The Baltimore Orioles acquired first baseman Ryan Mountcastle in the 2015 MLB draft. Mountcastle was selected with the 36th overall pick in the first round by the Orioles out of Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida. He has gone on to become one of the Orioles’ top prospects and made his MLB debut in 2020. Mountcastle is a promising young power hitter who will be a key part of Baltimore’s rebuild.
Scouting Report on Mountcastle Prior to Draft
Heading into the 2015 draft, Mountcastle was ranked by MLB.com as the 18th best prospect available. Here is a quick scouting report on Mountcastle as a high school player:
- Position: Shortstop
- Bats: Left
- Throws: Right
- Height: 6’3
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Scouting grades (on 20-80 scale):
- Hit: 55
- Power: 55
- Run: 45
- Arm: 55
- Field: 45
Mountcastle stood out for his offensive potential and ability to hit for both average and power from the left side of the plate. He generated hard contact consistently with quick hands and an upright, balanced swing. His defense lagged behind his offense, but he profiled as a good athlete capable of sticking at shortstop or sliding over to third base.
Early Career Performance
After being drafted, Mountcastle reported to the Orioles’ rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate. In his first taste of pro ball, he hit .276/.289/.403 with 2 home runs in 152 plate appearances. He showed some swing and miss tendencies with a 24.3% strikeout rate, but also flashed his natural hitting ability.
Mountcastle split the 2016 season between the Orioles’ Low-A affiliates in Delmarva and Aberdeen. In 112 games, he slashed .281/.337/.409 with 5 home runs and a much-improved 16.5% strikeout rate. He began transitioning from shortstop to third base during this season.
His 2017 season playing with the High-A Frederick Keys saw Mountcastle truly break out. He batted .287/.312/.489 with 18 home runs in 122 games and was named the Orioles’ Minor League Player of the Year. He also continued getting more comfortable at third base.
Factors That Led Orioles to Draft Mountcastle
There were several factors that compelled the Orioles to use their 2015 first round pick on Mountcastle:
Hitting Ability
The biggest draw was Mountcastle’s advanced bat and feel for hitting. His combination of bat speed, barrel control, and hand-eye coordination allowed him to square up balls consistently. Scouts felt he had one of the best pure hit tools among high school players that year.
Power Potential
In addition to hitting ability, Mountcastle showed above-average raw power from the left side of the plate. While he didn’t necessarily project as a huge home run hitter, scouts felt the power would continue developing. There was plenty of strength and loft in his swing.
Athleticism
Although Mountcastle was expected to move off shortstop as he filled out, he had the athleticism and mobility to handle third base. The Orioles liked his tools and believed his footwork and glove could become average or better at the hot corner.
Good Makeup
By all accounts, Mountcastle had outstanding makeup and work ethic. Coaches praised his intangibles like leadership, competitiveness, and baseball IQ. The Orioles viewed these traits as an indicator that Mountcastle would maximize his physical abilities.
Organizational Need
The Orioles system lacked impact offensive prospects, especially from the left side. Mountcastle represented an opportunity to add a polished high school bat with All-Star potential. His offensive profile offered a nice complement to catching prospect Chance Sisco.
Scouting Reports on Mountcastle as a Prospect
Here are excerpts of scouting reports on Mountcastle from MLB.com after he had spent a few years developing in the Orioles’ minor league system:
Hitting Ability
“Mountcastle recognizes spin well, staying through the ball from the left side of the plate. He has quick hands and generates consistent bat speed. His hand-eye coordination helps him barrel balls in all parts of the strike zone.”
Power
“He shows the strength and loft to hit 15-25 homers consistently. His swing isn’t necessarily geared for over-the-fence power, but he hits the ball hard to all fields.”
Approach
“Mountcastle can get aggressive at times and needs to focus on refining his strike zone. But he makes a lot of hard contact and doesn’t chase pitches too far out of the zone.”
Defense
“He has worked extensively at third base and made noticeable strides with his footwork, glove work, and arm accuracy. An average defender at third who could also fill in at first base or the outfield corners.”
