The first of a four-part series reviewing the Baltimore Orioles Minor League system as the 2019 season begins.
We will evaluate the Top 40 players in the organization, beginning with #s 40 to 31.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
(#40) Lamar Sparks, OF
Ceiling: 40 Risk: Extreme ETA: 2023 Role Description: Bench Player
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 170 lbs. B/T: R/R Highest Level: R Age (as of April 1, 2019): 20y, 6m
Sparks was Baltimore’s fifth-rounder in 2017 from a Texas high school. A plus athlete who at the time was considered a development project who needed to get stronger, he played in the GCL after signing and reported to Instructional League after his pro debut. Sparks tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder and didn’t play last year. He’s tooled up but needs a lot of reps and has already missed some early development time. Sparks’ speed and defensive ability in CF lay the groundwork of at least a potential bench player.
(#39) Ofelky Peralta, RHP
Ceiling: 40 Risk: Extreme ETA: 2021 Role Description: Middle Relief
Ht/Wt: 6’5” / 195 lbs. B/T: R/R Highest Level: A+ Age (as of April 1, 2019): 21y, 11m
Video | Spotlight
Peralta was one of the only significant Latin American signings the O’s have made in recent years, agreeing to a $350K bonus in 2013. His raw stuff has always been among the most interesting in the system, though Peralta has been slowed by injuries with consistently horrible control numbers throughout his career. Peralta’s fastball touches the high-90s and sits comfortably at 94-to-95 mph. His curveball flashes depth but is inconsistent due to a lengthy arm action. This is a lottery ticket more than a safe-bet big league prospect, but Peralta’s 6-foot-5 frame and velocity merit a mention on this list. He’s still young and could see his stuff play up with a move to the ‘pen.
(#38) Luis Gonzalez, LHP
Ceiling: 40 Risk: High ETA: 2019 Role Description: Situational Relief
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 170 lbs. B/T: L/L Highest Level: AAA Age (as of April 1, 2019): 27y, 2m
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The 26-year-old reliever was initially signed by the Phillies, who released him just before the 2013 season. He signed with the Orioles soon after and has climbed through the system slowly, going from prospect afterthought to a potential bullpen piece over the past few seasons. The southpaw touches 94-to-95 mph with his fastball, mixing a cutter/slider hybrid and changeup. There’s a chance he’s really a 4A guy, but the rebuilding Orioles have the flexibility to give Gonzalez a chance in a low-leverage role. His left-handed velocity could fit as a situational type who faces mostly same-side batters.
(#37) Brett Cumberland, C
Ceiling: 40 Risk: High ETA: 2020 Role Description: Bench Player
Ht/Wt: 5’11” / 205 lbs. B/T: S/R Highest Level: AA Age (as of April 1, 2019): 23y, 9m
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Cumberland looks the part of a bat-first back-up catcher with adequate actions behind the plate but not quite enough defensive chops or catch-and-throw ability to warrant full time duty. Offensively, the Cal Berkley product will flash solid raw pop and could reach low double-digit home run totals at maturity if he can find his way into the lineup often enough to nab 350-400 plate appearances. Cumberland also shows some feel for the zone and on-base ability that should stick with him so long as the extra-base threat is there with the stick, but strike out totals are likely to remain high, as well, given the limited pitch plane overlap generally found in his swing in large part due to his propensity to try and lift and pull the ball.
(#36) Bruce Zimmermann, LHP
Ceiling: 40 Risk: High ETA: 2020 Role Description: Long Relief
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 215 lbs. B/T: L/L Highest Level: AA Age (as of April 1, 2019): 24y, 1m
Video | Spotlight
Zimmermann was a money-saving fifth-rounder by Atlanta in 2017, traded to Baltimore in the deal that sent Kevin Gausman to the Braves. Zimmermann’s polish and control allowed him to zip through the low-minors, but he’s the type of pitching prospect who generally hits a ceiling against more advanced competition. The lefty pounds the zone with a four-pitch mix, sitting in the high-80s with his fastball and topping out at 91 mph. His slider and changeup are fringy (but usable) offerings, and he’ll mix a lollipop curve at times for another look. Zimmermann could wind up a high-minors depth starter, but the pitchability and guile give him a chance at a long relief role in the big leagues.
