Who’s Hot and Who’s Not: Orioles minors May edition

It is the time of year where minor leagues are settling in to what type of season they are going to have.

Many minor leaguers in the Baltimore Orioles organization are striving to success early on, while others are still waiting for a breakout to occur.

In this monthly series, we will go over who is hot and who is not in the Orioles minor league system! Let’s get started!

Who’s Hot:

Ryan Mountcastle:

In his age 22 season, Ryan Mountcastle is on an absolute tear in his first year at the Triple-A level.

In 40 games with the Tides this season, Mountcastle is batting a tremendous .323/.351/.530. He has seven home runs and 31 RBI in 174 plate appearances.

Orioles General Manager, Mike Elias, is very impressed with Mountcastle’s bat, but still thinks the Orioles need to take their time with his development, especially defensively.

Mountcastle was drafted as a shortstop in 2015, but later moved to third base. This year, Mountcastle has spent most of his time at first base, but Mike Elias said that he will get a look in the corner outfield spots sometime this season.

Although Mountcastle is performing so well in Triple-A, he is not expected to be called up to the major league club for a while, maybe even at all this season because of how young he is right now.

Chance Sisco:

After a very slow start in Triple-A Norfolk, catcher Chance Sisco is finally heating up at the plate.

In his 34 games played so far this season, Sisco is batting .258/.370/.484 in 146 plate appearances with the Tides.

After a hot spring training, many people thought Sisco would make the Opening Day roster. But he was optioned to Triple-A to work on his defense behind the plate.

Now that he is heating up, Sisco is very close to being called up to the major league club, and do not be surprised if you see him as soon as the middle of June.

DJ Stewart:

Just like Sisco, outfielder DJ Stewart started the year cold, but his last two weeks have showed his true colors.

Stewart is batting .285/.400/.562 with the Tides this season, clubbing eight home runs and 31 RBI.

Stewart was named to MLB Pipeline’s Prospect Team of the Week earlier this month, and fans could very well see him back in the majors very soon.

The Entire Delmarva Shorebirds Team:

They are 34-10 this season. That speaks for itself.

Who’s Not:

Yusniel Diaz:

In his first full season in the Orioles organization, Yusniel Diaz is struggling at the plate for the Bowie Baysox.

In his 20 games played, Diaz is batting just .225/.313/.338 with one home run and seven RBI.

Diaz is just 22-years-old, so it would not be a surprise if he stays at the Double-A level for the entire 2019 season.

He does have big expectations, being the key prospect in the Manny Machado trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Hopefully he can get his bat going, and be the prospect fans know he can be.

Cedric Mullins:

Mullins started the 2019 season on the major league roster, playing center field against the Yankees on Opening Day.

Mullins was sent down to Triple-A Norfolk midway through April because of his struggles offensively. Sadly for Mullins, his struggles are continuing in the minors.

Mullins is currently batting .228/.324/.348 in his 22 games with the Tides. He has hit just two home runs and seven RBI.

Mullins was unofficially named the future of the Orioles’ outfield because of Adam Jones departing from the team. Many thought he could be the next Jonesy and maybe even be better defensively in center.

There are still a lot of expectations of Mullins, but it would not be a surprise if fans see Mullins in Baltimore again before the season ends.

Preston Palmeiro:

The son of former Oriole first baseman, Rafael Palmeiro, Preston Palmeiro is another player struggling to get things going.

In 34 games played for the Baysox, Palmeiro is batting a slim .171/.217/.252. He has hit just one home run with 12 RBI.

Another player who has high expectations due to his father, Palmeiro will try to follow his dad’s footsteps and become a solid infield option for the Orioles.

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Jared Watson

I was born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I'm currently enrolled at Delaware Technical Community College in the Communications program studying to become a professional broadcaster.

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