Jordan Westburg

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #6 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: Westburg went 30th overall in the 2020 draft and signed for $2.37 million on the belief that his improved performance in the summer and abbreviated spring before his draft year was legitimate. Nothing he's done as a pro has made the Orioles question that. Westburg climbed to Double-A in 2021, his first full pro season, and spent most of 2022 at Triple-A Norfolk. His 69 extra-base hits were fifth-most in the minors in 2022, and Westburg's continued improvement earned him the organization's Brooks Robinson minor league player of the year award.
  
  Scouting Report: Recognizing Westburg for his improvement the way the Orioles did only highlights all his skills. He doesn't have a plus tool but has spent his career maximizing what he has. Westburg has become more aggressive in all counts as he has matured, and he used the team's challenging practice to address deficiencies with hoppy fastballs up in the zone and sliders away. At every level, he's adjusted back to the league and gone on to excel. Westburg has a clean, simple swing that still generates plenty of bat speed and could allow him to be an average hitter with above-average power thanks to his ability to pull the ball and drive it to the opposite-field gap. Consistency in his at-bat quality has been an issue, though, leading to two prolonged slumps in 2022. Westburg is an above-average runner and can play shortstop but may be stretched to be average there, with above-average potential at second base as an everyday position. He can play third base, too.
  
  The Future: Westburg's versatility may be key to his future in what's shaping up to be a loaded Orioles infield. His ability to play up the middle and potentially hit for power make him a future solid-average regular, and he'll compete for a major league job in spring training. Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #6 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: In signing Westburg for $2.37 million as the 30th overall pick in 2020, the Orioles bet he was going to continue the improvements from his strong summer in 2019 in Cape Cod League and the first few weeks of the shortened college season. He did just that at instructional league in 2020. He began his pro career at Low-A Delmarva before beginning a three-level ascent to Double-A Bowie.
  
  Scouting Report: While climbing the minors, Westburg showed an aptitude to adjust and rise to the competition level each time. An above-average hitter who made consistent contact with good swing decisions, Westburg abandoned a toe-tap late in the season and moved to a leg lift that caused his hard-contact rate to spike down the stretch at Bowie. As he moves forward with that and doesn’t give up his ability to drive the ball late in counts, Westburg could have 20-home run power, especially if he pulls the ball more often. His strikeout concerns have been quieted by a year where his strikeout rates fell as he climbed levels, and he chased fewer than 20% of the time. He’s a plus runner with the instincts and athleticism to play shortstop in the big leagues and the arm for third base, making him an asset anywhere on the infield.
  
  The Future: Westburg’s quiet competitiveness and confidence fit in well on an ascendant Orioles farm, and he projects to be an everyday big leaguer whose versatility may make him worth more than that in the major leagues. He should finish off Double-A Bowie to begin 2022 but has a chance to push for the majors by the end of the summer.
  
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #11 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: A breakout summer in the Cape Cod League carried into an improved spring for Westburg at Mississippi State before the college season shut down. The Orioles drafted him 30th overall and signed him for $2.37 million. Westburg made his organizational debut in instructional league and impressed as one of the top performers in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Of all the developments Westburg made over his college career, the Orioles were glad to see one continue into the camp: his refined batting eye. Swing-and-miss issues have plagued Westburg at times, but he cut down on his chasing and swung at good pitches in the fall. That development allowed him to better tap into his plus power to all fields and be at least an average hitter. Westburg's athleticism and defense were never a concern. He's a tremendous athlete and plus runner with the instincts and actions to stay at shortstop and the arm to move to third base if needed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Everything Westburg does defensively would make him a useful major leaguer. His continued progress with the bat will what elevates him to a solid everyday player.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #33 prospect in 2020 draft
  An impressive athlete with plus speed and plus raw power, Westburg has steadily improved as a hitter throughout his college career and had an exceptional summer in the Cape Cod League in 2019. In 25 games with Hyannis, Westburg hit .326/.385/.516 with four home runs and six doubles—enough to rank as the No. 4 prospect in the league. Westburg has been an aggressive hitter at times, with a tendency to strike out at a high clip, but he has made big strides in that department. After whiffing in 25 percent of his plate appearances as a freshman, Westburg cut that to 21 percent as a sophomore and then again to 18 percent through a small, 14-game sample in 2020. Still, scouts think he might wind up as more of a fringe-average hitter because of those concerns. While he does have plus raw power, he’s never been able to fully tap into that during games, and his six home runs in 2019 were the most he’s managed in a season. He’s been more of a doubles and gap hitter, but has a 6-foot-3, 203-pound frame that could add more weight and allow him to take a step forward in that area. Defensively, Westburg has a shot to stick at shortstop. He’s not the elite defender that scouts want to see at the position, but he’s quick, athletic and has a strong enough arm. Depending on the situation around him, he could likely handle the position, but a move to third base or second might be a better long-term fit. If a team thinks he has a chance to be an average hitter, he could go in the back of the first round, with good supplemental tools to fall back on.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #76 prospect in 2023

