Orioles 22-year-old minor league left-hander Luis De León pitched at three levels of the farm system this year, was selected for the Arizona Fall League and didn’t miss a beat.

De León, the 21^st-ranked prospect in the organization per MLB Pipeline, allowed an unearned run and one hit in four innings in his first AFL start with the Peoria Javelinas. He also struck out seven batters.

De León climbed from Class A Delmarva to High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Chesapeake, making three starts with the Baysox and allowing only three earned runs and striking out 24 in 16 innings. Overall, he posted a 3.30 ERA in 20 games this year, struck out 107 in 87 1/3 innings and didn’t surrender a home run.

A scout from outside the organization has watched De León multiple times, including the AFL start, and described him as “really exciting.”

“Really good (stuff),” he said. “Good fastball, a good slider, the changeup’s coming. Kind of gave him a chance at being a bottom-of-the-rotation type arm with upside. I think he’s gonna have to develop a fourth pitch, but he’s only 22.”

The Orioles are happy with their internal options for the starting rotation and also know that upgrades are important. They will check the various markets, see whether trade partners and free agents provide any solutions.

Trey Gibson will be a phone call away. He’s easy to reach.

Gibson, 23, went from High-A Aberdeen to Double-A Chesapeake and Triple-A Norfolk this season and was chosen as the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year, achieving the honor as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

How close is he to making his major league debut?

“I think pretty close,” he said yesterday while meeting with the media outside the Orioles’ clubhouse.

A 19-year-old outfielder will be honored as the Orioles’ top minor league player in 2025.

That’s a bright future.

Nate George will receive his award tonight in an on-field ceremony prior to the game against the Rays at Camden Yards. Right-hander Trey Gibson, 23, was chosen as the system’s top pitcher.

Florida Complex League manager Christian Frias and area scout Rich Amaral also were recognized for their contributions to the organization.

The Orioles drafted George in the 16^th round in 2024 out of Minooka Community High School in Illinois. His first professional season carried him to three levels – the FCL, Class A Delmarva and High-A Aberdeen – and he hit a combined .337/.413/.483 with 14 doubles, nine triples, five home runs, 42 RBIs, 38 walks, 62 strikeouts and 50 stolen bases in 87 games.

Each year, in preparation for the MLB Draft, MLB Pipeline ranks their 250 best draft-eligible prospects. From the college ranks to the high school prep class, this list is filled with names that could change the outlook of an organization’s future. 

In 2024, that list included the O’s first-round pick Vance Honeycutt, ranked No. 22 among the 250. Griff O’Ferrall came in at No. 38, and his college roommate Ethan Anderson was 40 spots below. The speedy Austin Overn, in Double-A Chesapeake with O’Ferrall and Anderson, checked in at No. 131, and Baltimore’s fifth-round-pick, Ryan Stafford, was ranked 175th. 

More often than not, there’s little conversation to be had about the prospects ranked outside of this list. 

Baseball America takes things a step further, though, ranking 500 prospects before draft season. Coming in at No. 272 was an “under-the-radar prep prospect” hailing from Illinois with a commitment to Northwest Florida: Nate George. 

The center fielder and his raw skillset fell to the 16th round of the 2024 Draft, and that’s where the Orioles selected him, swaying him away from his college commitment. 

Entering the 2023 season, the Orioles’ farm system was at the peak of its powers. 

Baltimore had eight top-100 prospects, according to Baseball America. That included the No. 1 overall prospect, Gunnar Henderson, another top-10 prospect, Grayson Rodriguez, a rising star in Jackson Holliday, a soon-to-be Rookie of the Year candidate in Colton Cowser, and the underrated Jordan Westburg, checking in at No. 76. 

By the time 2024 rolled around, however, that list had taken quite a hit due to graduations. Then it included just three players, with Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo joining Heston Kjerstad. 

With Mayo’s graduation this season, there was some question as to who, if anyone, would join Basallo in the top 100. Baseball America’s most recent rankings gave us an answer, highlighting three Orioles prospects on the rise. 

Nate George 

There are times when it must feel like manager Christian Frias and his players are operating under a cloak of anonymity.

The higher-level affiliates usually get the most attention as players inch closer to the major league roster. The Orioles have three teams in the state of Maryland with Double-A Chesapeake, High-A Aberdeen and Class A Delmarva, and Triple-A Norfolk is a relatively easy drive. But down in Sarasota, the Florida Complex League entry plays in intense heat and out of sight except for some locals.

The regular season is winding down, with only two games left and plenty of drama. The FCL Orioles split a doubleheader yesterday with the Twins, the team that they trail by two games for first place in the South Division and face two more times this week. They lead the FCL Blue Jays by one game for the Wild Card.

Developing players is the No. 1 priority, but victories also count in the minors, even on one of the lowest rungs of the organizational ladder.

“It’s development first, and if you happen to win while doing it, I mean, we’ll take it,” Frias said.

The 2024 MLB Draft resumed today shortly after 2 p.m. as the clubs began making selections in round 11. Today the three-day draft will conclude with selections in rounds 11 through 20.

The Orioles will have one pick in each round today and they selected a lefty college pitcher in round 11.

Round 11 (No. 339) - O's took Louisville senior lefty Sebastian Gongora. This season over 15 starts he went 5-4 with a 6.14 ERA. Over 77 2/3 innings he allowed 86 hits with 29 walks and 89 strikeouts. He produced a 1.481 WHIP with a 3.4 walk rate and 10.3 strikeout rate.

He had a better season in 2023 at Wright State with a 3.17 ERA in 93 2/3 innings and a 22.4 strikeout rate. He was the Horizon League Pitcher of the Year.

Gongora is ranked as this draft's No. 353 prospect on the Baseball America Top 500.