Alex Church takes a look at Adam Hall who is a speedy middle infielder with the ability to stick at shortstop. How does he fit into the Orioles’ future plans?
Despite losing an entire year of minor league baseball, Orioles prospects have crept close to claiming a spot in Baltimore.
The Orioles are still rebuilding, but the pieces are coming together. That’s what makes the lack of high-level infield prospects a touch concerning. MLB.com named only two infielders when ranking Baltimore’s top 10 prospects, and neither Gunnar Henderson nor Jordan Westburg has an ETA before 2023. The next tier of Orioles’ infielders, Terrin Vavra and Hall, check-in at 12 and 13.
The Orioles selected Hall with the 60th pick of the 2017 draft. Hall was just 18 years old when Baltimore drafted him out of the A.B. Lucas Secondary School in Ontario, Canada. He was born in Bermuda before moving to Canada with dreams of playing pro baseball. He captured the attention of many with his play for the Canadian junior national team and planned to attend Texas A&M prior to signing with the Birds.
Hall posted a respectable .293/.368/.374 slash line at Aberdeen in 2018, but the pride of A.B. Lucas cranked things up a notch the following year. Hall generated significant buzz with a .298/.385/.395 over 122 games at Delmarva. The righty was on pace for another promotion last season prior to the cancelation of the 2020 minor league season.
MLB.com describes Hall as a player that can stick at shortstop throughout his development. His strong arm and range are worth noting, especially with many forecasting an eventual shift for Henderson and Westburg. Hall measures just under 6 feet, but his speed is a legitimate difference-maker on the field.
Hall’s dominant 2019 led to Delmarva Now naming him the number 24 player in ShoreBirds’ history. Shorebirds assistant general manager Jimmy Sweet called him the hardest working kid he’s ever seen. For what it’s worth, Hall checked in one spot ahead of Rutschman.
Hall will likely start the year at Double-A Bowie. His age and lack of experience likely require two years of further development, but MLB.com projects an arrival sometime during 2022. Projecting player’s pathways remains an unprecedented challenge after the lack of a 2020 season.
Hall’s speed provides him a unique advantage. The righty could develop into a utility type, but playing every day at short remains a possibility. He stole 33 bases with Delmarva and swiped 22 in just 62 games the year before at Aberdeen.
His unique journey from Bermuda, to Ontario, and now Maryland represents a kid willing to put it all on the line. His physical gifts and mature approach led to a few appearances with the Orioles in Sarasota, and his potential demands further monitoring by all interested parties.
The Orioles’ future infield may be slightly further down the road, but there are contenders within the organization. Henderson received a heaping amount of praise during the offseason, but Hall’s most recent pro performance suggests an entrance to the conversation with Henderson and Westburg.
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