Adley Rutschman Heads List Of Top Prospects Fans Can Still Watch In Spring Training

Whether the Major League Baseball season starts on time remains to be seen as the owners’ lockout of the players continue.

Commissioner Rob Manfred says if the Major League Baseball Players Association does not agree to a new collective bargaining agreement by the end of the day Monday then MLB will begin cancelling regular-season games.

MLB has already called off two weeks of spring training exhibition games in Florida and Arizona. Undoubtedly, that move has altered the vacation plans of many fans.

However, fans still watch some top minor league prospects. All players not on 40-man major league rosters will participate in minor league spring training and that some major talents, including these five:

ADLEY RUTSCHMAN, ORIOLES

The Orioles used the first overall pick to select the switch-hitting catcher from Oregon State in the 2019 amateur draft and signed him to an $8.1-million bonus. He has not disappointed.

Rutschman hit .285/.397/.502 with 23 home runs and 75 RBIs last season between Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Bowie in 123 games. The 24-year-old will likely begin this season at Norfolk and is almost certain to make his major league debut at some point in 2022.

Rutschman is the key to the Orioles’ long rebuilding process and has the personality and leadership skills to become the face of the franchise. He also has the playing ability to be a perennial All-Star with power, plate discipline and above average defense.

BOBBY WITT JR., ROYALS

The right-handed hitter infielder was the second pick of the 2019 draft following his standout career at Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas. Witt received a $7.8-million signing bonus.

The 21-year-old was one stolen base short of a 30-30 season last year. He wound up with a batting line of .290/.361/.576 with 33 home runs, 97 RBIs and 29 steals in 123 games between Triple-A Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

The son of a pitcher who logged 16 seasons in the major leagues is very athletic with a power bat, strong arm, good defensive range, and speed. Despite his youth, Witt could be the Royals’ starting third baseman or shortstop on opening day.

SPENCER TORKELSON, TIGERS

The Tigers selected Torkelson with the first overall pick of the 2020 draft from Arizona State. The first baseman got a signing the bonus of $8,416,300, the largest in draft history.

The right-handed hitting Torkelson shined in his first professional season in 2021 by hitting .267/.383/.552 with 30 home runs and 91 RBIs in 121 games combined with Triple-A Toledo, Double-A Erie and High A West Michigan.

The 22-year-old Torkelson has big-time power along with the willingness to take a walk. The experiment of trying Torkelson a third base didn’t work out, but he could be the Tigers’ opening-day first baseman.

RILEY GREENE, TIGERS

Greene was the Tigers’ first-round choice in the 2019 draft, being selected fifth overall. His signing bonus was $6.18 million after playing at Paul J. Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Fla.

The left-handed hitting center fielder playing at Toledo and Erie last season, combining for a .301/.387/.534 slash line with 24 homers, 84 RBIs and 16 steals in 124 games.

While the 21-year-old may eventually have to move to one of the corner outfield positions, he has the power to form quite the middle-of-the-order combo with Torkelson. Greene will likely begin the season with Toledo with an eye on making his MLB debut by September.

GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ, ORIOLES

The right-handed pitcher was the Orioles’ first-round pick in the 2018 draft and 11^th overall selection from Central Heights High School in Nacogdoches, Texas. His signing bonus was $4.3 million.

The 22-year-old had a dominant minor league season in 2021 with a 9-1 record and 2.36 ERA in 23 starts for Bowie and High A Aberdeen. Rodriguez also had 161 strikeouts in 103 innings.

Rodriguez has four above average pitches, the ability to locate them well and is not afraid to challenge hitters. He is advanced enough that he could join Rutschman at Norfolk to begin the 2022 season, leaving them both one step from Baltimore.