A haul.
That’s what you get when you trade a player of Adley Rutschman’s caliber. The three-time All-Star is Boston’s newest catcher, and in return, the Orioles got a huge boost to their farm system. According to MLB Pipeline, Baltimore has a new No. 1, No. 7 and No. 8 prospect.
Let’s talk about them.
Anthony Eyanson
It hasn’t taken long for Eyanson to establish himself as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. A third-round pick in last year’s draft, the LSU product is the No. 49 overall prospect in the game, according to Pipeline, and No. 33 according to Baseball America.
A key piece of the Tigers’ national title last year, the former third-round pick has vaulted up rankings due, in large part, to much improved fastball velocity. After settling in the low-90’s in college, Eyanson can now sit in the 95-96 mph range, touching triple digits at times, according to Pipeline. He pairs it with an excellent slider that had a 52% whiff rate at LSU, according to BA.
In his first professional season, Eyanson is on a fast track to the upper levels of the minor leagues. In five games at Single-A, the right-hander posted a ridiculous 0.44 ERA with 15.0 strikeouts and 1.3 walks per nine, good for a 0.492 WHIP.
In Double-A, his ERA has only seen a jump to 1.69 in 11 games, with an earned run allowed in just five of those contests. In his last outing, Eyanson recorded 14 outs, and 10 of them came via the punchout.
Now the top prospect in Baltimore’s system, Eyanson’s Orioles career will likely start with the Baysox, joining fellow Future’s Game participant Joseph Dzierwa. Those two could be the future of the front end of Baltimore’s rotation.
Kyson Witherspoon
Witherspoon checks in as the 4th-best pitching prospect Pipeline’s O’s top 30, behind Eyanson, Dzierwa and the newly re-acquired Michael Forret. Witherspoon was Boston’s first-round pick last season, 15th overall out of Oklahoma. Though his performance in his first professional season hasn’t produced the best numbers, the upside and arm talent were enough for Baltimore to target him in the Rutschman deal.
Another right-hander, Witherspoon dominated in his junior season at Oklahoma, with a 2.65 ERA and an SEC-leading strikeout to walk ratio. He features a mid-90’s fastball, a cutter, slider and big curveball, according to Pipeline.
He’ll need to re-discover that form in pro ball, as his walk numbers have increased and strikeouts have dipped in High-A. His last outing was one of his best of the season, though, surrendering just one earned run and walking one with five punchouts in 5 and ⅓ innings.
Witherspoon, a potential frontline starter in the future, will likely start his organizational tenure with the High-A Frederick Keys.
Enddy Azocar
An international signing back in 2024, Azocar is about three years younger than his average competition at High-A. The 19-year-old has slugged a dozen home runs in 46 games at the level this season, and now joins Baltimore’s system as their fourth-best position-player prospect.
Pipeline notes that the center fielder produces higher exit velocities than most prospects his age and could have 20-plus home run potential. That’s likely due to the 25 pounds of added muscle this offseason, according to BA. They note Azocar’s impressive bat-to-ball skills when swinging at strikes, and give him solid grades as a fielder and runner.
The young outfielder has a long way to go in his development, but has flashed all five tools. Down the line, he could profile as a power-hitting corner outfielder. For now, he’s likely a Frederick Key.
The Orioles also added big league catcher Carlos Narváez and a player to be named later or cash considerations. Losing Rutschman is, of course, a significant blow to the big league roster. But the additions of Eyanson, Witherspoon and Azocar have further strengthened a resurgent farm.
