It isn’t a fun time to be an Orioles fan right now.

If you’re spending time on BaltimoreBaseball.com, you don’t need me to tell you that.

The Orioles have the worst record (22-58) in the majors for the second straight season. With a 28-53 record, the Kansas City Royals are 5 1/2 games ahead of them.

The New York Yankees’ (52-28) lead over the Orioles in the American League East stands at 30 games. Remember, the Orioles only have 22 wins through the season’s first 80 games.

In fact, they’re actually one game behind the record-setting pace of the 2018 club. Last year, the Orioles were 23-57. Of course, they finished with a franchise-record 115 losses.

But at the same time, it is a fun time to be an Orioles fan right now.

That might not make any sense. It has been miserable in Birdland for two years. But if you’re reading this blog, you know I’m talking about the Orioles’ minor-league system.

Shortly after last month’s “Dean Jones Report” update, the Orioles selected Oregon State University catcher Adley Rutschman with the first overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft. Rutschman, 21, will begin his professional career in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. If all goes according to plan, you’ll likely see him playing at Short-A Aberdeen later this year.

All eyes will be on Rutschman’s development over the next few seasons.

He’s the first position player taken in the first round by the organization since outfielder DJ Stewart (25th overall) and infielder Ryan Mountcastle (36th overall) in 2015. For the most part, the Orioles stuck to drafting pitchers in the first round under the previous leadership.

Beyond the Orioles’ draft haul, I’m anxious to see what the organization will do in the upcoming international-signing period. Beginning next Tuesday, July 2, the Orioles will almost certainly be active with signing foreign-born players for the first time in years.

As Orioles executive vice president Mike Elias explained to reporters earlier this week: “I just think it’s going to be a very fun day for this organization to have an infusion of Dominican and Venezuelan and even guys from the Bahamas. There’s going to be a lot of international talent coming in, and it’s going to be inspiring.”

Although my colleague Rich Dubroff correctly noted that Orioles fans shouldn’t expect an immediate impact from any of these players, it’s still good to see the organization moving in the right direction. Remember, you can’t run a marathon if you don’t learn to walk first.

That’s why it’s a fun time to be an Orioles fan right now. The rebuild is in full swing.

While we wait for it to play out, I’ll keep updating you on the latest happenings in the Orioles’ minor-league system in the “Dean Jones Report” on the last Friday of every month.

I’ll share the latest news and notes about the 12 prospects who make up my “Dean’s Dozen” rankings. I’ll list each player as a rising stock (bullish) or a falling stock (bearish), based on his recent play. Plus, I’ll highlight a handful of other players divided into two categories – surging and falling. These players will show you who’s hot and who’s not.

Then, at the bottom of every post, I’ll share the upcoming schedule for each of the Orioles’ affiliates. That way, you’ll know when to get out and see all of these players in action. And after you do, be sure to let me know your thoughts at [email protected].

Before we get started, a bit of housekeeping: You can expect next month’s “Dean Jones Report” to be published on Friday, July 26. Now, let’s get to the current update…

DEAN’S DOZEN

No. 1: Yusniel Diaz, OF, Bowie
BEARISH
Statistics: .273, 0 HRs, 2 RBIs in 6 games (Frederick); .238, 6 HRs, 28 RBIs, 6 2Bs, 23 runs in 38 games (Bowie)
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Plain and simple, the Cuba native should be delivering more as the cornerstone of the trade that sent infielder Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers last summer. Diaz, 22, has started to heat up since coming off the injured list at the end of May. He has five homers and 21 RBIs in 18 games this month. However, the consistency still isn’t there yet. After raising his Double-A average to .250 with his fourth two-hit performance in six games on June 21, Diaz has cooled off a bit. In his past six games, he is hitting only. 174 (4-for-23).

