Orioles Continue Incredible Run As Baseball’s Top Farm System
The Baltimore Orioles are Major League’s baseball’s top farm system for the sixth straight ranking cycle, according to MLB Pipeline’s newest rankings for the 2024 preseason.
It’s an incredible streak that is beginning to pay off at the Major League level. The Orioles are coming off a 101-win season in 2023 that culminated with an AL East Division title, their first since 2016. Many of the prospects that helped the Orioles to earlier No. 1 rankings are now a part of the team.
The Orioles have been the No. 1 farm system since MLB Pipeline’s midseason rankings in 2021. This top rankings is on the back of six Top 100 prospects, some of which have either had a taste of the Majors Leagues or will soon.
MLB Pipeline pointed out that several franchises that were ranked No. 1 overall have gone on to win the World Series a few years later, including the Chicago Cubs (2016), the Boston Red Sox (2018), the Los Angeles Dodgers (202) and the Atlanta Braves (2021).
In fact, all six of the Orioles’ Top 100 prospects are among the site’s Top 32 prospects, led by No. 1 overall prospect Jackson Holliday, the shortstop of the future who is trying to show the Orioles that he’s ready for a Major League job, even though he was their first-round pick less than two years ago.
If Holliday makes the Opening-Day roster or plays in the Majors at any point in 2024, he could graduate from these rankings if he ends up with 45 days of service time.
The other five Top 100 prospects include catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo (No. 17) outfielder Colton Cowser (No. 19) corner infielder Coby Mayo (No. 30) and outfielder Heston Kjerstad (No. 32).
Cowser and Kjerstad have already had a taste of the Majors, as they were called up late last season when rosters expanded. Mayo is a fast-rising prospect who, at the moment, doesn’t necessarily have a place to go at the MLB level due to the Orioles’ starting lineup. But that could certainly change.
Basallo is beginning baseball activites due to an injury and likely won’t be ready to play in the minors when the season begins.
The rest of the Orioles’ Top 10 prospects included outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr., infielder/outfielder Connor Norby, outfielder Dylan Beavers, pitcher Chayce McDermott and pitcher Cade Povich.
Prospects ranked Nos. 11-20 included pitcher Seth Johnson, infielder Mac Horvath, outfielder Jud Fabian, outfielder Braylin Tavera, infielder Max Wagner, infielder Leandro Arias, pitcher Trace Bright, pitcher Luis De León, pitcher Jackson Baumeister and shortstop Luis Almeyda.
Prospects ranked Nos. 21-30 included pitcher Justin Armbruester, third baseman Joshua Liranzo, outfielder Thomas Sosa, outfielder John Rhodes, pitcher Alex Pham, outfielder Hudson Haskin, pitcher Juan Nuñez, shortstop Frederick Bencosme, pitcher Carter Baumler and catcher Creed Willems.
