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Top 5 Baltimore Orioles Players to Watch in 2022

Baltimore Orioles players to watch in 2022
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The Baltimore Orioles finished the 2021 season with the worst record in the American League. Come the 2022 season, they look to speed up their rebuild process and get back to the postseason sooner rather than later.

Baltimore is stacked with young talent with five prospects in MLB.com’s 2021 Top 100 prospects. Out of those five prospects, two of them rank inside the top 10, including the #1 overall prospect, Adley Rutschman.

As of right now, the Orioles are set to take on the Tampa Bay Rays on April 8th at 3:10 pm in their season and Home Opener. While the rebuild process may not complete, they should start competing at the Major League level very soon, especially with these prospects waiting on deck.

5 Orioles Players To Watch This Season

Adley Rutschman, Catcher, AAA

When it comes to the Baltimore Orioles, Adley Rutschman is the face of the organization. The 24-year-old catcher was drafted by Baltimore in 2019 and is expected to reach the big leagues this upcoming season.

After reaching AAA Norfolk in August, Rutschman slashed .312/.405/.490 in his 185 plate appearances. Rutschman has power from both sides of the plate and a cannon of an arm behind the plate. Once the O’s call him up to the Major League, he will be a massive asset for years to come.

Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, AA

Grayson Rodriguez, ranked number eight on MLB’s Top 100 Prospect list, was a first-round pick back in 2018.

Ever since the right-hander heard his name called on draft day, he has continued to exceed his expectations. After being drafted, he went right to work with Baltimore’s Rookie Team. In nine appearances, he had 20 strikeouts with a 1.40 ERA. In 2019 with the Single-A Shorebirds, he compiled a career-high 129 strikeouts, and by 2021 he was called up to Double-A.

With a four-pitch mix and a fastball that averages around 95 MPH, Grayson could be in for a tremendous 2022 season.

D.L. Hall, LHP, AA

Hall was taken 21st overall by the Orioles in the 2017 MLB Draft. His career didn’t start like he wanted, posting a 6.97 ERA in five games. In 2018, D.L. Hall had a bounce season, with 100 strikeouts and a 2.10 ERA, and continued his success in 2019 when he struck out 116 hitters with a .189 opponent batting average.

If not for an elbow injury, Hall would have a real shot at making the opening day roster for the Baltimore Orioles in 2022. The southpaw had an eye-popping fastball averaging 95-96 MPH and posted a 15.9 K/9 in AA. Once healthy, it won’t be long before Hall inserts himself in the O’s starting rotation.

Ryan Mountcastle, 1B, MLB

Ryan Mountcastle made his debut for the Orioles back in 2020, but it was short-lived as he only played in 35 games. 2021 was a proper coming-out party for Mountcastle as he played in 144 games and set the franchise rookie record for home runs (33).

In April, Ryan Mountcastle opened the 2021 season hitting .198 with one home run and a 31.3% strikeout rate. But over the next five months, he smashed 32 home runs and improved his chase rate. From June 1st to September 1st, Mountcastle his .300/.361/.595 with 20 home runs.

Expect a similar season for him, and if he repeats his 30+ home run season, he would join Boog Powell and Manny Machado as the only players in franchise history with multiple 30-homerun seasons at age 25 or younger.

John Means, SP, MLB

John Means is the Ace of this young Baltimore rotation. In 2021 he posted a 6-9 record with a 3.62 ERA and 136 strikeouts. On the surface, that doesn’t look great, which could be attributed to the lack of supporting cast has behind him. Over his 26 starts, he gave up three runs or fewer in 20 games.

For the second time in three seasons, Means delivered a successful year in ERA (3.62) and WHIP (1.030). He improved his first-pitch strike rate (69.3) to an elite level. One downside of his is home runs allowed, giving up 30 over 146.2 innings.

Despite being the subject of trade rumors this offseason, Means should help anchor this starting rotation come the 2022 season.

Baltimore Orioles Most Important Games

I don’t expect Baltimore to compete this year, nor does Las Vegas. Vegas has set the Orioles to win total at 60.5, the lowest MLB.

There are sites like Safest Betting Sites that provide the most trusted betting sites for you to wager on the 2022 MLB season. Make sure you take advantage of the bonuses and promotions that most sportsbooks have.

If the O’s want to take the next step toward competing, they first have to start by winning games in their division. In 2021 Baltimore went 20-56 against their divisional rivals. The good news is that the Orioles schedule starts with nine straight games against divisional opponents (Blue Jays, Redsox, Rays), and 18 of their first 28 games also come against American League East teams.

The Orioles may have some value in the first two months of the season from a betting aspect. Per Josh Appelbaum of Action Network, Since 2005, divisional underdogs have gone 6,693-8,755 (43.3%). At first glance, this looks terrible, but because of plus money payouts (+130, +150, +170), divisional dogs produced +51.34 units which would put a $100 bettor up $5,134.

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