career in 2019, hitting .310/.343/.527 at Triple-A Norfolk with 35 doubles, 25 home runs and 82 RBI. He has also been solid at first base, making only four errors in over 80 games in his first season playing the position.

The Orioles are obviously rebuilding, so are in no hurry to promote Mountcastle if they don’t have to. He’s certainly ready, however, and has little left to prove in the Minor Leagues with his bat. The power stroke developing this year is also another huge boost for Mountcastle’s prospect stock.

With Chris Davis and Trey Mancini, the Orioles are dealing with a bit of a logjam at first base, left field and DH, but with Davis seeing most of his at-bats given to younger players, there’s no reason to leave Mountcastle in the Minor Leagues for the rest of the season. The Orioles won’t promote their top hitting prospect outside of Adley Rutschman just to entertain the fans, but Mountcastle is definitely ready.

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