The Orioles organization is lacking in middle-infield depth, and while prospect Ryan Mountcastle just completed his first full professional season, the club is counting on him to advance through the team’s minor league system at his natural position of shortstop.
Mountcastle was selected with the 36th overall pick in 2015, a compensation selection given to the Orioles for losing free agent Nelson Cruz. And the Orioles have high hopes for the 19-year-old, who is the third-best prospect in the organization according to Baseball America.
The Orioles believe his bat will develop. The 6-foot-3 Mountcastle hit .