How the Orioles' massive presence in Baseball America's Top 100 prospect list marks a transition for the farm system

Eight top-100 prospects is their most ever, and in a way, could signal a move to the next phase of their project.

Having eight players among the game’s top-100 prospects is the latest achievement for the Orioles’ farm system, one that has increased its profile in significant ways over the last few years.

It’s the high-water mark, for sure — and a level that puts them in rare company. The last time a team had more prospect on the list was in 2019, when the Rays and Padres had nine.

But considering the composition of the Orioles prospects on the list—Gunnar Henderson (No. 1), Grayson Rodriguez (No. 6), Jackson Holliday (No. 15), Colton Cowser (No. 41), DL Hall (No. 75), Jordan Westburg (No. 76), Connor Norby (No. 93), and Joey Ortiz (No. 95) — it’s also fair to consider this the end of one phase in the Orioles’ minors and the beginning of another.