Jackson Baumeister, Mac Horvath, and Matthew Etzel to Tampa Bay Rays for back-end starter
*All Photos: Grant DeVivo
On Friday evening, I got a message from a buddy of mine saying that the Orioles acquired Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays. As much as I loved getting Eflin for the back end of the rotation, I was curious to see who the Rays were getting in return.
It turns out that the Orioles gave them a somewhat steep return that I believe Rays fans should be ecstatic about. All three prospects that Tampa Bay received are fairly young in their development, but they excelled during their time in the Orioles organization. It is a situation in which they can play, but they are lower in the organization's depth charts and have a better shot at the big leagues elsewhere in an organization like the Rays. All three of these players could play major roles for the Rays in just a matter of years.
Here is a breakdown of who the Orioles sent to the Rays for the 30-year-old Eflin.
I was actually bummed to see that the Orioles included Baumeister in his trade. A 2023 second rounder from Florida State University and the highest pitcher draft pick made by the Orioles since Grayson Rodriguez in 2018 (first round), he was in the middle of a great season with High-A Aberdeen, pitching to a 3.06 ERA and a 1.358 WHIP in 70 innings. He knew how to gain swings and misses with a well-finessed and well-tutored pitch arsenal, one that included a sharp 3/4 curveball. He could either give you a solid outing just straight up, or sometimes he might do it the fancy way (5.5 BB/9). In an organization where you never have enough pitching, I was really hoping that the Orioles would hold onto Baumeister and develop him into a quality back-end starter or even a middle relief option. Now, onto the sunshine state he goes to try to break through with the Rays one day. After being the Orioles' No. 18 prospect, Baumeister now sits as the Rays' No. 13 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
IF Mac Horvath
I am all-around impressed with what Horvath brings to the table, and I believe that he could be a contributing cleanup or 5-hole hitter for the Rays in no less than three more years. The former second rounder from the University of North Carolina has battled some injuries this season but when healthy, he can flat out mash. I love his swing, as his big load helps generate power into a short but quick swing, resulting in very hard contact from the 23-year-old. Horvath mashed 24 home runs in his junior (and final) year at North Carolina. He has 9 home runs in 71 games this season for Aberdeen but with a .417 slugging percentage and a .745 OPS. Horvath can work anywhere in the infield defensively, though the numbers prove that he is better defensively as a second baseman. Regardless, the bat is what matters and if developed properly, I believe that he will keep climbing the prospect rankings for the Rays and that he will supply power in the middle of their order. he has a better shot at breaking through with the Rays, whereas he is lower on the Orioles' infield depth charts. Originally sitting as the Orioles' No. 11 prospect, Horvath now sits as the Rays' No. 18 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
When I first saw Etzel in person, specifically his forearms and his big bad beard, I initially thought that he was a power-hitting lumberjack. As I got to know him as a player, I realized that speed is his main specialty. He looks like a slugger, but do not be mistaken. He is fast as...well, you chose the word. A 2023 10th rounder out of the University of Southern Mississippi, Etzel stole 21 bases in 30 games in his pro bal debut in 2023. In 83 games this year split between Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie, he has a ridiculous 41 stolen bases which is second in the organization behind Enrique Bradfield's 49 stolen bases. He can hit the ball too, as he is a .289 hitter this season with 47 RBI and an .809 OPS. This guy snuck up on me and fans alike, and I grew to enjoy watching Etzel play and climb the system. In the end, I am happy for Etzel and his new opportunity. It would have been very difficult for him to break through in Baltimore. He has a greater opportunity to break through with the Rays given the current state of their organization and the departure of beloved All-Star Randy Arozarena. After being unranked in the Orioles' Top 30 prospects on MLB Pipeline, Etzel is now a Rays top prospect, checking in at No. 27.
Moving Forward
I hope the Rays and their fans genuinly understand how talented of a haul that they just received for Eflin. They have ever reason to be excited, and their farm system just got a major boost. I wish all three of these guys nothing but the best in their next chapters in baseball.
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