No. 2: Ryan Mountcastle, 3B/1B, Norfolk
BULLISH
Statistics: .309, 13 HRs, 47 RBIs, 15 2Bs, 43 runs in 70 games
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Mountcastle, 22, isn’t hitting as well as he did in May (.341 average in 19 games). But the 2015 first-round pick (36th overall) remains above .300 overall. Through 26 games this month, he’s batting .294 with six homers and 14 RBIs. Mountcastle hit his team-leading 13th home run in the Tides’ 6-5 victory at Durham on Wednesday. A day later, he added a double in Norfolk’s 7-6 win over the Bulls. Before that, Mountcastle’s last extra-base hit came June 14 – an RBI double in the eighth inning of the Tides’ 7-2 loss to Toledo. On Thursday, Mountcastle earned a spot on the International League All-Star squad.

No. 3: DL Hall, LHP, Frederick
BEARISH
Statistics: 2-3, 4.25 ERA, 73 Ks, 38 BBs, 1.54 WHIP in 48 2/3 innings
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When you look at the numbers, the 2017 first-round selection (21st overall) hasn’t stood out – either positively or negatively. Hall, 20, is 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA through 13 games (12 starts). That isn’t terrible. But it isn’t great. And he has struggled a bit in June, posting a 4.61 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in four starts. Hall has walked 16 hitters and only struck out 14 in 13 2/3 innings this month. On Tuesday, he issued a career-high six walks in four innings in the Keys’ 13-6 win at Lynchburg. Hall only threw 44 of his 85 pitches for strikes. However, it’s worth noting that Hall ranks among the Carolina League leaders with 73 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings. Although I’m staying “bearish” this month, his future remains as bright as ever.

No. 4: Austin Hays, OF, Norfolk
BEARISH
Statistics: .162, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, 3 runs in 9 games (Frederick); .268, 3 HRs, 11 RBIs, 5 2Bs, 9 runs in 14 games (Bowie); .216, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 2 2Bs, 4 runs in 10 games (Norfolk)
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Well, so much for that. Last month, I wrote, “After the 2016 third-round selection’s late start to the season because of a thumb injury, it’s good to see him back on the field again.” Hays, who will turn 24 on July 5, played another seven games for the Baysox before moving up to Norfolk. In only his 10th game with the Tides on June 19, he exited after injuring his hamstring while running to first base in the second inning. According to the Virginian-Pilot‘s David Hall, Hays is “out indefinitely with a hamstring strain.” So again, we’re all waiting.

No. 5: Keegan Akin, LHP, Norfolk
BEARISH
Statistics: 3-2, 4.37 ERA, 83 Ks, 35 BBs, 1.51 WHIP in 70 innings
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You might recall from last month’s update that the 2016 second-round selection went 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA in May. Akin, 24, pitched much worse this month. He didn’t factor in any decisions during his five games (four starts) and pitched to a 5.91 ERA and 1.92 WHIP. On June 13, Akin made the first relief appearance of his four-year professional career in the Tides’ 4-3 win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was charged with one run, one hit and two walks in 1 1/3 innings. In his most recent start, Akin gave up three runs, six hits and four walks in five innings as Norfolk lost to Gwinnett, 8-4. I’d like to see Akin get a chance to pitch in the majors later this year, but first he needs to master Triple-A. On Thursday, Akin was selected to represent the International League in the Triple-A All-Star Game.

No. 6: Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Delmarva
BULLISH
Statistics: 7-1, 2.21 ERA, 78 Ks, 15 BBs, 0.86 WHIP in 57 innings
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Forget June 4. On that day, the 2018 first-round pick (11th overall) surrendered seven runs and eight hits in five innings as the Shorebirds lost, 9-0, at Kannapolis. Rodriguez, 19, has only given up seven total runs in his other 10 starts so far this season. Overall, he is 7-1 with a 2.21 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 57 innings. But if you take out that one bad outing, he would have a 1.21 ERA. Rodriguez also started for the Northern Division team in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 18, giving up one hit in one inning. On Tuesday, Rodriguez only needed 66 pitches (47 strikes) to get through five scoreless innings against Lakewood. He struck out six hitters and only allowed one hit in Delmarva’s 5-0 victory.

