In 2021, the Baltimore Orioles were arguably the worst team in baseball with a 52-110 record.
In reality, they had been one of the league’s worst since 2017.
But their revival started in 2022, with the decision to call up uber-prospect Adley Rutschman in May.
They were 83-79 that year.
Later, in 2023, they kept calling up young talent and were the best squad in the American League with 101 wins.
True to their recent style, they revealed their decision to call up young prospect Connor Norby, a 2021 second-rounder who is having an amazing season in Triple-A Norfolk.
Norby is the most recent of an army of talented, impact prospects called up by Baltimore in the last few years.
“Since May 2022, position players called up by the Baltimore Orioles include: Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, Kyle Stowers, Jackson Holliday, Connor Norby. In 2024, they’ve combined for nearly 10 WAR. An absurd collection of talent,” MLB insider Jeff Passan tweeted.
Rutschman competed for the 2022 AL Rookie of the Year award, and Henderson won it in 2023.
Holliday, despite a failed cup of coffee in the bigs a few weeks ago, remains the best prospect in baseball, and Westburg and Cowser are everyday contributors.
And in case you are wondering, yes, Baltimore has more help on the way.
Holliday remains in the minors, as does fellow top prospect Coby Mayo.
Norby will get his chance to impress and show the talent that has made him a 127 wRC+ hitter in Triple-A this year.
When it comes to drafting and developing young hitters, there might not be a team like the Orioles in MLB.
