Question: The poor draft choices and/or ongoing development of prospects has been well documented, but it is interesting to ponder the prospects that we have traded elsewhere who then blossomed or at least matured into viable players.
Kyle Stowers comes to mind as he never fully received an opportunity at the big league level until he was traded. Bryan Baker is another who developed into a top-notch reliever in the right environment.
And now we have seen Cade Bodine (drafted out of Coastal Carolina) named the minor league catcher of the year in a recent article that I read. Such a prime position to have instead traded away, albeit in part of the trade for Shane Baz. But now the Birds are hurting for a catcher who can play defense and handle pitchers as opposed to just hitting and being a part-time DH or first baseman.
What other players come to your mind that I neglected to mention? Possibly the failure of management to recognize and develop talent is not as dire as I think. From: Joe Rees
Answer: Joe, when the Orioles or other teams trade prospects, some of them are going to blossom elsewhere.
Stowers and Connor Norby, who’s now with Colorado, were traded to Miami for Trevor Rogers. I’d say that was a trade that helped both teams. Sure, Stowers was blocked here by Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander, and he’d be great to have now, but I wouldn’t be critical of that move.
Baker wasn’t an Orioles prospect. He was a waiver pickup from Toronto. Relief pitchers often do better with a change of scenery. The Orioles have done well with Yennier Cano, acquired in a trade with Minnesota for Jorgé López, and Rico Garcia, claimed off waivers.
Bodine looks to be a terrific prospect, and the Orioles needed a starting pitcher. I bet they didn’t think they’d be trading Adley Rutschman seven months later.
They’ve traded infielder Joey Ortiz and reliever DL Hall to Milwaukee, and they’ve worked out well for the Brewers. However, the Orioles had an abundance of middle infielders and Ortiz looked to be a utility player at best.
Hall had a history of injury and wildness, and it wasn’t until this year, nine years after he was drafted, that he was truly effective, and he still missed two months because of a pectoral injury.
There are many things to criticize Mike Elias about, but I think he’s done a reasonably good job at trades, acquiring Cano, Rogers, Blaze Alexander and Kyle Bradish at little cost.
He also traded López, Dylan Bundy and Trey Mancini at the right time.
Question: Was just wondering what’s going on with Ryan Mountcastle? Seems like an afterthought with Pete Alonso being here and all of the other first base options. From: Don Fazio
Answer: Don, in July, Mountcastle suffered a oblique injury at Norfolk when he was starting a rehab assignment for his broken left foot. He didn’t play again.
Mountcastle was in the Orioles’ clubhouse during their last home series and was in good spirits.
The Orioles hold a $7.5 million option on Mountcastle for 2027, and it seems unlikely they’ll exercise that.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: [email protected]. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.