No. 7: Ryan McKenna, OF, Bowie
BEARISH
Statistics: .222, 5 HRs, 27 RBIs, 14 2Bs, 44 runs, 9 SBs in 74 games
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Most of the 2015 fourth-round selection’s struggles this season have come against right-handed pitchers. The right-handed-hitting McKenna, 22, is only batting .203 with 46 strikeouts in 197 at-bats during those situations. Against lefties, he’s hitting .271 in 85 at-bats. For some reason, McKenna also has struggled at Prince George’s Stadium. He’s batting a disappointing .187 in 139 at-bats during 36 games at Bowie’s home ballpark. In 37 games on the road, his average is .259. We’re halfway through the 2019 season, and McKenna hasn’t been able to duplicate the success he had at Frederick in his time with the Baysox. Through 134 games at the Double-A level over the past two years, McKenna is hitting .229.

No. 8: Zac Lowther, LHP, Bowie
BULLISH
Statistics: 8-4, 2.03 ERA, 70 Ks, 36 BBs, 1.10 WHIP in 75 1/3 innings
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Lowther, 23, keeps proving that he’s ready for the next challenge. The 2017 competitive balance round B pick went 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA in five starts in June. He struck out 27 hitters and only allowed 13 hits in 27 innings during the month. Lowther’s 1.07 WHIP would’ve been even better if he didn’t issue 16 walks in that span, including five in five innings at Portland on June 8. Regardless, I’d like to see Lowther get a shot at Norfolk at some point this year. Earlier this week, he was selected – along with left-hander Alex Wells and infielders Rylan Bannon and Mason McCoy – to represent the Baysox in the Eastern League All-Star Game on July 10 in Richmond. Maybe he’ll move up to Norfolk after that.

No. 9: Dean Kremer, RHP, Bowie
BULLISH
Statistics: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 14 Ks, 4 BBs, 1.03 WHIP in 9 2/3 innings (Frederick); 3-4, 3.96 ERA, 41 Ks, 11 BBs, 1.27 WHIP in 38 2/3 innings (Bowie)
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I’m switching to “bullish” on the 2016 14th-round selection. Kremer, 23, capped off an impressive month with five solid innings Thursday night as the Baysox beat Akron, 5-2. He had three strikeouts and held the RubberDucks to two runs (one earned) and five hits. Kremer also threw five scoreless innings in Bowie’s 5-2 victory at Harrisburg last Saturday. In that game, he struck out eight hitters and only gave up two hits. Overall, Kremer finished 3-2 with a 2.48 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in five starts for the Baysox in June.

No. 10: Blaine Knight, RHP, Frederick
BEARISH
Statistics: 3-0, 0.68 ERA, 33 Ks, 4 BBs, 0.56 WHIP in 26 2/3 innings (Delmarva); 0-4, 6.29 ERA, 19 Ks, 19 BBs, 1.54 WHIP in 34 1/3 innings (Frederick)
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For now, I’ve turned “bearish” on the 2018 third-round pick. That’s a terrible birthday gift for Knight, who turns 23 today. But unfortunately, his recent performance didn’t give me any other option. In four games (three starts) this month, Knight is 0-4 with an 8.84 ERA. He has allowed 22 runs (18 earned) and 24 hits in 18 1/3 innings in June. Knight gave up eight runs, six hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings at Lynchburg on Monday. Don’t be too concerned for the long term, though. Remember, Knight earned a May 10 promotion after going 3-0 with a 0.68 ERA in five starts for Delmarva. The recent hiccups won’t last forever.

No. 11: Hunter Harvey, RHP, Bowie
BULLISH
Statistics: 2-5, 5.19 ERA, 61 Ks, 21 BBs, 1.42 WHIP in 59 innings
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When you look at the overall statistics for the 2013 first-round selection (22nd overall), you might wonder why I’m flipping to “bullish” today. Harvey, 24, gave up eight runs, nine hits and three walks in four innings during his most recent start at Portland on June 7. He only threw 58 of his 92 pitches for strikes. But since moving to the bullpen a week later, Harvey has dominated. Sure, it’s a small sample size. However, he has struck out 11 hitters and only allowed one hit in nine scoreless innings over three relief appearances. And reports say that he’s throwing much harder in this new role. Keep your eye on Harvey moving forward.