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: Westburg went 30th overall in the 2020 draft and signed for $2.37 million on the belief that his improved performance in the summer and abbreviated spring before his draft year was legitimate. Nothing he's done as a pro has made the Orioles question that. Westburg climbed to Double-A in 2021, his first full pro season, and spent most of 2022 at Triple-A Norfolk. His 69 extra-base hits were fifth-most in the minors in 2022, and Westburg's continued improvement earned him the organization's Brooks Robinson minor league player of the year award.
  
  Scouting Report: Recognizing Westburg for his improvement the way the Orioles did only highlights all his skills. He doesn't have a plus tool but has spent his career maximizing what he has. Westburg has become more aggressive in all counts as he has matured, and he used the team's challenging practice to address deficiencies with hoppy fastballs up in the zone and sliders away. At every level, he's adjusted back to the league and gone on to excel. Westburg has a clean, simple swing that still generates plenty of bat speed and could allow him to be an average hitter with above-average power thanks to his ability to pull the ball and drive it to the opposite-field gap. Consistency in his at-bat quality has been an issue, though, leading to two prolonged slumps in 2022. Westburg is an above-average runner and can play shortstop but may be stretched to be average there, with above-average potential at second base as an everyday position. He can play third base, too.
  
  The Future: Westburg's versatility may be key to his future in what's shaping up to be a loaded Orioles infield. His ability to play up the middle and potentially hit for power make him a future solid-average regular, and he'll compete for a major league job in spring training. Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: Westburg went 30th overall in the 2020 draft and signed for $2.37 million on the belief that his improved performance in the summer and abbreviated spring before his draft year was legitimate. Nothing he's done as a pro has made the Orioles question that. Westburg climbed to Double-A in 2021, his first full pro season, and spent most of 2022 at Triple-A Norfolk. His 69 extra-base hits were fifth-most in the minors in 2022, and Westburg's continued improvement earned him the organization's Brooks Robinson minor league player of the year award.
  
  Scouting Report: Recognizing Westburg for his improvement the way the Orioles did only highlights all his skills. He doesn't have a plus tool but has spent his career maximizing what he has. Westburg has become more aggressive in all counts as he has matured, and he used the team's challenging practice to address deficiencies with hoppy fastballs up in the zone and sliders away. At every level, he's adjusted back to the league and gone on to excel. Westburg has a clean, simple swing that still generates plenty of bat speed and could allow him to be an average hitter with above-average power thanks to his ability to pull the ball and drive it to the opposite-field gap. Consistency in his at-bat quality has been an issue, though, leading to two prolonged slumps in 2022. Westburg is an above-average runner and can play shortstop but may be stretched to be average there, with above-average potential at second base as an everyday position. He can play third base, too.
  
  The Future: Westburg's versatility may be key to his future in what's shaping up to be a loaded Orioles infield. His ability to play up the middle and potentially hit for power make him a future solid-average regular, and he'll compete for a major league job in spring training. Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/High
  
  Track Record: In signing Westburg for $2.37 million as the 30th overall pick in 2020, the Orioles bet he was going to continue the improvements from his strong summer in 2019 in Cape Cod League and the first few weeks of the shortened college season. He did just that at instructional league in 2020. He began his pro career at Low-A Delmarva before beginning a three-level ascent to Double-A Bowie.
  
  Scouting Report: While climbing the minors, Westburg showed an aptitude to adjust and rise to the competition level each time. An above-average hitter who made consistent contact with good swing decisions, Westburg abandoned a toe-tap late in the season and moved to a leg lift that caused his hard-contact rate to spike down the stretch at Bowie. As he moves forward with that and doesn&#39t give up his ability to drive the ball late in counts, Westburg could have 20-home run power, especially if he pulls the ball more often. His strikeout concerns have been quieted by a year where his strikeout rates fell as he climbed levels, and he chased fewer than 20% of the time. He&#39s a plus runner with the instincts and athleticism to play shortstop in the big leagues and the arm for third base, making him an asset anywhere on the infield.
  