(#35) Preston Palmeiro, 2B
Ceiling: 40 Risk: High ETA: 2020 Role Description: Bench Player
Ht/Wt: 5’11” / 180 lbs. B/T: L/R Highest Level: A+ Age (as of April 1, 2019): 24y, 2m
Video | Spotlight
Palmeiro hit in the middle of Frederick’s lineup all year, quietly putting together a solid .251/.309/.401 line with 17 homers. He’s learning 2B to add versatility and handled same-side pitching much better than earlier in his career. The ceiling is a bench bat and offensive-minded reserve infielder, though Palmeiro could wind up a 4A type if no one tool impacts the game enough for a full-time. We like his sweet left-handed stroke and burgeoning plate discipline.
(#34) Martin Cervenka, C
Ceiling: 40 Risk: High ETA: 2019 Role Description: Bench Player
Ht/Wt: 6’4” / 225 lbs. B/T: R/R Highest Level: AA Age (as of April 1, 2019): 26y, 7m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Spotlight | Report
Cervenka spent the early parts of his career in the Cleveland organization, qualifying for Minor League free agency after 2017. He signed with the Giants but was drafted in the Minor League Phase of the Rule 5 Draft that year by the Orioles. Cervenka had his best season as a pro last year in Double-A, hitting 15 home runs and playing solid defense behind the plate. He’s an average defensive catcher with some raw power, potentially fitting as a backup if one aspect of the profile is enough to carve out a big league role.
(#33) Evan Phillips, RHP
Ceiling: 40 Risk: High ETA: 2018 Role Description: Middle Relief
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 215 lbs. B/T: R/R Highest Level: MLB Age (as of April 1, 2019): 26y, 6m
Video | Report
Phillips had recently made his big league debut for the Braves before being included in the Braves’ package to Baltimore for Kevin Gausman. He struggled with control in a short Major League sample but was able to limit walks much better at Triple-A earlier in the year. Phillips’ low-90s fastball touches 94-to-95 mph at best and is backed up by a workable slider and changeup. No pitch grades as plus, but being able to throw three for strikes while being able to face both righties and lefties makes him a palatable middle relief option. He could be in the O’s bullpen mix in 2019.
(#32) Chris Lee, LHP
Ceiling: 40 Risk: High ETA: 2019 Role Description: Middle Relief
Ht/Wt: 6’3” / 180 lbs. B/T: L/L Highest Level: AAA Age (as of April 1, 2019): 26y, 7m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Report
Lee spent time on Baltimore’s 40-Man Roster but never made an appearance for the Major League club. He made it through waivers and was outrighted in July, heading to Fall League after missing most of last season with injuries. Lee has shown flashes of impressive stuff, touching 96-to-97 mph with his fastball backed up by a hard cutter he uses as a #2 pitch. His smaller frame and injury history lend themselves to a ‘pen role, and he’ll be competing for a role there this spring as a non-roster invitee.
(#31) Drew Rom, LHP
Ceiling: 45 Risk: Extreme ETA: 2023 Role Description: Swingman
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 170 lbs. B/T: L/L Highest Level: R Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 3m
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A former Michigan commit and favorite of a number of midwest evaluators, Rom elected to forgo college and sign with Baltimore last summer after being selected in the fourth round of the MLB First Year Player Draft. After seeing a nice progression in velocity over the course of the calendar year leading up to last June’s draft, Rom so his velo slip some in pro ball before bouncing back in the fall. The southpaw generally works in the upper 80s into the low 90s with an easy arm and plenty of room to project a few more ticks as he continues to mature. His best secondary is a quality two-plane hard curve (some categorize it as a deep slider) with plus potential and he also flashes advanced feel for a low-80s changeup with good arm-side fade. Rom is a developmental pick, but one with good upside and a lot of encouraging indicators from pitch potential to command profile. Once he adds enough strength to shoulder a starter’s workload in pro ball he could move quickly.
A native of Washington, D.C., Adam will be periodically contributing scouting pieces on Orioles prospects for Baltimore Sports and Life. Currently, he’s the Assistant Director of Professional Evaluation at 2080 Baseball. Previously, Adam worked in the Baseball Operations departments of the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers after serving as a Senior Prospect Writer for Baseball Prospectus. You can follow him on Twitter: @2080adam. Adam can be reached at amcinturff@2080baseball.com for all podcast and media requests.