Mountcastle’s Progression as a Prospect
After being drafted 36th overall in 2015, Mountcastle progressively climbed the Orioles’ prospect rankings. Here is a quick summary:
- 2016: Ranked #5 in Orioles system by MLB.com
- 2017: Ranked #3 in Orioles system by MLB.com
- 2018: Ranked #2 in Orioles system by MLB.com
- 2019: Ranked #1 in Orioles system by MLB.com
- 2020: Ranked #2 in Orioles system and #37 overall by MLB.com
Mountcastle’s performance matched the hype as he rose through the minors. He was voted MVP of the MLB All-Star Futures Game in 2018 and made his MLB debut in 2020. He is now viewed as the Orioles’ first baseman of the future.
Mountcastle’s Minor League Stats
Here is a table summarizing Mountcastle’s statistical performance in the minor leagues from 2015-2019:
Level | Games | AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | RBI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GCL Orioles (Rookie) | 48 | .276 | .289 | .403 | 2 | 17 |
Aberdeen IronBirds (Low-A) | 64 | .272 | .319 | .396 | 3 | 26 |
Delmarva Shorebirds (Low-A) | 48 | .297 | .362 | .442 | 2 | 19 |
Frederick Keys (High-A) | 122 | .287 | .312 | .489 | 18 | 62 |
Bowie Baysox (AA) | 139 | .297 | .341 | .464 | 13 | 83 |
Norfolk Tides (AAA) | 127 | .312 | .344 | .527 | 25 | 83 |
These stats demonstrate Mountcastle’s consistency and development as a hitter. He hit over .290 at every minor league stop while steadily increasing his power output. His strikeout rates remained reasonable as he rose through the upper minors against more advanced pitching.
Scouting Reports Prior to MLB Debut
Heading into Mountcastle’s MLB debut in 2020, here are excerpts of scouting reports on his skills:
Hit Tool
“Shows an advanced hit tool from the left side with outstanding barrel control. Makes a lot of hard contact to all fields. Bat-to-ball ability should enable him to hit for a good average.”
Power
“Above-average raw power that is still developing. Generates good loft and has strength to drive balls out to left-center. Projects as 25-30+ homer bat at his peak.”
Plate Discipline
“Aggressive hitter who doesn’t walk much but also doesn’t chase out of the zone excessively. Will need to refine his approach against better pitching but feel for the barrel plays up.”
Defense
“Fringy defender at first base and corner outfield. Lacks range but has decent hands and a strong arm. Can fill in adequately at third base. Bat will be carrying tool.”
Mountcastle’s MLB Debut and Early Career
Mountcastle finally made his anticipated MLB debut on August 21, 2020 against the Boston Red Sox. He recorded his first career hit that night off starter Martin Perez.
In 35 games his rookie season, Mountcastle slashed .333/.386/.492 with 5 home runs in 142 plate appearances. He finished sixth in AL Rookie of the Year voting despite the short sample.
In 2021, Mountcastle played his first full MLB season as the Orioles’ primary first baseman. He hit .255/.309/.458 with 33 home runs and 89 RBI in 589 plate appearances over 149 games. He led American League rookies in home runs and finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting.
While there are still some swing-and-miss concerns, Mountcastle has shown an impact bat early in his MLB career. If he can refine his plate discipline, he looks poised to be a key middle-of-the-order threat for the rebuilding Orioles. His success vindicates Baltimore’s decision to draft him in 2015.
Conclusion
The Orioles selected prep third baseman Ryan Mountcastle with the 36th pick in the 2015 draft due to his promising bat and power potential. He quickly developed into one of MLB’s top 100 prospects and ascended through Baltimore’s farm system. Mountcastle earned an MLB call-up in 2020 and secured an everyday role in 2021, establishing himself as a core piece of the Orioles’ next contending team. His initial success validates the Orioles’ belief in Mountcastle’s abilities when they drafted him out of high school in 2015. He projects to be a key middle-of-the-order threat and faces of the franchise-type player as the Orioles build back into a contender.