  The Future: Westburg&#39s quiet competitiveness and confidence fit in well on an ascendant Orioles farm, and he projects to be an everyday big leaguer whose versatility may make him worth more than that in the major leagues. He should finish off Double-A Bowie to begin 2022 but has a chance to push for the majors by the end of the summer.
  
  Scouting Grades
  Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: In signing Westburg for $2.37 million as the 30th overall pick in 2020, the Orioles bet he was going to continue the improvements from his strong summer in 2019 in Cape Cod League and the first few weeks of the shortened college season. He did just that at instructional league in 2020. He began his pro career at Low-A Delmarva before beginning a three-level ascent to Double-A Bowie.
  
  Scouting Report: While climbing the minors, Westburg showed an aptitude to adjust and rise to the competition level each time. An above-average hitter who made consistent contact with good swing decisions, Westburg abandoned a toe-tap late in the season and moved to a leg lift that caused his hard-contact rate to spike down the stretch at Bowie. As he moves forward with that and doesn’t give up his ability to drive the ball late in counts, Westburg could have 20-home run power, especially if he pulls the ball more often. His strikeout concerns have been quieted by a year where his strikeout rates fell as he climbed levels, and he chased fewer than 20% of the time. He’s a plus runner with the instincts and athleticism to play shortstop in the big leagues and the arm for third base, making him an asset anywhere on the infield.
  
  The Future: Westburg’s quiet competitiveness and confidence fit in well on an ascendant Orioles farm, and he projects to be an everyday big leaguer whose versatility may make him worth more than that in the major leagues. He should finish off Double-A Bowie to begin 2022 but has a chance to push for the majors by the end of the summer.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A breakout summer in the Cape Cod League carried into an improved spring for Westburg at Mississippi State before the college season shut down. The Orioles drafted him 30th overall and signed him for $2.37 million. Westburg made his organizational debut in instructional league and impressed as one of the top performers in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Of all the developments Westburg made over his college career, the Orioles were glad to see one continue into the camp: his refined batting eye. Swing-and-miss issues have plagued Westburg at times, but he cut down on his chasing and swung at good pitches in the fall. That development allowed him to better tap into his plus power to all fields and be at least an average hitter. Westburg's athleticism and defense were never a concern. He's a tremendous athlete and plus runner with the instincts and actions to stay at shortstop and the arm to move to third base if needed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Everything Westburg does defensively would make him a useful major leaguer. His continued progress with the bat will what elevates him to a solid everyday player.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A breakout summer in the Cape Cod League carried into an improved spring for Westburg at Mississippi State before the college season shut down. The Orioles drafted him 30th overall and signed him for $2.37 million. Westburg made his organizational debut in instructional league and impressed as one of the top performers in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Of all the developments Westburg made over his college career, the Orioles were glad to see one continue into the camp: his refined batting eye. Swing-and-miss issues have plagued Westburg at times, but he cut down on his chasing and swung at good pitches in the fall. That development allowed him to better tap into his plus power to all fields and be at least an average hitter. Westburg's athleticism and defense were never a concern. He's a tremendous athlete and plus runner with the instincts and actions to stay at shortstop and the arm to move to third base if needed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Everything Westburg does defensively would make him a useful major leaguer. His continued progress with the bat will what elevates him to a solid everyday player.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A breakout summer in the Cape Cod League carried into an improved spring for Westburg at Mississippi State before the college season shut down. The Orioles drafted him 30th overall and signed him for $2.37 million. Westburg made his organizational debut in instructional league and impressed as one of the top performers in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Of all the developments Westburg made over his college career, the Orioles were glad to see one continue into the camp: his refined batting eye. Swing-and-miss issues have plagued Westburg at times, but he cut down on his chasing and swung at good pitches in the fall. That development allowed him to better tap into his plus power to all fields and be at least an average hitter. Westburg's athleticism and defense were never a concern. He's a tremendous athlete and plus runner with the instincts and actions to stay at shortstop and the arm to move to third base if needed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Everything Westburg does defensively would make him a useful major leaguer. His continued progress with the bat will what elevates him to a solid everyday player.