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.
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