No. 12: Brenan Hanifee, RHP, Frederick
BULLISH
Statistics: 5-7, 4.74 ERA, 43 Ks, 37 BBs, 1.51 WHIP in 68 1/3 innings
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Last Friday, the 2016 fourth-round pick gave up seven runs and eight hits in six innings during the Keys’ 7-0 loss at Wilmington. But Hanifee, 21, rebounded Wednesday night to pick up his fifth win of the season in Frederick’s 4-3 victory at Lynchburg. He held the Hillcats to three runs and seven hits in six innings. Hanifee isn’t a big strikeout pitcher – he only has 43 in 68 1/3 innings this year – but he has steadily improved since the beginning of the year. In June, he went 2-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 29 2/3 innings over five starts.

2019 DRAFT SPOTLIGHT

Johnny Rizer, OF, Aberdeen: The seventh-round pick out of Texas Christian University leads the IronBirds with five doubles and nine RBIs through 10 games. Rizer, 22, also has one triple, one homer and six runs scored. I watched from the Ripken Stadium stands to celebrate Father’s Day as Rizer went 2-for-3 with a double in his debut on June 15.

SURGING

Michael Baumann, RHP, Bowie: Last week, the 2017 third-round selection moved up to the Baysox from Frederick. Baumann, 23, went 1-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 11 starts with the Keys. He led the Carolina League with 77 strikeouts in 54 innings. Through two relief outings in the Eastern League, Baumann has struck out eight hitters in six scoreless innings.

Mason McCoy, SS, Bowie: A month ago, I noted that the 2017 sixth-round selection hit .379 in 27 games for Frederick before moving to Double-A on May 6. McCoy, 24, continues to shine at the plate. Through 46 games with the Baysox, he is leading the Eastern League with a .335 average. Batting leadoff, McCoy is a big part of Bowie’s 18-6 record in June.

Drew Rom, LHP, Delmarva: The 2018 fourth-round pick doesn’t have enough innings to officially qualify for the lowest ERA in the South Atlantic League right now, but that doesn’t make his 1.46 ERA through 55 1/3 innings any less impressive. Rom, 19, has allowed one earned run or fewer in 10 of his 12 games (eight starts), including eight scoreless outings.

Alex Wells, LHP, Bowie: The dominance continues for the Australia native, who didn’t join the Baysox until April 20. Wells, 22, is 5-1 with a 1.97 ERA in 12 starts. He hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start this year. Wells was named as the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for May 27-June 2, and he was picked for the All-Star Game, too.

Willy Yahn, 2B-3B, Bowie: Yahn, 23, was promoted to the Baysox after going 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the Carolina League All-Star Game on June 18. The 2017 25th-round selection batted .296 with 13 doubles, five homers and 35 RBIs in 56 games for the Keys. Yahn hit safely in his first six games with Bowie before going 0-for-4 against Hartford on Wednesday.

Bruce Zimmermann, LHP, Bowie: Heading into his next scheduled start tonight, the Loyola Blakefield graduate leads the Baysox with 75 strikeouts in 72 2/3 innings this year. Zimmermann, 24, is also among the Eastern League leaders in that category. He’s 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 13 total starts and 1-1 with a 2.28 ERA in four starts this month.

FALLING

Matthias Dietz, RHP, Frederick: Speaking of struggling Keys pitchers, the 2016 second-round selection can’t seem to find the plate. Dietz, 23, is 1-7 with an eye-popping 11.10 ERA in 14 outings (two starts) in 2019. He has walked 44 hitters in 30 innings – including 16 in nine innings over four appearances this month. The command can’t get much worse.

Ofelky Peralta, RHP, Delmarva: Peralta, 22, tossed five no-hit innings Wednesday as the Shorebirds beat Lakewood, 3-1. But that was the lone bright spot in a disastrous month for the Dominican Republic native. I listed Peralta as “surging” in May because he was 4-0 with a 1.51 ERA. He’s “falling” this month after going 1-2 with a 6.97 ERA in five starts in June.

