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Michael Thompson's avatar

Jon, very insightful take on the delicate balance between young positional players in the System and the young Pitchers in their System.

Until about a year ago, I was completely flummoxed by Elias's reluctance to take pitching towards the top of his Draft Boards. My eyes were opened very quickly though when I saw Peyton Battenfield from the Cleveland Indians AA Team completely shut down the Bowie BaySox roster (which included Jordan Westburg and Gunnar Henderson, among others) in the 2020 Eastern league Playoffs. In looking-up Battenfield's history I quickly learned that he was acquired from the Rays for Jordan Luplow and DJ Johnson earlier that season.

This is what MLB Teams do when they have a good amount of talent in their System to address other areas of need.... this is what Elias will do when it's time to bolster their Pitching (or any other area of need, for that matter).

One final thought....I am not sure anyone outside of the Orioles Coaches and Executives has a firm grasp of just how deep and strong their Minor League System truly is....I believe it may be better than we even think it is.

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