FIRST-ROUND TALENT ABOUNDS
The New York-Penn League was stacked with prospects this season, and Aberdeen catcher Adley Rutschman led the wave.
Two pitchers managed to shine brightly this season among the position-heavy group. Lowell righthander Noah Song, a Red Sox fourth-round pick this year, lit up the radar gun and caught the attention of managers around the league. A graduate of the Naval Academy, Song may have military service requirements that could potentially slow down his progression to the big leagues.
Tri-City righthander Hunter Brown, an Astros fifth-rounder out of Wayne State, also shined on the mound with plus stuff and arm strength but ultimately didn’t qualify.
Brooklyn received a boost from 2019 draftees Brett Baty, Matt Allan and Jake Mangum, who helped the club to defeat Lowell in the NYPL championship series. It was the Cyclones’ first title since 2001.
1. Adley Rutschman, C
Aberdeen (Orioles)
AGE: 21. B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 216. DRAFTED: Oregon State, 2019 (1).
After quick tune-up in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, Rutschman, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, moved to the New York-Penn