Jomar Reyes, 3B, Frederick: I always seem to get a lot of questions about the Dominican Republic native. Although this season is his fourth straight with the Keys, Reyes is still only 22 years old. He started strong in 2019, batting .280 with four homers and 20 RBIs in 41 games through May. But in June, he’s only hitting .172 with seven RBIs in 24 games.

THE MONTH AHEAD

Norfolk (30-48)
June 28 – vs. Charlotte (doubleheader), 5:05 p.m.
June 29 – vs. Charlotte, 7:05 p.m.
June 30 – vs. Charlotte, 1:05 p.m.
July 1 – vs. Gwinnett, 7:05 p.m.
July 2 – vs. Gwinnett, 7:05 p.m.
July 3 – vs. Gwinnett, 7:05 p.m.
July 4 – at Charlotte, 6:05 p.m.
July 5 – at Charlotte, 7:04 p.m.
July 6 – at Charlotte, 7:04 p.m.
July 7 – at Charlotte, 2:05 p.m.
July 8 – OFF
July 9 – OFF
July 10 – Triple-A All-Star Game in El Paso, Texas, 9:05 p.m.
July 11 – at Durham, 7:05 p.m.
July 12 – at Durham, 7:05 p.m.
July 13 – at Durham, 6:35 p.m.
July 14 – at Durham, 5:05 p.m.
July 15 – vs. Rochester, 7:05 p.m.
July 16 – vs. Rochester, 7:05 p.m.
July 17 – vs. Rochester, 7:05 p.m.
July 18 – vs. Rochester, 12:05 p.m.
July 19 – vs. Lehigh Valley, 7:05 p.m.
July 20 – vs. Lehigh Valley, 7:05 p.m.
July 21 – vs. Lehigh Valley, 4:05 p.m.
July 22 – OFF
July 23 – at Rochester, 7:05 p.m.
July 24 – at Rochester, 7:05 p.m.
July 25 – at Rochester, 11:05 a.m.

Bowie (37-40 overall, 7-2 in second half)
June 28 – vs. Akron, 7:05 p.m.
June 29 – vs. Akron, 6:35 p.m.
June 30 – vs. Akron, 1:35 p.m.
July 1 – at Hartford, 7:05 p.m.
July 2 – at Hartford, 7:05 p.m.
July 3 – at Hartford, 7:05 p.m.
July 4 – vs. Harrisburg, 6:35 p.m.
July 5 – vs. Harrisburg, 7:05 p.m.
July 6 – vs. Harrisburg, 6:35 p.m.
July 7 – vs. Harrisburg, 1:35 p.m.
July 8 – OFF
July 9 – OFF
July 10 – Eastern League All-Star Game in Richmond, Va., 7:05 p.m.
July 11 – at Akron, 7:05 p.m.
July 12 – at Akron, 7:05 p.m.
July 13 – at Akron, 7:05 p.m.
July 14 – at Akron, 2:05 p.m.
July 15 – vs. Harrisburg, 7:05 p.m.
July 16 – vs. Harrisburg, 7:05 p.m.
July 17 – vs. Harrisburg, 12:05 p.m.
July 18 – vs. Altoona, 7:05 p.m.
July 19 – vs. Altoona, 7:05 p.m.
July 20 – vs. Altoona, 6:35 p.m.
July 21 – vs. Altoona, 1:35 p.m.
July 22 – at Richmond (doubleheader), 5:05 p.m.
July 23 – at Richmond, 6:35 p.m.
July 24 – at Richmond, 12:05 p.m.
July 25 – at Binghamton, 6:35 p.m.

