Rundown of Orioles on Baseball America's Top Prospects Lists

This is a quick review of the individuals in the Orioles' system who have received top 20 acknowledgements from their leagues, respectively.  To read more about the players, check out the links.  The links require a subscription to Baseball America, which is worthwhile if you truly are interested in amateur and minor league baseball.  Alternatively, you can wait out on a little more Oriole focused coverage as our very own Nick Faleris will be rolling out our top 30 organizational prospects list.  As many of you know, when Nick is not writing for us, he is plying his talents over at his own website, DiamondScape Scouting.

Gulf Coast League (Rookie Ball)
GCL Orioles

12. Roderick Bernadina, OF
18. Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP

Summarized Chat Comments:

• Sebastian Vader and Juan Guzman did not receive consideration for top 20 list.
• Failed infielder turned pitcher, Jose Nivar, is hitting mid-90s and interesting.
• Miguel Chalas is another live arm, but has unspectacular secondary offerings.

New York - Penn League (Short Season A Ball)
Aberdeen Ironbirds

10. Parker Bridwell, RHP
15. Glynn Davis, CF

Summarized Chat Comments:

• Mychal Givens has a plus arm, but has yet to pull anything together.
• At similar points in their career, Bridwell shows more velocity, but less polish than Zach Britton did.

South Atlantic League (A Ball)
Delmarva Shorebirds

2. Manny Machado, SS
9. Jonathan Schoop, SS/3B

Summarized Chat Comments:

• Machado's bat makes him a special SS prospect, but there is a chance he has to move to 3B.
• A workable comp for Machado is Troy Tulowitzki, but Troy's defense is better.
• Schoop's bat is a notch below Machado, but he should be able to play 2B or 3B in the Majors.

Carolina League (High A Ball)
Frederick Keys

1. Manny Machado, SS
6. Jonathan Schoop, 2B/SS
15. Bobby Bundy, RHP

Summarized Chat Comments:

• Machado was one of the youngest players in HiA ball and hit league average.
• Schoop is 1B to Machado's 1A.
• Machado is the second best SS prospect in baseball because he may become a 3B.

Eastern League (AA Ball)
Bowie Baysox

None listed

Summarized Chat Comments:

• Xavier Avery just missed out of the top 20 largely because he is a very toolsy player who has yet to put it all together in a baseball package.
• LJ Hoes is almost off the prospect scene because his bat does not project as a corner outfield bat.  (Unsure if John Manuel's sources actually saw him play 2B).

International League (AAA Ball)
Norfolk Tides

None Listed

Summarized Chat Comments:

No questions asked about Tides.