Frederick (33-44 overall, 4-4 in second half)
June 28 – vs. Wilmington, 7 p.m.
June 29 – vs. Wilmington, 6 p.m.
June 30 – vs. Wilmington, 1 p.m.
July 1 – vs. Lynchburg, 7 p.m.
July 2 – vs. Lynchburg, 7 p.m.
July 3 – vs. Lynchburg, 7 p.m.
July 4 – at Carolina, 7 p.m.
July 5 – at Carolina, 7 p.m.
July 6 – at Carolina, 6 p.m.
July 7 – at Winston-Salem, 2 p.m.
July 8 – at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.
July 9 – at Winston-Salem, 7 p.m.
July 10 – vs. Carolina, 7 p.m.
July 11 – vs. Carolina, 7 p.m.
July 12 – vs. Carolina, 7 p.m.
July 13 – vs. Salem, 6 p.m.
July 14 – vs. Salem, 1 p.m.
July 15 – vs. Salem, 12 p.m.
July 16 – OFF
July 17 – at Potomac, 7:05 p.m.
July 18 – at Potomac, 7:05 p.m.
July 19 – at Potomac, 7:05 p.m.
July 20 – at Lynchburg, 6 p.m.
July 21 – at Lynchburg, 3 p.m.
July 22 – at Lynchburg, 6:30 p.m.
July 23 – vs. Myrtle Beach, 7 p.m.
July 24 – vs. Myrtle Beach, 7 p.m.
July 25 – vs. Myrtle Beach, 12 p.m.

Delmarva (55-22 overall, 7-1 in second half)
June 28 – at Hagerstown, 7:05 p.m.
June 29 – at Hagerstown, 6:05 p.m.
June 30 – at Hagerstown, 2:05 p.m.
July 1 – at Lakewood, 7:05 p.m.
July 2 – at Lakewood, 7:05 p.m.
July 3 – at Lakewood, 7:05 p.m.
July 4 – vs. Hagerstown, 6:05 p.m.
July 5 – vs. Hagerstown, 7:05 p.m.
July 6 – vs. Hagerstown, 7:05 p.m.
July 7 – vs. Hagerstown, 5:05 p.m.
July 8 – OFF
July 9 – at West Virginia, 7:05 p.m.
July 10 – at West Virginia, 7:05 p.m.
July 11 – at West Virginia, 7:05 p.m.
July 12 – vs. Hickory, 7:05 p.m.
July 13 – vs. Hickory, 7:05 p.m.
July 14 – vs. Hickory, 5:05 p.m.
July 15 – vs. Lakewood, 7:05 p.m.
July 16 – vs. Lakewood, 7:05 p.m.
July 17 – vs. Lakewood, 7:05 p.m.
July 18 – at West Virginia, 7:05 p.m.
July 19 – at West Virginia, 7:05 p.m.
July 20 – at West Virginia, 6:05 p.m.
July 21 – at West Virginia, 2:05 p.m.
July 22 – OFF
July 23 – vs. Greenville, 7:05 p.m.
July 24 – vs. Greenville, 7:05 p.m.
July 25 – vs. Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

Aberdeen (5-8)
June 28 – at Tri-City, 7 p.m.
June 29 – at Tri-City, 7 p.m.
June 30 – at Tri-City, 5 p.m.
July 1 – vs. Connecticut, 7:05 p.m.
July 2 – vs. Connecticut, 7:05 p.m.
July 3 – vs. Connecticut, 7:05 p.m.
July 4 – at Brooklyn, 6 p.m.
July 5 – at Brooklyn, 7 p.m.
July 6 – at Brooklyn, 4 p.m.
July 7 – vs. Lowell, 4:05 p.m.
July 8 – vs. Lowell, 7:05 p.m.
July 9 – vs. Lowell, 11:05 a.m.
July 10 – at West Virginia, 6:35 p.m.
July 11 – at West Virginia, 6:35 p.m.
July 12 – at West Virginia, 7:05 p.m.
July 13 – vs. Williamsport, 6:05 p.m.
July 14 – vs. Williamsport, 4:05 p.m.
July 15 – vs. Williamsport, 7:05 p.m.
July 16 – OFF
July 17 – vs. Connecticut, 7:05 p.m.
July 18 – vs. Connecticut, 7:05 p.m.
July 19 – vs. Connecticut, 7:05 p.m.
July 20 – at Staten Island, 7 p.m.
July 21 – at Staten Island, 1 p.m.
July 22 – at Staten Island, 11 a.m.
July 23 – vs. Lowell, 7:05 p.m.
July 24 – vs. Lowell, 7:05 p.m.
July 25 – vs. Lowell, 7:05 p.m.